When we woke up from our nap, Dad told us Daniel and Rebecca could meet us to talk about Uncle Vladimir’s position. I told him we could talk with them in the library shortly. Before I knew it Anthony and I were pushing Austin in the stroller toward the library. This was a conversation I was dreading with Daniel and Rebecca but was needed to finally determine who would succeed Uncle Vladimir in his position.
As we approached the library, we heard Danny and Rebecca talking. I didn’t want to walk in on their conversation and I didn’t want to eavesdrop either. Rebecca could be heard saying in a not-so-sweet voice, ‘I don’t want to live in Europe Danny. We somehow have to convince them to take the position. I will not move here. I will not!’
We stopped walking and just looked at each other for a moment. Mom and Dad were right behind us. We all had a stunned look on our faces. Dad decided to go ahead of us and enter the library to see what was going on. Rebecca’s voice and attitude changed on a dime.
“Dad, we were just waiting for everyone else to arrive. How are you doing?” asked Rebecca in the sweetest voice that was a one-eighty from just moments ago.
“I’m doing good. They were right behind me. Austin became fussy so they had to stop and take care of him. They’ll be here in just a minute,” answered Dad as he gave Danny a look.
Just then, we walked into the library. “Hey everyone. Sorry, we were delayed. Austin got a little fussy but he’s all better now. Shall we all have a seat so we can have a talk?” I asked as I made my way over to the couch and made myself comfortable.
“Sure, why not?” Danny answered sarcastically. “How are you feeling? You look a little better than you did this morning,” noted Danny as he got comfortable.
“I feel better. I managed to take a nap which helped me to feel better,” I explained to everyone.
“Good. I was impressed with the way you handled Michael this morning. You did good big sister,” praised an impressed Danny.
“Yes, she did. This is another example of her Delta training kicking in. She was able to deflate the situation without any bloodshed and minimal injuries. Well done,” praised Dad.
“And the fact that she beat Sophia, Uncle Vladimir, or even the Judge for that matter to it was impressive,” gloated Danny.
“She is amazing. Simply amazing,” admired Anthony lovingly as he kissed me gently on the lips.
“Stop,” I whispered against his lips. “I merely reacted to the situation. Then I apologized for overstepping my boundaries.”
“Which even the Judge said you didn’t do,” noted Danny. “You are a natural defender of the people Sis, that’s all there is to it,” professed Danny.
“I’m a Delta through and through. Can we get off this subject please?” I demanded.
“Sure, we can. What do you want to talk about next?” inquired Danny.
“What we really need to talk about is Uncle Vladimir’s position. I need to know what’s really going on. You were always going to be the Duke Danny. Why don’t you want the position now? After my rejection, I was going to give you the Delta position but Dad talked me out of it. Now, we both agree it may have been the wrong decision. Talk to me Danny,” I implored. I needed to know what he was thinking.
“When after your rejection were you thinking of giving me the position-it was when we announced Rebecca was having a boy-wasn’t it?” demanded Danny.
“Yes, it was. When I left the table while you all were happily talking about the baby,” I revealed to him.
“I remember that night. You left the table in tears. You … I’m sorry Mellie. We were so excited that we were going to have a boy and you were still suffering from the rejection,” sniffled Danny.
“Danny that’s in the past. Please can we get past that? Yes, but I need to know what has happened now to change your mind. I am already the Delta of the Brookwood Pack. Changing now would upset the dynamics of the pack and we would have to have special permission from Alpha Richard to do so,” I explained to him.
Danny looked at Rebecca and didn’t say anything for a few minutes. It’s like he didn’t know how to say it without laying blame on her. “Melanie, you know how you get so involved with work that you forget to take breaks or even eat lunch, right?” asked Danny.
“Yes … And?” I inquired.
“Well, it’s the same with Rebecca and I. We’ve been so caught up in our own daily lives and work that we haven’t made time to visit her family as we should have. Her family has been super busy as well and hasn’t had the time to come visit as well. When Hunter was born, her parents came to visit but they could only visit for a few days before they had to leave again,” explained Danny to everyone.
“Okay … And?” I pushed for more information.
“And … we’re afraid if we move here to Europe and take the position, we won’t see them at all. Rebecca rarely sees her family as it is. She doesn’t want to lose them. They were close growing up and she feels like she’s losing them,” explained Danny.
“I’m sorry Danny and Rebecca. I didn’t know you felt that way,” Dad chimed in.
Mom had tears in her eyes as Dad held her around the shoulders. I was dumbstruck. I didn’t realize that she felt alienated from her family. Is that why she was lashing out at Danny before?
“I love your family, I do. But I don’t want to lose my family. I didn’t grow up like you and Danny did. I wasn’t taught to put others first and my family second. I know I’m selfish but I need to have my family time too. Don’t I deserve that?” demanded Rebecca.
“Of course you do. No one said you couldn’t have time with your family,” Mom stated sadly as she looked to Dad for support.
“It’s not like you can’t use the company jet to come home for a visit when you want to see your family. We can arrange that anytime you like. That’s why we have a private plane,” Dad happily announced to everyone.
Rebecca didn’t look happy at that announcement. Instead, she looked rather pissed. Finally, Rebecca couldn’t hold back any longer, “I don’t want to live here. I don’t want to move to Europe. I feel isolated here. This is too far from my family! I feel that I am the only one having to make sacrifices here and no one else. It’s not fair!” bellowed Rebecca.
We were all taken aback by her outburst. Mom was particularly surprised by her outburst. Rebecca had never raised her voice before around her. It surprised us all.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Rebecca. I wish I knew what the right answer was,” I lamented as I looked at Mom and Dad for assistance.
“The right answer is that you give Danny the Delta position at the Brookwood Pack and you take Uncle Vladimir’s position. Simple,” demanded Rebecca. “Isn’t it obvious,” she sneered.
“No, it isn’t obvious Rebecca. Because like Melanie said, it isn’t that simple. She is already the Delta. There are procedures we must follow,” explained Dad in a strained voice.
I wanted this ‘discussion’ to end. My head was beginning to hurt again. “Anthony and I had already had several conversations concerning this topic. He has no problem with me taking Uncle Vladimir’s position and us moving to Europe. We, I, wanted to see what was going on. I needed to know why the sudden change in why you didn’t want the position anymore,” I solemnly stated.
“Are you happy now Melanie? Now that you know that I am the one that’s not happy with the move?” sneered Rebecca.
“Enough! Rebecca apologize now! You have no right to talk to Melanie like that. She’s doing us a favor, not the other way around,” demanded Daniel.
“You’re right. I’m sorry Melanie. I don’t know what’s come over me lately. Please forgive me,” pleaded Rebecca.
“I forgive you,” I replied. “I thought you were doubting your abilities, Danny. You are more than capable of taking Uncle Vladimir’s position Danny,” I explained to him.
“I am concerned that I am not ready for the position but I know I can do it. I’m just a little anxious. You know what I mean?” Danny explained.
“I definitely know that feeling. Try following Dad’s footsteps. Those are some big shoes to fill. That was a tough act to follow. But, I’m doing it. It’s one day at a time,” I professed.
“Okay, so what’s the verdict? Who is taking over Uncle Vladimir’s position?” questioned Dad.
“I’m kind of hoping Melanie and Anthony will accept the position. But it’s up to them. I don’t want to take Rebecca too far away from her family. It’s not a question of whether or not I can do the job, I know I can. It’s a question of whether or not I will have a happy mate with me,” advised Danny.
“Now that I better understand the situation, can Anthony and I have this afternoon to talk? We will let you know our decision at dinner,” I announced to everyone.
“Yes, I believe that would be acceptable. Why don’t we leave you two so you can talk? Hmm?” suggested Dad.
“Thanks, Dad. I think I would like to take a walk around the gardens. Anthony, would you like to join me?” I asked him.
“I would. All you have to do is ask, I will join you. Let’s go, my love,” cooed Anthony as we pushed Austin in the stroller.
We walked out of the villa to the gardens. We started our trek around the gardens until we found a nice bench to sit on. It was one of my favorite spots to sit on. It is so peaceful and tranquil here.
Anthony didn’t waste any time pulling me into his lap and nuzzled into the crook of my neck. He inhaled my scent and relaxed instantly. I wrapped my arms around him and snuggled close to him. I needed his touch; I just needed him and he knew it. We stayed that way for a while. We didn’t say anything but we just held each other as if to say it was going to be okay no matter what-I’ve got your back.