Save the Roses

SAVE THE ROSES

Sequel to Yesterday's Rose

JOANN FLANERY

Copyright 2016 JoAnn Flanery

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved

INTRODUCTION

Hello again. The story of Sydney Armstrong McGregor and her family continues in this book #5 of the Rose Series. Just in case some of you have not read the first four books here is a summary of the characters and what has been going on:

Sydney is a beautiful tall, dark haired woman, with unusual pale green eyes. The accomplished Elder Law and Special Needs attorney lived in Atlanta, Georgia with her father and mother. Three months after her mother died in a tragic car accident, her father, a prominent Atlanta lawyer, also died of a stroke. His last words to her, 'look beyond the rose' haunted her–what did they mean–why were they important? Part of her inheritance was her mother's family home in Michigan on the Lake Huron shore. A final letter from her father told her to go there and find the answers she was seeking. A year later she decided she needed a change … a new life, and she put her law practice on hold and moved to Michigan with her dogs.

She and her housekeeper and dearest friend, Gretchen Blanchard, who had been a friend of her family long before her birth, were determined to stay together. Unfortunately, her sister needed heart surgery, and she had to go to Ohio but joined Sydney sometime later.

The old Victorian house was huge but needed a lot of love, and Sydney hired her neighbor's son, Daniel McGregor, a building contractor, to do the repairs. He was a fun loving, kind, and gentle man–tall, blond, and handsome. They fell in love very quickly and Daniel's family, Eli and Edith McGregor and their four other sons, soon became her family, and she was finally happy and content.

For some reason, Sydney seemed to resemble a woman named Rose and was determined to find out who she was. The only Rose anyone had heard of was her mother's sister, who she assumed had died many years ago shortly after Sydney was born. Then by a very strange coincidence she discovered that the woman she thought was her mother was not, Rose was. That set off a series of strange events.

In the meantime, Daniel proposed, and they had a beautiful wedding and then fabulous honeymoon in Scotland, where she became pregnant. Nine months later her first child was born, a son named Ryan.

A few months later Daniel had a bad accident and fell off the roof he was fixing. Once he was better, and they could be together again, Sydney became pregnant. Almost nine months later she gave birth to two beautiful twin girls named Abigail and Emily. Right after their births, Simon Edgeworth, Sydney's father's law partner, came to visit from Atlanta and soon became part of their family too. He told Rose he had loved her forever and sometime later he and Rose were married.

About a year and a half later, Sydney found out baby number four was on its way. Her little boy, Charles, was born prematurely, and they faced many challenges. Then came another set of twins, Mathew and Richard, in a little over a year. Another child was added after a tragic plane accident killed her parents. They became a very busy household.

A lot of living took place between the children's births: a devastating fire and an old girlfriend of Daniel's returned with near tragic results. Dr. Andrew Winters, the family's wonderful doctor and friend and Edith McGregor found out they were brother and sister. Gretchen and Dr. Winters fell in love and got married. Then Sydney became an accomplished author and Daniel a singer. In the last book, Yesterday's Rose, Sydney had to face the unthinkable when Daniel betrayed her. She filed for divorce and the family moved to New York City. Her publisher, Phillip Henselton, suddenly became a big part of her life. The story continues with many twists and turns, unbelievable drama, revenge, and mystery. You don't want to miss a word.

Just a quick note, all the characters in this book are pure fiction dreamed up by me. The cities that are mentioned that the characters are connected with are also fictional. Granted there are real cities listed, but for directional purposes only. So if I made up someone who has the same name I am sorry.

CHAPTER 1: NEW BEGINNINGS

Yesterday happened, tomorrow waits, it is time to turn the page and move on...

Author unknown

Look mistletoe, Phillip, want to see if it is the real thing? I asked. He bent down and kissed my cheek. I looked up at him and suddenly realized how much I cared for him, but until this moment I guess I didn't realize how much and smiled. Can't you do better than that?

He looked so surprised, and then picked me up and gave me the most wonderful kiss ... so gentle yet it said so much. I put my arms around his neck and kissed him back. When we stopped, he still held me, Merry Christmas, Sydney, Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you too–goodness, I can truthfully say I have never been kissed like that before ... somebody has been practicing a lot, and I smiled.

Nope, I have been storing up that and a lot more since my divorce.

You mean you haven't … in about six years? Surely, you have dated a lot of women since then with many opportunities.

Yes, but most of them never took the time to find out who I really was. They seemed more interested in the success of my publishing business. Sydney, I don't want to make love to someone unless I do love them. I don't believe in just sex–making love is a commitment–not something to be taken lightly.

Boy was I surprised, I feel exactly the same, but it so rare to find a man who does too. You are really something else. Daniel was the only man I had ever been with, and that was only after we got married. Phillip, right now I am a little confused, and I think it's best if we take this very slowly. I hope you understand.

Of course I do, take all the time you need. I told you I would wait for you forever, and I meant it. Right then the kitchen door opened and Gretchen popped her head in.

"What did you have to do go out and kill a nog? Where's our drinks?" then she smiled and left.

OK, let's get the egg nog and get back out there.

Good idea, but first it might be smart if I took the lipstick off your mouth. I got a towel and slowly wiped it off. Darn, now you look so bare and I quickly gave him a little kiss–then more wiping off.

Not nice to tease me, woman, but he sure smiled.

We finally went back out and all of a sudden my phone rang. Of course, it was Daniel.

Merry Christmas, Sydney, can I please speak to the kids? Oh, thank you for the gifts.

Merry Christmas to you too, hey kids you have a phone call, I yelled. They all came running, and I put the phone on speaker.

Hi babies, it's Daddy Merry Christmas! I love you.

They went nuts and screamed, Love you, Daddy. How come you didn't come to see us? yelled Richie.

I wanted to, but it just didn't work. So tell me what you are doing.

Abby was first, I miss you, can you come and see me soon? Then the rest of the kids were yelling too and telling him what they have been doing.

As soon as I can, I will come to see you I promise, Abby. Sounds like you are having a fun day. Did you like the presents we sent you?

"Yes, yes, thanks, Daddy, fun!"

Guess what I am going to start singing again very soon in a faraway country called England. The people there like my CD's a lot, so Uncle Keith and I are going to go and I will sing for them. I will be gone for a long time but will come and see you before I go. I miss you so much. Don't forget I love you all and always will. Can I talk to Mommy for a minute?

Sydney, I guess people have been calling constantly asking where I have been. So Keith, my agent, and I are going to England and then on tour across Europe for 6 months. I am going to be so lost without you there with me. I promise to send cards to the kids and come and see them before I leave. I know you don't believe me, but I do love you and miss you–Merry Christmas.

Congrats and good luck, you do have such a beautiful voice, and I am glad you can now share it with the world. Goodbye. I turned and left the room. Gretch followed me.

I cried and cried, Oh, Gretch, no more tours for me. We had such a fun time. Just hearing his voice hurts, but I did the right thing in leaving him after I found out he cheated on me.

Honey, you did, but remember divorce is a hard thing to adjust to. You can't expect just because it is final that all your memories will suddenly disappear, just give time, time. You have started a whole new life here in New York City thanks to Phillip. I still can't believe we are all here and living in his family's home, since you left Michigan and Daniel. We are truly blessed. Sydney, Phillip loves you, he told me.

Yes, I think he does. Gretchen, he kissed me in the kitchen, and it was the most tender amazing kiss I had ever had. Hate to admit it, but it was kinda my fault, and I told her about the mistletoe. Before the kiss, he told me he cared very deeply for me but knew I was not ready. Then said he would wait forever if I did find I cared for him too. Suddenly, I felt a tingle up my spine and realized I did care very much for him, and that's when the mistletoe thing happened. He told me some private things about how he felt about love, and I was blown away. He is really someone very special, and I know if we do get together he will never cheat on me. I am just going to see how things go–I don't want Phillip to be a rebound from Daniel. This time I have to be so absolutely sure before I commit to anything.

Honey, I am so proud of you. I too know he will never cheat on you and will give you the security of knowing that. Honestly, if you admit it to yourself, I don't think you ever had that with Daniel.

You are so right, Gretch, I always worried, because of his good looks, someday something would happen. But Phillip is just as good looking, yet there is something about him that is totally different.

"The best advice I can give you is to just see what happens ... don't look for anything that is not there. Just have fun and enjoy getting to know each other. It could be a new beginning for you, honey. Oh, I just remembered something a friend of mine told me a long time ago; Don't start the day with broken pieces of yesterday. No idea who originally said that, but it is a good thing to remember." I hugged her so tightly, and we went back in with everyone.

Time to eat everyone, yelled Mom. We all went into the dining room and sat down. The kids were on one side of the table and the grownups on the other.

Sydney, said Phillip, all the twins have your light green eyes. I guess I didn't realize that before. Only Charlie and Ryan have Daniel's green, and, of course, Lucy has the McGregor blue and auburn hair. I am still so amazed that she is Eli's great niece. What a discovery that must have been.

You bet it was, and I was so thankful that her parents and my dear friends, Josh and Ken, wanted Daniel and I to take care of her in case something happened to them. But when they both died in that horrible plane crash it was such a shock and so awful for us all.

I can't imagine how traumatic that must have been for Lucy as she was so young. He looked so sad then smiled over at the kids. How fun, also half the kids have blond hair and the others dark–a true mix.

One time we had a picture taken where Charlie and the twin girls, with their blond hair, were on one side with Daniel, and I was with Ryan and the boy twins, with our dark hair, on the other. Then Simon transposed Lucy between Daniel and me after she became our daughter. It was a terrific picture, and I thought about taking it when we left, but Daniel was in it. The kids have grown so much since then. Ryan is ten, Lucy and Charlie are eight, Abby and Emily are nine, and the little guys are six. Yikes!

This whole thing got me thinking, and I looked around the table at my wonderful family. They absolutely mean the world to me, but the only real blood relative I have out of them all is my dear mom, Rose, and she didn't come back into my life until I was twenty-seven. I actually found her myself quite by accident, and was so shocked that we look exactly alike.

My father, Charles Emmerson Armstrong, was a constant in my life, but he was a very important lawyer in Atlanta, and I didn't see much of him, but I loved him dearly. I knew he loved me too but rarely showed any emotion. In fact, there were times when it seemed like just the sight of me made him uneasy. Little did I know at the time that the reason was that I looked exactly like my mother, whom he loved very much. She supposedly died shortly after I was born, and her sister, Elizabeth, married my father to help him take care of me. After they both died, I found out the whole story. Elizabeth was not my real mother, Rose was. Now my father comes to me like a whisper in the wind and helps me when I need it the most–he told me he is my guardian angel and loves me dearly. It is such a comfort.

Simon Edgeworth, my father's law partner, has been in my life forever. I always thought of him as more of a non-emotional stuffy man–all business. He is a tall, dark haired, slim man with an almost beaked nose. Now he is my lawyer. After my twin girls were born, he came to see me and said he was retiring and wanted to live in Michigan near us. I was so surprised but mostly because he seemed to have softened and was truly a very sensitive caring man. But what surprised me the most was when he saw Mom and told her he had loved her from afar for many years. She was shocked, and when he did move he spent a lot of time at our house and a love grew between them. What absolutely blew me away was just before they got married he told me that he would be so happy if I would accept him as even a stepfather. He said he watched me grow up and kind of adopted me in his heart. I had grown to care about him very deeply and told him I would be honored to be his daughter. From then on I do think of him as my dad ... he is always there for me and I love him very much.

I met Andrew Winters after I moved to Michigan. He was the McGregor's family doctor and truthfully, I had never met a more dedicated doctor. Not movie star handsome but close with his darker brown hair and aqua eyes. Very quickly he became a very important part of my life and delivered all of my babies, and I love him very much. We were shocked when by accident we found out that he was my mother-in-law, Edith's, long lost brother. The whole story was quite something. My dearest friend, Gretchen, was living with us and in time she and Andrew fell in love and were married. I am so happy that he too is one of my dad's.

Gretchen, what do I say about someone who is so very special to me? Not a fashion model in appearance but still very pretty with her short light brown curly hair and big blue eyes, and has a happy tummy, as Richie says. She isn't fat just a little plump around her belly. She was my mother's dearest friend and after my mother supposedly died she went to Atlanta with my father and Elizabeth to help take care of me. She is a highly trained nurse and more of a mother to me than Elizabeth. It's such an amazing story. Gretchen was always there for me and still is. I just couldn't imagine my life without her. She truly speaks her mind and tells it like it is as she lights up our lives.

Daniel's family became mine too right from the start. Edith and Eli McGregor have always been there for me, even after Daniel and I divorced, and I love them dearly. They are still in Michigan, and I miss them very much.

Now the tears were gently falling down my cheeks. Gretchen picked it up right away. Hey, Syd, you look a million miles away–why the tears? Not allowed on Christmas–it's the law. Then she smiled.

Family, I was just reminiscing about how we all came to be together. I am so very grateful to you all for your love, support, and kindness. I just don't know what I would do without you and don't think I thank you enough for all you have done for me and my babies. I do love you with all my heart, and am so thankful we are all living here together.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Now this is what Christmas is all about, said Mom and she smiled so big.

Matt looked a little confused, Gammy, I thought Christmas was about Santa coming and bringing us presents. Man did we laugh.

Then Emily looked over at him, Matt, today is Jesus birthday that is why we get presents. It's kinda like we are opening them for him.

Neat, he can play truck with me–did we get him a cake? Oh man did we all laugh.

I told him no, All Jesus wants for his birthday is for there to be peace on earth and in our hearts. Now he was smiling so big.

Phillip stood up, Thank you all for letting Harold and me be part of this day with you. I can't remember a nicer one. Harold nodded and said he felt the same way.

We had a great meal and afterwards the kids went to play with their new toys. Ryan came over to me, Mommy, I know there is no such thing as Santa Clause. Boy that was a surprise, and he smiled. Don't worry I won't tell the little kids. But I was hoping to get a piano for Christmas." Phillip was sitting next to me during all this.

Honey, maybe we can figure out a way to get you one soon–I know how much you love to play it.

Phillip stood up and asked me to come into the other room with him. I was sure I looked very curious. What's up?

He went to the back corner of the small living room and opened a double door that I hadn't even paid attention to before. It was a large storage room and right in the middle stood a baby grand piano. I grabbed his arm, Oh, Phillip, can Ryan play this? He nodded and smiled.

I put it in here after my mother died; it was such a reminder of her and hurt so much to see it. Now give me a hand and let's get it out of here ... thank goodness it is on wheels. It took a little finagling, but we got it out and set it in the corner of the empty room between the two living rooms. He told me to go back in with Ryan, You'll know when to bring him in.

I did and suddenly I heard piano music. Phillip must be playing it, I thought. Ryan, do you hear that? Oh man was he excited and ran, and everyone else followed. He stood in the doorway and cried.

Oh, Mr. Phillip, you have a piano! I love to play it. You know how to play too, neat! We can play together, and he ran over and sat down on the bench with him.

Well, Mr. Publisher, you have some hidden talents. You play beautifully please continue.

He finished the song and told Ryan to play something too. He played Joy to the World as Phillip and all of us clapped and clapped. Ryan, you are so good. Have you taken lessons? He nodded and told him Gammy Edith taught him. Ryan asked Phillip if he would teach him more. Phillip looked so happy and said he would love to. Ryan played Jingle Bells and Phillip played what sounded like tinkling bells along with him. Oh, Ryan was in heaven and when they were done he hugged Phillip so tightly and thanked him.

I asked Phillip where he learned to play. From my mother, she loved all musical instruments, especially the violin, which is my favorite too. Oh she played like the angels.

Everyone looked at me, and I smiled so big. Be right back, and I went up to my room. I was so thankful I remembered to take my violin and stand when we left. I picked them up and headed down to the living room. Phillip looked shocked as I set it all up. Then I sat down and played Oh Holy Night, my favorite. Phillip sat down and stared at me, and when I was done he put his hands over his eyes and cried.

The kids ran to him and hugged him. Don't cry, Mr. Phillip, we love you. He looked up and gently took them all in his arms.

Thank you kids I love you too you are so special to me. There was so much emotion in the room and even Harold was wiping tears from his eyes.

Sydney, every Christmas my dear mom played that song for us on her violin. There will never be enough words to thank you. You played it so beautifully, and I know my mom heard you. Then he cried some more. I'm sorry, but I miss her so much.

I couldn't take any more and got down on my knees in front of him and held him tightly and just let him cry.

Mom got up and went over and sat down next to him. Phillip, I could never replace your mother and the love you shared with her, but I would be honored if I could be your substitute Mom.

He looked up at her with such love and tried so hard to say something but just couldn't.

Same goes for me, smiled Gretchen.

Phillip got up and hugged the daylights out of both of them. This means the world to me and yes you can, but it is me that is honored.

Abby started jumping up and down, Is Mr. Phillip my brother now? We all laughed so hard.

I got to giggling, No, honey, but he is MY brother now. Hey, Bro! Now, this could get very interesting and probably a little kinky too. Everyone was hysterical.

OK, Mommy, but what is Mr. Phillip to me and what about Harold?

Uncles I guess. All the kids went wild and hugged them both.

I guess it was too much for us all and one by one we all wound up on the floor laughing like a bunch of lunatics even Harold was down there too. Then suddenly he got very serious, You all have been so kind to me and being just a small part of this family makes me so happy. You see I have never had a family. Everyone immediately stopped laughing. I was put up for adoption when I was about a year old and lived in foster homes–many many foster homes–until I was an adult. I have always been on my own.

Oh, Harold, said Mom and Gretch together and went over and hugged him. I need to do something about this. Forget the uncle thing; you have been promoted to son. Boy, what a day! I woke up this morning with no kids and now I have two grown-up, well almost, sons, and Gretch giggled. Man I feel old and heavens what I am going to tell people? Think they would believe I started all this when I was ten? We all laughed so hard. Truly, I would be honored to have you both as my sons. What ya say, Daddy? and she looked at Andrew.

Daddy says great! Then he too laughed and bopped Gretch. Harold, Phillip has already been warned, so now you need to be too–we are all nuts in case you haven't figured that out by now.

Mom jumped up, Not fair you have to share Harold with Simon and me too. All I got was Sydney, I need sons too. Sorry, Sydney, and she blew me a kiss.

You'd better do better than that you mean ole Mommy, 'all I got was Sydney,' doesn't make me all cozy inside, then I laughed. Yes, this was a very special Christmas–I got two brothers and a reminder of why I love this family so much. So, Brother Harold, are you brave enough to truly enter this family feet first?

He was so overcome and tried to say something but nothing came out. He just smiled and nodded. Finally, Family, I accept thank you so much!

Darn, I said with a huge smile, now I have to make up two surviving this family kits. It includes tons of tissues, band aides, tranquilizers, hard liquor, and of course, ear plugs. We all laughed so hard. Plus, Harold, from now on no more Miss Sydney's, it is just Sydney. Got it?"

Got it, and he smiled.

We are all equals here, except, of course, for Gretchen–she prefers to be addressed as Gretchen the Great. Don't worry just a bow when she enters the room is all she needs. Harold threw back his head and roared, and we were all close behind.

Hey, gang; I just had a great idea. Phillip, would it be all right if we make this room our music room? With the piano, my violin, and Charlie's guitar I think it would be great fun. Goodness, Mom, I completely forgot about your harp–it is still back at our old house. I know the orphanage is running now, so I am going to call Mr. Thompson and see if it is still in one piece, and then get some transport people to come and save it and bring it here. What ya say? Oh man was she happy.

Rose, you play the harp how wonderful! Phillip smiled. And yes to this being a music room–it was originally one for us when we all lived here. This has really been a wonderful Christmas! We all agreed.

Later in the afternoon Andrew asked Phillip if he had to work this weekend. Phillip shook his head. Well, since Harold is your friend and limo driver, I don't think he will be working either, and Harold smiled and shook his head. Good, today is Friday, so how about in a little while you two go home and get some clothes or whatever you need and come back and spend the Christmas weekend with us–the same for New Year's Eve? They were both so excited and left soon.

Husband, what a nice thing for you to do–no one should be without family right now, and Gretch gave him a big kiss.

When they got back, we told the kids our plan and they went nuts. Neat, now Harold can play Go Fish with us. yelled Richie. Harold said he would love to.

We finally all went up to bed. I got the kids settled in and went to my room. There just outside the door was a beautiful bouquet of seven red roses. I picked up the card and smiled so big, Seven little roses standing in a row, from Ryan to Lucy with her cute little bow. They won my heart with laughter they cannot control, but it was their mommy that touched my soul. Merry Christmas from a not so secret admirer anymore. Phillip. I picked up the roses, buried my nose in their sweet fragrance, and then set them in a vase on my night stand and got ready for bed. Now this is the man for me, I thought. I got into bed and just lay there thinking about what a wonderful Christmas this was. I am so blessed. So much has happened since we moved here in Phillip's family home in New York City. I never expected my publisher, Phillip, and my family would be so connected as we all are now. It has only been a few years ago since we met when he published my first book about all the silliness the kids do and say. Now, well, he is a becoming even more than a good friend. I am a little confused right now but very happy. I finally went to sleep.

The next morning first thing Ryan was downstairs playing the piano and looked so happy. Neat Christmas huh, Mommy?

It sure was! That is such a nice song you are playing. You have gotten so good, and I am so proud of you. I hugged him.

We all finally gathered for breakfast and when I saw Phillip I smiled so big. Gretchen picked right up on it. OK, Sydney, you have a lot of teeth showing–spill, I want details.

Well, last night I got a very special surprise, a Christmas Elf left me a bouquet of seven gorgeous red roses outside my door. Phillip was smiling from ear to ear. Seems he is a poet too, and I am very impressed.

So what did the poem say?

Not telling, you know perfectly well it is against the Christmas Elf Law to say out loud what they wrote. Man did I giggle and so did everyone else. I looked over at Phillip and mouthed thank you.

The day began, and I finally got Phillip alone. I went over and hugged him so tightly. Thank you Christmas Elf that was so sweet of you. You are quite a poet, and I am very touched.

You are more than welcome. I heard that the elf did a little spying and hid on the staircase waiting for you to find them. Thankfully, he got the reaction he was hoping for.

"Phillip, I don't think I have ever told you what a big part roses have played in my life and how very special they are to me. My father's last words to me were 'look beyond the rose'. I had no idea what he meant but knew there were many unanswered questions, but this really threw me. I was determined to find out what he meant. Then I moved to Michigan I found out that my family home was called The Rose and there were