Book Series: Gables of Legacy (Byrnehouse-Davies & Hamilton)
Publishing Date: 2005
Author: Anita Stansfield
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Category: LDS Contemporary Romance
Point of View: Third Person Limited- Emily and Jess
Chapter Count: 15
Page Count: 247
Chapter Count: 15
Page Count: 247
This book is dedicated to every reader
who has felt an increase of hope as they
have shared the struggles and challenges and
triumphs of the Hamilton family.
Thanks for sharing the journey!
Chapter 1
South Queensland, Australia
Emily Hamilton can't sleep. Six years since Michael passed and she misses him like crazy. Her ash-blonde hair is mostly gray now and she still wears her gold wedding band. She tries to read from 1 Nephi in the Book of Mormon but memories of the first day she ever saw (and heard) Michael Hamilton in a BYU Book of Mormon class cloud her mind... (see chapter 1 from First Love and Forever)
The reader is treated to an embellishment of the familiar story. We get to see the day after they met, when Michael asked Emily out on their first date-one week from today. In preparation for that all-important first date, anxious about going out with *gasp* a Non-Member! Emily begins a 24 hour fast that weekend during her visit home to Idaho. Confirmation from the spirit received, (yes, Emily, it really is okay to date a gentile) Emily attends the BYU football game with Michael where they exchange all their background info. Michael tells Emily all about his proud heritage of family land ownership and horse breeding business. Emily is intrigued.
Their second date, after shopping together for the needed items, they return to Michael's apartment for an Italian dinner which Michael prepares, serves and cleans up. They just can't get enough of talking about everything under the sun.
A month passes and these two lovebirds are pretty exclusive. Except, despite many exchanges of "I love yous" Michael has yet to bestow that all-important first kiss on Emily who sheds a few tears as they talk about how much in love with each other they are and how right it feels. Micheal seals the conversation with a kiss which pretty much blows Emily's mind.
Emerging from her deep thoughts, Older Emily smiles and is finally able to drift off to sleep.
Chapter 2
Emily wakes up and joins her children and grand babies at the breakfast table. Jess and Tamra with all their children have never been better. Tamra's Aunt Rhea is still alive and still the family's go-to nanny and housekeeper. Emma and Scott had a baby girl they named Laura.
Much later that day, Jess joins his mother outside on the veranda. He can't help but notice how...OLD his angel mother is looking. Emily sighs and admits she misses Michael. They go inside to their separate wings and bedrooms of the big house where Emily starts reminiscing to herself about the first time she was introduced to this incredible place. She gets lost in another flashback...
Michael presents young Emily with a passport application. He's taking her on the trip of a lifetime to meet his family in Australia. At the sight of such fairy-tale wealth and lands, Emily nearly goes into shock. Her boyfriend is a prince! The idea of marriage to him is a bit intimidating but not altogether unpleasant. Michael kisses her goodnight and they retire to their very separate bedrooms with very single beds.
Chapter 3
Young Emily is having the time of her life on her visit. LeNay Hamilton is a gracious hostess who makes Emily feel right at home. Michael takes her on a romantic horse ride-her first time ever on a horse-where he sits behind her, holding her safe with one arm while controlling the reins with the other. They have long talks on the veranda. Marriage is hinted many times which makes Emily blush and smile but she's not committing to anything yet, not until Michael officially gets down on one knee with a ring and proposes.
As their visit draws to a close, Emily doesn't want to leave. She could see herself as mistress of all this and there's no reason why not. She and Michael share so many common interests and values. They love being together. Every minute of every day. There's no reason for them not to get married. If it weren't for that pesky religion issue...
Older Emily comes out of her daydream to realize the sun has come up and it's time to join her family for the day's activities and duties. While washing dishes, Emily is disturbed by the temporary loss of her wedding ring which she finds in the bottom of the sink. Back in her room, she sits and stares at the band, it hasn't left her finger in years.
Could this be a sign it's time for her to move on, find someone new?
Jess and Emma are appalled at such a suggestion. Their mother is WAY too old for Tinder and how dare she think about finding a replacement for The World's Greatest Dad! Tamra and Scott disagree. If Emily is lonely, she has every right to do something about it.
Full of naïve enthusiasm, Emily goes online and starts creating her LDS dating website profiles. What a blessing living in this technological age is! In such lonely country, with few dating prospects, Emily will never be lonely again! Jess accuses her of "shopping" for a man. Emily just laughs before announcing she's leaving for an extended visit to Utah to stay with Allison's family. With such a high concentration of LDS people in Provo, Utah she's sure to find her man there!
Chapter 4
Emily goes off on another daydream during the long flight. This time she remembers the day her middle daughter, the one from her first marriage to Ryan, was happily married in the temple. Until that marriage went sour and Michael had to step in and get a bit rough with the man who later agreed to a divorce from Amee who was devastated. Luckily, just a few sentences later, Amee met another man and they lived happily ever after. We are never told if it was in the temple or not.
The plane lands and Emily greets her oldest child. Days pass and Emily recalls another memory of the day she and Michael were informed of the big car crash that killed their son, his wife, Jess' best friend and left Jess nearly for dead.
No doubt about it. Through all the ups and downs and trials of life, Michael was there at Emily's side and somehow, they always managed to get through it together.
Chapter 5
Jess finds it just a little disturbing, reading his mother's emails about the Provo mid-singles activities and dances she's making the effort to attend and the emails she's exchanging with men (who claim to be younger and thinner online until she meets them in person) in order to meet the man who will bless her life are not the best option. (For someone who not only watched her temple divorced mother attend such events, but later ended up attending them herself thanks to zero marriage prospects, I can truly testify Emily's following horror stories are TRUE!) The dating pool for LDS women at this stage in life is not very encouraging. One man is convinced he's James Bond. Another talks her ear off about his fascinating experiences traveling through time. This one hasn't held a job in two years and lives out of his car. But the real winner was the man who wanted Emily to join him in living a polygamous lifestyle. Never mind this man already had a wife at home. Funny how many men Emily has met who only want one thing out of a relationship, but they'd have to get married first before she would consent to such activity. So, yes, there are a LOT of frogs out there. Emily is beginning to fear her old fashioned dating standards might be a tad too high.
One night, Emily calls Jess to announce she's flying home almost as they speak. She'll explain during the flight home on the family plane. Turns out Emily did meet an LDS man, a widower, who was actually a normal human being. But after five dates it became clear Emily's membership in the 1% club was an issue he just couldn't handle so he broke up with her. True to her nature, Emily cries some more while Jess sympathizes. Money is the world's curse, you know.
Still, Emily has to admit her situation could be much worse. She could be divorced or what if Michael had been the kind of man who struggled with some kind of addiction, like pornography. It would've been a lonely marriage. The single (divorced) women Emily met in Utah during her visit inspired her to be strong and not let her situation define her. She'll just have to learn to be single AND happy. No more forays into the quagmire of online dating. She's done. She'll throw herself into service projects instead, like the announcement in Relief Society for anyone who would like to join the volunteer group at the local nursing home.
That's when Emily meets Samuel Reid.
Chapter 6
Almost giddy at the prospect of seeing Samuel Reid again, Emily arrives the following week at the nursing home where Samuel is also here as a volunteer. In fact, he lives in one of the independent living unit apartments which is part of this facility. He lost Arlene many, many years ago when she died giving birth to their second child who also didn't make it. Samuel did his best to raise his son, Trent, as a productive member of society. He's stayed celibate all these years, too, because no one could hold a candle to his beloved Arlene. They didn't sleep together before marriage, either. Trent is now living in England, happily married with a great job and a beautiful family. He comes often to Australia to visit his father. Now that Samuel's retired from a successful career and financially secure, he moved here to live out the rest of his life where he won't be a burden to his son. He misses his wife almost as much as Emily misses Michael. They have lots in common.
It soon becomes obvious that Samuel is a Golden Investigator and why the missionaries never found him by now-a good man who never belonged to any organized religion, has no word of wisdom, law of chastity, or financial issues-is baffling because, he confides to Emily, if he could have anything in the world, anything at all, it would be to know that he and Arlene's marriage did not end at death. That he could be with the love of his life again. To have that knowledge, that assurance that there is life after death would truly be a pearl of great price.
Wow. Just, wow.
While Emily struggles to jump right into a missionary discussion (she and Michael DID serve several missions together in their twilight years) Samuel hands her a box of tissues because her emotions have overcome her ability to speak. A nurse interrupts to ask if Samuel would mind helping them with something and Emily's missionary moment must be put on hold until the next time they see each other.
The very next week Samuel asks Emily out. Up to this point, she hasn't said a word to her children about her new friend. Emily pulls out her cell phone and places a call to the house to let them know she's going out for dinner (yes, with a MAN) while Samuel smiles.
We learn Samuel had his own battle with cancer so he understands how stressful it was for Emily to lose Michael to cancer. He holds Emily's hand as they walk into the nice steakhouse. Emily sips her water during the meal and tells him all about her children and the large family-owned station where they all pitch in running the family business. Samuel is a little envious. That's a lot of people all living under the same roof to assure nobody gets any peace and quiet in their old age. Emily is quite a woman to have raised up such a posterity who obviously call her blessed. They admit their growing attraction to each other.
Outside, Emily takes the opportunity to tell Samuel that he CAN be with Arlene for eternity. With tears in his eyes, Samuel says he believes her. They exchange phone numbers, so she can call Samuel to let him know she got home safely (it's nearly an hour drive to town from the station). After parking the car, Emily is walking up to the house when she feels an overwhelming impression that Michael is with her. His voice comes to her mind, giving his approval. Her new relationship with Samuel is a good thing and they will bless each other's lives. Emily wants to shout for joy. She goes upstairs to her room and cries instead.
Chapter 7
When the phone rings the next morning, Jess answers it to learn Samuel wants to see Emily again. In fact, since they both have nothing better to do, being retired and all that, he's inviting Emily to spend the entire day with him. He'll cook for her, after they shop for the groceries together (sound familiar?). Emily is not offended when Samuel purchases a bottle of red wine for himself and coffee for his breakfast tomorrow morning. He still doesn't know which church she belongs to.
Sitting down to pasta, Emily asks if she might offer a blessing on their meal? Samuel has no objection. He sips his wine while Emily tells him the story of why she married her first husband when she was so obviously in love with Michael. It was because of her church, she explains. The only thing Samuel knows about Mormons is that they abstain from liquor and coffee (not premarital sex? What cave has Samuel been living in?) but instead of continuing to enlighten Samuel about her religion, they decide to take a nap instead.
On separate couches of course.
When they wake, realizing it's nearly dinnertime, Emily invites Samuel to come home with her. Might as well meet the gang. Samuel agrees.
Everyone has no problem being introduced to Samuel. Even Jess and Emma are cordial, polite and gracious. The children come roaring in. Samuel fits right in as a member of the family as he helps wrangle the kids and babies during the meal. The blessing even included "Grandma's new friend" would have a good time during his visit. Afterward, the adults gather on the veranda to chat and get to know Samuel better. He shares his story about how he lost his wife. All sigh and empathize before Samuel takes his leave. To Emily, everyone agrees Samuel has passed the family approval checks and from the puppy-love look on Emily's face, it's obvious he's capable of making her happy which is all that really matters. Sure, he's not a member of the church, but it's not like Emily could marry him in the temple anyway.
Chapter 8
When Samuel phones the next morning, asking if he might come out and spend more time with Emily again, nobody protests, least of all Emily who offers to show him the grounds of the estate. They talk about more topics, including what happens to families after death as they stroll through the family graveyard where Emily explains all the names on all the headstones and tells him all the stories the reader is already familiar with.
She offers to arrange a meeting with the missionaries. Samuel is fine with that. She takes him inside to present him with his own copy of the Book of Mormon. Samuel promises to read it. He asks if Emily might let him kiss her. He's been hankering to do it since the first day they met. Emily finds it exhilarating. After promising to call first thing in the morning, Samuel gets in his car and Emily waves while he drives away. He can't wait to start reading his new book.
But Samuel doesn't call the next morning. It is nearly noon when Emily dials and a groggy voice answers. Samuel stayed up way past his bedtime last night reading, not realizing he'd fallen asleep until the phone woke him. (He was probably in the middle of the Isaiah chapters). Emily invites him out to the station for a picnic. Emily drives one of the SUV's over the rugged terrain to the famous spot because Samuel has never been on a horse in his life. Samuel is impressed with the scenery. He was also impressed by what he read last night in the Book of Mormon. He agrees to attend church with the family this Sunday and meet with the missionaries that night for a first discussion. Naturally, everyone is invited for Sunday dinner beforehand.
The elders don't even have to invite Samuel to read the Book of Mormon. He already finished it so they simply invite him to pray and ask God if it's true before taking their leave.
Guess Samuel has no issues with the First Vision then or about Joseph Smith being a prophet of God instead of the leader of a cult who married young girls against their will like all the normal investigators have. Non-members like Samuel just...don't exist. But I digress, this is an Anita Stansfield novel, not real life.
As the weeks pass, Samuel spends all his waking hours either courting Emily at the house or taking her on dates in town: they visit museums, eat out, and have family home evening both at Emily's home with her family or with the LDS mid-singles group Emily belongs to. After seeing him off one evening, Emily and Jess discuss the possibility of Emily actually marrying this man. Emily admits they really haven't talked about taking that next step in their relationship yet. While it's obvious he belongs here, he certainly can't move in with Emily until they are legally and lawfully wedded.
He would also need to commit to a baptism date.
Chapter 9
Emily is starting to get just tad impatient. Samuel should've received his answer by now about the Book of Mormon, her church and whether or not he should take their relationship to the next level. She goes over to his apartment where they have a long talk. While he agrees moving in together is out of the question, there is a BIG REASON he's been dragging his feet over this commitment issue.
Samuel tells Emily years ago he was diagnosed with a degrading form of cancer that attacks the nervous system. Emily was lucky enough to meet him during his "good" period but the time will soon come when he might be a burden both to her and her beautiful family. And if there's one thing Samuel Reid will never be, it's a burden to the people he cares about. Emily is better off without him.
Emily resists the urge to call him an idiot. She picks up her purse and leaves the apartment sobbing. Samuel lets her go.
Learning why his mother came home so upset, Jess phones Samuel insisting he come first thing tomorrow morning where he and Emily will discuss this issue like two grown adults.
Emily tells Samuel she's already been fasting and praying about this possible marriage and her feelings of peace over the decision have only grown stronger. Samuel needs to do the same. He agrees and they part.
But weeks pass and Samuel doesn't call or come out to see her. Jess decides to take matters into his own hands. These two obviously need a little push.
Chapter 10
Chapter 9
Emily is starting to get just tad impatient. Samuel should've received his answer by now about the Book of Mormon, her church and whether or not he should take their relationship to the next level. She goes over to his apartment where they have a long talk. While he agrees moving in together is out of the question, there is a BIG REASON he's been dragging his feet over this commitment issue.
Samuel tells Emily years ago he was diagnosed with a degrading form of cancer that attacks the nervous system. Emily was lucky enough to meet him during his "good" period but the time will soon come when he might be a burden both to her and her beautiful family. And if there's one thing Samuel Reid will never be, it's a burden to the people he cares about. Emily is better off without him.
Emily resists the urge to call him an idiot. She picks up her purse and leaves the apartment sobbing. Samuel lets her go.
Learning why his mother came home so upset, Jess phones Samuel insisting he come first thing tomorrow morning where he and Emily will discuss this issue like two grown adults.
Emily tells Samuel she's already been fasting and praying about this possible marriage and her feelings of peace over the decision have only grown stronger. Samuel needs to do the same. He agrees and they part.
But weeks pass and Samuel doesn't call or come out to see her. Jess decides to take matters into his own hands. These two obviously need a little push.
Chapter 10
Samuel is surprised to answer his door to find Jess. They spend a few pages talking about following God's plan in our lives, the importance of prayer, ect. Jess leaves and more days pass before Samuel drives out to the house so he and Emily can talk again. Samuel is ready to commit. In sickness and in health if Emily is truly ready for all that...
Emily tells him to shut up and kiss her before he changes his mind again. All the adult family members are then summoned to the parlor for a family council.
To everyone's surprise, Jess is the first one to welcome Samuel as their new stepfather and official member of the family. When's the wedding? They'll be having it here at the house, naturally. The bishop of Emily's ward will marry them. Oh, and since it might help if Samuel were also a member of Emily's church, Samuel wants Jess to be the one to baptize him.
There's one more thing Samuel wants to clarify. So none of the Hamiltons would ever feel obligated to help pay any of his medical or living expenses, should Emily die before him, he had a prenuptial agreement drawn up. You won't catch him trying to snack off the family fortune. The adults are shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that Samuel would even do such a thing. (Anyone else think of George from Seinfeld? When George who had no money, asked his wealthy fiancee if she would sign a prenup, knowing she had nothing to lose, she laughed in his face and said, "Sure I'll sign it!" and left the room hooting) Emily is more than happy to let Samuel take the patriarchal lead and financially support her and pay his share in everything. If Trent or any other family member comes sniffing around, trying to stick their hand in the Hamilton estate, they won't be able to touch it either. There. That's settled. Jess tells Samuel he now respects him more than ever. Welcome to the family, "Dad!"
Chapter 11
Emily tells him to shut up and kiss her before he changes his mind again. All the adult family members are then summoned to the parlor for a family council.
To everyone's surprise, Jess is the first one to welcome Samuel as their new stepfather and official member of the family. When's the wedding? They'll be having it here at the house, naturally. The bishop of Emily's ward will marry them. Oh, and since it might help if Samuel were also a member of Emily's church, Samuel wants Jess to be the one to baptize him.
There's one more thing Samuel wants to clarify. So none of the Hamiltons would ever feel obligated to help pay any of his medical or living expenses, should Emily die before him, he had a prenuptial agreement drawn up. You won't catch him trying to snack off the family fortune. The adults are shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that Samuel would even do such a thing. (Anyone else think of George from Seinfeld? When George who had no money, asked his wealthy fiancee if she would sign a prenup, knowing she had nothing to lose, she laughed in his face and said, "Sure I'll sign it!" and left the room hooting) Emily is more than happy to let Samuel take the patriarchal lead and financially support her and pay his share in everything. If Trent or any other family member comes sniffing around, trying to stick their hand in the Hamilton estate, they won't be able to touch it either. There. That's settled. Jess tells Samuel he now respects him more than ever. Welcome to the family, "Dad!"
Chapter 11
Trent comes to visit and is invited to the house to meet the family. Like they did with his father, Jess and the gang accept him without any problem while Trent looks uncomfortable until Emily and Samuel ask him what's wrong? Trent tells them. Knowing Samuel could die at any time, if Emily is marrying his father just so she can get her hands on what little money Samuel accumulated in their modest family estate, well, Emily has another thing coming.
After choking back their laughter, Emily and Samuel show him the prenup and remind Trent of Emily's soon-to-be-maiden name. Trent is all, Wait! She's related to THOSE Hamiltons?! Thoroughly embarrassed, Trent apologizes and the issue is resolved, never to be brought up again.
That Sunday, changes are being made to the ward bishopric. Guess who got called to be the new bishop? Jess is totally weirded out. Not only does he have to interview his own mother and new step-father before the wedding, but he'll be marrying them in the upstairs hall of the family mansion to boot!
The night before the wedding, Jess and Emily chat about closing one door and opening another. Of course Emily will always and forever belong to Michael, but she's grateful for this one last chance to share the remaining years of her life with (yet another) man. Heaven forbid any woman should be alone without a man in her life.
Chapter 12
Emily and Samuel are quietly married. Emily knows she felt Michael's presence during the ceremony. She and Samuel leave on their honeymoon, spending many weeks on a very long travel circuit visiting Emily's many children and grandchildren in Australia, California, and Utah, as well as Trent in England.
Any readers curious about what Emily and Samuel's first night sharing the same bed was like will never know. Narration is mercifully silent. They return and Samuel settles comfortably into the daily routine of the family home and business where he simply rests, spending hours just holding Emily's hand. With his rapidly declining health, the family hires a full time nurse and moves the newlyweds to a bedroom downstairs to make it easier on Samuel who, miraculously, can still find the energy to attend the temple with Emily once a month. The family also gathers together when Samuel is sealed to Arlene by proxy (wonder who stood in for Arlene?) just before he is confined to a wheelchair. Everyone is pretty certain Samuel is going to be the first one to go. Thank goodness, with Christmas approaching, all of Jess and Emma's sisters are gathering together for one, last, family reunion.
Who knows? It may be Samuel's last.
But when the holiday is over and everyone is about to catch their flights home, it's Emily who has to be rushed to the hospital. Sudden chest pains.
Emily dreams she's back at the house, surrounded by everyone she loves outside on the veranda, when Michael comes galloping up on the wild honeymoon stallion he just finished taming. Emily rushes across the lawn to meet him and as Michael is pulling her up Emily can't help but glance back at her family all still talking and laughing, not even missing her, except Samuel who watches with a sad, but accepting smile. As Michael steers the horse away from the house, Emily recognizes the welcoming party on a nearby hill as Michael's ancestors. She can't wait to meet them!
Jess is trying very hard to keep it together. His mother is lying there in a hospital bed on the brink of death! The doctor wants to operate on her heart. Would you like to know the probability of a woman Emily's age and in this condition surviving such a procedure? Well, it's high. It's very high. How can he go on without her incredible strength and support to guide him? Everyone keeps telling him it's going to be alright. Even Samuel is at peace with what's happening. Jess isn't so sure.
Emily comes awake long enough to say goodbye to everyone, including Samuel. All of her daughters who were about to fly back to their respective homes are grateful for the circumstances that prevented them from leaving. Looks like they'll be extending their vacation a little longer. Emily's timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Chapter 13
In the waiting room, Jess remembers a passage from Ether in the Book of Mormon, Moroni's counsel about miracles. Jess feels the presence of his father and is comforted. Jess and Allison lead the others in praising Emily Ladd Hall Hamilton-Reid and the marvelous life she led. A perfect example to us all. The doctor appears to tell them Emily pretty much died on the operating table. Nothing more he can do. Sorry. Nobody is bitter or angry. They thank the good doctor and gather around Emily's bed for one last final goodbye to their comatose mother.
Back at the house, the ward Relief Society and Jess' first counselor from the bishopric are taking care of everything the family might need during their time of grief. Now they can go through Emily's personal belongings, including journals, scrapbooks and the remaining pieces of "legacy lace" their grandmother and great-grandmother made for the female members of the family to pass down. Among these items, the adult children and Samuel discover an old tablecloth with lace edging that Emily had made into a new temple dress, never been worn, which she left instructions to be buried in. Everyone runs for the nearest box of tissues.
Chapter 14
Everyone sits down to supper where Samuel announces he'll be taking his leave soon. With Emily gone, he'll just be in the way. Everyone protests but understand Samuel's argument that seeing reminders of Emily everywhere he turns is just too painful.
On the day of the viewing, Jess and Allison are dismayed to discover two visitors from Utah are also here to pay their respects. Ryan Hall's brother, Uncle David and his wife are here to remind Jess how grateful they are that Emily is finally reunited with their deceased brother since Ryan Hall was Emily's FIRST husband and he married her in the temple, so, naturally, it's going to be Emily and Ryan for time and all eternity, forever and ever and how relieved this Hamilton clan must be feeling, knowing that second-rate Michael Hamilton is finally out of the picture, eh?
Jess is seeing red. Allison and Tamra have to hold him back. Later, Jess remembers his own conversation from one of the previous "Gables of Legacy" volumes when he couldn't find a temple marriage certificate and confronted his parents about it. The whole conversation is repeated here, almost word for word. Just in case the reader doesn't already know the story about Michael's struggle with this very issue and how he finally found peace over it.
Jess comes out of his daydream feeling better.
Now, maybe he can finally get some sleep.
Chapter 15
Emily's funeral is beautiful and over in just one paragraph. With everyone gone and only the immediate family left, Jess and ALL his adult siblings and in-laws (Samuel too) gather in the drawing room downstairs for one last "family council" before everyone leaves tomorrow for their respective homes. Samuel found a significant passage in one of Emily's journals he'd like to share and which might help everyone feel better after those disparaging comments made by Uncle David about the technicality of temple marriage.
We all remember the incredible "Saturday's Warrior" dream Emily had in Now & Forever. She wrote it all down and as they read it out loud to each other, everyone has to stop to sniffle and exclaim how unbelievable it is that Emily knew all along that her marriage to Michael was always a literal match made in and ordained by heaven. Emily concludes with how blessed she feels being given this incredible dream, the reassurance of God's eternal plan for her and Michael, the love of her life. As long as she and Michael live worthily, she KNOWS they will be together forever. The fact these two did live worthily leaves little doubt this is something Uncle David and his wife could never understand. Everyone is now at peace with this issue. His work here done, Samuel leaves for England where he'll spend what time he has left with his son and his family.
Almost one year later, word comes that Samuel passed away but never mind that because now, after all these years, the required wait time of one year met, all of Jess' sisters can fly back to witness the proxy sealing of Michael and Emily Hamilton in the Sydney Temple. With Jess and Allison standing in for their parents, kneeling across the alter, the sealer comments on the presence of two deceased brothers who are also here to witness this important family event. Amazed this man would know such intimate details, everyone says, yes, they do have siblings who passed on. Without further ado, the ceremony is performed and everyone is in awe of the sacred silence that follows along with the usual sniffles and tears. Nothing can separate Michael and Emily now.
In this sacred room in the holy temple, everyone agrees-The Hamilton family has truly come "Full Circle" and there can be no greater love story than that!
THE END
After choking back their laughter, Emily and Samuel show him the prenup and remind Trent of Emily's soon-to-be-maiden name. Trent is all, Wait! She's related to THOSE Hamiltons?! Thoroughly embarrassed, Trent apologizes and the issue is resolved, never to be brought up again.
That Sunday, changes are being made to the ward bishopric. Guess who got called to be the new bishop? Jess is totally weirded out. Not only does he have to interview his own mother and new step-father before the wedding, but he'll be marrying them in the upstairs hall of the family mansion to boot!
The night before the wedding, Jess and Emily chat about closing one door and opening another. Of course Emily will always and forever belong to Michael, but she's grateful for this one last chance to share the remaining years of her life with (yet another) man. Heaven forbid any woman should be alone without a man in her life.
Chapter 12
Emily and Samuel are quietly married. Emily knows she felt Michael's presence during the ceremony. She and Samuel leave on their honeymoon, spending many weeks on a very long travel circuit visiting Emily's many children and grandchildren in Australia, California, and Utah, as well as Trent in England.
Any readers curious about what Emily and Samuel's first night sharing the same bed was like will never know. Narration is mercifully silent. They return and Samuel settles comfortably into the daily routine of the family home and business where he simply rests, spending hours just holding Emily's hand. With his rapidly declining health, the family hires a full time nurse and moves the newlyweds to a bedroom downstairs to make it easier on Samuel who, miraculously, can still find the energy to attend the temple with Emily once a month. The family also gathers together when Samuel is sealed to Arlene by proxy (wonder who stood in for Arlene?) just before he is confined to a wheelchair. Everyone is pretty certain Samuel is going to be the first one to go. Thank goodness, with Christmas approaching, all of Jess and Emma's sisters are gathering together for one, last, family reunion.
Who knows? It may be Samuel's last.
But when the holiday is over and everyone is about to catch their flights home, it's Emily who has to be rushed to the hospital. Sudden chest pains.
Emily dreams she's back at the house, surrounded by everyone she loves outside on the veranda, when Michael comes galloping up on the wild honeymoon stallion he just finished taming. Emily rushes across the lawn to meet him and as Michael is pulling her up Emily can't help but glance back at her family all still talking and laughing, not even missing her, except Samuel who watches with a sad, but accepting smile. As Michael steers the horse away from the house, Emily recognizes the welcoming party on a nearby hill as Michael's ancestors. She can't wait to meet them!
Jess is trying very hard to keep it together. His mother is lying there in a hospital bed on the brink of death! The doctor wants to operate on her heart. Would you like to know the probability of a woman Emily's age and in this condition surviving such a procedure? Well, it's high. It's very high. How can he go on without her incredible strength and support to guide him? Everyone keeps telling him it's going to be alright. Even Samuel is at peace with what's happening. Jess isn't so sure.
Emily comes awake long enough to say goodbye to everyone, including Samuel. All of her daughters who were about to fly back to their respective homes are grateful for the circumstances that prevented them from leaving. Looks like they'll be extending their vacation a little longer. Emily's timing couldn't have been more perfect.
Chapter 13
In the waiting room, Jess remembers a passage from Ether in the Book of Mormon, Moroni's counsel about miracles. Jess feels the presence of his father and is comforted. Jess and Allison lead the others in praising Emily Ladd Hall Hamilton-Reid and the marvelous life she led. A perfect example to us all. The doctor appears to tell them Emily pretty much died on the operating table. Nothing more he can do. Sorry. Nobody is bitter or angry. They thank the good doctor and gather around Emily's bed for one last final goodbye to their comatose mother.
Back at the house, the ward Relief Society and Jess' first counselor from the bishopric are taking care of everything the family might need during their time of grief. Now they can go through Emily's personal belongings, including journals, scrapbooks and the remaining pieces of "legacy lace" their grandmother and great-grandmother made for the female members of the family to pass down. Among these items, the adult children and Samuel discover an old tablecloth with lace edging that Emily had made into a new temple dress, never been worn, which she left instructions to be buried in. Everyone runs for the nearest box of tissues.
Chapter 14
Everyone sits down to supper where Samuel announces he'll be taking his leave soon. With Emily gone, he'll just be in the way. Everyone protests but understand Samuel's argument that seeing reminders of Emily everywhere he turns is just too painful.
On the day of the viewing, Jess and Allison are dismayed to discover two visitors from Utah are also here to pay their respects. Ryan Hall's brother, Uncle David and his wife are here to remind Jess how grateful they are that Emily is finally reunited with their deceased brother since Ryan Hall was Emily's FIRST husband and he married her in the temple, so, naturally, it's going to be Emily and Ryan for time and all eternity, forever and ever and how relieved this Hamilton clan must be feeling, knowing that second-rate Michael Hamilton is finally out of the picture, eh?
Jess is seeing red. Allison and Tamra have to hold him back. Later, Jess remembers his own conversation from one of the previous "Gables of Legacy" volumes when he couldn't find a temple marriage certificate and confronted his parents about it. The whole conversation is repeated here, almost word for word. Just in case the reader doesn't already know the story about Michael's struggle with this very issue and how he finally found peace over it.
Jess comes out of his daydream feeling better.
Now, maybe he can finally get some sleep.
Chapter 15
Emily's funeral is beautiful and over in just one paragraph. With everyone gone and only the immediate family left, Jess and ALL his adult siblings and in-laws (Samuel too) gather in the drawing room downstairs for one last "family council" before everyone leaves tomorrow for their respective homes. Samuel found a significant passage in one of Emily's journals he'd like to share and which might help everyone feel better after those disparaging comments made by Uncle David about the technicality of temple marriage.
We all remember the incredible "Saturday's Warrior" dream Emily had in Now & Forever. She wrote it all down and as they read it out loud to each other, everyone has to stop to sniffle and exclaim how unbelievable it is that Emily knew all along that her marriage to Michael was always a literal match made in and ordained by heaven. Emily concludes with how blessed she feels being given this incredible dream, the reassurance of God's eternal plan for her and Michael, the love of her life. As long as she and Michael live worthily, she KNOWS they will be together forever. The fact these two did live worthily leaves little doubt this is something Uncle David and his wife could never understand. Everyone is now at peace with this issue. His work here done, Samuel leaves for England where he'll spend what time he has left with his son and his family.
Almost one year later, word comes that Samuel passed away but never mind that because now, after all these years, the required wait time of one year met, all of Jess' sisters can fly back to witness the proxy sealing of Michael and Emily Hamilton in the Sydney Temple. With Jess and Allison standing in for their parents, kneeling across the alter, the sealer comments on the presence of two deceased brothers who are also here to witness this important family event. Amazed this man would know such intimate details, everyone says, yes, they do have siblings who passed on. Without further ado, the ceremony is performed and everyone is in awe of the sacred silence that follows along with the usual sniffles and tears. Nothing can separate Michael and Emily now.
In this sacred room in the holy temple, everyone agrees-The Hamilton family has truly come "Full Circle" and there can be no greater love story than that!
THE END
