Chapter Seventy-four: Whispers Between Worlds

Don Brzezinski’s Point of View

As I savoured my coffee, I reclined in my chair and observed the young man before me, who professed his love for my granddaughter. X claimed that he was simply keeping me company until Rei could arrive to meet me. The coffee was good, and surprisingly, so was the conversation. X was a fascinating young man and, from what I could tell, a good match for my granddaughter. He told me they had been friends and then much more over the last ten years. X shared funny anecdotes of Rei’s life that I had not known otherwise, and I could tell from the sparkle in his eye as he spoke of her that my granddaughter was his world.

Rei had never truly moved on from Greg Ravenscroft. That bastard wanted her for all the wrong reasons. I should have put my foot down and forbidden them to be married, but my granddaughter seemed so in love with the idiot. He did give her three beautiful, exceptional children, though. Shiloh, with her patience, keen observation, and gentle heart, looked identical to her mother. Onyx was determined, understanding, and scholarly. Salem was naughty, fun, and filled with a zest for life.

And she did it all on her own, raising those kids. Sure, my granddaughter had help from Grace and her friends. I also helped financially, and her stepbrother kept her safe from a distance. But in the day-to-day of living and learning, my granddaughter showed grit, love and passion for her life despite all the obstacles in her way. She finished school, got a job in her profession, made friends, and started over. I wanted so often to tell Rei how proud of her I was.

Looking back at my life with this young man, I could see how my son had been right in his request that we let Rei live her own life away from the perils of our organization. I didn’t understand it at the time, but being able to view it from this angle, without worry or the ability to control anything, I could see it.

I knew I wasn’t dead. X wasn’t Xavier Woods, and to be honest, I didn’t know who or what he was because I remembered very clearly that I’d been shot and headed toward the afterlife until X appeared before me and suggested we grab a coffee. He claimed that Rei would be coming to see me soon and that she needed me. X asked me to sit with him until she arrived and then go with him. The conversation and company seemed too real to be my imagination.

He did seem distracted, like X was elsewhere at times and at one point, he did excuse himself but made me promise to wait for him. X was only gone for a few moments but looked worried before leaving. I was going to follow him to offer my assistance, but somehow, I knew that whatever it was, it had to do with my granddaughter, and only X could do what was needed. He was confident about himself, yet he remained incredibly approachable. I could understand why my granddaughter found him both intriguing and comforting simultaneously. His presence brought me a sense of peace.

“Rei will be there soon. You are not alone, though. Your grandchildren are in the room with you right now. Shiloh is holding your hand, and Salem is trying to convince Aamon to let him adjust your bed because he thinks you don’t look comfortable,” X smiled.

I burst out laughing at that. That child was… something good and bad all at once. I could only imagine what havoc he would be creating in that room right now. Poor Aamon would be so stressed with everything that had transpired. I could only hope he would laugh at Salem’s antics and not be frustrated by them.

“Aamon’s trying not to laugh, and Grace is rolling her eyes. Onyx is the only one getting frustrated, don’t worry,” chuckled X.

“I won’t have much time with them, will I?” I asked sadly.

X shook his head and his eyes held all the truth that he wouldn’t say. This would be my first hello and last goodbye to my granddaughter and her children. Despite having many regrets, the time I spent conversing with X brought me a sense of peace, reassuring me that I had made the right choices for Rei, even if I couldn't be as involved in her life as I had hoped. Ultimately, what truly mattered was that I had loved her from a distance and protected her to the best of my ability. This was my gift to Rei and the lasting legacy of my love for her – allowing her to live and grow on her own terms.

Shiloh’s Point of View

While Salem was being… well, Salem, I swear I saw a smile form on my great-grandfather’s face as I held his hand. His eyes were closed, but I am sure that they would be sparkling if they were open. It was such a genuine, happy smile. I wonder if he really could hear us and found my little brother entertaining like everyone else did… when they weren’t being annoyed by him, that is.

“Great Grandpa, this is Shiloh. I saw you smile. You have such a beautiful smile. I wish I could have known you sooner, but if this is all I get to have, I want you to know that it is enough to have even just this one moment with you. I can’t explain it, but I have so much love for you. I’ve always known somehow that you were watching over us. And for that, I’m thankful. I love you, Great Grandpa Kaz,” I whispered as tears streamed down my cheeks.

X’s Point of View

“You heard that, didn’t you?” I asked the Don.

The old man wiped away a few tears of his own and nodded.

“I’ve never been able to meet them. They can’t see me like I can see them. Rei is the only one I can connect with, and that is only in her dreams. Sometimes in the waking world if she lets me,” I tried to explain.

Don Brzezinski simply nodded.

“Rei will get here in time. She’s almost here. I promise to watch over her and be there in whatever way she needs and wants me for the rest of her life. I love her,” I confessed.

“I can see that you do, young man. I may not fully understand who or what you are, but I have no doubt that you genuinely care for my granddaughter. And for that, I am grateful. You are a blessing to her,” Don Brzezinski stated with a smile.