Chapter 44 Chapter 44
Richard covered his wife's hand with his own, understanding the complex emotions behind her observation. For twenty years, they had imagined every milestone they had missed, first words, first steps, first day of school. Now they were witnessing another first, one they had never expected to see: their daughter's first romance.
On the terrace, Iris and Tony moved to sit on a stone bench, their shoulders touching as they discussed the practicalities of facing their classmates the next day.
"My design professor is going to have questions," Iris said, her mind working through the implications. "She's been pushing me to think bigger with my career plans. I'm not sure how she'll react to learning I'm a Lawson."
"Professor Winters?" Tony asked, recalling the formidable woman who headed the design department. "She strikes me as someone who judges work on its merits, not family connections."
"That's true," Iris acknowledged. "Though she might wonder if my competition win was influenced by my connection to the Lawsons, even if neither they nor I knew about it at the time."
Tony shook his head firmly. "Your work speaks for itself. Anyone who's seen your designs knows your talent is genuine."
Inside, Theodore had completed the draft statement and was showing it to Richard for approval. The carefully worded announcement acknowledged the DNA confirmation of Iris Maxwell as the long-missing Roxanne Lawson, expressed the family's joy at her return, and requested privacy as they reconnected after twenty years apart. It mentioned the planned exhibition of the mother and daughter's artwork as a positive focus for public interest, while deliberately omitting details about the original kidnapping investigation.
"This strikes the right balance," Richard said, reviewing the document. "Factual but not sensationalistic. And it gives us control of the narrative before speculation runs wild."
Victor nodded in agreement, his security training making him particularly aware of how quickly information could spiral out of control. "We should release it first thing tomorrow morning, before campus rumours solidify into 'facts.'"
Iris and Tony came back inside her hand slipping into his, “Umm can we also add something about my connection with Tony, and it appears someone has been wanting to ask me out for weeks regardless of my true heritage, looking back on it I should have guest he would have looked into it when he notice my birthday marked on my laptops calendar.”
Theodore glanced between Iris and Tony, noting their joined hands with a thoughtful expression. The Kennedy heir seemed genuinely invested in his sister's well-being, a fact that continued to surprise Theodore, given what he knew about Helga and Julius's typical approach to relationships.
"Of course," Theodore agreed, making a note on the tablet. "We should acknowledge your relationship directly rather than letting it become fodder for gossip. Something straightforward but not overly detailed."
Richard studied the young couple, his paternal instincts fully awakened despite having missed nineteen years of his daughter's life. The way Tony Kennedy looked at Iris spoke of something deeper than casual interest or strategic advantage. It was the same look Richard remembered seeing in his own reflection decades ago, when he'd first realised Dianne was the woman he wanted to build a life with.
"How long have you two known each other?" Richard asked, his tone carefully neutral despite the protective concern underlying the question.
Tony straightened slightly, recognising the father-to-suitor inquiry for what it was. "We met at the beginning of the semester in the university café. Iris was sketching designs, and I was... captivated."
Bryce failed to suppress a grin. "So this morning wasn't the first time you'd seen her designs?"
"No," Tony admitted. "I've been finding excuses to visit that café for weeks, hoping to learn more about the talented designer who created such extraordinary work."
Dianne watched the interaction with a mother's perceptiveness, noting the genuine admiration in Tony's voice when he spoke of Iris's talent. Whatever his parents' reputation for calculated relationships, the young man himself seemed to value her daughter for exactly who she was.
"That should definitely be included," she said softly. "It shows this isn't just a reaction to today's revelations."
Iris felt a warmth spread through her chest at Tony's words and her birth mother's understanding. The analytical part of her mind, which had been working overtime all day, finally quieted, allowing her to simply appreciate this moment of connection amid the chaos of her new reality.
"Perhaps we should all get some rest," Richard suggested, noting the fatigue beginning to show in his daughter's eyes despite her composed demeanour. "Tomorrow will bring its own challenges once this statement is released."
Victor nodded in agreement. "I'll arrange for a security escort back to campus for Iris and Tony. The media hasn't caught wind of this yet, but it's only a matter of time."
Theodore finished adding the requested items to the statement and sent the document to Iris's phone. "Review this when you have a moment. I'll also send it to the Maxwells as you requested."
As the group prepared to disperse, Dianne approached Iris hesitantly, still careful not to overstep boundaries with the daughter she had only just found. "Before you go... would you like to see some photographs? When you were a baby?"
The simple question carried the weight of twenty years of longing. Iris felt that a simple question carried the weight of twenty years of longing. Iris felt a flutter of emotion in her chest, a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. She had never seen herself as an infant; the earliest photographs the Maxwells had taken began when she was already several months old.
"Yes," she said softly. "I'd like that."
Dianne's face brightened with joy as she moved to a built-in cabinet in the library's corner. From a drawer, she extracted a leather-bound album, handling it with the reverence of a sacred text. For twenty years, this album had been both her greatest comfort and deepest torment, tangible evidence of the daughter who had existed, however briefly, in their lives.
"I kept this with me," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper as she returned to Iris's side. "Even when it was too painful to open, I needed it nearby."
The Lawson brothers exchanged glances, each remembering how their mother had clutched that album during the darkest days of her grief. Theodore had once found her asleep in Roxanne's nursery, the album pressed to her chest like a shield against reality.
Richard moved to stand beside his wife as she carefully opened the album, his weathered hand coming to rest supportively on her shoulder. The first photograph showed Dianne in a hospital bed, radiant despite her exhaustion, cradling a newborn wrapped in a pale pink blanket. The silver iris pin gleamed against the fabric.
"You were born at 3:42 in the morning," Dianne said softly. "After fourteen hours of labour. The moment they placed you in my arms, you looked directly at me with the most serious expression, as if you were studying my face."