Sorry for the cliff-hanger guys, but hopefully this chapter makes up for it! It is a bit of a shorter chapter, but I think it's one of my favourites.
Chapter Thirteen: The End of an Era
"Klaus just texted me," Maya announced, a note of panic in her voice. "He has Marian. They'll be here any minute."
It was early morning. Maya had been running around Eda's small farmhouse, frantically trying to do anything she could for the frail woman.
She almost hadn't noticed anything was wrong. Maya was awoken from a deep sleep by a loud crash, one that startled her into jumping out of bed. It was her phone, falling from her nightstand and smashing onto the floor near her bed.
When Maya picked it up, she knew something was wrong. Eda's name flashed across the screen, an abandoned phone call taking up a space in her call log. Fear had immediately gripped Maya's stomach- she knew Eda wouldn't call if something wasn't terribly wrong. Looking out the window of her farmhouse, she saw the light on in Eda's kitchen and that was enough to get her out the door.
"Do you need anything?" Maya worried, reaching into the cupboard for a glass of water even though Eda hadn't answered.
"No," Came the whispered reply, Eda's voice more raspy than normal. Maya suppressed the lump in her throat.
"A blanket? Some water?" Maya suggested, fidgeting. "I'll get you some aspirin, or some Advil, or maybe-"
"Maya," Eda coughed, raising her small hand. "Calm down dear, come here."
But Maya wasn't listening. She needed to feel useful. She needed to feel like she was doing something to help- even if it meant cooking a five-course meal while she was waiting for Marian and Klaus to arrive.
"Are you comfortable?" She pressed, panic clawing at her throat. "I can get you another pillow-"
"The only thing you can do for me," Eda insisted suddenly, with more force than she should have been using, "Is to come sit down next to me, child. I need to speak to you."
Maya listened, numbly making her way to Eda's bedside. She didn't sit, though, standing woodenly in place and staring down at the old woman. Eda chuckled- she looked so small and weak, lying there with her hair a mess and drowning in an old nightdress. Maya winced as Eda took her hand, feebly squeezing it with the little strength she had left.
"Maya, Sweetheart," Eda smiled, swaying their joint hands. "You know I think of you as my own granddaughter, and having you in my life has been such a source of joy for me."
Maya nodded, squeezing her eyes shut.
"I see you grow as a farmer, and it fills my old heart with pride." Eda continued, pausing to catch her breath. "You've already done so much for me, but I'm afraid I need to ask one more thing of you."
"Anything," Maya answered immediately, ignoring the catch in her voice. "Whatever you need Eda, please tell me."
"I want you to have my farm."
This made Maya's eyes shoot open, her mouth working in shocked outrage.
"What do you mean, have your farm?" She demanded, nearly pulling her hand away. "I'm not taking your life's work, Eda! I won't!"
"Please," Eda insisted, pausing to weather out a coughing fit. "We both know that, even if I make it through tonight, I don't have any farming left in these old bones. You're going to be a great farmer, Maya, and if my little spit of land can help you spread your wings and fly, then I'm happy to give it up."
Maya began to shake her head, her heart skipping a beat as she heard the front door swing open.
"Maya!"
Klaus's voice reached her from far away, like she was hearing him through water. Eda smiled, giving her a knowing wink, and let her eyes drift closed.
"Besides," Eda whispered, her grip on Maya's hand loosening. "You'll need the extra room when you decide to settle down."
Klaus and Marian appeared a moment later, Marian immediately taking charge of the room. He wasn't dressed- wearing jogging pants and an old t-shirt, his white coat loosely secured at his waist. He approached the bed, dropping his bag on the floor next to the nightstand where Eda kept her glasses.
"What happened?" Marian demanded, quickly unpacking his standard equipment.
"I don't know," Maya answered quietly, the numbness spreading to her arms. "She tried to call me. When I got here, she was on the kitchen floor."
"You moved her to the bed?" Marian confirmed, taking Eda's blood pressure. Maya nodded mutely, stepping away so Marian could work.
"Don't cry over me, dear," Eda whispered suddenly. Maya had thought she'd fallen asleep, but clearly, she'd been wrong. "I've lived a long, happy life. My time here is long overdue, I think."
Now Eda did fall asleep, the sudden change in consciousness reflecting as panic on Marian's already concerned face.
Maya felt dizzy. She reached out for something to hold onto and, finding nothing, began to sink to the floor.
Klaus caught her just as she started to stumble, supporting her weight in his arms and with his torso. Maya's eyes welled with tears, her breathing getting faster and harsher by the second.
"Take her outside, Klaus," Marian instructed, his tone grave. He gave Klaus a meaningful look, and then turned back to the delicate old woman.
"Maya?" Klaus whispered, tilting his head to look at her face. Her entire body was trembling, her small fingers digging into his forearm as she gripped it for support. Wordlessly, he guided her into the early morning sunlight, the fresh air only seeming to shake Maya out of her trance long enough to ignite her tears.
"Maya?" Klaus prompted again, his voice cracking. Maya had buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. She looked so small, so broken… it killed him.
"She gave me her farm."
"What?" Klaus barely caught the words, whispered and muffled by her fingers.
"Eda gave me her farm," Maya repeated, stronger and with conviction. "I don't want it."
Klaus was quiet, not sure what he should say. It didn't surprise him that Eda gave Maya her farm, and he also knew that she should take it, but he didn't want to push her when she was already so upset.
"It's Eda's farm," Maya sobbed, turning to face Klaus. She lifted her watery eyes to meet his, tears sparkling against her cheeks. "I don't want it; it belongs to Eda!"
Klaus was before her in an instant, pulling her into his embrace as she broke down, burying her face in his chest and clutching tightly onto the woven fabric of his shirt.
Klaus tightened his arms around her trembling body, sadness and loss dampening his own cheeks, as they stood in the cold- Maya's sobs tearing through her, Klaus holding her as she wept.
There was a soft cry from inside the house, one that sounded like Marian cursing. In that moment, Klaus knew.
Eda was gone.
.
"Maya!"
Raeger appeared at the entrance to Sycamore Farm, out of breath and looking like he'd just rolled out of bed. Maya glanced over her shoulder, tears springing to her eyes as she took in the sight of her friend.
"Raeger," She hiccupped, abandoning Klaus to rush over to him. Raeger sprinted the rest of the distance, colliding with Maya and clutching her against his chest. He pressed frantic kisses on her hair, forehead, and cheek, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
"I just got your message. Are you alright?" He demanded, gently swaying her back and forth in his arms. Maya nodded against the fabric of his shirt, her fingers digging into his shoulders. Raeger pushed her away from him just enough to see her face, sternly holding her gaze as he asked again, "Maya, are you alright?"
She nodded again, this time satisfying Raeger with her answer. He noticeably relaxed, stealing a quick but firm kiss on her lips and pulling her back into the safety of his arms.
Klaus watched them, for once his jealousy remaining dormant. This was not a time to envy Raeger, there were far more important things going on. Still, seeing the two kiss so comfortably had surprised him, and it all but confirmed his fears.
He couldn't chase Maya. She'd already been caught.
Maya deserved someone who cared about her as much as Raeger clearly did, and even though it left a sour taste in his mouth, it eased his pain to know that she would be cherished as much as she should be.
Raeger caught Klaus looking, offering him a sad smile and mouthing a 'Thank you' over Maya's head. Klaus nodded, turning away to give the young couple some privacy. He would go check on Marian instead, distract himself. Before he cracked.
The house was quiet when Klaus entered, shutting the door just as quietly behind him. Veronica, who'd arrived shortly after Klaus and Marian, was speaking to Marian in hushed tones in the kitchen, gesturing gently to the bedroom. Klaus peered around the corner, catching a glimpse of Eda's still figure, her bedsheets pulled up to cover her motionless face.
"I'll begin arranging the funeral immediately," Veronica was saying, her voice crisper than usual. "Has Fritz been notified?"
"I've sent Angela with the message," Marian confirmed sadly, absently toying with his hair. Klaus suspected he was self conscious without his make up, but was trying to hide it under the circumstances.
"The news will spread quickly," Veronica tapped her nails on the countertop. "Someone will have to quell the rumours."
"I can help with that," Klaus announced, stepping into the conversation. "Eda was a dear member of the community. I want to assist in any way that I can."
"Excellent," Veronica clapped her hands together less than enthusiastically, beginning to make her way towards the front door. "I'll send for Gunther. We'll need help preparing her for burial."
Veronica disappeared with the slam of a door.
"She's so cold sometimes," Marian sighed, pinching his forehead. "But I know she's hurting."
"Everyone has different ways of expressing their pain," Klaus agreed, bowing his head. "Veronica's is simply a bit more practical than most."
"Are you alright?" Marian raised his eyebrow, glancing at Klaus with a skeptical look. He had been panicked when he'd appeared on the doctor's door, out of breath and looking like he was barely awake. Now, after witnessing what he had, after experiencing not only his own heartbreak but Maya's as well, he was stepping up to offer help. Marian suspected he was simply trying to cover up his own pain. "Is Maya alright?"
"She's holding up," Klaus looked away, his tone terse. "Raeger is with her now. He'll take care of her."
"You were taking perfectly good care of her, from my perspective." Marian nudged, monitoring his friend for a reaction. "Not that this is an appropriate time to be wooing anyone, but I'm sure Maya would take comfort in your presence."
"Marian please," Klaus groaned, running his hand through his hair. "You're right, this isn't the appropriate time. Not only has an innocent woman passed, but Maya has very clearly made her choice."
"Damnit, Klaus!" Marian exclaimed, banging his fist into his open palm. "I'm not having this discussion with you again, especially not right now, but if you don't smarten the hell up-"
"What needs to be done in here before we can move Eda?" Klaus interrupted, his tone hard and denying any further contribution from Marian. The doctor stared, equally as hard, at Klaus until he looked away, only to sigh and step towards the bedroom.
"Follow me," Marian flicked his wrist, capturing Klaus's attention. "If you're not going to take the initiative, the least you can do is be useful."
.
It was late morning by the time Klaus and Marian left Eda's.
Veronica, true to her word, had been making arrangements since she left the farm and to Klaus's understanding, was nearly prepared for a funeral sometime in the coming week. Cold and calculating, at the very least Veronica was efficient.
Marian went ahead of Klaus, insisting he had more things to do back at the Guild Hall. He was hoping to give Klaus the chance to check in on Maya, but to his dismay Klaus had decided that he was better off leaving her and Raeger alone.
However, Raeger was nowhere to be found.
When Klaus passed through Sycamore Farm, Maya was sitting on the front porch, her head in her hands, looking like she'd fallen asleep. Klaus nearly called out to her, but restrained himself. If she was sleeping, he didn't want to wake her. She'd had a rough night, and he didn't want to disturb her if he could help it.
Besides, Raeger would surely be back any moment to check on her himself.
He wanted to hold her- to cradle her like Raeger had. That's what she needed, it was no doubt what she wanted, but he just couldn't bring himself to turn around and do it. Perhaps it was petty of him, but it had been an awful morning. Klaus wasn't himself, and his emotions were taking control far more than he would normally allow.
Klaus was just reaching the mouth of the mountain trail, his hands in his trouser pockets, his head hanging lower than he wanted but he was unable to lift it or his spirits.
"Are you leaving?"
Maya's hoarse voice squeaked from somewhere behind him, catching Klaus off guard. He paused, resisting the urge to turn around.
"I've agreed to help Marian and Veronica with the preparations," He explained, clearing his throat. A heavy silence followed his announcement, one that set his teeth on edge. Klaus felt his stomach tighten as the quiet droned on, finally unable to take it any longer.
"I'll be around, if you need me." He offered softly, feeling the words burn him as they escaped his lips.
"I'm sorry."
Now Klaus had to turn. He blinked in surprise, his mouth pulling into a small frown as he appraised Maya. She was staring at the ground, her head bowed and her hands bunched into fists at her sides. Klaus felt his broken heart shatter further, like a knife continuously being hammered into his chest.
"Whatever for?" He questioned, bewildered.
"I shouldn't have called you last night," She whispered, her lips barely moving. The damp remnants of tears sparkled on her cheeks in the morning light, giving her a devastatingly beautiful glow. "I panicked, and I bothered you when I should've been able to handle the situation on my own. I'm so sorry."
Klaus was dumbfounded. The implications in Maya's voice made him angry, but it also evoked bitter laughter at the ridiculousness of it all. Perhaps he hadn't been clear before- he would gladly drop everything to rush to her aid. No matter what.
"Maya," Klaus began gently, pushing the whirlwind of emotions bubbling in his stomach to the far recesses of his mind. "Please don't feel bad about-"
"I can't help it!" Maya spat harshly, cutting him off. He bit back his words, surprised at the sudden sadness in her voice.
"I was selfish," Maya continued, her balled fists trembling. "I can't help but be selfish with you. You're my friend, and I know you care about me, but this shouldn't have been your burden to bear. Not at 4 in the morning. I should've called Marian, or Veronica, not you. But I didn't call them. I called you."
Maya lifted her chin, tears streaming from her moss coloured eyes. Her cheeks were tinged red, her lip swollen from chewing, her auburn hair messed in the wind. Klaus's heart seized in his chest.
"And I'm going to be selfish with you again, because I can't stop myself." Maya sobbed, her shoulders shaking. "Please don't leave me. I know you have things to do, but I need you here. I have no right to, but I do. Please stay with me, Klaus. Please."
Her plea was enough to make him confess his undying devotion to her, but Klaus was a brittle man. As Maya begged him to comfort her, all he could bring himself to feel was a cautious bitterness towards Raeger, and wonder why he wasn't here instead.
"Why do you need an old fool like me?" Klaus asked, his voice flat and low. "I assumed Raeger would be staying with you."
Maya hiccupped, taking a moment to collect herself before she was able to speak again. Klaus felt the urge to smack himself.
"Raeger has to open the restaurant." Maya explained. "He offered to stay, but I said no. I'd rather have you here with me."
That was all Klaus needed to hear. He approached Maya, holding out his arms as she fell into them, much like she had this morning. He pulled her close, cradling her, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. It was all he could do to stop her and himself from falling apart.
"Be selfish with me all you want." Klaus whispered into her hair, squeezing her tighter. "Whenever you want. Whatever you want. As long as you'll have me, I'll be right here."
.
Eda's funeral was, as Veronica promised, the very next day. The entire village was in attendance, and everyone was deeply shocked and saddened. The service was short, but sweet, with sincere praise for the fulfilling life that Eda lived. Fritz was a mess, barely able to contain his sadness, watching on with tear-filled eyes. His tears were not out of place in the crowd, with all of the villagers pressed tissues to their red faces.
Maya hung back, silently observing the service, her hand tightly bunched in Klaus's jacket, his arm the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
Not going to lie, I nearly cried so many times writing this chapter. I hope it affects you guys as much as it did me! Well, not that I want you to be sad or anything. But you know what I mean!
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