Jamie was old.

Time had sucked the youthful flush from his cheeks, and over the years managed to steal away the brunet coloring of his hair. His hands shook in a way that befitted a grandfather such as he, and his eyes were lined with the fragments of a lifetimes worth of smiles.

He had led a good life. No one would deny that, least of all him. He had married the love of his life, and fathered two beautiful children, both of which were in the room with him now. Over the years he had, of course, dealt with his fair share of trials and hardships, but no matter. Now, as he lay on what would inevitably become his deathbed, he remembered mostly good times.

His deep mahagony eyes had grown deep set, and gained a certain air of wisdom, but they had never lost their childish sparkle. Right now though, they did not seem willing to obey him. Focus, he would tell them. They would steadfastly refuse. And once, he even jerked them open in surprise, wondering worriedly when, in fact he had allowed them to close. He knew it was time for him to go. He was saddened at the coming seperation from those he loved, but was happy with the things he had accomplished on this earth. He could still list a thousand things he wanted to try- to see... but what waited for him in the next life?

He had always been a curious child. Now he was just a curious old man.

So, as what was left of his family gathered around his bed to see him off, he gave a small smile. His wrinkled hand tightened all it could around his daughters. She gave a quiet, choked sob, and turned to hide her tears from her young son. Jamie felt small fingers fall on his blanketed leg, the only thing his grandson could reach. Jamie was well aware that if he prolonged this time, this limbo between life and death, he would only cause his children and beloved grandchildren more pain. Be that as it may, he could not go yet.

One person was not here.

As if on que to the thought, the window in the corner of the room blew open violently. A gust of chilly wind- completely uncharacteristic for the summer season- blew into the tiny room. Jamie's son hurriedly closed it, latching it again.

Jamie smiled. "Good." He said. His voice cracked from the last couple hours of disuse. "You're all here." He noted. Jamie's son shifted uncomfortably at the way his father spoke to the air beside him. He handed his new baby girl to his wife, and got closer to the bed, patting his father's hand.

"Yes Dad. we're all here. Mary and I, Katherine and Joseph. All the grandkids too."

"Of course." Said Jamie. His eyes twinkled, and everyone in the room wondered if they were missing out on some private joke. "That's what I meant." His gaze had shifted again to an empty part of the room.

Jamie watched his white haired friend lean his staff against a wall. He remembered when Jack had joked that they were the same when he had found he needed a cane. Jack had always been good at cheering him up, even when he himself didn't realize he needed it. Jack came forward and Jamie gave him his sole attention. The winter sprite's ever present smile was nowhere to be seen on his young face.

"Hey Jamie." He said. He tried to smile in greeting, but it fell a little flat. The room was silent for a moment, then Jack spoke again. "You're really gonna be gone this time, huh?" he asked. He started to continue, but faltered. Jack swallowed hard and tried again. "Not like the time I came back to Burgess and you'd moved over the summer. Or that..." He laughed a little, "That winter break vacation your mom won from that radio station to Texas. I couldn't go… it was too hot. I had to wait for you to get back for a whole week." His smile wavered. "This is different though. This time you'll stay..." Jack half turned from Jamie, and he could see the thin film of tears glistening in his friends eyes. "...You'll stay.."

"Gone." Finished Jamie. His family grew confused looks at his apparently random word. "My wife is gone." He said, finagling the word into a line of thought his family would understand. "She's gone ahead of me." Jack looked at him. His eyes widened slightly.

"You want to see her, I bet." Jack let his gaze fall to the floor. Jamie tried to reach a hand to put on Jack's shoulder, but he didn't seem to have control of his limbs anymore. His eyes weaved out of focus again. Now that the last person he wanted to see was here, he didn't have the strength to hold on anymore. His time was short.

Jamie's eyes fluttered. There was one last thing he wanted to say. "Its been…" He tried. His lips barely moved. Sleep was trying to wrap around him. Jamie knew if he succumbed, he wouldn't get a second chance to say this. "It's been…" his eyes closed, and the last word was the quietest of murmurs. "Fun." He let out a last shuddering breath, and moments later, his hand slackened on his daughters. Jack knew he had left.

He leaned down and stroked the hair that was now as snowy white as his own. "Tell Pippa I said hi." He choked. A single glistening drop froze its way down his un-aged cheek. "I'm gonna miss you, kiddo." Jack turned and violently grabbed his staff. He burst out the window, and the latch would eventually have to be repaired.

A light snow fell on the funeral procession two days later. It stayed through the night, intensifying into a blizzard of unheard proportions for early June. The weather eventually calmed, but winters in Burgess after that were never quite as long, and didn't seem to have quite as many snow days.

It was one of those things that no one really noticed.

After all, there was no rhyme or reason to the weather.

Right?

A/N: I don't know why I do stuff like this to myself, I really don't.

What's wrong with me?!

I guess this did get some of my ROTG angst feels out. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! (Self imposed depression aside.)

Love,

Mariah