Hearts That Survive Part 42

She flew to London with Beau, Angel, their daughter, Missy, and the two-month-old Simon in Beau's private plane, along with Caroline, Bess, Joanna, and members of the film crew.

Some places in London presented a war-torn scene, but for the most part the women-no longer an heiress, a lady, and a servant-toured their past as equals, thrilling Angel and Joanna with their stories, which to the young women seemed like ancient history coming excitingly alive.

The highlight for Joanna was visiting where Stanton-Jones had lived with his beloved. She cried, standing at Once Upon's actual country garden.

Beau filmed her, saying this would be a perfect scene for an actress he had in mind. This was a speculative trip, but Lydia had a feeling the Once Upon movie had become a sure thing.

At dinner Joanna couldn't contain her excitement and her descriptions of what she had experienced made it all come alive for Beau. "You know that would be one of the greatest movies ever."

"Sure," Beau replied. "But we haven't been able to locate Stanton-Jones' son, little Henry. We need him for permission, if he's alive. We can't just take someone's book and make a movie. The heirs and beneficiaries and relatives have to be considered. Otherwise we open ourselves up to lawsuits."

"But if n.o.body knows . . ."

His gaze reprimanded her. "We know."

She grimaced, well scolded.

"So we will not proceed with filming until we know if he's alive or dead. But we'll keep searching."

Joanna held up crossed fingers. "You have to find him. His daddy has one of the two most beautiful love stories in the world."

Lydia knew the other one was her and John's love story. The girl must have a penchant for unhappy endings. On the other hand, maybe that romanticism was about love that hadn't had time for any unhappiness to mar it, but was in the heart always as perfect and lovely. A fairy tale?

Was that why Stanton-Jones t.i.tled his book Once Upon?

Regardless, her heart skipped a beat when in a private moment Beau said, "Mom" in a tone that caught her attention. "I plan to locate my ancestors."

She didn't think he meant the Dowds.

"I want to know his background. But I will approach his relatives as a movie producer seeking information for the t.i.tanic movie."

He a.s.sured her that this was not deceptive since John would be a vital part of the movie. Besides, John Ancell was his dad. But they need not reveal that.

"Would you like to accompany me?" She would.

Later, they visited his grave: JOHN ANCELL, t.i.tANIC VICTIM, 1887a1912.

His relatives, who were pleasant, hard-working middlecla.s.s people, were eager to give any information that would honor John. She and Beau laughed with them, hearing of his childhood. His siblings were proud of John, who had shown a special creative apt.i.tude. He'd lived a happy life. Lydia thought he was happy now, looking down upon his lovely son. John's relatives gave legal permission for any information to be used as the movie producer saw fit.

They didn't suspect John had loved her and had loved Beau.

But she knew. And Beau knew.

74.

He's started talking mushy," Joanna complained at dinnertime after Armand said the blessing and they began to eat his delicious roast.

Armand reached for her plate. "No dinner for you, young lady. Calling my blessing 'mushy.' "

"I'm talking about Michael." Grinning, she held tightly to her plate. He knew good and well who she meant.

So did Caroline. "How mushy is his mushy?"

Joanna loved these dinner talks. She could be open with her grandparents. Her parents said she could tell them anything, but she was more comfortable confiding in Caroline and Armand. They weren't just grandparents. They were confidants and friends.

She'd learned the difference from Beau. She asked him about referring to Lydia by her name sometimes. He explained it depended upon the situation. He revered his mom. Sometimes she was a friend, like people who aren't related.

She found that fascinating and asked Caroline and Armand if they could be friends like that. They liked the idea. She began to understand the difference. When she had a cold or flu she'd moan "Grandmooootheeeer," and accept Caroline's loving comfort. When Armand had cancer, she called him Grandfather and read to him. Other times they were Caroline and Armand.

"Well," she said, "Michael and I went to a movie and then to get a burger. I wanted to talk about romantic things."

"Hold it," Armand said. "What kind of romantic things?"

She batted her eyes innocently. "English Country Garden things."

He nodded. She rolled her eyes and continued, "Michael reads mainly inspirational books." She expected another question, but Armand kept eating. "So then he starts asking how many children I want when I get married. I told him I wanted three before and five afterward. Don't look that way-I didn't. Just wanted to know if you were listening."

"I'm listening."

She and Caroline grinned at each other.

"Then he asked what kind of house I wanted. And this is the truth, I said I like where I'm living, with Armand and Caroline."

"Oh, boy," Armand said. "How long do I have to put up with a sa.s.sy ol' woman?"

Joanna quipped, "Until she leaves you."

"Ohhh." He got up and went over to Caroline and kissed her. "I'm not talking about this one. She's my sweetheart."

On the way back to his chair he grasped Joanna's shoulder. "You're all right too."

Joanna knew that. She'd come to live with them when she started to college since they lived close to the university she wanted to attend. After her dad retired and started preaching at the Peggy Cove church, she preferred staying here.

"Joanna, if you don't care for Michael, why do you date him?" Caroline asked.

"Because he's a good Christian man, a youth director even. He's everything a girl should want. Maybe I've been overexposed to great, fantastic, sweep-you-off-your-feet kind of love stories. Some of my friends say I've seen too many movies." She sighed. "Maybe I'm destined to live a life of books and Beau's movies."

Caroline touched her hand. "There are all kinds and many degrees of love. If you marry someone, it should be your decision, not what others think is best."

Joanna nodded. She knew her grandparents' stories. But even the first one Caroline settled for didn't sound all that boring. After all, they had traveled first cla.s.s on the t.i.tanic.

"Let's pray about it." Armand held her hand and asked for the Lord's leading.

"Thanks," she said after the "amen." "I have a man right here whose love fills my heart."

They all smiled at each other. She certainly didn't want to settle down with someone without the Lord's leading.

The mood pa.s.sed. She basically liked her life. After graduating with a degree in English, she started working at the museum in Halifax. Caroline and Armand had been great contributors through the years, with items Caroline had collected, her volunteering, and their financial support. Many people were saddened when they visited the museum. Joanna was sorry so much grief came from that disaster, but she thought of the items as representing people and wondered about their lives and liked having them remembered.

She wondered if Beau would ever get around to a t.i.tanic movie. And the Once Upon might have to be forgotten too. Maybe some of her novel ideas wouldn't come to fruition either.

Well, maybe hope did spring eternal, she thought when she got a letter from Beau.

She read the information.

Henry George Stanton-Jones

Adopted by Mary and Bobby Freeman a name

changed to Henry Jones Freeman

Bobby Freeman-deceased-WWI

Mary Freeman married Frank Morris-owned

small business in California

Frank Morris adopted Henry Freeman-

changed name to Henry Jones Morris

Henry Jones Morris marries Betty Lou

Holcombe

Henry and Betty Lou Morris have one child:

Alan Freeman Morris

Betty Lou (high school teacher) and parents

(Holcombes) died in house fire (child saved by

Henry)