Chapter 28
It had taken hours of explanation to the local authorities. Countless questions answered, re-answered, and answered again. Only after Michael pulled in what was agreed would be the last ever favor from his FBI "buddies," had the local law enforcement finally accepted their stories. Of course it hadn't hurt that they were also handed several known felons on a silver platter… at least what was left of them.
And so the police went on their way. Pulling out of the dusty driveway, they left with only a warning not to leave the state. Michael had nearly laughed, assuring them he had no such plans.
As the bodies were tagged, bagged, and carried away, an odd sense of uneasiness washed over Michael. Watching Larry's body being unceremoniously loaded into a waiting van, Michael couldn't help but think 'there but for the grace.' For Michael understood all too well that the darkness that had been in Larry was also in him. But unlike Larry, Michael had family; friends willing to put their very lives on the line for his sake. And because of them, every day a little more of the darkness faded into light. He was not Larry Garber. He was Michael Westen. And he still had a soul.
Walking back to the farmhouse Michael found his mother seated at Barnsdale's kitchen table, absently twirling a finger around the outer edges of an empty saucer. Sipping coffee, she surprisingly held no cigarette in her hand.
"Hi, Mom," he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "How are you feeling? How's your head?"
"I'm fine, honey," she said. "Is it over?"
"Yeah," he said tiredly, rubbing his eyes and leaning back in his chair. "Pretty much. We still have to get the file, but I'll figure something out."
"I know you will sweetheart," she said, and she sipped a little more of her coffee.
"Mom? Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, sweetheart. Anything."
He hesitated briefly, then asked, "Are you happy?"
She was surprised by the question and paused for a moment before answering. "Yes, Michael. I am," she said at last, then added, "Or at least I would be if I could find a cigarette!" she laughed a little too harshly. "Dn goat," she muttered under her breath. Then her face softened and she asked, "Why, honey?"
"I don't know. I guess… It's just…," he stammered. My life… It's not what I planned for it to be."
"I know the feeling," she snorted. And patting him on his arm she got up from her chair and poured him a cup of coffee. Bringing it over, she put it on the table in front of him and sat back down again.
"Do you have regrets?" he asked softly.
"Of course I do, honey. You know… the obvious ones. I made a lot of mistakes, Michael. Mistakes I am…" and she reached across the table and put her hand on his, "so sorry for." And she looked him in the eye. "But there is nothing I can do about the past," she sighed, and looked away. Then sitting up straighter in her chair she looked back at him and smiled. "And so I live in the present and do my best. And I look forward to the future." And then grinning, added, "… now that I know I have one again."
"Mom," he began, "I'm so…,"
But she simply smiled and waved him off. Then her expression became serious again, and she cupped her hand to his face. "What I'm trying to say is, don't let happiness slip through your fingers, Michael. Forget the past."
"The past is my life," he said, and his voice caught ever so slightly. Embarrassed, he quickly pushed past his emotions. Taking in a breath to compose himself, he flashed his patented shark smile.
Madeline sighed sadly. "No, Michael. The past is the past," she said gently. "It's gone. You're here, now. And this is your life. This moment, and what you make of it from this moment on. Your life is now, Michael. Don't be afraid."
"Afraid… Mom, I'm n…" but his voice trailed off. He stared at her for a while as the truth of her words sunk in. Slowly he rose from his chair. "Thanks, Mom," he said, and there was a new purpose in his voice. Kissing her on the cheek he walked outside into the warm evening air. Barely acknowledging Sam and Barnsdale, who were now sitting on the front porch, he continued past them both and went down the few steps into the yard. Looking across the paddock he spied Fiona leading a horse in from the far pasture. Crossing the yard, he strode through the pasture gate toward her.
"Hi, boys," Madeline chirped, stepping out onto the porch with her cup of coffee. "How are you two doing?" she asked.
"Oh, hey, Maddie," Sam said. "We're good," he answered. "Still a little banged up, but I guess I can't complain," he added. "Pull up a chair. We're just sittin' here admiring the view."
"Gonna be a beautiful sunset," Barnsdale commented.
"Sure is," Sam agreed. "There for a while I wasn't sure I'd see another one."
And beautiful it was. The setting sun had turned the sky a deep crimson; silhouetting the cattle in the pasture, along with Fiona as she continued to cross the field, leading the horse back toward the barn.
The group watched with mild interest as Michael walked out to join her.
"You'd think that stupid horse would figure out to come back for dinner by now," Barnsdale grumbled. "Never does, though. Gotta go get him every time."
"Yeah, well. After all that shooting, I can't blame him," Sam said.
"Whatever," Maddie said, not liking the reminder of the past days ordeal. "That sky looks like something out of Gone with the Wind," she continued the small talk, changing the subject back to more pleasant things and sitting down with her coffee. "Wish I had my camera."
"Yeah. Beautiful," they agreed, and sat in silence, soaking up the beauty of it.
"Holy crap!" Sam exclaimed suddenly, struggling up from his chair.
"What?" Madeline jumped, nearly spilling her coffee. "Sam!" she exclaimed, irritated.
"What is it?" Barnsdale asked, going on alert.
"Is he?" Sam continued, ignoring them both and staring intently out over the pasture. "Holy crapola!" Sam exclaimed. "He is!"
"Is what?" Madeline snapped and then both she and Barnsdale followed Sam's gaze just in time to see Michael take Fiona by the hand and drop to one knee…
A/N: Aaaiiiighhh! LOL!
Sorry for the veeery long delay for this last chapter. Two surgeries and a not so fun several weeks later… I'm back! Woo Hoo!
I know I said this would be the final chapter, but time was dragging by. I can either end it here or I can do an epilogue of sorts to tie up the loose ends. Please consider reviewing and let me know what you thought of this chapter and if you're still with me!
