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Date Posted: 16:41:18 05/03/02 Fri
Author: Repost Fairy
Author Host/IP: 64.193.19.25
Subject: Chapter 67
In reply to: Genevieve 's message, "Burden of Proof - Chapter 55 onwards..." on 16:10:02 05/03/02 Fri

~*~*~*~*~*~

Lucy stretched languidly, then smiled sheepishly at her grandmother. “I know we only ate dinner an hour ago, but I’m starved. Would you mind if I made myself something else?”

Adrian Samuelle beamed indulgently at her only granddaughter. Lucy and Rene had arrived on her doorstep unexpectedly earlier that afternoon. She’d barely had time to invite them in before Lucy flung herself into her arms, laughing and crying at the same time. It had been left to Rene to officially share their news.

She sighed softly. The realisation she was to be a great-grandmother had initially been something of a jolt to her vanity, but one look at Lucy’s glowing face had dissolved her foolish fears. “Of course, my darling. You know where everything is.”

Lucy got to her feet, bestowed a loving kiss to the top of her husband’s head, then strolled out of the room. Smiling, Adrian watched her leave, then turned to her grandson-in-law. “Well?” she demanded without preamble. “Please tell me you haven’t done anything foolish.”

“I haven’t contacted him, if that’s what you mean. But I think we should.” Rene blinked and looked away, but not before she saw the telltale glitter in his pale blue eyes. “Even though it would just be one more secret.” He closed his eyes. “I’m not sure how much longer I can keep the truth from her, Adrian.”

“Oh…Rene, my dear.” It was impossible to reproach him. So much pain. So many secrets. Her heart heavy, Adrian moved to sit beside Rene on the chaise lounge. Taking his hand in hers, she chose her words as carefully as she could. “If you tell her the truth, you will not only endanger Michael, but ourselves.”

“I thought she’d finally come to accept his leaving. But she has become inconsolable since we learned of the baby.” Rene sighed heavily and rubbed a hand across his eyes. ”Perhaps there would be some way…”

Adrian cut him off crisply. “No. There is no way.” Trying to soften the blow of her words, she gripped his hand a little tighter and smiled at him sadly. “If you told her the truth, she would be on the first plane to London. You know that as well as I do.”

“I know.” His expression was haunted. “But listening to her cry is unbearable. Surely…”

“No.” Adrian shook her head determinedly. “Rene, Michael has spent the last five years of his life trying to right a wrong that affected us all.” He looked away, visibly distressed.

Adrian felt own eyes fill with tears at the thought of her beloved, and very much missed, grandson. Knowing she couldn’t let herself dwell on all the precious things she’d lost from her life, she hardened her heart, hoping Rene would understand why she spoke so harshly. “Does his sacrifice mean so little to you that you’d throw it away, just to prevent Lucy’s tears?”

Rene turned back to gaze at her bleakly. “Of course not.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not thinking very clearly at the moment. Lucy is grieving for him, and it’s almost more than I can bear.”

“I know.” Adrian sighed sadly, patting his hand. “And you’re quite right. Michael would want to be told about the baby.” She paused, thinking of the possible ramifications of such a course of action. “But it is not the wisest thing to do.”

They shared a look of understanding. Rene swallowed hard. “Too much of a distraction?”

“Yes.” Adrian rose from her seat and walked to the doorway. After having satisfied herself that Lucy was still safely occupied in the kitchen, she turned back to Rene. “You remember the last time you spoke to him?”

“Of course. Four years ago.” He ran an agitated hand through his newly cropped hair, his expression grim. “Only for a few moments, but it was long enough for them to perform a partial trace.” He gave her a dry smile. “How could I forget how angry you were when you found out I’d contacted him?”

Adrian felt a sharp pang of guilt, but she quickly smothered it. “And quite rightly so. Even the shortest contact involves a high level of risk.”

“Adrian, you’d suffered a stroke.” He shook his head at her, his voice rough with remembered anxiety. “The doctors said…”

Adrian snorted disdainfully. “And the doctors were quite wrong, as you well know.” She checked the hallway for Lucy’s approach once more, and then looked at Rene. “Do I have your promise you won’t contact him? At least not until I can have it cleared through proper channels?”

Without speaking, Rene stood and walked slowly over to the large, elegantly carved sideboard. Adrian watched in silence as he picked up one framed photograph after another. She could see the tension in his body, sensed he was close to losing control of his emotions. Tears stung her eyes as he turned to her at last, his pale features harsh with grief. “They’re gone, Adrian. And nothing will ever bring them back. Lucy needs her brother, not a martyr.”

Hearing the sound of Lucy’s light tread in the hallway, Adrian quickly brushed the tears from her cheeks. “We’ve all lost people we loved, Rene. Please, for Lucy’s sake, for Michael’s sake…will you promise me?”

After what seemed like an eternity, Rene lifted his eyes from the photo frame he had in his hand. Adrian knew without looking which picture it held - a photograph taken only days before their lives had been torn apart. His face was rigid with sorrow, but he finally nodded his assent. “Yes. You have my word.”

~*~*~*~*~


Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to the memory of Denis Forest, the Canadian actor who gave us the wonderful portrayal of Rene Dian in "Half Life". Sadly, Denis passed away in March this year. While I wrote this chapter quite a while before his death, editing and posting it has been rather sad. Here's to Rene - Viva le Revolution!!!

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