Last Voyage
Chapter One: A Father's Request
Elias sighed as he re-read the letter he had just written. He had spent many sleepless nights going over it with a fine toothed comb, making sure that it was perfect. He knew that his daughter was probably not going to enjoy its contents, no matter how perfect they might be. But he knew in his bones that his voyage was almost at an end, and he wanted Alannah to fulfill this last request.
He folded the letter neatly, then placed it in an envelope and tossed it into the fireplace, watching as it floated up the chimney and into the starry sky.
Alannah was sitting at the table going over a list of inventory needed for her shop when she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned and caught the cream colored envelope that shot out of the fireplace, frowning in curiosity at the Sullivan crest. Why had her father sent her a letter this late at night? She slit it open with her knife, eyes filling with tears as she read.
My darling daughter:
Nothing in my life has made me happier than reconciling with you. I thank Time every day that you gave me another chance, as it allowed me to truly become the father I always knew you deserved. I am also grateful that I got to know my three wonderful and beautiful grandchildren. No one could be prouder of them than me (well, except you). And no father has ever had a better daughter. You are truly the combination of your mother and myself, and whenever I find myself missing Jessicah I only have to look at you, and it's as though she's come alive again. You have shown me numerous times that being a father and grandfather is the most rewarding feeling in the entire world, and you know that I would do anything for you.
Well, my inion, I need you to do something for me. It is a hard thing I ask of you, but I would not ask if I did not have complete faith in you.
I'm dying, you see, and before Death takes me into her embrace I want to go on one last voyage, and I want it to be just you and me. Nobody else. I want my last moments to be spent with the one person that made it possible for me to have the life I've always dreamt of.
Alannah, I'm sure you're reading this with tears in your eyes, but I have made my peace with my death. I have not told you because I am ready to go to Fiddler's Green-and I have already kept your mother waiting long enough for me. So dry your eyes, my darling daughter. There will be plenty of time to grieve when I am gone.
I will be leaving in three days time. If you choose to go, you know where the Bird is docked.
Erik does not know. I leave it to you to decide whether or not to tell him.
Whatever you decide, know that I will love you forever.
Your Daidi.