Chapter 6. Planning to send Adrianna home.

A year passes and Adrianna turns one years old. Martha has watched her grow her first tooth, and take her first steps. She is well taken care of in the Walters mansion. Her grandparents, although very dominanting and bossy are fond of Adrianna. 

Martha takes her to the garden often. Adrianna loves the outdoors. She has taught her colours, shapes, alphabets and numbers.At one year old, she was smart. Adrianna loved learning new things. She could now dress herself. She was now talking as if she was a five year old, full sentences and complicated words. She was advanced for her age. Her grandmother Felicia secretly enjoyed the company of her granddaughter. Old Mr Walters also enjoyed her company but did not show it. Both her grandparents were proud of her and saw potential in her oneday leading their company. But they also knew that they had two other grandchildren with equal intelligence. They were used to her cheerful banter in the mornings.Adrianna secretly stole their hearts. They wanted to raise her to have wit when it comes to business. They would groom her to be equivalent to their grandsons, secretly. 

Andrew and Jefferson had visited with their families often. Their sons loved the company of little Adrianna. But Adrianna's two uncles were envious of her, winning the attention of their parents and living in the mansion." How can that child, born from an orphan, reap the rewards from your parents Andrew" Lady Francesca complained, planting envy and hate in her husbands heart. Lady Francesca fueled the fire burning within her husband. Sierra also chimed in agreeing with her sister in law,unknowingly. She had no idea that her son was also on their hit list. 

They sat together in the garden as the children played and discussed getting rid of Adrianna from the mansion. Their wives were equally as envious as they were. They did not want Adrianna to win favoritism in Old Mr Walters heart. This would give their sons great disadvantage of ever inheriting the Walters industries.They schemed and plotted against an innocent one year old.They all walked to the picnic area where their parents were having chilled lemon aid and sliced fruits. 

"Father, dont you think it is time Peter took over his responsibility of his only child,emphasizing the word only. It has been over a year now. He should come to terms with his grief"Andrew said, sounding convincingly worried. He was smiling in his heart, he knew by putting on this concerned act, he would convince his father he meant well for both father and daughter. 

" After all it is his child, his rememberance of his beloved Annie" Jefferson added right on queue as they had discussed. 

Old Mr Walters lifted his hand to signal that he has heard enough. He bit into his sliced pear and chewed slowly as he took into consideration what his sons have mentioned. After finishing the slice, he spoke" as you can see Adrianna is happy here, we haven't seen Peter since the funeral. He has not taken our calls or even come to work. He hasn't even called or visited once to check on his daughter. We have reached out many times. Russell keeps us informed about his state. At this point he needs to prove he is stable and able to care for Adrianna".

The couples looked at each other . They did not expect convincing their father would be so hard. Even when Jefferson mentioned Annie, they expected their father to change his mind instantly. Old Mr Walters has been wooed by this little misfit. They knew they needed to act fast. But how? 

Sierra questioned, " so if Peter came here asking for his daughter, you would send her back?". 

Felicia now irritated by this conversation answered, " my dear daughter-in-law, it is his child after all. But also as a grandchild of the Walters house, we would need to be sure she is getting the best care. So yes we would send her back but ONLY if Peter is fit to care for her". Her words were very accurate,they all made mental note of this. 

A plan was now hatching in Sierra's small mind. Her husband looked at her with curiosity. He still did not understand the point she was getting at. 

Sierra could not help but ask again, " so if he were to be married again and the woman was fit to look after Adrianna, then would you send her home?". 

The Old Walters couple did not think ill of their daughter-in-laws as they were respectable woman. However Felicia, growing up from the slums could feel there was an ulterior motive behind Sierra's questions. But she did not raise any question. She did not want them to feel awkward. 

Old Mr Walters, nodded" I presume if this is the case than I would see no problem sending Adrianna back home ".