One In A Lifetime

Forty-Four

POV: Riley

Taylor, Rory and I were seated in a very homey conference room waiting for Jenny’s attorney to join us. She had contacted us after the holiday and asked when we could come to her office. She had been very nice when we had spoken and offered her condolences for our loss.

“Good morning, I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I am Elizabeth Montgomery, but everyone calls me Beth,” she said, offering her hand to me.

“Riley Sloan, my fiance Taylor, and I think you may know Rory,” I said, shaking her hand.

“I do, but I have not seen her in quite a while. Jenny wasn't kidding when she said she looked like her other parent,” she said, smiling softly.

“That's what everyone that sees us together says,” I said, smiling at Rory.

“So I assume you have been to the safety deposit box and gathered everything?”

“We have. We went the same day we picked up Rory.”

“What did you think of Eric?”

“He was… something,” I said, smirking.

She chuckled softly, “That he is. Do you have any questions for me?”

“I am not sure what I need to do with any of this, if I am being honest.”

“That's ok. I can explain, or if we need to we can wait and involve your attorney’s if that would make you feel more comfortable.”

“No, we are fine, please fill us in.”

She spent the next hour going over Jenny’s last will and testament with us. Everything of Jenny’s was passed to me to hold in trust for Rory until she turned 21. She had apparently purchased an old farmhouse with some land in Upstate New York for her and Rory shortly after she left 10 years ago. That is where they spent the majority of their time and she kept a small apartment in the city for when she had shows. She had done well for herself and made sure Rory had everything she needed. She wasn't rich by any means, but she had a small nest egg set aside for Rory, should she get into college or Julliard.

“She always spoke so highly of you,” Beth said, smiling as I signed the last of the papers.

“How did you meet her?” Taylor asked.

“Believe it or not, we met at a coffee shop while I was in law school and she was waitressing. We hit it off and she eventually introduced me to Rory. We stayed close up until her death,” she said quietly.

“You loved her, didnt you?” I asked softly.

She blushed, “Is it that obvious?”

I gently laid my hand on hers and smiled. “Believe me when I say, I understand. What happened?”

“We stayed in touch when she moved upstate, but it was never the same. She told me her heart belonged to someone else and she didn't think it was fair to me, and I respected her for her honesty. She came to me a few years ago asking for help ensuring Rory’s future. She told me about Eric, and she told me she didn't trust him and she was afraid Bri was too naive to see through Eric’s bullshit. He is one hell of an entertainment attorney, but her finances and family she trusted to me.”

“Thank you,” I said softly.

“Why are you thanking me?”

“For looking after her. I knew she didn't really have any faith in her family, and I am grateful she had someone like you in her life and for making sure my daughter was taken care of.”