It's so beautiful.
We occupied this house for over two years and I had taken each day for granted. I overlooked each crack in the walls and creak in the floorboards. It isn't until now that I realize the sense of comfort that those walls brought me. Whenever I'm there I feel as if I belong.
I have been dreading and looking forward to this day. I couldn't help but cry while removing our belongings. These past few days have been nothing but tears for the family. Liana has decided to stay with Julie, which makes the situation even more difficult to cope with.
Now the time has come. Part of me just wanted to leave without saying goodbye to spare the trouble.
There they all are, Christine, Julie, Joseph, Madame Giry and Liana, all a memory of our past and what we are to leave behind. Even Joseph, who doesn't know us very well, appears distraught. Tears are flowing down everyone's face. I took my time to hug each one of them, breathing in each moment. Christine, as always was glowing with beauty even though her eyes were red from crying so bitterly. We had been such good friends. I can vaguely remember each day we spent with each other. I still remember dining with her and her husband, and in our youth laughing carelessly over the most ridiculous things.
"Treat each other like the angels you are," she said trying her best to smile. I broke down inside with her words. What came out as a laugh was truly my cry of pain.
After I gained the strength to let Christine go, I paused in front of Jolie. We stared at each other for a few moments, the wind breaking our silence, Then desperately grabbed one another with all of our strength. Neither of us would let each other go. We both rested our heads on each other shoulders and grasped one another to maintain our balance. We trembled and wept on each other's shoulder, our tears flowing down each others hair. We couldn't bring ourselves to say anything, there was nothing to say. Eventually, we both gained the strength to pull away, but only to quickly grab each other one more time.
I must have hugged each person at least tree times. With Joseph and Madame Giry I settled with a handshake. Erik shook everyone's hand, but was staring at the ground the entire time. He was trying as much as he could to hide his mask from view, but it didn't occur to him that it didn't matter to any of us.
With a crack of a whip the carriage was set in motion towards its destination. Erik had been sure to bring a gun with him this time. I couldn't doubt his paranoia. After all, the last experience we had with a journey like this was less then peaceful.
I gently slipped my index finger underneath the curtain and opened a tiny hole to peak through. The view was unbelievable. The naked fall trees were covered in tiny rain crystals that reflected a million different colors. The brilliant red, blue, and lavender sunset peaked through numerous trees. I enjoyed the cool wet breeze spraying on my cheeks. I removed my finger and pulled my soul back into the wagon.
Erik's eyes flew from Rebecca to me. What a sight it was! Erik's tense body seemed so comfortable. His shoulders and arms were at ease, he gently cradled Rebecca's sleeping body into his arms, her head tenderly cupped in one of his hands.
Though all of the things I have endured with this man, all of those things have grown us stronger. Remembering our first kiss, the first time we made love, our wedding day, and when I gave birth to Rebecca, I can't help but cry, but amongst my tears is joy.
Rebecca is a sign of how far we have come, how much we strived to stay together. It makes me smile every time I comprehend how much I love them both, and out of our love for each other she was born.
I slid my hand around Erik's shoulders and turned his head towards mine with the other. "I love you," I mouthed.
I didn't even have to strive to put it in words, what we had expressed in our secrets and whispers were truly alive in our hearts. It was something that everyone who came across us knew. As quiet as we expressed it, it truly came out louder then we expected. My heart still beats wildly for this man.
"I love you too," he mouthed back to me and staring at Rebecca. Both of our eyes grazed her body and fell upon each other's
I tenderly kissed his bottom lip, allowing the space in-between mine to be filled.
"I love you I love you I love you," I chanted in-between each kiss.
Now we have come to the end. Not the end of the journey, but the end of one chapter in our lives. Now it's time to start a new path.
Author's note: Yes my friends this is the end of this story. I'm hoping to go back and edit some of the chapters, which I still have yet to do.
Don't panic yet! When I get time I am going to start the sequel. Don't worry, I won't wait too long. I've already been brainstorming. When I get this mess in my head organized I'll start, but until then I'm going to work on Ashes. I've been busy lately so you have to bear with me.
I hope you enjoyed this story. I had so much fun writing it, and your reviews mean so much to me. Thank you for being encouraging, and at times constrictive. Your instructions truly helped me. I look back, and this story truly boosted my writing skills. I've learned so much from practicing, and though I have not yet discovered the secret recipe to formulating words, I am that much closer. In this story I was able to express myself, and I was able to see life through someone else's view.