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Chapter 135 — Heritage and Reunion
Several days passed. Charlie's grounded life ended and he returned to Capwell's house.
Mason finally agreed to his father's offer to work at Capwell Enterprise. He just signed on the contract when Rosa knocks.
"Mason, is Charlie here?"
"No," Mason surprised. "I think I did not see him today."
"Did not?" It's time for Rose to be surprised. "He asked to visit your house and I did put him in taxi."
CC's face becomes stunned. Mason looked up the father and ran upstairs. Charlie's room was empty. Neither the boy nor his belongings.
"Damn!" Mason blurted out. "Rosa, where is Brandon?"
"I just saw him in the garden," she looked at him anxiously.
But Brandon said them nothing. The boy was silent like a stone and just repeating that he promised to tell nobody where Charlie goes.
Mason returned home but Christy said that Charlie was not here today. Where could he go? And for what? Through these questions the idea leaked into his mind that Mary was not at home. How strange. He was used that whenever he came home he always met by the wife. He asked Christy but she said that when she and the children returned from the park Mary already was gone. Not if her disappearance is connected with his younger brother?
However at this moment the door lock is clicked and older of his missing family's members comes in.
"Where were you?" Mason rushes to her.
"I'm walked," Mary rose up her eyebrow. "What is wrong with you?"
"Charlie is gone."
"Gone?""
"Exactly. Disappeared. Vanished into the air. Allegedly he's go here, but never got."
Mason picked up the phone and dialing Capwell's house number.
"Rose? No, we did not yet. No. Okay, keep me informed."
He hung up and headed for the door.
"Where are you going to find him?"
"I do not know. In the park, on a beach--"
"Mason, do you not think that he can decide to flee to his mother?"
"What?" He turned around. "In London? She just out of there. And he surely aware that her phone is not responding."
"He may get through. Or he knows some other number."
"Unlikely but I should check. Thank you," he kissed her and goes out.
Mary looked after him in silence and then sat down on the sofa. She just was back from her charity clinic on Figueroa Street. And she even some helped to young nurses who's working there now. But then she left out without any sense of accomplishment but having an incredible longing in her heart. Everything feels wrongly. It looks like there no the returning to its part of her former life.
"Mary?" Christy comes to her. "Where were you? Mason was looking for you."
"Yes, I know. Are the children asleep?"
"Yeah. Tired in the park. Was something wrong?"
"No, I just went for a walk."
Mary went upstairs and looked in older kids' room, feed baby Mickey and downstairs again. She saw the note — it's saying that Christy and Jimmy are going at his parents' place until tomorrow. Well, she has time to think as long as the house was quiet.
* * *
At the airport Mason immediately walks to the reception desk — he had no doubt that Charlie cannot buy the plane ticket without any adult. The receptionist said that the boy actually approached her and asked the ticket to London. And he left out when she turned him down because his young age. Mason walks around the lobby, looking into all corners when he just heard the familiar voice. Charlie argued with the guard.
"Let me out! You have no right, I'm the American!"
"What's matter, officer?" Mason comes to them.
"Who are you?" the guard asked suspiciously and nodded to the co-officer. "Call the police, just the boy is taken away."
"My name is Mason Capwell; I'm the lawyer and brother of the boy. I think it makes no sense to bother the police. I'll take him at my own responsibility."
The guard looked uncertainly at Mason, then at Charlie."
"Is he really your brother?"
"Yes! And CC Capwell is my father! He'll show you how grab his son for no reason at all!"
"Okay, take your relative," the guard finally decided. "And watch him better! If he appears here again alone I immediately call the police."
"Of course, I'll watch him. Thank you, officer," Mason grabbed Charlie's hand and dragged him to the car.
But no sooner they left the airport as Charlie rested his feet on the ground.
"I do not go anywhere!"
"Of course, you do."
"Mason, take me to mom! You will be better if you do!"
"I already told you I do not know where our mother is. I tried to look for her but--"
"You're a liar! Yesterday I called her and we talked! She promised to meet me in Heathrow."
"You talk nonsense. Unaccompanied you would never got in the plane. So you're a little liar. The mother could not promise that she meet you in London."
"She did! She said she'll wait for me! Mason!"
"Let's go," Mason pushed the boy into the car and got behind the wheel. "Just one advice. Do not share the fairytale with dad. He hates lies."
"This is not the fairytale! You see that my mother come after me when she realizes that I never arrived."
Mason left his word with nothing and added more speed. If he had the opportunity he would took Charlie to his mother even in Timbuktu!
The rest of driving time they spent in silence. Mason handed the brother to Sophia and in a gloomy mood was back home. He feels that the situation is getting worse. CC Capwell was not an authority for Charlie; it's the main difference from his own relationship with the father. Mason always tried to win dad's attention, but Charlie's the main priority was the mother and he not care two hoots about the father.
At home he briefly told Mary that he found Charlie and then upstairs to his study. At this time Mary do not go to pull him out. She just wanted to be alone too.
* * *
In the next morning it seems that everything was back to square one. Mason was in his high spirit again and Mary also slightly thawed. But the fragile peace was broken by the unexpected visitor.
"I'll go!" Christy cries when the doorbell rang.
On the threshold she saw the stranger.
"I'm looking for Mrs. Mason Capwell and Miss Christy Duval," the old man said.
"I'm Christy Duval. Mary, come here!"
"I am here." Mary came out of the living room. "Hello! Who are you?"
"My name is John Jenkins; I'm the lawyer of the law office Jenkins and Sons. Are you Mrs. Mason Capwell, nee Miss Mary Duvall?"
"Yes, I am," Mary confirmed. "What's the matter?"
"I am the competent executor of late Lawrence Duvall," Jenkins replied gravely. "You and your young sister are set in his last will."
"Uncle Larry signed something for us!" Christie openly shining. "It's cool! So he just not forgets about us."
"Let's go into the living room, Mr. Jenkins," Mary invited. She feels uncertain and looked back at Mason looking for support.
"I remember that you did ask me to wait," the lawyer suddenly said as looking up Mason. "But I prefer not to postpone indefinitely the hereditary cases."
"Mason, what does this mean?" Mary exclaimed. "Mr. Jenkins?"
"Your husband, right? Contacted me a few days ago and asked to postpone the announcement of the will for a couple of weeks. He said that you have a family crisis and have no possibility to do it now. But I'm reasonably assumed that you may carve out one hour of your time. Am I right?"
"Yes, of course," Mary blushed and angrily looked up Mason. He's pressing his lips and looking past her. "Mr. Jenkins, are you mind if we have a talk somewhere out... may be in your office?"
"I sure, Mrs. Capwell."
"We can go right now. Christy, are you ready?"
"Sure, I just take my purse."
"Mason, are you taking care of the children? We'll soon back."
"OK, but not be late."
When the door closed after all of three, Mason blindly staring at the door. Hell, why Jenkins came across them in the worst moment! Mary was angry, he saw it. All gone to hell... After Charlie's arrival he felt that all the rolls down on the inclined plane.
* * *
"I, Lawrence Garland Duvall, resident in the City of Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara, State of California, being of sound mind and disposing memory and not acting under duress or undue influence, and fully understanding the nature and extent of all my property and of this disposition thereof, do hereby make, publish, and declare this document to be my Last Will and Testament, and do hereby revoke any and all other wills and codicils heretofore made by me.
I give all my tangible personal property and all policies and proceeds of insurance covering such property to my nieces: Mary Capwell Duvall and Christine Duvall in equal shares.
I assign the lifetime allowance in the amount of (--) to the widow of my late twin brother Kenneth.
I give the portrait of my twin brother Kenneth to Mason Capwell, the Santa Barbara's attorney".
"It's directly his last will," Jenkins said, leaning back his chair. "You can ask any questions. I'll happy to answer."
"How great is our share?" Christie asked pragmatic.
Jenkins hesitated and reluctantly called the approximate amount.
"Wow!" Christy's moved to the tip of the chair and pushed Mary's hand. "Did you hear? We are riches!"
"Yes, I see," Mary nodded absently. Sum of money was really great, much more than she could ever imagine. "If anything that you are need from us?" she asked Jenkins.
"Yes, your signatures."
Mary and Christy did sign, and Jenkins began to tell about each possession with papers in his hands. Mary honestly tried to catch but her thoughts kept returning to Mason. Why did he want to delay the announcement Uncle's will? What does this mean? Is he trying to hide something from her?
Fortunately they did not have difficulties with separating their shares. Christy got the Uncle's mansion and the significant amount of invested funds. Mary also took possession of the shares and the medical clinic. The last one was the big surprise for her — it seemed to her that Larry was so far from medicine — until she heard Ventura's address and realized that it was the same hospital where her father was treated.
Mary picks up papers and returned home alone. Christy drove for Jimmy to tell him the good news.
Mason tried to work at the company's contract but Chip and Sammy kept pushing him up their drawings and toys trying make their daddy to play with them. Mason absently mutters but the kids did want more his attention and doubled their efforts.
To Mason's dismay Mary came home alone. However she had the bright box in her hands and the children rushed to see new toys.
"Are you OK?" Mason asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes, absolutely."
"We need to talk. I want to explain--"
"Not now."
"Well, all right," Mason stood up. "Now I have to go the office. I'll be back and we talk, right?"
"I guess. We have a lot to discuss."
Mary looks after him and heavily sighs. How all mixed up! But perhaps this delay for the better. She has many things to ponder.
* * *
Mason returned home much later than he supposed. The house was already enshrouded in darkness but he saw Mary on the porch. She sat hugging her knees and seemed so lonely that his heart sank. But when she saw him she got up and went to meet him.
"Why did you take so long? Is something wrong?"
"No, just cases kept me away," Mason relieved. He put his arm around her, pressed his face in her hair. "Are you still angry?"
"Let's go in," Mary said instead of answering.
And they went into the dark living room.
"Do you want have a dinner?"
"I had a bite at the office. We can postpone the discussion until tomorrow If you like."
"No," Mary shakes her head. "Let's go to the study."
They're go upstairs and come in Mason's office. He jerks the tie, tearing it from his neck and collapsed on the chair.
"Tired?"
"It's was not my easiest day. How you done the conversation with the lawyer?"
"Uncle Larry left me and Christy all of this fortune. Equally."
Mason grimaced.
"Why are you unhappy?" Mary sat on the windowsill. "I thought that Capwells love money."
Mason did not answer.
"What's wrong with you at all? Why did you ask the lawyer to postpone the opening of Uncle's will?"
"Why? You've already came into the inheritance."
"You sound as if you are uncomfortable with it."
"No argument here," Mason accepted after pausing. "I would prefer that you do not receive it."
"And you may want to bribe Mr. Jenkins for he hid my inheritance from me?" Mary put down her foots on the floor.
"No," Mason shakes his head. "I would never to do it with you. I just wanted to postpone that case a little bit, that's all. What would have changed for those two weeks?"
"I can resend the same question to you. Why you wanted to postpone something of that? And deceive me. When you knew it?"
"A few days ago. Just after Larry's funeral."
"Why did you not tell me?"
"I'd just go but--"
"But?"
"No matter."
"Of course, yes. I remember that you take me to the restaurant. I guess that you did want to tell me about the inheritance then, right? But something prevents you..." Mary intensely remembers their conversation in Orient Express. She felt unsure about her own life; she said to him something... I have a feeling that I had lost myself. "I remember how changed your expression when I said that I doubt in my life. Why, Mason?" She got up and looked directly into his eyes.
He kept silent and suddenly Mary recalled the different conversation which they had much more ago. Just before her deadly accident on the roof.
Mary: I told you that Mark is the unpredictable man. And I do not want the trial delayed.
Mason: I'll win the process. Mary. I knew that I had done dishonestly and dishonorably. Perhaps such recognition would have been a sensation for many people. But do you silently pack your belongings and leave away from me?"
They already have lived together, she was pregnant, but he still thought that she may to leave him in any moment. Yes, she's always been independent in her decisions and judgments. Yes, she would leave him if... if she did not see any choice. But as far as she could remember it did not come to her mind of all that terrible period. Moving to Mason's place she did decide to be with him. And her decision was too fundamental for she can so quickly and easily change it. But Mason... Was he lived on a powder keg for all time? She thought that his fear of losing her was rising from that awful year when he thought she was dead. But if he never felt in other way and believed that she can leave him at all? So... any her word about her doubts he should have been feeling as a step to leave.
She just images that he must felt during that conversation. Her abstract phrase could push up the idea that she has her doubts in their marriage. Perhaps he decided that Uncle's money encourage her to an independent living.
"Mary?" Mason's voice was concerned.
"Sorry, I just lost in thoughts."
"About what?" His voice sounded so strained that she looks up him.
"About you."
"Do you want to leave?"
"Lord, it seems I'm right in my wild suggestion!"
"I want to live with you the rest of my life."
"But--"
"No buts! Mason, do not you think that you are in a dark room looking for a black cat which isn't there?"
"What you mean?"
"The fact is... you do not trust me. You think I'm always ready to pack my belongings and children and run away. Am I right?"
"Are you not really?"
"Oh, God... Mason, why did you not tell me!" Her voice sounded with tears.
"About what? Mary, wait, I do not understand! If it's inheritance--"
"It is not about my inheritance! Its' about you! You always waiting for me to catch at the first sign of troubles, right? You intensely catch my words, trying to guess whether there are marks of the coming crash! As if you afraid to turn your back on me like I can stab you in back! Why, Mason! I never deceived you, never betrayed!" Mary bit her lip, holding back sobs.
Mason dropped his shoulders.
"I've always felt that I was not deserved of you," he tuneless said. "Probably it's the reason. Yes, I get to stand every time when you stop smiling. And when you said that you're begin to doubt the rightness of your life I just gone crazy. I could not let you have so powerful weapon like Larry's inheritance. In the first moment I felt that I can do anything — to bribe Jenkins, steal documents, and start a fire... as long as you're not gained your independence."
"But simple asked for two weeks delay. Why?"
Mason weakly smiled.
"I thought that may be you'll be able to find yourself for this time. I was afraid to push you to the decision to leave. Then all would settle down and not seems too scary."
"I did mean absolutely different things!"
"What were they?" Mason's eyes appeared the first gleam of interest.
"It does not matter; the most important thing is--"
"No, if you started from very beginning let's talk to the very end."
"Do not believe me again? All right. Recently I began to feel that I am missing just be a wife and a mother. I want to help people--Today I visited the charity clinic. My former one, Firegou Street's. I thought it would help me feel better."
"It did not help?" Mason takes her hand.
"Did not," Mary sighed. "The attempt to get back into the past was failed."
"If it's only your trouble maybe you would like to try any different charity? I can ask Sophia to find something for you. Or you can to talk with her."
Mary looked at him in amazement, feeling that maybe he got the point. So simple answer never occurred in her mind.
"Mason!" She embraced him, pressing her face to his shirt.
Mason feels a lump in the throat. Mary never goes in a general way and always reads him like a book.
"Why do you still stay with me?" Mason muttered. Its question tormented him for whole year. When he thought that Mary died he felt deep inside that he never deserved her."
"Because I love you," Mary looked up from his shirt, looked into his eyes. "Do you hear me? I love you. And never leave. Do you believe?"
"I do. Now."
Mary dropped her hands, an apathy heaving on her. Whatever she said he still does not believe her. As they separating as he let in suspicions' poison to his soul.
"You remind me of Othello," she bitterly said. "With the only difference that you do not need in Iago. You're making his duties over and above."
"Do you want to say that my suspicions have no reason?" Mason intently looked up her face.
"Exactly. Absolutely nothing. Mason, may be we have better to separate since you think it is the only possible outcome of our marriage?"
"Do you want a divorce?" Mason's heart almost stopped. "You just said that--"
"No! I do not want! But I do not want to see how you suffer. You're always living like on a powder keg while thinking about it."
"Not all the time, but--"
"I do not want to be constantly under your eye, think how be accurate with my words and not give you a chance for suspicions for every moment. I just want to live, to love you and our children, share with you my doubts and enjoying! Can you understand?"
"You're not blamed, it's just me--"
"Of course, it's just you. Mason, I begging you... You are a strong, generous, courageous man... Why do you think that I can be so two-faced? You believe that I'm speaking my words of love I make up ways to leave you! And so secretly that you never guess about it."
"I do not think so--"
"But it turns out that way!"
"I guess you're right... I keep waiting for the blow. My father taught us always to be on guard. No relaxing, to fend off blows--"
"But you know that you can take off a mask when I'm here... Do you know?"
"... Just before her leaving my mother came to me in the night and said that she loves me very much, but she needed to leave. And she left. Forever." Mason dropped his words like stones in a well. "I guess I never associated the words of love with the engagements. I believe that you love me but... it's not mean that you cannot pack your belongings and go away."
"I agree. I loved you for long time before we started living together. Just tell me, you would feel better if I left out?"
"What?" Mason jerked back. "No, surely I do not! You already asked me this question. Why?"
"Because it seems to me that you would be glad," Mary frankly said. "This would be fit to your usual stereotype. I guess that you may expect that all be ended as quickly as possible, just not feel this awful waiting of my leaving."
"No. I think I'll die without you," Mason hoarsely said after a pause. "I... I can not go through it again," he smiled sadly. "I was trying to prevent your leaving but apparently got out of shape."
"Mason, I beg you to find a way not to give away to the fear."
"Otherwise what?"
"Otherwise we would hurt each other. Listen. I promise I will do my best to save our marriage. Even if it's not real problem now. Do you promise to make the same thing?"
"I promise," Mason just said.
"I guess I'm guilty in some way too," Mary slowly said and looked up him. "I tried not talk about my feelings to you. Just I do not really understand what they are. But I just broke the conversation, did not wanting to discuss it. You grabbed my words, decided that it's meaning something. Mason, I swear, now the last thing that I can think it's the packing and leaving. I need you. For the first time my life has fresh colors and clear outlines. I'm even--"
"Even?" Mason drew her to closer and even without seeing his face Mary felt that he's smiling.
"I even began to wonder if I can arrange the artist's studio in the attic--"
"Do you can draw?"
"I'm had lessons in the monastery... but I draw some more out of curiosity. And now I want to express something of mine--"
"As good as you already have it," Mason contently chuckled. "No problems."
"I had no doubts," she smiled. "I have a very generous and kind husband who knows how to solve all of my hardest problems."
"He just has a loving wife. She shines his life even when it seems to him as an impenetrable darkness. And she suggests a right way out of the most complicated maze."
There was a short silence.
"Mason, do you love me?"
"Very much."
"Should I refer it like what you are going to leave us tomorrow or next month?"
"Touche!" Mason smiled. "I can see, Mary. I'm not such a fool."
"That's really what I never considered you as a fool. Let's go upstairs? Or do you want dinner?"
"I want a special dinner. In the bedroom."
"Oh, this is a very expensive dinner."
"Have I the most generous wife in the world?"
"I think its worth to checking. I love you."
"I love you too. And do not intend to leave anywhere. Except our bedroom."
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