General Fiction posted June 2, 2024 Chapters:  ...25 26 -27- 28... 


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A chapter in the book The Unwilling Heir

The Unwilling Heir - Chap 27

by Begin Again


ENDING OF CHAPTER 26

James, a man of few words but deep emotions, gently took Esther's hand, guiding her to stand. "It's time for you to meet your grandmother — the Judge's first true love."

Billy's eyes widened like saucers, his gaze locked on the woman before him. He turned to Will, his voice trembling with disbelief. "And you, you look so much like my grandfather."

Will nodded. "I'm his son. And you would be mine, I presume."

Billy's jaw dropped, his voice barely a whisper. "You're my father?" His words hung in the air, heavy with disbelief and a sudden surge of emotions he couldn't quite understand.

*****

CHAPTER 27

Billy's ethereal glow flickered brightly for a moment, reflecting his inner turmoil. Then it dimmed, only to illuminate and shimmer again as he struggled to take it all in. The two people standing before him were strangers, yet he had a comforting feeling that they were part of his life.

His eyes darted between the man who claimed to be his father and the woman introduced as his grandmother. A mix of confusion, curiosity, and a hint of recognition flickered in his gaze. "You're the woman from the photo, the one Grandfather always kept hidden in the study, aren't you?"
Esther's smile was tinged with sadness, her heart warmed by the fact that even after he was with Victoria, he found time to remember their love.

"Your grandfather and I were deeply in love, but circumstances tore us apart. He was destined to be a famous judge, but my lowly background would have interfered."

Billy struggled to reconcile their images of the past with his own. "That doesn't sound like my grandfather. He always treated everyone as equals."

"In the beginning, when we were both young, he saw things differently with the help of Victoria. I'm glad that you saw him in his later years."

"He visited the cemetery a lot. I didn't know why, but he would take flowers and never let me go. I would follow him and watch from a distance. He would kneel at the graves, and he seemed very sad. When he returned to the mansion, he would lock himself away in the study for hours, his actions shrouded in a veil of mystery and sadness."

Will's expression softened, a look of understanding passing between him and Esther. "Your grandfather carried many regrets, Billy. Those visits were his way of making peace with the past."

"Were you buried there, too?"

"Your mother and I found our resting place beside your grandmother." A flicker of sadness passed over Will's face as he remembered Rebecca. "You were robbed of the love of your parents and your grandmother, but I'm sure you know how much you were loved."

"Grandfather was the best. He's the only family I ever knew, but he never let me mourn for what was not meant to be. He taught me to live in the present, to love each moment as if there was no tomorrow," Billy reminisced, his voice tinged with nostalgia and gratitude.

Even now, the thought of no tomorrows weighed heavy on Esther's thoughts. She'd just been granted the opportunity to be with her son and William again, and the chance of losing them was more than she could bear.

"Will, this is so overwhelming for me, as I know it must be for Billy. I'll enjoy a walk through the fields and let you and your son talk for a while. He probably has many questions now that he's met you."

Will sensed a change in Esther's aura, but since their relationship was new, he didn't press her. He reached out to her, asking, "Are you sure you're okay? After all, you've just met your grandson as well."

"I'm fine." She gazed lovingly at her son and then at Billy. "You have memories that only you can share." She stepped around the two men, and her silhouette glided across the garden. She stopped at the gate to look back for a moment. Tears welled in her eyes, and the glow from her ethereal form dimmed as she moved out of sight.

An awkward silence spread across the garden as the two men wondered where to begin. Billy hesitated, feeling a strange, comforting pull from the spiritual connection, yet not knowing the man claiming to be his father. Soon, his inquisitive nature won out, and he said, "I don't even know you, but at moments you seem so familiar."

Will sighed, remembering the past and how much he'd missed. "I was always near, even in the afterlife."

"Strange that our first meeting is here. Grandfather would be so pleased."
"Would you like to see some of my memories from the past?"

Billy made a strange face before answering, "How is that possible?"

Will raised his hand, and ghostly visions began to materialize around them. The air shimmered as bits and pieces of Will's memories played out like a movie.

A bright shining light formed around Will's materialized form, and his eyes glowed as he murmured, "This is how it all began." A scene unfolded, showing a young Will courting Rebecca. They were walking hand-in-hand through the garden, laughing and talking. The young couple ducked out of sight, and Will scooped Rebecca into his arms, kissing her passionately until she breathlessly pulled away.

"Your mother was the love of my life. Our courtship was filled with joy and dreams."

The scene shifted, and Will's eyes shifted away before looking at Billy. "That's your grandfather, shortly after my accident. I'd have given anything to have turned back the clock. He'd lost his son, and his beloved horse had a broken leg."

Billy watched as his grandfather raised the rifle, his shoulders heaving with grief, and pulled the trigger. Seconds later, he was kneeling at the horse's side, crying as he stroked its mane, telling him how sorry he was for having to shoot him.

The next scene shifted back to Rebecca as she stood by a window, sobbing as she clutched a man's riding jacket to her chest.

"When I died, Rebecca's grief was overwhelming. I wanted so much to comfort her, but I could only watch from afar." Once again, Will's eyes filled with longing for what once was.

"And this moment is our proudest and saddest — as you were welcomed into the world, only to be orphaned by your mother's death."

Billy watched, mesmerized by what he saw. His mother's screams filled the room as she fought to give her child life. The midwife laid the crying bundle on Rebecca's chest. Weak and dying, Rebecca raised the baby to her lips and whispered, "I love you," as she took her final breath. His grandfather was weeping openly, kneeling at her side.

"I watched as your mother gave her life to bring you into this world. Your grandfather was there, holding her hand as she left this life, just as I watched over you from the other side. It was the first and last time the four of us would be together."

Billy shook his head as the scenes faded and softly said, "I never knew. Grandfather never spoke of any of this."

Will nodded. "I believe it was on that day your grandfather made a solemn oath to change his ways and make amends for the past. Unfortunately, he never got to complete his plan." Will turned away, pacing a few steps before speaking. "I couldn't be there in the way you needed, but I've always been with you. Every step, every moment."

"I'm sorry for what we all lost, but hopefully, Grandfather will find his way back to us, and we can set things right for everyone."

*****

After wandering through the field of wildflowers, Esther walked along the riverbank, one of her favorite spots. Distraught, her translucent form was barely visible to the naked eye, but the sound of her tears echoed across the water.

"Esther, are you out here?" Esther's only mortal friend did not get any response and called out again, "It's Madeline."

Esther stifled her tears and let her body materialize before she answered. "I'm here." She stepped from behind the large oak and moved into the clearing, so her friend could see her. "What are you doing out here? I thought you rarely came out alone since the incidents."

Madeline hurried toward her friend. "I don't, but I heard James talking to Lorrie about William's son and grandson. When they mentioned your name, I got concerned and thought I'd find you if you needed to talk." Madeline took a deep breath and continued, "I know it's none of my business, and you can tell me to stop if that's how you feel. Sometimes, we just need someone to talk to."

Esther smiled. "Why couldn't I have met you when I was alive? I know we would have been friends."

"We're friends now, Esther. I admit we are a strange lot, one a mortal and the other a spirit, but it doesn't change how we feel." She chose a nice grassy spot along the riverbank and sat down, patting the ground beside her. "Come sit for a while. Please tell me what's bothering you. You should be ecstatic finding all your family together."

"But for how long, Madeline?"

"What do you mean? For eternity, of course. Once you have the clues, you can let the men start the search, and it will all be over soon. Of course, I will be sad because you will be gone, but I know you deserve to find peace."

"Redemption at what cost?"

Madeline looked confused as she studied Esther, her earthly form flickering, almost fading away and returning. "I don't understand. Isn't redemption what all this treasure hunt has been about?"
Esther nodded, but her eyes filled with sadness. "William is so weak, Madeline. What if he doesn't recover? Or what if he does, and he blames me for Victoria? And, of course, finding his son and grandson —"

"Esther, stop. I see what's happening — you think you aren't worthy, not good enough. That's simply not true. I believe you were all meant to find each other here to undo the wrongs and enter eternity forever — together. That's the true meaning of redemption, the journey to make amends and find peace."

"But — they are family."

"Your blood, your heart, your soul has always been a part of each of them. You are a good person, Esther. Don't give up on them or yourself."

Esther's earthly form glimmered brightly as she smiled at her friend.

"Thank you for talking to me. It's impossible for me to believe all the horrible things that were said about you."

Madeline chuckled softly. "Believe them. Until I met you, I wasn't a nice person. Maybe — is it possible that changing my heart was part of your mission for redemption?" 

"You mean, you don't think it was all about finding the treasure?" 

"Well, finding the treasure and doing what's right is the means of redemption for William and the others. But you are different — in a good way. Your heart is pure and full of love." 

"Enough of your foolishness, Madeline. We both know what lives we lived. Neither of us can say our hearts were pure." 

"Now think about it — Sebastian led you to William and trusted you with his care. He also brought Will to you. Would a celestial being sent to guide everyone toward redemption have done that if he did not believe your heart was good?" 

Esther turned her head away. Her shadow flickered as if she might disappear. She whispered, "I'm ashamed." 

Madeline felt a chill as she reached out to console her friend. "Ashamed — of what? You have nothing to be ashamed of, Esther." 

"I wish you were right, but I have a secret. One I've been afraid to share with anyone." 

"What is it?" 

Esther's earthly form shimmered as she struggled with her fear. She glanced at Madeline, who tried to give her an encouraging smile, but her fear hung like a heavy mist. "I've been afraid," her voice barely a whisper. I've been afraid of what the truth might mean for all of us." 

With a trembling hand, she reached into the folds of her gown, pulling out a piece of paper, its edges frayed from her nervous fingers toying with it repeatedly. "I believe it's the first clue. William kept mumbling about his ancestry and this man." The surrounding air seemed to thicken with anticipation, as if the atmosphere held its breath, waiting for the truth to be revealed. 

A rustling in nearby bushes caught both women off-guard, and they jumped to their feet. Fearing the evil ones were about to attack them, Madeline shouted frantically, "Who's there?" 

Esther stepped in front of her friend, moving toward the sound. "It's okay, Madeline. Calm yourself. It's me they want." 

Madeline clutched Esther's arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Esther, who's there?   


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Recognized


Sandra Monroe - fledgling investigative reporter
Annie - Sandra's loyal assistant
Les - Sandra's boss
Detective Ryan Hamilton - a ghost
Judge William Parker - the grandfather and ghost
Will Parker - the father and ghost
Judge William Parker (Billy) - the grandson and ghost
Benny Gonzales - The Hitman - a ghost
Lorrie - the housekeeper - a ghost
James Matthews - writer living in the mansion's carriage house - a ghost
Noah Wakefield - deceased
Madeline Wakefield - widow
Tim - Sandra's father and a ghost
Kitty, Maggie, Frank, Teresa - ghosts from Madeline's past
The sheriff - An evil man given one last chance to change his ways
Victoria - the ghostly FORMER mistress in the 1800s
Esther - a female ghost from the 1800s, hoping to reclaim what's rightfully hers
Sebastian - once a lover and friend of Victoria's but now a celestial being
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