The vast lands called out to her once more. How everything flowed together as the songbirds claimed the trees and the deer roamed the fields. It was this view Marissa loved most. How peaceful and quiet it was along that river. Flowers bloomed, creating a natural rainbow before her eyes just for a butterfly to land on her hand.
She smiled at its gold and blue hues accented its black wings, such a beautiful little creature. It gentle touch crossing her finger, waiting for her to say a prayer like normal. With a gentle smile, she blew lightly at it, her wish within her breath and the little thing was goe=ne, flying higher than her sight could follow. She knew where it was going, Always would.
"Another wish for them, or just a prayer?" she heard Adsila say.
"A bit of both."
Marissa turned to see Native America smile at her, her long ebony tresses flowing in the wind as the hint of sage lifted from the woman's skin.
"Birds and butterflies are always a sign of life that is near, either alive or beyond."
"I'm aware." Marissa smiled at her, knowing her words were true.
"Do you still see that day? The one when you were on the breath."
She lowered her gaze, "Yes. It was strange yet comforting as then it turned sad but rejoicing. They were so young too."
"Some believe that when loved ones pass and meet others on the other side, they are their younger selves. So in this case, they were."
"That they were. She was such a beautiful woman, her dress stuck out most yet him in his uniform, well I know why my nan scooped him up."
"I believe you see the same when my son is in uniform, no?" the spirit smiled at her.
Marissa felt heat rush to her cheeks as the quick image of Matthew in his military uniform crossed her mind. She couldn't help it, something about him in those clothes just set her blood to boil.
"I'm also guessing why this one is on its way." Adsila said, laying her hand on Marissa's growing belly.
"It helped." she giggled.
"It is strange to think that much time has passed from our first meeting with Amber and Liberty."
Marissa sighed thinking of that day, "About two years now."
"Yes and here I am not only a mother to two nations but to two capitals as well and now and unci to soon to be four grandchildren."
"We all wanted little families."
It was true. After her change and her little boy came to the world, she was determined to keep going, at least for a girl. Only then did the thoughts of Genesis cross her mind and what damaged they had done.
"How is the English boy?" Adsila asked, "Recover well?"
"Very, he can use his arm but only to certain positions. Juliet has asked Marie and I to be close, just in case it makes him depress or question himself around others."
"Mother always worries about her children, no matter the age."
"Guessing you worry about the boys?"
"As Alfred or Amber would say, you haven't a clue." she nodded, "I worry about you all. You are my family and all I have left to the world. Plus being a grandmother has perks too."
Marissa chuckled at her as she looked over the water, feeling Adsila's hand rub at a poking foot.
"Going to listen to me this time when I tell you what it is?" she asked her.
"This time." Marissa nodded.
Her hand shaped her belly, feeling the child within kicked and squirmed, what seemed to be trying to follow their grandmother's hands.
"You're making the baby dance around like mad, Adsila. My bladder can only handle so much."
She heard the woman laugh as she finally stopped with a smile, "A flower lays within. No stones."
Marissa felt her heart leap with joy as the thought of pink bows and little dresses came to her mind. A small kiss came to her head as she felt Adsila lay her hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you for giving me another healthy grandchild, Marissa."
"Thank you for guiding me like so."
"Gi-zah-gin, my daughter."
"Gi-zah-gin, mother."
With a sudden breeze, Marissa opened her eyes to the stone before her, feeling the tears prick her eyes again.
"Sorry about that you two." she said to it, "Adsila wanted to talk quick."
She settled herself down a little more, feeling the early summer day lay on her back as the sun and birds claimed the clear day. Looking back, she gave it a smile.
"It's just me today. Matthew has Alec out for a little, letting me have mommy time. You were right nan, being a mother is the greatest thing ever. And granda, Matthew is loving it as well. He and Alec have days together like you had with da."
An ache filled her as she looked at the headstone again, "Which is why I wanted to talk to you both. At one point in life, I was uncertain of what he and my mother were like, you tried to protect me from them and I understood that. But like most children, I was curious about them. Well, that was until he appeared at the door of my work."
She sighed, "You probably saw it already but, he was waiting outside, kinda shocked it was me. Well, after not seeing your only daughter for over twenty years, you wouldn't expect the little girl with pigtails, eh? But that aside, he asked about you and how we all were, almost acting genuine as my mother came up to him. I kept distance but told them the truth, they showed sadness and upset knowing you passed but then it turned to the real topic of want. The house and money. When I told them the house was sold in Scotland and all the money came to Canada with me, he seemed a bit excited and asked how much I inherited. Not a cent, I told him. Every heirloom was giving to its rightful owners and money divided in funds for Alec. He demanded to know where your rings were and everything else, of course, I told him, my husband."
Marissa had to pause, she could feel the pure anger radiate of her father as he belittled her and spoke so darkly to her of death and more, "I really understand why you did what you did, and I'm never more thankful for you both."
She felt what seemed to be a small caress to her belly, almost asking what she knew, making her laugh, "You asking what it is?"
The wind danced lightly around her in response, "Or ya still made I gave him Walt as a middle name?"
The wind picked up slightly as another one seemed to push it away, "I know, you didn't want a child to suffer with Walter, I know but you said I was stubborn. That being said, it's not a boy according to Adsila, it's a girl this time. And I think I already have her name, right nan?"
The warmth that came to her was all she needed that the woman would be overjoyed with the idea as the wind tickled her skin once more. Marissa moved to her knees as she came closer to the stone. Her fingers graced the piece once more, tracing their names as she felt a tear slip by.
"I love you both so much, I wish you were here to see your great-grandchildren play. But you are watching from another angle, eh? Still. It would be amazing to have you both here. Just keep dancing up there for me, ok? I'll talk to you later. Your Muncharoon is doing herself good now. I love you."
She placed a kiss on the stone, letting the last of her emotions fall. Looking at the beautiful piece, she was happy that Matthew came up with the idea, and that his family pitched in their ideas, yet the Scotsman was the one that added the most detail of the heritage she knew so well accented the stone the most.
Little footfalls came to her ears as she awaited the snuggling hug that always graced her. Small little arms wrapped around her shoulders and neck as sweet blonde waves caught her eyes.
"Mommy." came a little voice.
"Alec." she kissed his cheek, "Where's daddy?"
"There." he pointed behind her as he pointed to the gravestone, "Nan-nan and Poppa."
"Yes, that's your great-grandparents." Marissa smiled at his inquisitiveness, "What else is here, Alec?"
He got down beside her, his little head looking over her belly as his hand rested on it, "Baby."
"Very good Alec." Marissa heard Matthew reply, "Your little brother or sister is laying right here."
Matthew's hand joined over Alec's as a wide smile crossed her son's face, "What do you want Alec?"
"I don' care." he proudly said, "Boy or girl, I'm happy."
Marissa beamed at him, "That's a beautiful way to think Alec, but what if I told you Unci says it's a girl?"
"Really? So the white butterflies on the tree mean its a girl?" he asked as he looked over at the new tree they planted together.
"Maybe. Maybe Unci was telling you that it is or that you need to keep your head up." Matthew stated, "One way or the other."
Alec's head rested against her belly as he hummed lightly to the baby within, giving her and Matthew a brief moment, yet before she could speak, his lips claimed hers in a sweet and tender kiss.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Like a house yet not done yet." Marissa jokes, "Besides that, alright. Even after meeting my parents and seeing the truth, I'm good."
"You are a strong woman Marissa, no doubt about that." he said as he sat on the other side of her, "So mother says it's a girl, now we gotta think of names."
"Why not keep what we were doing?"
"What family?"
"Yes." she smiled at him, knowing the spirit would either be ecstatic or unsure of her thoughts.
"Guessing Katheleen then huh?" he smiled at her.
"Yep and Adsila for her first instead of Alyssa like we planned originally."
"You realize she's going to go through the roof?"
Marissa kissed him once more as she smiled at the thought, "Very."
"Mommy?" she heard Alec say.
"Yes, baby?" Marissa rubbed his golden locks.
"You know what." he said bouncing to his feet, "When I get older, and I want to get married, I want to marry you."
"You want to marry me?" Marissa laughed, "Why's that?"
"Because you're nice and you cook good food, and you take care of me and love me too." he smiled at her, those blue eyes shining at her.
"But mommy's already married to daddy." Matthew said to him.
Alec paused as he thought of what to say, just to point down to her belly, "When the baby is born and all grown up, she can marry you."
Both Marissa and Matthew laughed at the sweet boy, seeing the golden heart that he had. Matthew hoisted Alec against him as he helped her to her feet just to run off with the boy in the yard as Kuma followed them in.
Marissa just stood there, letting the lazy afternoon take her away with her family. Even though she lost the closest ones to her heart, she gained others and so much more.
And with that, she was quite alright with that.
Fin