Six years, Six long and painful years had passed since she had last been with the man she loved. Eve twirled a piece of her hair in her hand, knowing that illness had caused the bright scarlet of her own hair to fade. She listened to the children playing in the sitting room. Edgar and Mitchell were building a tower with blocks. Alexander, claiming to be too old for blocks or other toys of that nature, was reading quietly in the chair next to her. Emily and Sarah were sitting on the floor away from the boys having a tea party. Annabeth was pretending her toy dog was a real puppy. And Grell..., Eve couldn 't really be sure where the odd child had gotten off to since he was quiet for the most part, until...
THUNK!
"OWWWWW!"
"Mitchell what have I told you about throwing blocks?" Eve sighed, her sightless eyes looking up from her sewing and in the direction of the builders.
"But Miss Eve, Grell started it." Came the usual reply. "He tried to knock over our building."
"Grelly didn't do anything to them!" Emily and Sarah took a break to come to the smallest child's defense. "He was just standing off to the side minding his own business." she didn't need to add the 'as usual' that should have followed that sentance. Grell didn't join the others because he was... different. The boys terrorized him, the girls were nicer but still ignored him most of the time. A small whimpering sound and a hand on her leg drew her attention. Eve pulled the tiny redhead into her lap and gave him a tight hug.
"How are you feewing?" The five and a half year old still stumbled over some words. Eve chuckled and tickled his belly. "I'm feeling alright tonight my dear one." she smiled.
That night, Eve's health took a turn for the worse. As she lay in bed her breathing became more difficult, but with no one around to call on the doctor, nothing could be done. Her thoughts went to the children she was guardian over, oh how she hated that she would have to leave them so soon.
A warm familiar presence started to fill the room around her, a presence she hadn't felt in many a year. "Adrian?" her voice rasped, hands reaching out for the fabric of his coat.
"Eve, love please just lie back down and rest a bit." The voice, although distant now, still held the warmth she had fallen in love with.
"You're here because I'm going to die tonight, aren't you?" Her voice became a quiver. No answer.
"Adrian I can't see head gestures." The reaper pulled her into his arms.
"I'm so sorry." he whispered, "I tried to plead for you, for the children, but in the end it was useless." He ran a hand through her hair. "I begged them to let me be the one to collect you." He swore under his breath, cursing how soft hearted he'd become to the woman.
"Adrian Crevan I never took you for a man of loose tongue." She scolded jokingly, a harsh cough upsetting her short laughter. She felt her eyes become heavy. "Take me with you?" She asked, just as she had before when he had left her. Adrian shook his head. "You know the scythe chooses who turns, not the weilder." He planted a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be gentle love." he murmered before straightening up, taking his scythe, and raising it. Eve opened her mouth one more time.
"I love you..." The words were barely above a whisper, "...Adrian." She breathed her last as the curved blade swung downward, sinking into her chest.
"I know."
