Sunrise, Sunset

Life is temporary, and love is precious.

Gargoyles is the property of Disney. I don't own anything other than my OC. Please read and review, feedback is appreciated!

Gilmores of pink, orange and yellow colored the sky as the first rays of sunlight reached the castle, announcing the approaching day. Careful of the precious cargo in his arms, he made his way through the courtyard, and sat straddled upon the bench they had favored for the last forty years.

A head of gray braided hair laid back against his bare chest as his arms circled her waist, insuring the shall around her would remain. As she relaxed against him, he sighed, their fingers intertwining. "It may be too cool to be out here this morning."

Though she was dressed from head to toe in the thickest of clothes along with the shall around her shoulders, he could still feel the slight shiver she tried to hide. Turning slightly, she tucked her face into his neck, inhaling his natural scent. "Perhaps your right, but I want to stay; please, beloved?"

Relenting, he wrapped himself more around her, trying to shield woman in his arms from the pre-dawn air. He hadn't been able to deny her much in all their years, and he certainly couldn't now. "Dawn is nearly upon us, my love."

Her breath was shallow against his neck as fingers of her left hand shakily traced across his collar bone. "Tell me…"

He sighed as a wave of emotions overtook him. It wasn't supposed to be this tasking, he'd watched others deal with the same things; and yet it was proving to be the hardest night of his life. "There are streaks of color coming up from between the clouds, kind reminds me of a painting in pinks, oranges, and yellows. Like petals of a flower, I suppose."

She traced the silver chain hanging around his neck and followed it down to the gold band that matched the rings around her own finger. "Does it compare?"

Chuckling, his tension lightened slightly. "Nothing will ever compare to that day." Leaning way from her, he pressed a sweet kiss to her smiling lips and then retook their previous position.

As they sat in comfortable silence his memories of their wedding night flooded his mind. They'd been together for nearly three years, and thought their journey had not always been easy, their love had left no doubts. She had joined him under an archway of flowers, and in the company of their family, they'd made the most sacred of promises. So many years had passed since then. Life filled with love, laughter and sometimes tears; though he knew he could never have loved another.

"Penny for your thoughts, beloved?"

Her tired voice broke the silence surrounding them, his hold tightening around her small form again, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. "My thoughts are free, my love, though the memories of our life are priceless."

He could almost feel her smile widen as she laid against him. "Then let's make another; dance with me?"

Despite better judgement, he retrieved his hands from hers and scooped her body bridal style as he stood with a sigh. "This really isn't wise; you'll tire too quickly…"

She laughed as her legs were genteelly sat down and her arms wrapped around his neck. "You've never been good at denying me."

He shook his head, hands falling to her waist as they began to move in a small circle. "Should have fixed that mistake years ago."

Nodding, she allowed him to take the lead, following his movements through closed eyes. "Wouldn't have done any good, you know how I feel about change."

Laughter rumbled from him. "Yeah, you're still a princess, and a little bit of a brat."

She laughed as well, her movements slowing as she became tired. "I'm old too." In their thirty-seven years married her dark hair had turned gray, her body had become thin and frail, and her eyes had failed her. She couldn't even see his handsome face anymore. "Maybe tying a young stud like you to me wasn't fair after only…"

Stalling their movement, he took her face between his hands. "You're still beautiful to me and our life has been wonderful."

Smiling she swayed and he reacted instantly, scooping her up again, her head resting against him. "I may have tired myself out."

He suddenly realized how limp she felt, not even attempting to straighten herself in his arms. "I'll take you inside."

A few feet from the door, her hand rose to stroke his face. "Wait…" Stalling mid step, he looked down at the love of his life with tears in his eyes. "…I can see the light."

Shallowing the lump in his throat, he kissed her forehead and continued into the castle. "My love?"

Nodding, she heard him kick her door open. "It's beautiful…warm."

His heart was breaking as he approached the bed and deposited her genteelly against the pillows. "Then you should go closer…" His voice breaking.

She sighed, tears slipping from her closed eyes. "I don't want to leave…I love you."

Taking a knee at her bedside, his own tears falling now as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles; he tried to sound assured of her path. "You could never leave me; we'll always be together through our love. I love you Danni, so much." Her head turned and her left hand reached for him, cupping his check; eyelids lifting to reveal clouded eyes that he'd once knew were so blight. "Rest now, everything's going to be fine."

Her thumb rubbed away a trail of tears. "You're a horrible lair."

He laughed as he cupped her hand. "Yeah, I know."

Smiling, she sighed in exhale. "I love you, Brook."

Brooklyn watched as her eyes slid closed and her hand began to fall from him face, her arm limply hanging in his gasp. "Da…Danni?" He stood when she didn't respond and check for her pulse with his free hand, finding none; she had died with that last declaration of her love. Greif overwhelmed him, his wings snapping open as his cry echoed through the castle. "Aaaahhhh!" Tears poured from his eyes, though he made no attempt to slow or remove them for his long face.

Feeling the familiar draw of dawn, he knelt beside her again, taking her hand in his open one. It surprised him how quickly her temperature had changed as he pressed a kiss to it. "Goodbye, my love."

Alex found them like that an hour later, with Danielle's hand still held loosely in Brooklyn's stone hand; the carpet beneight him stained with tears. With a saddened heart, he closed the door and went to find his father; arrangements for David's only sister had to be made.