Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. I read them all. Further notes are at the end.
Chapter 7
Tonight we'll kiss. I'll be yours and you'll be mine.
You are my first love… And now you are my last.
Kiss me, kiss me before I go…
Anna DeWitt
November 3rd 1893 – September 16th, 1918
..
Arms outstretched, he desperately tried to reach for his love "Elizabeth! No, wait! I'm sorry!" His sprinting feet couldn't close the gap between them and the darkness that enveloped her was pulling her away faster than his panicking heart could take him. Her eyes were so full of sorrow and darkened with despair. She reached out for him, mouth gaping but speechless. Her hand on her heart while the other, begging for his. Tears flowed from her face as she was being pulled further into the darkness. "Elizabeth!" he screamed as he sprinted with all of his ability. He peered into the desperate blue eyes of hers as her body faded into the engulfing darkness. She couldn't speak, she couldn't act. She was as helpless as a lamb being taken away to the slaughter. His lamb, his baby was being stolen from his very eyes yet again. "Noo! Anna! I'm so sorry. Please forgive me!" he shouted as he reached to her. His fingers, so close to hers; he was less than an inch. With all of his effort he desperately stretched his hand further only to grab the space between them.
Before he knew it, the darkness distanced itself further and quicker than ever. He watched in wretched horror as his daughter faded into the distance. He ran and ran but could not catch her. He was beat. He lost to the shadow that took his love. "Nooo!" he screamed as she disappeared into the distance. "Anna!"
Booker froze in the darkness that slowly surrounded his body. His eyes were locked on the spot where Elizabeth once was. He started to shiver as he realized he lost her, Elizabeth; the only one he truly loved. The quivering hand of his revealed only a couple lovely brown strands of her hair in his palm. He watched as the last remnants of his daughter floated in the air toward his face. He was frozen by the shock, the crippling pain of losing Anna. His eyes followed the one strand that gently brushed his cheek as he floated away in the distance. Memories of her full set of hair resting on chest shot through his body. Memories of her sleeping in his arms flooded his mind. He remembered how her beautiful hair would softly caress his face, welcoming him into reality from his sleep. Her hair would sometimes pass his cheek and lips whenever the wind would visit them as they stood on their favorite bridge. His trembling lips released a scream of pain from the depths of his heart. It was unbearable and crushing. He screamed her name, the name he gifted her with.
..
The time of day was early and Paris had begun its hustle and bustle. Its denizens had already open their shops. Although the day was young and it was the start of a new week; Sunday, activities were moving more sluggish than usual. They had the weather to thank. The sky was that of a gloomy overcast. Rain drizzled gently over all of Paris, pouring a lackadaisical spirit over everyone. No one liked the grey clouds that blanketed over their day. The people had hoped for a bright and beautiful start to a new week. Summer was coming to an end however and the autumn season had a schedule to fulfill; brining its unfavorable colder weather and stormy days. Playful children were absent on the Parisian streets. The sound of cheerful laughter was lacking. It was slick and wet at every turn and corner which meant diminished fun and enthusiasm. Parents held their children at bay while they enjoyed their time indoors. Only a number of people with duties or destinations could be seen on the wet paths with their umbrellas. It was a gloomy and disappointing day indeed. This was must have been fate engaging in the DeWitt's story for the setting suited the scene perfectly, almost too perfectly.
Thunder could be heard from the living room of where Booker slept. The low rumbling shook Booker from his dreaded dream. He gasped as his eyes shot open, revealing a dully lit living room. The rattle of the sudden jolt back into reality relieved him of his terror. He breathed heavily as he slowly regained precision in this mind. He blinked several times to clear the murkiness his eyes gave him. It was rainy and stormy. He could hear the relaxing sounds of rain that sprinkled their house. He left out a final dense breath as he tried to relax. The feelings he felt carried into reality as he thought about his Anna. The surreal emotions he felt seemed to latch on to him as he laid motionless on his couch. He couldn't lose her. But what he did last night, killed her inside. He didn't lose her but she had lost him. The draining and sinking feeling he felt forced him to ball his hands to a fist.
As his muscles contracted he felt pressure on his arm. He slowly looked over to see what it was. Incredibly and unbelievably, it was her: Elizabeth. His eyes brightened and his heart bled gladly from her love. He couldn't believe she'd lay in his arms after how he treated her with his painful words. Her resting head laid on his arm as she slept. He did not notice her. Why? I don't deserve this. How can she choose to love me? He gladly watched as her chest slowly raised and sank, giving him relief that she was still here and alive. His expression saddened as he noticed a crinkled handkerchief beside her face. Elizabeth cried herself to sleep in his arms, despite his harsh words. It looked slightly damp. She must have woken up less than an hour ago and cried again, falling back to sleep. Elizabeth had a restless night and was tired. She had finally fallen into deep sleep. Her ever pleasant scent treated his nose as he took a deep breath. The smell of sweet flowers, honey, and the sky calmed his soul. It reminded him of her innocence that she intrinsically had. She was the very definition of faithful and devotion. Her love surpassed all that existed, overshadowing all forms of love. He felt his heart bend and crinkle from her love. He couldn't believe the depths of her love. She chose to be by his side no matter what.
Elizabeth… he whispered as he softly stroked her beautiful long hair. With his fingers, he gently brushed her cheek as he watched her breathe and rest silently. How could I? How can I be so heartless? He thought as she turned her head to his body, repositioning it closer to his chest and finally letting out a breath.
With eyes focused and brows scrunched, he stared at the ceiling contemplating. He had broken her heart and spirit. With disaster he has planted, he didn't know what to do to recompense and reconciliate. His actions were irreversible as he couldn't tell her he changed his mind. He still felt it impossible to love her entirely. Saddened and disheartened, he slowly sat up and closed his eyes from all of his overbearing emotions. Elizabeth… I'm so sorry for everything, he whispered as he gently extracted himself from the couch with caution, hoping not to wake the resting Anna.
The thunder rumbled as he silently made his way to her favorite vase full of roses. His actions, although gentle, had awoken Elizabeth. She slowly opened her eyes to see Booker holding a rose. Her expression was unchanged from last night. Still heartbroken, she remembered everything all over again. It wasn't a dream like she wished it was. The nightmare was here to stay with reality and the truths crushed her heart as the seconds passed. She wanted to speak. She wanted to greet her lover but couldn't move a muscle. She wished that he would welcome her to the morning with a kiss and the pleasant words that he had forgotten to whisper: "I love you." She remembered the last time those words kissed her ear. It was a month ago. Her desires were not fulfilled and would no longer ever be fulfilled.
She closed her eyes as Booker turned his head to check on her. With pursed lips and a deep sigh, he turned his eyes toward the rose he held. With a discontented frown, he returned the rose to its place and walked to his jacket with intention of leaving. What should I do now… I need to leave for a second, he thought as he donned his jacket and fedora before he exited.
The drizzling rain greeted him with cold wetness as he slowly paced the slick streets looking for answers. His lost and confused heart led him along aimlessly. Booker's drooped head was a clear expression of an unwelcoming aura. No one bothered to look at Booker and he did likewise. Evelyn, how do you know about me and Elizabeth? He pondered. With remembrance of her words, "Meet me at Pont de Arts," he made his way there.
Elizabeth had slowly sat up right after her lover left. She walked over to her large living room window and sat on the sill. With sadness she watched through the rain as her lover faded into the distance. Her eyes dropped tears of sadness; an outward expression of her inward depression.
With a limp posture, she leaned on her window watching as the rain poured down on Paris. The deep sorrow she felt reminded her of her unhappiness before Booker reentered her life. Drip by drip, she watched as each one slid down her Parisian window. The distorted view of the Eiffel Tower reflected her inner grief. What was once clear was now uncertain. Gloomy and dreary, the cloudy skies casted a depressing blanket her. Elizabeth's chest raised slowly with each deep breath, hoping to exhale the pain she felt. The pondering of how events led her life back in misery replaced her thoughts of peace and happiness that once occupied every corner of her mind. The perfectly happy Elizabeth now drowned in her tears as she quietly wept. How could she win against something so massive in theory? How could she defeat morality? It consumed the strong and indestructible man she loved. With no cosmic powers or universal knowledge; no omniscience, how could she challenge what was set in people's hearts for thousands and thousands of years? She might as well dare to defy all laws of this universe and existence itself. Morality… it always wins. Like a tenacious and relentless plague, it shall always prevail, regardless of generations or the millennia. He unfortunately lost the fight and the war was won. Booker fought and fought with all of his might to the bitter end. He could not do it.
One way or another, morality has standards and principles it will uphold to. Through one person or another justice and righteousness is always realized in the end. Elizabeth managed to win her battle but it returned sevenfold to her through Booker. It was a force of nature, a part of life that she somehow could not overcome no matter her efforts. Should she admit defeat? Should she give in and abandon her resolve that she fought terribly hard to attain? Her mind was a wreck. With every hopeful hint of love and life merciless murdered by the overwhelming might of morals. She couldn't formulate any strategies, any plans that would reconciliate their broken relationship. She loved him more than anyone could know, even Booker couldn't comprehend her depths of her love. It was a love so profound and deep that was unattainable by ordinary couples who claim they were in love.
She was there yet again. Depression reared its dark ugly face, knocking on Elizabeth's heart once more. There was no way out, no escape. In life, there are battles one must lose. This was no different. There was nothing she could do. Facing this opponent is near insurmountable. The degree too high to obtain, even for someone like her.
Her warm tears crept down her lonely face unto her lips. The saltiness added to the depressing flavor she tasted. Her hair hid her deeply saddened face like a veil as she gazed out into the city of love. She remembered her happy moments and that they shared. Her laughter, his laughter, the first moment their lips met, and the night it all happened replayed in her mind like a beautiful record. The wonderful moments of bliss that she lived were hers. Her hand covered her heart, holding on to the memories that relished in. She felt cold and lonely. The only positive thing she has left are her sweet memories of times of pure love. Before anything strange happened; she saw life through rose tinted glasses. A life full of optimism and clarity. She couldn't have been happier.
She remembered a song from the future she listened to when she had her powers. It was one of her favorite songs of the 1980's. Its melody was clear as her pain. With a small whisper she began to hum along to the tune that played in her heart. Words then escaped her lips as her feelings followed its lyrics.
"Oceans apart… day after day… and I slowly go insane…"
Tears dripped from her chin, splashing unto to her beautiful dress as she sung. Never missing a beat or singing off tune, she sang with saddened beauty. She mirrored an angel from heaven that morning.
"Wherever you go… whatever you do… I will be right here waiting for you…"
She shut her eyes to quell the misleading promise of Paris. Her broken heart led her to cry more as she sang on.
"Whatever it takes… Or how my heart breaks… I will be right here waiting for you…"
With her soft palm on her cheek and fingers in her hair, she wept. The minutes passed as she hummed the remaining chorus. She cried her way through its beautiful melody and mustered her voice to sing the last verse.
"I wonder how we can survive, this romance… But in the end if I'm with you… I'll take the chance…"
..
She could hear them laugh without a care in the world. Their joyous laughter echoed through her hollow heart, reverberating pain as it faded. Images of them dancing in the sunlight and kissing in the sunset filled her heart with hurt. Elizabeth pictured their love being consummated at night and visualized it renewed in the morning. She gave up once and she was drawing near again. But this time, she decided for a change. She was going to unconditionally love him. A plan of immeasurable love sprouted from her heart despite the pressure of despair. Elizabeth decided at that moment to wait, to wait for her lover's heart to return to her. She was willing to endure the excruciating pain for the rest of her life if it meant only seeing his love surface for a day; it was worth it. A decision was made in her heart to patiently wait until the moment she passes. Elizabeth believed in him, she believed that he will eventually return to her. Deep in her heart she searched for the strength to get up and move despite the overwhelming burden of emotional pain. The pangs of misery surrounded her but with a bit of the strength she stood to her feet. She fought through her tears and weakness. Her arms and legs weighed a ton as she slipped on her boots. Each movement of her body was immensely difficult. With an umbrella shielding her body, she stepped out of her lonely dreary home and into the gloomy and dreadful rain. The pour was consistent and unremitting. The drops of water that splash on her face was cold, cold like the pain she felt. With each step she took, she thought of Booker's warm touch. Her averted eyes represented her broken heart. Her desolate composure and slow walk reflected the misery and empty void that she felt. For once, she walked in the rain without her lover. Each time in the past when it had rained he was there holding the umbrella for her. His smile was missed as she looked to her left to see a missing spot where he should have been. The empty slot where he once stood haunted her as she dragged her feet along the way. Her left hand dangled lonely in the wind and rain. She imagined her hand inside Booker's where it fit perfectly and snugly. Like dull knife across her heart, was the thought of his missing touch. The cold wind blew against her body, swaying her hair. She closed her eyes and stepped onwards. Numb to its cold sting, numb to the world and its realities, she continued forward down the avenue of shattered dreams. Like a fallen angel, a lost star, she wandered on through the cold drizzling showers.
I've decided Booker, that no matter what, I'd follow you wherever you go. I'll wait forever till you I find you.
..
As Booker stepped foot on the bridge, he slowly lifted his head to reveal a lady waiting at the center. He immediately knew it was Evelyn when he first laid eyes upon her figure. It was only the two of them on Pont de Arts; his footsteps could be heard as he drew near. When Booker came close to her, she turned her head to greet him with an acquainted smile. He returned a solemn expression as she turned her body to him. Her dress was dark, suitable for the weather. He locked his eyes on hers and paid her outfit no mind. He stopped several meters from her, hinting her of his strictly business presence. He blinked when the cold drops of water entered his eyes. Motionless, he stood and stared at her in the bitter wind.
"Booker," Evenly quietly greeted. The thunder rumbled in the distance as she finished his name with a smile. The sound of the skies almost drowned her voice but Booker still heard her speak his name. It didn't sound pleasing to him.
"…Evelyn," he muttered as the wind blew across rain across his lips.
"I knew you would change your mind."
With a quick rebuttal from his heart, he corrected her, "I didn't. I came here because I needed you to answer my questions." Evelyn replied with a silent indifferent expression. He took the liberty and proceeded with his questions, breaking the silence.
"How do you know about Elizabeth, and me?"
"I know everything. I know that Elizabeth loves you. And I also know that she carries your child."
Her last words sent a sting to his heart. He twitched his brows and wondered how she knew. He squinted his eyes and asked with a stern voice, "How did you know that?"
"Booker, come with me. Forget about this despicable relationship you carry with your daughter. This is your chance to start anew, to wipe away your final debt."
Debt? He thought as the memories flashed in his mind. Bring us the girl and wipe away the debt! He turned his face from the intensity of the flashback. How does she know? Who is she?
"This is your last chance. There won't be anything else that will come to save you. Don't disappoint me Booker, it's fate that we should be together. You know this is the best for both of you."
"Evelyn. Just, who are you?"
"I also knew that we were hit with a vigor last night. Shock Jockey. Am I right?"
How did she… he thought as his mind began to race. "Evelyn, answer my question," he demanded.
"I'm glad you brought your woman. I had a plan for her," she replied, purposely dodging his question.
What? He thought as he turned around to see someone at the beginning of the bridge. "Elizabeth?" he uttered as he noticed her. She stood at the beginning of the bridge holding her umbrella and fluttering her eyes as she saw the two conversing. "Booker!" She called loudly enough for him to hear.
"Elizabeth. What are you doing here? You should be back home. It's raining," Booker said as he briskly walked toward her. With a bit of excitement she dropped her umbrella and started to jog toward him. "I overheard Evelyn asking you to meet her here so I came. I wanted to tell you something. Booker, I…"
Suddenly she felt a hand grab her shoulder, yanking her backwards. Surprised and greatly perplexed she tried to regain her balance. She was caught off guard and could not turn quickly to see who it was. Then a small cold rod pressed unto her back with great pressure. What is that, what is touching me? She thought as she tried regaining her balance. Who's behind me? She frantically wondered. Booker's brows furrowed to see someone mishandling her. He immediately started to run. "Hey! Get your hands off of her!" he shouted.
Then there was a loud bang, a distinguishable loud boom followed by a crackling echo. It wasn't the lightning, and definitely not its thunder. Her mouth gaped. Her eyes widened from a sudden jolt of an unexplainable sensation. The pressure, the pain, forced her head back as she felt the irrefutable feeling of sharp yet blunt pain. I… Did I just… Incredible and excruciating numbing pain shot through her body. Her eyes were full of fear and terror as she stared hopelessly into Booker's eyes.
"No! Elizabeth!" he shouted as he sprinted faster.
Then another crackling boom echoed against the buildings of Paris. Then another… "Elizabeth!" he yelled as he got closer. She loudly gasped from the overbearing pain she felt. The mysterious person started to dart away as Booker came within reach. "You son of a bitch! God damn you!" Booker yelled as the person that ran away. She slowly looked down to her body to reveal three wounds. She was entering a state of shock and the sight of her bloodied clothes sent her further into perplexing immobility. "M-my baby, no! My baby." With her shaking hands, she felt her bleeding wounds. Her ragged and pained breathing became shallow. Elizabeth's quivering body began to buckle underneath her own weight. She started to collapse as she blankly stared into the eyes of her lover.
Booker came just in time to catch her from hitting the ground. He kneeled down with his gravely injured lover in his arms. "Elizabeth no! Elizabeth… no, no no!" he frantically uttered as he observed her lethal wounds. With his hand, he tried putting pressure on them but they were too many for him to cover. Her wounds bled profusely. There was nothing he could do. "Elizabeth, I can't stop the bleeding. I don't know what to do. Please tell me what to do!" He panicked and spoke as she looked into his eyes. She laid there motionless as she struggled to breathe. Her stuttering and pained breathing forced her to cough. Her desperate eyes begged for him. "B-Booker, our baby…" she said as she fought her incredible discomfort. With a panicked face, he tried to reply, "Elizabeth it's gonna be okay. Just hang on! I'm not going the lose both of you!"
With understanding of the severity of her wounds, she decided it was time to tell him everything.
"Booker, listen. L-Listen to me. I just wanted to tell you something," she quietly whispered. He peered into her helpless eyes. He saw that she was slipping to the darkness.
"I wanted to tell you, that. That I was going to wait for you to love me, even if it meant me waiting until I'm old."
"Elizabeth… no, no I'm sorry this is my fault. Hold on darling, I'm going to get you to a hospital," he frantically responded as he tried to lift her body up.
With a pained gasped she swallowed. She felt herself fading. Her body was going into shock. "Booker!" she groaned. "You and I both know what happens next. It's too late for me and you know this."
"Don't you dare say that. It's not!" he said as he lifted her body in his arms and stood to his feet.
"Booker stop, please… listen," she groaned. He paused to hear her words. Her body was shivering in his arms. Her lips quivered as she spoke, "I'm no one special. I can't survive this. No tears, no omniscience, no quantum powers. I'm just a normal girl, with a normal pinky." With great discomfort and pressure, she struggled to speak. "I'll go wherever you go and follow you till the end of days, but not this time."
"Elizabeth, don't do this. No, no you can't do this to me. I'm sorry okay? It's my fault I should have never…"
She interrupted his speech with her dying words. She was fading fast. "You are my first love... And now you are my last." She struggled as the words slipped from her mouth. Elizabeth was losing excessive blood from her wounds. There wasn't much time left to speak. She was bleeding too much too quickly.
"Anna, no stop! Please don't go. How can I keep my promise to you when you're gone?"
"You've fulfilled your promise. You're by my side just like you said." With a light smile she slowly raised her hand to his face to feel him one last time. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you more than you'd understand."
"Anna, I love you. I love you. I'm sorry I haven't told you that. I'm so sorry for everything."
"It's alright. Kiss me, kiss me before I go…" Tears rolled down her face as she looked into his soul. A tear finally escaped his eyes as he held her in his arms. He gladly lifted her closer and with the gentlest of touches, he kissed her rained drenched and cold lips. There he stood in the cold rain as they kissed.
..
Anna's hand slowly dragged down his chin, her lips slowly stopped kissing. Booker opened his eyes and to his horror, she was passing. Her hand fell and dangled in the wind and her blue irises started to dilate as she began to pass away. Her mouth slowly opened and her body went limp. Then, her lids drooped and as life left her body. Booker stared into her dilated eyes and shouted, "Anna! No, no Anna! You can't leave me. Don't go!" he began to sob as his love left him. Booker fell to his knees with Anna in his arms. He pulled her lifeless body close to his and cried on her shoulder. "Anna!... Anna!" he shouted as she sobbed. "Anna!"
..
His life with her flashed before him as he held her tightly. All of the memories, all of their adventures together flooded his mind all at once. He shook his head in denial and refused to believe that she was gone. His tears finally rolled freely down his cheeks, dripping onto Anna. He remembered their time in Columbia and their times here in Paris that he took for granted. "No, no no no!" he whispered through his grinding teeth. "I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry…" The pain he felt, the sorrow, and the deep regret pushed him to scream. Booker looked to the sky and from the bottom of his heart he yelled. With all of his lungs could produce, he screamed in pure agony. He looked back at her body empty of her soul. Through sobs and tears he leaned closer to give a kiss. Her lips cold. Her body was a shell of what she was. It was too difficult for him to go further and in his suffering sobbed more. "Anna… If I could I would make things right. I should have never told you I didn't love you."
The sharp and deep hurt of loss triggered an emotional change from within him. He felt this way before but exponentially worse now that Anna was gone for good. Twice he has lost her, and twice it was because of his own hands. The guilt started to affect him in a mysterious way. He no longer felt any presence of morals but an overflowing feeling of remorse. The regret began to crush his spirit and with great and immense pain, he screamed the name of his daughter, pronouncing the death of his beloved to the heavens. Lighting flashed and thunder rolled as his voice echoed through the streets. The torrent of wind and water grew heavy, dousing all that was caught in its flurry.
Evelyn watched it all with an unwavered spirit. She was not moved one bit but as a matter of fact, she was pleased. Pleasantly satisfied of Elizabeth's death, she slowly walked over to Booker. Her heels clopped along the way. With a devious smile, she approached him. As she drew near, Booker turned his face to the lady with the evil expression. Instantly, his anger skyrocketed. He demanded an answer from her, "Did you set us up?! Did you cause this?"
"I've come to a different way of thinking. After all the bother of trying to change things, one wishes that one had not. You can call me a fatalist but I do believe it was for the best. I'd imagine you'll understand."
What? I… I recognize that speech. How?
"I believe I owe you at least some form of explanation. My name is Evelyn, however not Evelyn Bennett," she added. Evelyn was cold and calculating. Her demeanor changed. It was all a plan.
"Your child must not live. It was disappointing to see her go but it was necessary."
"What?! I don't understand. You, you can't be!" Booker turned his attention to his Anna whom laid in his arms. "Anna…" he said as he shed tears from his eyes. He reached up to close her eyes with his hands. He couldn't believe that she perished right before him. He rested his head on her shoulders and cried. The confusing feelings of anger and hurt pulled and tugged at him. He couldn't decide whether to stay by her side or to take revenge on Evelyn. The feelings became too much. He cried as he held her tightly. The truths became over bearing. He couldn't take it anymore and with one last effort, he screamed.
..
Booker bolted up and furiously shouted his daughter and lover's name. He found himself covered in sweat. He heaved heavily as he realized he was back in his living room. "Anna!" he shouted once more. He looked out the window to see that it was bright and sunny and quite early in the morning. The rain. It all felt so real. "Anna" he said as he went to rub his face. Was it real? It had to have been. I can't believe she's gone. I must have fainted or something. How long was I out?
Then a sweet voice entered his ear bringing with it relief and gladness. "Booker? What's wrong?" Anna mumbled as she crept out of her slumber. With gladness he quickly glanced over to his side to see that it was her, alive and well. "Anna! You're… You're alive! How? I don't understand."
With grogginess in her voice she muttered, "Of course I am. What's going on?" He was overjoyed and immediately placed his hand on her belly. She was confused as she saw him pat her several times. He proceeded to quickly lift her nightgown to reveal an unharmed body. "You're okay! Anna, you're okay!" he spouted with over joyous relief. It was all just a dream! He thought. "Booker?" she inquired with confusion. She then thought to herself as she became less groggy, I haven't heard him say my name like this in so long…
Booker then immediately hopped off the couch to kneel before her. Perplexed and honored, she sat up to listen to his words.
"Anna, darling. I am so sorry for what I said yesterday." Her eyes brightened quickly and a light smile took over her lips. "I am so sorry for not loving you the way I should. I've never been so wrong. When you asked me if I love you, I do. I do love you." Her smile turned wider and eyes warmed. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Anna placed her hand on her forgiving heart. She was incredible and Booker finally had realized it. With Booker apologizing, she asked, "But, what made you change your mind overnight?"
"I see clearly now. Here, how about this," he said as he leaned in closer to her lips. With a quick utterance, "Anna, I love you," he kissed her. Pleasantly surprised, she closed her eyes to enjoy his affection. Her body quickly grew soft and limp for this was everything she wanted. It had finally came. Booker had finally won and defeated his greatest enemy. Morality haunted him like Songbird, stopping him at every turn until the day Booker finally defeated him. His morals pursued him exactly like Songbird. There was no difference. In the vast infinite parallel universes, something or somebody always takes a form of another, whether it'd be tangible or intangible. He had defeated Songbird twice, and for good.
Booker parted to see Elizabeth's puckered lips. He adored that about her. She couldn't get enough of his affection. He watched as she slowly opened her eyes and smiled at her. With excitement in his voice, he spoke, "Anna, stay here. I gotta do something. I have a surprise for you."
It had all happened so fast; the change of heart, the kiss, and a surprise. She was still processing the wonderful information and was left speechless. She searched for words as she watched him walk toward the door. Anna quickly stood to her feet and briskly walked to him, "Kiss me, kiss me again before you go."
He smiled as how his dream and reality correlated. It was no coincidence. With a chuckle he caressed her soft face and leaned in to present her a good long lasting kiss. Soon after he confidently smiled at her as he walked out. Her smile was wonderfully beautiful and warm. She stood at the doorway watching him speed off into the bright and sunny Parisian streets. She slowly closed the door and thought to her happy self, this entire weekend has been crazy. I think we'd be better off, us DeWitts… If we could just run away and never look back.
Booker made his way through the busy streets and to the shop where he first met the clerk. I get it now. I understand. The stuff he gave me, it helped me see. When booker arrived on a bridge where he could see the store at a distance, he realized it was still closed down. The store was actually being renovated for another a different owner. The sign that once said 'Lonnie's confectionaries and souvenirs' was gone. Booker sighed and stopped on the bridge. "When I don't need the guy, he's around but when I need him he goes missing. Of course." Booker contemplated his next move. He had a surprise for Anna but wanted to speak to the mysterious store keeper first. He leaned on the stone railing and stared at the river with a smile. I suppose he was helping me.
"Looking for someone in particular?"
Booker quickly spun to gladly see the clerk smoking his pipe and holding a leash with a puppy. He chuckled when he saw him and spoke, "There you are. You were trying to help me. I guess it didn't make sense until now. Hey, I just wanted to say thanks."
The clerk tipped his head in acknowledgement and replied, "Nothing convinced her to stop loving you; not your hideous beard, not morality, not another person for her, and not even another person for you."
"I suppose you're right," Booker replied
The clerk added, "The path to complete morality is not always clear. Sometimes you have to do what's wrong to do what's right." Booker nodded in agreement as he looked at the beautiful sky.
"The one thing she had that you never had, separated you and her."
"And what was that?" Booker asked.
With a chipper tone he responded, "Loss! She lost you but you have never lost her, until today metaphorically speaking. Six years DeWitt, six years she has lived in miserable depression, branding herself in the process."
"So I had to know what it was like not have her…"
"In order to have her. You are brighter than you look my boy!"
Booker scoffed and smiled at his comment. He crossed his arms and leaned on the railing, readying his ears for the clerk's next set of words.
"True love trumps all. Don't trade an ounce of morality for a pound of love"
Booker looked to clerk and finally asked for his name, "Who are you?"
With a pleasant smile, he replied, "I thought you would have figured that on your own. My friend, you can call me Lonnie." With that, he handed Booker his leash. "I believe this is what you're looking for as well."
Booker was surprised again. Lonnie never ceased to amaze him. He spoke in bewilderment, "How did you know I planned to get one? Speaking of which, how did you know everything?"
Lonnie turned and started to slowly walk away while smoking his pipe, "I don't claim to know everything DeWitt. I am Frances's most renowned philosopher. We philosophers know more than most." Then Lonnie stopped to glance back at Booker and stated one last comment, "I may have been… an artist, at one point in life… or another." He winked at Booker and proceed to walk away.
Booker blinked at in confusion at his words. He reached down to pick up the adorable puppy. With a smile he held her in his arms. A girl huh? Anna would love this. She always a wanted a fluffy one. Booker started to make his way back home. He was full of excitement and happiness. Finally, he was victorious. He thought about her joyful face. He couldn't wait to surprise her. So it was all a dream. It felt so real. The stuff he gave… It was all a plan. Booker thought about making love to Anna. Interestingly but unsurprisingly, his morals were absent. He felt no shame or guilt. With all of the change that happened within him, he realized that he had been calling her Anna and not Elizabeth. A victorious smile shined from his face as he happily made his way back.
..
As Booker opened the door to his house, he was greeted with wonderful music playing from Anna's phonograph. La Vie En Rose… The pleasant fragrance of delicious a French meal pleased his nostrils. Things were now perfect. "Anna!" he called as he waited at the door. Anna joyously walked from the kitchen to greet him. Her precious expression was priceless when she laid eyes on Booker and his gift. She instantly covered her mouth in amazement. Her eyes were brighter than the sun over Paris. Her smile was wider and more beautiful than ever. She gasped and squealed in pleasure as she ran to her lover. "Oh my god, father! She's beautiful!" she said as she held the puppy and hugged her. Anna closed her eyes in delight in receiving something she had never asked for. Her happy expression brought Booker complete fulfillment and happiness. Anna was elated. She was thrilled to be in Paris with her lover and a puppy. She couldn't have been happier. "Does she have a name?" she asked. "I haven't chosen a name. I left that or you."
Anna squealed in delight again and spoke, "I'll name her Ellie! Short for Eleanor! Or how about Sally? What do you think?" Booker stood there and thought for a second and chose Sally. Anna kissed Sally on the head, hugged her, and spun in happiness. "Anna this is my apology, darling. Please accept…" Before he could finish she leaned in to kiss his lips, silencing his unneeded apology.
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Later on that night after they had their fill of food and joyous laughter, they conversed on the bed. Their day was full of romance, fun, and relaxation. They spent a full day inside the house, resting from the nonsense that happened over the weekend. Their adopted pet, Sally, slept in the floor in her corner. Anna snuggled into her lover's embrace. Booker broke the silence with his voice, "You know you got me thinking. What you said yesterday about Columbia and music from the future, got me a little worried. How could it still exist? And how did they get a song from the future? Are there still tears around?" Anna looked up at Booker and placed her finger on his lips, shushing him. She crawled on top of him and whispered, "Shhh, you ask too many questions." Her smile was sensual and her eyes hazy. Booker immediately knew what this meant. He smiled and looked into her eyes as she whispered again, "Tonight we'll dance, I'll be yours and you'll be mine. We won't look back for now." She leaned in slowly to kiss the love of her life. Booker was finally free. In all his freedom and happiness, he wrapped his arms around her as they passionately kissed.
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That night in Paris, they consummated their love purely, unadulterated, sensually, and exotically without boundaries.
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I hope you guys enjoyed it as much or more than I've enjoyed writing it. This is my second to last chapter. The sea of hope that separated them has now been crossed. He finally reached her with the fullness of himself. She receives the love she deserved. Stay tuned for my next and final chapter. I know it's sad. I want to continue but this sequel focused on Booker's struggle and their relationship. I know you are wondering about Lonnie, Columbia, Rapture, and Evelyn. Well I left that ambiguous for a reason ;) Most likely in my third addition to the Loveshock will I explain it all; If I choose to write it. Thanks for reading and review/favorite/follows.
