Stolen Love (8 page)

Chapter Five

Five days later, Tiffany went to see Ashley's parents.

They were very happy to see her. She greeted them and told them she needed to talk with them.

She told them that Ashley found out Marley had been adopted; sort of, and that Ashley went looking for the family that adopted her. Tiffany continued telling Ashley's parents, “She found them but there was an accident and she lost her memory.”

“The family that had Marley took Ashley in and when she started to remember, she realized that Marley was loved and cared for.”

“She stayed with the family to be with Marley.” Tiffany said, “Do you remember when we were in high school, she was going out with Charles Roxenbury?”

Mrs. Richards said, “Yes, he was a sweet boy.”

Tiffany said, “You know Charles loved Ashley so much, he always said he was going to marry her. Well, when he found out the baby was put up for adoption, he got the baby and took her home with him because she was a part of Ashley and he waited for Ashley all those years. He loves Marley.”

Mr. Richards asked, “So he adopted Marley?”

Tiffany replied, “Sort of.”

Mrs. Richards asked Tiffany, “Why do you keep saying…sort of?”

Tiffany answered, “Charles is Marley's father.”

Mr. Richards said, “You think we would try to take her. If he adopted her, then he is her father.”

Tiffany said, “Mr. Richards, Charles is Marley's biological father.”

He said, “Tiff, if Charles attacked my daughter . . . he raped my little girl . . . and you’re telling me he loved her?”

Tiffany replied, “He still does, and she loves him. They are getting married. We talked about this and it's what she wants.”

“When she lost her memory she got to know them both, Marley is happy that her mother is home and she doesn't know about what happened to her mom. Just that her mother and father are together now.”

Mrs. Richards asked, “How old is Marley now?”

Tiffany answered, “She just turned 10, five days ago.”

Mr. Richards said, “My baby girl is really happy, she really wants to be with this man?” Tiffany said, “Yes, she loves him and your granddaughter but what she would love the most is for her father to walk down the aisle with her.”

Mr. Richards exclaimed, “You’ve got to be kidding!”

“I know it’s hard. But, can’t you forgive Charles? She did.”

“Let her be happy because her first marriage didn't work out. She has a daughter to complete this marriage.”

Mrs. Richards looks at her husband and said to him, “Charles took the baby because he loved Ashley. We put the baby up for adoption because we loved Ashley. Which one of us did the right thing? Which one of us hurt her the most?” Mrs. Richards continued.

“The shame that Charles felt is no different from the shame that I am feeling right now. I took her baby away and we both knew that she wanted to keep the baby.”

“I haven't seen my baby in almost a year. I thought she was angry with me. I need to see my child.”

Mr. Richards said, “Okay.” to both his wife and Tiffany.”

Tiffany told them that the wedding was going to be held June 19th in
Texas
on Charles's grandparent’s ranch and that it was all Marley's idea.

“You two will be my surprise. I will make all your arrangements and I will get back with you. And one more thing, your trip is on me.”

Tiffany talked with the Richards for a few more hours, everyone agreed that the past was the past, and she told them just how she wanted to surprise Ashley and Marley.

When Tiffany left the Richards home, she called Charles and told him about the Richards and the surprise.

Charles called his grandmother and told her about Tiffany's surprise.

Five weeks went by and suddenly it was June 10th.

Uncle Andrew and Aunt Linda were in
Texas
visiting his parents. They were staying until the wedding.

Dru and Tiffany arrived on the 15
^th
. They went to see Charles, Ashley, and Marley at Charles grandparents house.

Dru said to Charles’ grandma, “Tiffany and I will stay in your apartment.”

Grams replied, “No, you will stay in the house, my apartment is for my surprise guest.”

Dru asked, “Who?”

Grams answered, “If I tell you it won’t be a surprise.” They all smiled at what Grams said. That night Andrew and Linda came over with his parents, Charles other grandma. Charles introduced Ashley to them and they loved her right away.

Marley ran to her other grandparents telling them about her birthday, they all had dinner and talked with each other.

Grandma, Charles mom's mother, called Ashley to her room and told her she had something for her.

Grandma said, “My daughter gave this to me years ago to put in the family safe. It was to be given to Marley when she came of age, and if she wanted to find you, Marley was to give it to you without reading it.”

“I know what's in it, my daughter and I have known the secret, but before you read it there is something I want you to see.”

Grandma showed Ashley the tape of Charles graduating from college, she put it on the part where Charles was giving his valedictorian speech.

She wanted Ashley to hear his speech, it was all about Marley, and when he was walking out with his classmates, Marley ran up to him.

She wanted Ashley to see the look on Charles's face when he picked her up. Grandma stopped the tape and said, “I will leave you to your letter.”

Grandma left the room and joined the rest of the family.

About 15 minutes later Grandma told Charles to go check on Ashley, “She's in my room.” He walked in and asked, “What are you reading?”

She said, “Your Grandma gave it to me,”

“Charles, do you remember that day you saw me at the cemetery, I asked your mother something? A long time ago she answered my question in this letter.”

Charles took the letter and read it. He said, “I didn't know about this.”

THE LETTER

My dear Ashley,

I write this letter one year after we brought Marley home. My mother will keep it in her safe.

Several members of my family know to give this to Marley when she comes of age.

I had a long talk with my son, I know what he did to you was wrong and he has been hurting everyday for that.

He loves you
and he is grateful for the beautiful daughter you two have together, even though the way she was conceived was wrong, the love he has for her is so right. Ashley, he loves you even more through her. I'm not sure how old Marley will be when you come looking for her or how old Marley may be when she goes looking for you.

She has a bedtime story about you and she loves to hear it every night before bed, only her daddy can tell it just right.

Many nights I see my son swinging in the gazebo wishing you would walk up. He told me that he is waiting for you to complete his family.

Marley loves you so much. That's all her daddy teaches her. I can't tell you to forgive my son, let your heart tell you what to do. I truly hope I get a chance to meet you, if I do, you will never see this
letter. I love you through my son and my granddaughter. She's our heart, and let her be yours. . . .

Ashley saw a shredder in Grandma's room, she shredded the letter, and they walked back to the dining room together to be with the family.

Tiffany's phone rung, it was the Richards letting her know that the car she sent had picked them up from the airport, and they were in the front yard.

Tiffany said to Grams, “Your surprise guest is here!”

Grams said, “Nobody move, stay right where you are!”

Tiffany looks at Charles and said, “Ashley the surprise is for you.”

Ashley thought that her surprise was a stripper. Ashley said to them, “What did you do?”

Grandma came through the door and moved to the side. Ashley saw her mother and father, she stood up and so did Charles.

Charles stood right beside her, Ashley looked at her father, and he opened his arms to her. She went to her father with open arms, hugged him back and her mother, too.

With Charles still standing beside her, Marley got up and stood in front of Tiffany, she knew instantly who they were.

Everyone in the room was happy for Ashley. Tiffany pushed Marley in front of her saying, “This is Marley.”

Granddaddy dropped to his knees and held on to his grandbaby.

Grandma touched her on her head; Marley turned and grabbed her grandmother around the waist.

Grams said to the rest of the family, “Let’s move to another room.”

Charles, Ashley, and her parents stayed in the dining room. Grams said to Marley, “Come with us and let them talk for a while, and you can come back later.”

Ashley and her mother, sat at the table holding hands, Charles stood in front of Mr. Richards and he said, “Mr. and Mrs. Richards…
I.
…I…”

Mr. Richards said, “You don't know what to say to us, just like we don't know what to say to our daughter.”