Thirty-Eight

A month later, the Madison family sat together for the final reading of the will. Everyone sat around the living room while Mr Thompson, the lawyer sat in the position where everyone could see him. A sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air as Mr. Thompson, cleared his throat and began to read the will.

"As per the last wishes of Mr. Madison," he intoned solemnly, "Following her marriage in honour of the final wishes of her father that she should be married at least two months after his burial, I hereby declare Rose-Laurel Madison to be the sole heir to his estate and all his worldly possessions."

Laurel's heart skipped a beat, her eyes wide in astonishment. She had always shared a special bond with her father and was expecting this, but with the lawyer saying it out loud, it sounded so surreal.