Hey Folks! I'm back! I will be posting this and Chapter 16 soon. Here's a quick summary of this chapter. Hopefully it reads better than I have summarized. Thank you for the follow and kind comments. Summary: Eliza's son has arrived from England in time for her birthday. Both she and William are preoccupied with the agency's cases but mainly worried about William's son's continued disappearance. The family, especially Camille welcomes Alexander Blake, Jr to the home. They all go out to celebrate a special birthday lunch for Eliza and then back at home ask if Alex will help in their search. In a private conversation between step siblings, Alex confirms how happy William and Eliza really are.
Honorable Mention
Chapter 15
Discussion and Revelation
A few days later, on Eliza's birthday she was greeted by a knock on the door in the late morning.
"Happy Birthday, Mama!" Alexander, Jr. greeted her coming into the house and hugging his mother tightly lifting her slightly off her feet.
"Alexander!" Eliza hugged him back tightly. "This is a wonderful birthday present!"
He released her and put her back on her feet. They held hands briefly.
"I have been waiting until you arrived. Why didn't you warn us when your ship would be in? We would have met you and saved you the cab fare." Eliza chattered along with a hundred other questions regarding the rest of the family.
Before Alex could answer any of his mother's rapid fire questions, William had descended from upstairs in their office and offered a hand to Alex, Jr.
"Welcome, sir," William said. "You have made your mother very happy."
Alex looked at William's proffered hand for just a minute before clasping it. He had had a lot of time to anticipate his feelings upon seeing his mother in her new home. He decided he would do what he felt his mother would want him to do. Just take it as it comes.
"You have good instincts. You will know right away if I was being mistreated or unloved" his mother had admonished him before they walked to the church for the fast wedding ceremony and then to the hotel where she and "stepfather" spent their wedding night.
A dark haired young woman descended from the back of the house along with an older woman in an apron.
Camille walked right up to Alex, Jr. and gave him a hug much to Alex's surprise.
"Cami, let the man breathe," William admonished his daughter.
"Well, he's my brother now, dad. You know how I am."
"Oh yes, I know how you are," William said rolling his eyes yet smiling for Camille's warm and welcoming personality. She's much more like Ellen than Thomas. I should say much like my former in-laws for certain William thought.
"I'm Camille, Alex, and I am very happy to meet my new brother."
Alex not used to this type of warm welcome, gallantly, kissed his stepsister's hand and said, "Pleased to meet you, Miss Wellington."
"Oh no need to be so formal, Alex," Eliza said. She knew Alex was not the warmest of personalities. One because he was a proper Englishman but also because he was much like his own father reserved and short in his acquaintances until he grew closer or knew the other person better. Then the pearl of the onion would be revealed peel after peel.
The reserve was also built out of losing friends from one circumstance to another. He never wanted to become so close because he felt that friend could be puffed away like so much smoke.
Silently, Eliza wondered what progress was being made with Julietta Fitzroy, if any.
"Where is my new stepbrother?" Alex asked.
William looked at Eliza and then she said, "He's still missing, but we believe after some research that he's somewhere in Milan."
Immediately, Alex's mind perked up. He was always ready to help solve a mystery. In this scenario, Alex was much more like Eliza. Tenacious and ready to get down to the business at hand.
"We can talk about it later, if you like…son," William offered taking his bags. "We've put you in Thomas' room for right now."
"I have booked at room down the road a bit. No need for trouble. I thought that I would just visit first and then get settled in my lodgings," Alex volunteered.
Camille stepped in as Wellington Family Ambassador.
"Nonsense. You are family now. Cancel your reservation and you can follow me upstairs to Thomas' room. Mrs. Ryan (she introduced her to Alex) just finished dusting it, so it is clean as a whistle for you to occupy until Thomas returns," Camille said attempting to lift his rather heavy luggage.
"Cami," William said taking the luggage. "A young woman lets the man carry the luggage up the steps."
"Why, dad? I'm fit and strong and nearly as tall as you," Cami argued back.
William got that impatient look at his daughter and raised one eyebrow at her. Alex then interrupted.
"No need. I shall take my bags. Just lead the way."
This whole exchange put a smile on Eliza's face. She lowered her eyes until she felt William place a hand on each upper arm.
"Camille Ellen Wellington, whatever am I going to do with her once her boyfriend returns from the army?" William sighed looking at Eliza's smiling face.
"Hopefully, she'll go through with marrying him and then she can boss another male around," Eliza said smiling and bursting out in a chuckle as she looked up at her husband.
"So, wife, soon, I would like you to dress in your best dress. We're all going out to lunch for your birthday."
"William, as much as I would like this, I can't it's only Wednesday. We have worked to do and not only on Thomas but on the other cases we have taken."
"Nonsense," William said as he bent and kissed her. "Cami had a substitute for her at school, so you march up there and get that dress on."
Eliza gave William the side eye as she did as she was told for once.
As Eliza proceeded to the third floor, she stopped at the second floor landing to hear a conversation between Camille and Alexander. She did not want to eavesdrop, but she only listened a moment concealed behind the door of Thomas' room so they could not spot her. It sounded like a friendly conversation, so she proceeded up the next set of stairs to don her best dress.
Alexander sat on Thomas' bed and watched as Camille opened his suitcase and proceeded to put his clothes in emptied drawers.
"Camille? You don't have to do that I am perfectly capable of storing my clothes," Alex said.
"I'm sorry, Alex," Camille responded. "I just want you to feel at home."
"Thank you. That's kind of you."
Camille went to the door of the room. She turned around and said, "Just living up to my title of Family Ambassador. That's what dad calls me. "
After an awkward pause, "Thank you for coming, Alex. It's nice to meet you. I will leave you alone. We are planning to take Eliza out for her birthday in a few minutes, so meet us down in the foyer soon."
"Oh? Certainly…Camille?"
"Yes," she said coming back through the door.
"Are my mother and your father happy?"
Camille said, "Absolutely. Let's put it this way. I have never seen my father smile so much for a long time."
"Does my mother smile a lot? You can't miss it if she does."
"Your mother smiles all the time. Alex, rest assured. They truly have loved one another since they were young and should have been together."
"If they had, we may not have been here," Alex said eyeing his stepsister.
Camille chuckled. "No, we just would have been actual siblings."
Alex chuckled a little bit allowing to see this new place with an open mind.
"I'll be down momentarily. Don't let them leave without me. She is my mother after all!"
Camille nodded and went to her room to change.
Meanwhile in Milan….
Thomas was not aware of how much time had passed since he had been caught as a spy. He had been put in this warehouse's small stone cell which he calculated was some type of special goods room because it was very cold. Thomas had begun sneezing and falling asleep out of sheer exhaustion and probably pneumonia he thought when the big Italian brute who threw him in the cell suddenly came in and undid his shackles and hauled him outside.
"It looks like we're taking you with us on the ship," Carlo said with an evil accent. "Madame Scarleterri wants you. Hurry it up!"
He handed Thomas a handkerchief. "Here. Wipe your snotty nose before you see Madame!"
Thomas was so grateful to have the shackles removed his hands nearly dropped the handkerchief that Carlo gave him. Thomas signaled his thanks and then did blow his nose. As Thomas thought he was probably sick with pneumonia. As he walked to the "sacred" throne of her highness Madame Scarleterri (Abercrombie by marriage), he hoped that back at home someone had found his safety net hidden in the left drawer of his bureau in his room.
Lunch time at a restaurant in New York City on a weekday was very exciting. William and Eliza had not spent much time away from the house settling in and establishing their private investigation agency, so it was a nice treat. Plus it was a way to celebrate Alex's arrival twinning it with Eliza's 58th birthday.
They dined at The Old Homestead which was not fancy but more a family friendly restaurant and a step up from Mrs. Ryan's cooking. Mrs. Ryan was in attendance as she was invited and they all dined on familiar fare like steak and hamburgers. The latter was Alex's new favorite or so he said.
Eliza was touched when Camille taught the others how to sing the new Happy Birthday song as Eliza waited to blow out a single birthday candle on the ornate cake baked and decorated in white icing with lilac and blue icing with "Happy Birthday" written on it.
It was a very enjoyable family affair during which Eliza asked about Sophia and her condition.
"She's come out of the sick stage it seems. I am sure she will have a letter full of information to you soon. Bernie is getting a promotion from Scotland Yard. He will be appointed Chief Inspector but at a different regional office of the Yard," Alex explained.
"Will they move away from next door?" Eliza asked.
"No. It seems that the job comes along with his own vehicle."
"A car?" William asked. "My how times changed. The Chief Inspector in my day had a grander carriage than the one I used."
"Papa didn't use the carriage he was provided when he was appointed Chief Inspector. He thought it a waste of money and continued to use the carriage appointed while just Inspector."
"I was Police Commissioner of New York City for almost 25 years and Chief of Police for four before that. The eventual car that came with being Commissioner was only to be used during the day. I went home at night in my own car and before that I walked."
"That's how dad got shot on his other shoulder. He was innocently walking home and someone took a pot shot at him," Cami explained.
"It was most dreadful," Mrs. Ryan interjected.
"Well, Police Commissioner Fitzroy, Oliver, sees it. He doesn't utilize the special vehicle for being Commissioner and I only saw him use the vehicle for being Chief Inspector when he was called specifically on a crime scene."
William smiled after he scooped cake from his fork and then fed it into his mouth.
"Sounds like Oliver. Doesn't want to repeat being his father in anyway shape or form."
"Commissioner Fitzroy regales me of how you helped groom him to eventually be the man he has become. He speaks very highly of you, stepfather," Alex said looking straight at William.
William stared right back at Alex and smiled.
"You can call me William, Alex if it makes you feel more comfortable," William said smiling at Alex. Those piercing blue eyes in that boyish angelic face. That rather disconcerting stare must come from his father William thought.
"Thank you, sir," Alex said leaving the conversation there.
Camille looked at her watch.
"Family it is near three pm. I need to get home and begin getting organized for tomorrow. So, I will find the maitre'd and have the rest of the cake wrapped for home," Cami said rising from the table taking the non-eaten half of the cake with her.
When Camille returned, they all rose and left the restaurant. On the walk back to their house, Eliza slowed her steps to walk with her son.
"Alex, I'm so happy you're here!" Eliza said kissing her son on the cheek and linking her arm through his as he stooped down to her height.
"I am happy to be here, mama. I'm also happy to have the reassurance that you and William are happily married."
"Yes, we are. Camille is like another daughter to me. She is so much fun." Eliza stopped and then said, "That brings me to ask. William knows I was going to ask you for your help in finding Thomas in Europe. We have completed some research and, unfortunately, we do not have the authorization from the US Government to pursue this but we do have the help of the NY City Police Force out of respect for William's former position as Police Commissioner and their love for Thomas."
"You're thinking because you have ties in Europe and with Scotland Yard we can add a more local flavor to the help?"
"Exactly."
Eliza took her son's arm and then said, "We'll explain more about it when we get home."
The Wellingtons arrived home. Camille went directly to her room after wishing Eliza another 'Happy Birthday' and giving her a big hug. Mrs. Ryan echoed those wishes and proceeded to the kitchen to store the rest of Eliza's birthday cake.
"It will make a great pastry for tea and coffee," Mrs. Ryan said.
"Would you like a drink, Alex?" William asked as he reached for a tumbler of whiskey.
"Thank you, no. I'm good."
"Eliza?"
"Yes. Thank you, love," Eliza said as William handed her a tumbler and then he took a seat across from Alex.
They were in the parlor instead of up in the office where all the research results lie locked in Eliza's desk. William and Eliza had agreed that when Alex did visit then they would ease him into the situation and then ask if he was able or interested in helping with Thomas' situation.
Alex folded his tall lanky frame in the easy chair next to the fireplace. He folded his hands over his flat stomach and examined both the looks on his mother's face and his stepfather's face. Not one to beat around the bush, he began the discussion first.
"I realize that my visit now has a dual purpose. Shall I know what you have discovered so far? I will help in any way I can to locate Thomas and bring him home. I am sure, William, that we can enlist Commissioner Fitzroy and his connections to help us."
"Oh, well, I am planning to join you in your trip back to Europe so you won't be alone."
William took a look across the room to his wife whose beautiful angelic face suddenly assumed a steely look.
"William," Eliza said and then she stopped as William stayed the coming tirade with a raised palm.
Alex did not say anything but looked over at his mother who was not looking very happy with William's plan.
"I'm going to say this in front of Alex, and if you want to discuss we can later," William said staving off Eliza's rebuttal to his plan.
"I do not want you to accompany me, Eliza. If you do come on the ship with me you need to promise me that you will stay at your house. You can spend time with Sophia and help her prepare for the baby or whatever you need to do. I do not want you to be on this mission. If anything should happen to me and Thomas does get back home all of our children will need you."
Alex looked at one parent to the other. It was not the first time he had 'heard' his mother's silent protestations about being included on the field mission. His father would voice the same protestations when a situation would happen to arrive where his mother and father dovetailed on a case. The arguments usually ended with his mother getting her way or her showing his father that she was just as smart as he was. Alex always acknowledged that his mother was a genius when solving cases. His father was not petty about having his wife sometimes solve a case before he, but sometimes it did bother him. However, Alex, Sr. always sung his wife's praises and genuinely appreciated her. That Alex, Jr. was certain.
Alex was not as certain of William's handling of his mother and her insistence of being included in the field work. One thing had become certain was that William loved his mother. Loved all of her and was willing to go to the last mile to protect her and her interests. Alex felt that William's protectiveness now would include him.
"We'll discuss this later. Somehow I thought we moved past all this," Eliza said lowering her eyes. She knew her husband meant well, but it did rankle within her that if anything did happen to William she would not be with him. She vowed not to be without him any longer when she agreed to marry him and emigrate to the United States.
Knowing that they had a discussion (argument) coming later, Eliza and William began to discuss with Alex their findings and what their plan was or, more accurately, what William was planning.