Chapter 50

Michael had never been more relieved to be on a plane. He was eager to return to Nashville, to wrap his arms around his sons and be enveloped by the warmth of the Rothchilds and their friends.

He was still reeling from the fact that Neil had been gone for three days, and everything had spiraled into chaos since then.

Kim was a wreck after Neil’s death, and it took both Peg and Michael to coax her back to the house. Anelise was handling it surprisingly well, accepting the harsh reality. Kim, on the other hand, was not.

Anelise’s cousins were flying in for the funeral and would be staying at the house with Kim. Anelise and Michael opted to stay at a hotel and would drive to the house each day. Somehow, they managed to plan the service, which turned out to be quite moving.

Their minister did a commendable job, and Kim was visibly pleased with the reception that followed. She seemed genuinely happy that so many people had shown up.

Michael found it baffling that Kim cared so much about the turnout; he couldn’t comprehend her behavior. He hadn’t dealt with death or grief as an adult, so he wasn’t sure if this was normal or not.

Peg certainly didn’t think so, and tension was brewing between the sisters. Michael knew that Peg was a straight shooter, and he overheard her tell her sister that this wasn’t a popularity contest.

It was a funeral, a time to say goodbye. It didn’t matter if ten people showed up or 300 came to pay their respects. It was as if Kim was seeking attention.

Anelise despised the attention, seeing so many familiar faces from her past. Some knew about the estrangement, while others only knew what Kim and Neil had told them.

That she had stayed in Nashville, found a job, got married, and that Michael’s job didn’t allow them to visit very often. They returned to the house late in the afternoon, and everyone changed clothes and gathered on the patio, engaging in light conversation.

Anelise was resting her head on Michael’s shoulder when she overheard the tail end of a conversation Kim was having with one of the cousins, “...it will be nice to have Ani and the kids here permanently.”

Anelise’s eyes flew open and she sat up abruptly. “What? What are you talking about?”

“I was just telling Nancy that you and the kids will be staying here permanently. It will be so nice,” Kim said.

“I’m not moving here. I have a life, a home, and a job in Nashville. Michael has a job that he loves. Ollie is in school,” Anelise said, baffled by her mother’s assumption.

“Well, there are schools here, Anelise. I’m sure we can get Ollie into a school here. Michael can commute on the weekends if he doesn’t want to quit and find something here,” Kim said dismissively.

“I’m sorry, Kim, but I’m not uprooting my family, and we are not leaving Nashville,” Michael said, trying to be as polite yet firm as possible.

“Actually, that’s what I want, and that’s what Neil has in his will. Anelise has to move back to receive any inheritance from our estate,” Kim said, smirking as if she had won.

Anelise was stunned, and when the shock wore off, she was devastated that nothing had changed with her parents. She stood up, fighting back tears. “I can’t believe you’re starting this shit again! When will you realize that I’m an adult?”

Michael stood beside his wife. “I’m sorry, Kim. We are not moving, and that’s final.”

“Well, then you get no money,” Kim said flatly.

“I don’t want your money!” Anelise snapped. “I just want you to accept me for who I am and the decisions I’ve made!”

Peg stood up. “Kim, you really need to stop this now.”

“Why, Peg?” Kim demanded.

“This is just like Ani’s childhood all over again! You can’t control her!” Peg tried to reason.

“Well, as my child, she should be taking care of me! And I’m not leaving my marital home, so it just stands to reason that she moves here!” Kim countered.

Michael was speechless, but Anelise began, “I would be more than happy to have you come and visit us in Nashville, even move into a nice house or condo close by.”

“I would love for my children to know their grandma, but I am not moving here ~ever~. You can’t bribe me! I don’t want your money! I wanted parents, a family! I don’t give a shit about inheritance! Now the choice is yours, Mom. Come and visit us in Nashville and be a part of our family, or stay here alone!”

“And let me make it clear, Kim, there’s no way in ~hell~ I’m letting my wife and children live in one state while I work in another!” Michael added.

“I’m not leaving my life, Mom, our life that we’ve built and love. You can give your answer at any time and even change your mind, but you can’t bribe me with money or manipulate me into doing this.”

“Just remember what you’ve already missed out on by trying to control my life: my college graduation, my wedding, me adopting Ollie, giving birth to Henry, and now our twins. Are you so desperate to hold on to control that you’re willing to miss out on more?” Ani asked, no longer able to hold back her angry tears.

Everyone was silent, waiting for Kim to come to her senses, and Peg prompted her sister, “Kim, come on! You don’t want to miss out on more! You don’t want to be here alone!”

Kim stood before them defiantly, and Michael had had enough. “We’re leaving. Peg, I’ll call you soon. It was good seeing you all again.” Michael took Anelise’s hand and gently led her away. “Let’s go, love. I don’t want you to be upset anymore.”

She looked straight at her mother. “I’ll always be ready to welcome you into our home if you ever change your mind.” She sniffed back a sob. “I love you, even if you can’t love me.”

Anelise turned, heading back into the house, with Michael trailing behind her, lending a hand as she got into the car. As they pulled away, she watched the house shrink in the rearview mirror, uncertainty gnawing at her. Would she ever see her mother or this house again?

Once they were airborne, Michael reached over, his hand finding hers. “You holding up okay?”

She offered him a melancholy smile. “I’m okay. Just...still trying to wrap my head around everything. I want to believe that my Dad didn’t feel that way before he passed, but I just...I don’t know anymore.”

“Ani, he was thrilled to see you. I think seeing you changed his perspective. He apologized to you,” Michael reminded her, his thumb tracing comforting circles on her hand.

“I know, and I think that’s what I’m going to hold onto...But with my Mom...I just don’t know,” Anelise confessed, her voice heavy with sadness.

Michael nodded, understanding. “I’ll follow your lead on this. It’s your decision, and I’ll back you up, no matter what. But, just to be clear, I’m not packing up and moving to Chicago.”

She laughed softly. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I love our life, our family.”

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. “Let’s go get ready for our girls to come home.”