Hello my little puddle ducks. Sorry for the slight delay in this update, but i have been rather busy that past few days.
But.. back to my little story, i hope you enjoy the next chapter.
Of Many Things
Chapter Twenty Eight
The sun shone despite their broken hearts, and Patrick Jane was glad of it. The sun shine had always made Lisbon even more beautiful to him. Sparkling eyes and pale freckles. She looked free and happy with the sun beating down on her sculptured back. And although the sun shine was a very odd thing indeed for Jane to be thinking of at that moment, it was all he could do to prevent himself from running far, far away from the sorrow that awaited him, and the finality that it would bring to Lisbon's death. It was still as if it were simply a terrible night mare. Like he could wake up at any second; snuggle tight against her soft skin and hold on with all his being. It wasn't real. It was too horrific to be true. But he knew that later that day, he would find himself carrying the second coffin of a woman he loved. His heart was cursed. Everything he loved turned to dust. Everything he loved was gone. So that is why, when asked years later, he would say that he thought of the sunshine as he walked along the sandy path to the little stone church on the hill. The shadows of great willow trees playing across the grass. The wind gentle and warm. The sun, as beautiful as his beloved Teresa Lisbon.
Jane could see the rest of the team speaking to a small group of people as he walked ever closer to the church. Lisbon's brothers. All three men were tall and strong. Thick black hair that was slightly curled. Their skin was slightly more tanned than that of his Lisbon's ivory complexion. But Lisbons they most certainly were. It was more than just physical similarities; it was in all that they were. An air of strength and survival seemed to surround them. The same had been the case for Teresa. Not something obviously noticeable; but if you really looked, like Jane always had, then it was clear to see. There was something magical about the Lisbon family. Something which Jane greatly regretted not ever being a part of. There was a time when he had thought that he might one day be just that; a Lisbon. He knew family was important to Teresa, and he missed not knowing that kind of love. A Lisbon family Christmas; that would have been something truly wonderful indeed. But, it wasn't to be. His Lisbon had been torn away from his arms before he even had a chance to show her how much she had meant to him; to his future.
Jane's abilities to charm anyone he ever met were dampened by the aching of his heart, and he feared interrupting the conversation between his team and Lisbon's family. A sense of almost nervousness had come over him. But he had to do this. He couldn't not. He needed them to know how much he loved their sister; how much he always would.
Luckily, VanPelt had seen his hesitation and was by his side to help, 'Patrick, let me introduce you to Teresa's family,' the grief was clear in Grace's voice, but she remained as poised as she could; not wanting to let her CBI mask down just yet, 'this is James, Benjamin and Thomas Lisbon.'
Jane shook the hands of each man in turn; noting the tears that threatened to fall from their eyes, and the all too familiar look of grief that passed over their handsome features. Jane spoke as he shook the hand of Teresa's oldest brother, Thomas, 'I am so greatly sorry for your family's loss Teresa was a wonderful woman, and dearly loved by us all.'
'Thank you Patrick, as are we yours, Teresa always spoke so fondly of each of you. I know that she thought of you all as her family too. It is good to know that she was in such loving hands whilst not with us.'
Jane felt his eyes warm with the threat of tears at the man's words. He would have enjoyed being a part of the Lisbon family very much indeed.
The group turned to enter the church, separating at the bottom of the aisle into two separate pews. The two families of Teresa Lisbon; brought together in the most heartbreaking way possible. Jane couldn't help but escape the thoughts of what could have been celebrated in this lovely church; a wedding, perhaps even a christening. So much joy could have been shared between their team and their family. So much happiness that should have been held in the beautiful little church atop a hill. So many lives that were now filled with grief and sorrow, instead of the happiness and delight that was always supposed to be, but never even had the chance.
As an organ began to softly play from the back of the little church, Grace caught hold of Jane's hand in her own, as if knowing the thoughts that were running through his mind, threatening to destroy him. And she kept holding tight as they sat and listened to the priest speak of their beloved Teresa Lisbon in the past tense; something which Jane would never be ready for. Not for as long as he lived.
Sorry this was a little short. But i didn't want to go too far into the funeral service until the next time. Of which i need to apologise for in advance; my minute knowledge of funeral services comes from RE lessons, and i am not myself religious, so i won't be going into much detail on that aspect of the service.. more a personal goodbye from some of the characters.
Please let me know what you thought of this chapter? & thank you very much from reading.
I will update as soon as i can. Katie
