Chapter 128
Allie's Christmas Charity
. . .
Downtown, Allie was mesmerized by the vast building that housed the offices for the Granary, but even more so when they entered the elegant lobby, and everyone stopped to greet them.
"Good morning, Simon! This is my Granddaughter, Miss Allie Grant, and her father, my soon-to-be Son, Chief Inspector Grant."
"So pleased to meet you both. But you, Young Lady, I would know anywhere, as your grandfather has a photo of you on his desk. A very beautiful one, I might add!"
"You do, Grandpapa?"
"I most certainly do, Allie, on all my desks. But I'll tell you a little secret. Your Grandmama made me get copies so the original could stay home with her!"
Allie giggled.
"I know because I saw it in your living room, Grandpapa. It's with Momma and Dad's photo!"
"Sh! Don't tell anyone, but I have one of theirs too!"
Allie laughed but quickly turned back to her mission of learning everything she could.
"Is this the place where everyone comes to meet you?"
"Yes, this is the lobby. There are three elevators here at the end. One for the public, one for the staff, and one for us, including Simon, my personal assistant. Come, Simon, come up to my office with us if you've got the time."
"Absolutely, Sir! Wouldn't be anywhere else."
It was true, whenever Edward was in the building, Simon stuck to him like glue, making sure he had everything he needed precisely when he needed it.
"Wow, this is one fancy elevator!"
"Allie…" warned Nathan softly.
"Sorry, Grandpapa, but it is really nice!"
Edward smiled.
"What floor are we going to?" asked Allie, unable to contain her inquisitiveness.
"The top floor, mon petite choux!"
"Wow!"
Allie had no way of knowing that her Grandpapa's offices were always on the top floor with the staff offices of his top management teams, along with his many personal assistants, including executive secretaries and stenographers that answered ultimately only to him and his chosen elite.
But unlike most businessmen of his stature, Edward was seldom found on the top administrative floor; instead, he was often found roaming the remaining floors, taking the temperature of all those employees who answered to his top team.
As Edward Bradford was highly respected and personable, his employees soon became used to having him there, working with them, and they were now most honored for him to appear out of the blue, although that had taken some getting used to.
This unique habit also kept his top management team on their toes, as their boss insisted on mingling with and listening to those very employees they led.
It was a business style he hoped to teach Allie, starting this very day by introducing her to everyone from the top floor to the bottom floor, including the custodial team, showing equal respect for all…
After a busy morning with Edward familiarizing Allie with a couple of his workplaces and proudly introducing her to everyone in attendance, their elegantly refined lunch was scheduled to take place on the second floor of Edward's favorite restaurant, 'Americano,' the 'best prime rib in all of Canada!'
Having experienced it on his last trip to Montreal, Nathan could attest that the prime rib lived up to its sterling reputation. And he was salivating, just thinking of doing a repeat.
Although a very nice restaurant, it wasn't nearly as fancy as those most wealthy people frequented. Another reason, besides the delicious food, the place was Edward's favorite, along with Nathan's.
Victoria had called the Maitre D early this morning and reserved the private dining room for their meeting, as well as having selected a most delicious menu that included several special treats.
As each attendee arrived, Nathan, Edward, and Allie shook their hands and welcomed them.
Then just before they started their official meeting, Edward had something to say privately to the two of them.
"It warmed my heart to see how wonderful you both were with all our employees earlier. Nathan, just by being your compassionate and intelligent self, you were so impressive this morning. Allie, you were delightful and so kind and polite to each and every one of them. I just wanted you and your father to know how extremely proud I am of the both of you! Now, what do you say, let's get to the real work at hand today," winked Edward.
It was true. Allie had warmed their hearts, charming them to no end simply by being her inquisitive self, from the vice presidents to every single team member in the entire building.
It was also easy for all to see the child was soaking up everything they told her like a sponge, amazing them while at the same time endearing her to them
How could they not be impressed by her impeccable manners as well as her many astute questions, which exhibited a comprehension level far beyond her years?
They could definitely tell she was her father's daughter by their intellect and the way they both carried themselves; he obviously was a successful man who had made raising his daughter appropriately a top priority, and for that, they couldn't help but be impressed...
Today's lunch at Americano, bountiful and resplendent, thanks to Victoria, was a working meal that included the head administrators of each orphanage found in Montreal.
When Edward Bradford called, you altered your schedule to ensure your answer was in the affirmative. For whatever he had in mind, the executives knew their children would be the ones to ultimately benefit.
Edward was one to never waste time, especially when he was on a mission! While Victoria had been busy securing their lunch, he had called the administrators first thing this morning, inviting them to lunch and asking them to bring a synopsis file on each of their children.
Their guests were now feasting on an assortment of hot appetizers, including Edward's favorite Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip with Three Cheeses, served with Crostini and Fresh Veggies.
Next, their guests were served a Rock Shrimp Risotto as the second course, followed by Americano's famous Caesar Salad with Anchovies and Homemade Cheese Straws as the third course.
While the group ate their salads before the main courses were served, Edward rose to begin his welcome.
"Thanks to all of you for taking the time to meet with us on such short notice. Thank you also for bringing the files we requested. Both are much appreciated! This is my soon-to-be official Son, Chief Inspector Nathan A. Grant, and this is my Granddaughter, Miss Allison Rose Grant, affectionately known to all of us as Allie."
"On behalf of all the administrators, we're delighted to be here, Monsieur Bradford," smiled Mademoiselle Giselle Chastain with a slight bow of her head, the senior administrator in attendance and head of the largest orphanage in all of Montreal and the surrounding area.
"Thank you, Mademoiselle Chastain. I must be fully transparent, though, and give credit where credit is due. We are here solely because of our beloved Allie. Sweetheart, would you like to tell the kind administrators why we asked them to join us today?"
Allie suddenly seemed uncharacteristically shy, but then when her Dad and Grandpapa smiled broadly at her in encouragement, she stood in front of the table and smiled warmly at the group.
"You've met my Grandpapa and my Dad, and I love them both so much. My Dad's the very best father a girl could ever ask for," hesitated Allie about what to say next, glancing at her father, who nodded with a gentle smile, nudging her on.
"But the reason he's my father is because his twin sister, my Mom, died when I was four years old. I wish I did, but I don't remember her very much, except for a lullaby she sang to me. Dad told me my Mom made up the words and sang them to the music of Brahm's Lullaby." *140
At this point, Allie broke down as Nathan stood and embraced her.
"But, Dad," she looked up at him in utter devastation and frustration. "I try so hard, but I can only remember a single line of the chorus. I can't remember the words, no matter how hard I try!"
"It's alright, Allie! You might not remember the words exactly, but they're in your heart, and they will always be there. Do you want me to continue for you, Sweetie?"
He held her tight. Finally, she shook her head no.
"I have to do this, Dad."
"Then I'll stand right here with you."
She smiled through her tears and wrapped her arm around his waist.
He handed her his handkerchief, and she sniffled till, finally, she was able to talk to their guests again.
"Like I said, Dad was my uncle, and he took me in and raised me all by himself. But last year, he adopted me, and now I'm his real daughter. And this year, I'm finally getting a new Momma, one I adore. Now, because of her, I've got the great big family I've always wanted," Allie smiled at her Grandpapa, then continued.
"I have so many blessings that I thought instead of getting gifts this Christmas, it would be nice if I could give my gifts to all the little girls like me who have mothers in heaven with my Mom. I want them to have a special Christmas too!"
The administrators were deeply touched by the compassion and innocence of this little girl who had obviously suffered great loss, just like those children they worked with every single day.
"I just want to give them a really nice Christmas!" she quickly explained. "Because in lots of ways, I've already had mine."
"What a beautiful thing to do, Miss Allie. Our girls will be so very grateful," noted Monsieur Remy Faucher, removing his spectacles to wipe a tear, head of the second largest Montreal orphanage.
Edward intervened to clarify.
"We know that the one thing these girls want more than anything, just like my Granddaughter, is their mother. As much as we wish we could, none of us can do that. We can't give them their heart's desire, but in addition to giving the girls a very nice Christmas, as we are all working hard to do, I want to personally add to my Granddaughter's wishes to give them special gifts and time with our family. I also want to see that their educations are paid for, thereby securing their futures."
The administrators collectively gasped.
"Our prayers are finally answered beyond what we could have dared hope for," cried one.
"These children now have a chance in this world!" cried out another, so humbled.
The lunch continued with the true feeling of Christmas giving in the air, and the chatter held a tone of electrified excitement, each thrilled that their charges were finally being acknowledged in such a special and life-altering way.
What a wonderful Christmas this now was going to be for all! Well, at least for all the girls within their charge, as all were motherless for one tragic reason or another.
While the guests were served amidst their excited chatter, the administrators ate their lunch with Allie chattering away.
At the same time, Edward and Nathan ate less attentively while also going through the files at the head of the table to tally a number so they could know how many children they were working with in order to determine what exactly needed to be done.
But going through these files, which included the boys and girls, both Nathan and Edward were thinking along the same line.
The two men simply nodded, having effectively communicated one to the other.
"Allie, Dear, excuse me! Would you mind if we expanded our work to include the boys without mothers?" asked Edward in a low voice.
What Edward was really asking was if they could include all the boys, for only one boy had a mother still living, but she was ill and unable to care for him, and they weren't about to leave him out.
"Really, Grandpapa? That would be the best ever!"
"I believe your Uncle Richard and Auntie Margaret, along with your Uncle William and Auntie Pippa, would be willing to take on the boys as we care for the girls."
The three nodded in agreement.
Then Edward spoke up for all to hear.
"Our plan is now for our family to take both the boys and the girls to get new Christmas outfits early in the morning on Parade Day and then take all the children to the Santa Claus Parade at 11 am. After that ends, we'll take them all to lunch and get to know each of them better, so we'll get to know their Christmas wants and wishes, along with your astute help, of course. That will give us two days to see that their wishes are granted."
The Administrative Staffs they were meeting with were simply overcome.
Now all their children would be taken care of.
How could they not be overjoyed?
"Monsieur Bradford, we know their wishes and wants. We just didn't have the funding to purchase what they wished for. If you are willing to do all this, the least we can do is get their lists to you by this afternoon. Will that be helpful, Sir?" asked Mademoiselle Chastain.
"That would be most helpful, Mademoiselle Chastain. Most helpful, indeed. I was concerned that the children's wished-for items might not still be available for purchase at that late date. This will alleviate that potential problem. Our sincere thanks to all of you for being pre-emptive."
Edward glanced at his Granddaughter and discreetly raised his eyebrows, asking her if he had adequately taken care of everything she had wished for. She nodded ever so slightly but with the most glorious smile on her face. As young as she was, Allie fully realized that this was the most important lesson of their business adventures today.
To know that girls and boys without a mother like her before her Momma came into her life would have a grand Christmas and a future education was the most amazing feeling.
This was the positive side of having businesses that provided goods for all of Canada and livelihoods for literally thousands of families.
These same businesses also provided the opportunity for the entire Bradford Family to simply help those in need.
Now, his Granddaughter was seeing that opportunity in action firsthand, and Edward could feel Allie's awe and understanding.
Being able to help those in need was the driving force behind all of Edward's work, always had been, and he would never tire of doing so. To share that with his new family members meant the world to him. For that was the essence of this family, to give back humbly, the whole while thanking God for that beautiful gift.
The room quietened while the waiters prepared to serve the main meal, again family style, just as Edward and Victoria preferred.
A round of soft tears from all parties was now being shed around this large table at the 'Americano.'
Yet they were the happiest of tears, as these thoughts of blessing upon blessing were being humbly and most magnanimously offered as well as received during this beautiful and most special Holiday Season…
. . .
140. 'Brahm's Lullaby,' Johannes Brahms, Written to Commemorate the Birth of a Friend's Second Son, 1868, Public Domain
