Philippe tossed his head defiantly. “Look, Erik, we all made what we thought were the best decisions at the time. I can never justify what I asked of your mother. There is just something about a man having his very own child that gives him a degree of pride he can’t gain from raising someone else’s. You should understand. When you look at Precious, you know that your seed created her. You made her happen. She is part of you, flesh of your flesh, blood of your blood, and nothing can ever change that.”
That, Erik understood. Precious was his. A child created out of love. A child he would die for, and kill for. But still, if Cassie had been unable to give him Precious, he couldn’t imagine making a baby with another woman then asking her to give up her child, especially not a woman he was in love with.
“Raising you brought Danielle so much joy, Erik. She and Felicia have always had a deep and lasting friendship that I still don’t understand to this day.” He paused. “Your mother is a remarkable woman for doing what she did. She has sacrificed her entire life for me. How can I not love her? I’ve always loved her and I always will.”
Erik ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to absorb all his father just told him. As a child, he’d overheard whispers among the servants about his mother’s frequent visits to this very house, and how sometimes Danielle would leave her husband and her best friend alone for long hours at a time. Those whispers had spread beyond the walls of his father’s house and had caused his mother to move to Amherst after he was born. He’d carried the shame of the circumstance of his birth all through his childhood and dealt with the gossip within Granite Falls’ elite circle. But according to his father, none of it was true. He’d really been conceived through artificial insemination. There was nothing to be ashamed of anymore. As he watched his father wipe a tear from his cheek, Erik felt his animosity slipping away.#p#分页标题#e#
Philippe looked over at his son. “Right after she found out the cancer was back, Danielle insisted that I follow through with our original plan and ask your mother to marry me after she’s gone. She said I would be a fool if I didn’t grasp the opportunity.”
Erik left his seat and sat beside the man who was responsible for the confident individual and successful doctor he’d become. He rested his hand on his shoulder. “I’m glad we had this talk, Dad. It means a lot to me. I realize now that love isn’t always about getting what you want. It’s about allowing the person you love to be happy, even if it entails sacrificing your own happiness.”
Philippe’s brows arched upward. “You are in love with Michelle, aren’t you?”
“I care deeply for her,” Erik quietly admitted as he rose and shoved his hands into his pockets. “And you are right. If Cassie were still alive, I would probably feel the same way about her. But I doubt very much if I would have asked her to bear my child then take it away from her. In fact, I know I would not have put her through that kind of hurt.”
Philippe sighed. “I’m sorry for the pain you suffered because of our decision, son. Looking back now, I realize that we should have thought about how it would affect you. We can’t change the past. I regret not explaining the situation to you much earlier, but I don’t regret having you. I would do it again just to have you and that precious granddaughter you gave me in my life. I love you that much, son.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
Michelle and Precious joined them shortly afterwards for some light refreshments. Precious dominated the conversation as she sat on her grandfather’s knee and brought him up to date with her little world. Finally, the nurse announced that Danielle was ready to receive visitors.
As they approached the bedroom, Michelle felt Precious’ fingers tighten around hers. She gave the little girl a reassuring smile.
Philippe was first to arrive at the bedside. He leaned over and kissed his wife on the forehead. Precious was previously informed about the IV needles in Danielle's wrist, and that her face and body were swollen from the treatment she had been receiving for her disease. Philippe had also warned Erik and Michelle that this was not one of Danielle’s better days.
“Danielle, honey. You have visitors.” Philippe spoke in a gentle, patient voice.
He unfurled from the bed, and Michelle had her first glimpse of the pale woman propped up against the white pillows. There was no comparison between the skeletal form on the bed and the beautiful portraits Michelle had seen throughout the house. It was sad to look at her.