"You must excuse me please for not welcoming you first, but my son has lived on the edge of danger for so many years, that whenever I see him, after a long absence I cannot but celebrate the blessed occurrence of his return."
I nodded full well understanding the hell a mother with a son in harm's way goes through. No doubt it accounted for most of her gray hair.
Her eyes passed over me in a charming way that said 'When I have time I'll be back, but for now other things first.' Her gaze centered on Deshavi and she stepped toward her. She took Deshavi's hands and said, "I very much have been longing to see and meet you my dear. None has ever so captivated my son, as you have, and I can see why. You are absolutely gorgeous!"
Deshavi blushed and softly responded, "So are you!"
"You do me too much justice dear, now please do introduce me to the one member of our group that does at least have more gray hair than I do, thus stroking what little vanity I have left in my departing youth, in not being the oldest gathered here."
I smiled and half bowed to her as Deshavi said, "This is my grandfather, Caleb Longtree. He raised me and without him I wouldn't be here right now."
My eyes left Ella Rogerson to meet Deshavi's and then back to Ella's. She was giving me a knowing look, "It is a good thing, when those we raise bless us with their words and actions, is it not Mister Longtree?"
"Yes it is!" I responded a little emotionally.
She smiled and said to all, "Come I have made a feast that now grows cold.
Ella Rogerson among many other things was an extremely good cook. After dinner the conversation had primarily been rooted on the young couple. I saw absolutely no cause for alarm when it came to any negative actions between either Ella or Deshavi. Trent's mother in fact seemed to be overwhelming Deshavi with the depth of personable attention that she paid to her and some part of me rejoiced inside at the sight of it.
This relationship was going to be so good for Deshavi! Ella was the example of how a mother should be and exactly the opposite of what Deshavi had ever experienced in regards to her own birth mother.
Feeling at peace I let the conversation flow around me, joining in only when required to, content to bask in the aftermath of victory. Too bad Ted couldn't be here to revel in the victory as I was now. Later I slipped away and made my way outside having been lured by the crashing of the waves.