Chapter 16
Linlithgow, Scotland
Olivia was the first to awake, looking at Basil's sleeping face, but she notices the sun's soft light peeking through the window. "Elliott," she whispers, gently shaking his shoulder. He groans a bit and lifts his head up.
"You have to get back to your room," Olivia whispers and Basil turns toward the window, it was morning.
He gets out of bed, wrapping himself in his robe and looks at Olivia, "Once we are home at Baker Street, I want us to sleep together," he whispers and kisses her. Olivia nods and opens the door for him. He slips out and returns to his room, just as the household was waking up. It was the day of the funeral.
The last funeral Basil attended was the mouse queen's state funeral six years ago. Since he saved the queen, he was invited and he had to attend. He didn't really cry then, the last time he cried at a funeral was at his father's. His father passed away after Basil graduated from university, having suffered a broken heart after Basil's mother died two years before his death.
Now, Olivia's father Hiriam will soon be buried and Basil felt a sense of sadness. Even though he knew a little of Hiriam, he wished that Rosenberg didn't kill him, but the rat was a scoundrel and he certainly deserved to die a criminal, much like his half-brother Ratigan.
He dresses back into the black frock coat and joins the Flaversham's downstairs. The door that lead to the room where Hiriam's coffin was was open. The candles had gone out during the night and Basil sneaks in.
He bows his head slightly, his eyes closed. The dead never hear anything, but Basil speaks to Hiriam's body. "Mr. Hiriam Flaversham, I promise to protect Olivia," he whispers and feels a tear fall from his eye.
Then, he feels a hand on his shoulder, he turns to see Stewart and Kendrick behind him. "I never got the chance to see him last night," Basil explains and looks back at Hiriam, "I'd give anything to bring him back."
"Hiriam did like you Mr. Basil, that's one thing you should know," Kendrick said and adds, "You know, after the case ten years ago, when they came to visit, both he and Olivia would not stop talking about you, but Olivia..." he chuckles a bit and continues, "It's strange, I have this unusual feeling that she fell in love with you."
Basil doesn't reply, he didn't want to mention anything about his feelings for Olivia, at least not yet. He was worried that the Flaversham's would not accept their engagement and that he would never see Olivia, again.
"Don't tease him Ken," Stewart said to his older brother and the three leave the room. The family prepared a small meal, but Basil didn't touch anything, except for a cup of breakfast tea.
Then, Olivia appears, wearing the same black dress from yesterday. She stands beside Basil and also has a cup of tea, it was quiet in the house.
"Mr. Basil," Stewart said and they look at Olivia's uncle. "Do you like to hunt?" he asks.
"Hunt?" Basil replies and adds, "I never hunted before, well I mean, I hunt for criminals, but that's probably not what your asking. What do you hunt for?"
"Little birds mostly, I mean look at the humans, they hunt bigger game then we do," Stewart replies and continues, "I bet hunting criminals is harder then it seems."
"Indeed yes," Olivia replies, but then sees Aunt Sophie enter. The old mouse doesn't say a word as she settles at the table.
"Mr. Basil," Stewart whispers to him, "Don't hold any grudges against her. She did take care for us when our parents died, oh our side of the family must be cursed," he said. Basil didn't like the way Stewart spoke of Olivia's side of the family. He hated the thought of Olivia dying at an unexpected moment.
After an hour, the family prepare themselves to head to the cemetery, which was a bit of a walk, but it was the way it was for the mice. Olivia, being a direct kin of Hiriam, covers her face with the black veil. She also wore the black gloves to hide the ring.
Basil then places the black hat on his head and looks at Olivia. He wanted to escort her to the cemetery, but he wasn't sure about Aunt Sophie. "Mr. Basil," Kendrick had appeared from the other room, "I spoke to Aunt Sophie, we thought it would be right for you to escort Olivia," he said.
"Really?" Basil asks and Kendrick nods.
"Since you brought her here, it's the least we can do for Hiriam," he said, but then adds, "But if you want someone else to do it, then-" "No," Basil cuts in, "I mean, it's all right, I'll escort her."
Kendrick nods and joins the pallbearers, including Stewart who would carry Hiriam's coffin towards the cemetery. They lift the coffin and place it on their shoulders and leave the house, the funeral march just behind them.
The weather was misty and cool, but it was normal in Scotland at this time of year. Olivia holds her arm tight against Basil's as they walk towards the church. A few minutes go by and they arrive at the mice cemetery, just behind the church.
A priest was waiting for them and Basil notices a bagpiper just a little further away. The pallbearers set the coffin down on a table, there were straps underneath, it would be after the priest's blessing that the coffin would be lowered into the ground.
The family and their guests settle as the priest begins his service. Basil doesn't listen, he stares at Hiriam's coffin, thinking back on the time he met the toy maker, who was held prisoner by Ratigan. Basil and Dawson saved him and reunited both father and child.
He came back to the present when he hears the bagpipes begin to play, it was a haunting melody the piper played and the coffin was lowered into the grave. He sees Olivia being offered a bowl of dirt, she takes a handful of it and sprinkles it over her father's coffin. Basil looks down at the grave and he feels some tears falling from his eyes.
An hour later, the Flaversham's return to the house, sharing a few words and offering condolences to Olivia. A few of her relatives offered their place of residence for her to live, but she declines each of them.
Aunt Sophie, on the other hand, didn't like Olivia's declination. "Young lady, you can't live on your own, especially in London," the elderly mouse said. Olivia doesn't anything, she didn't have the words to explain.
Basil couldn't take it anymore and stands behind Olivia, his hands on her shoulders. "She is welcome to stay with me," he said, but Aunt Sophie looks at him in surprise.
"You? Mr. Basil of Baker Street?" she asks, her hand on her hip. "Now I heard that you don't open your home to strangers, so you can't-"
"Olivia is not a stranger to me," Basil replies and everyone looks at him. Before anyone could say a word, Uncle Logan steps into the room.
"Mother, I insist you sit down," he tells his mother, who gives him a scornful look, but her son folds his arms in defiance. She decides not to argue and she sits down at a chair.
Uncle Logan then calls for everyone's attention and all eyes stare at him. "Olivia, while you were away, my sister Hannah and I went to your father's shop, just to find a suit," he said, but then, he takes out an envelope from his suit pocket.
Olivia and Basil look at the envelope, it had Hiriam's handwriting. It said, "READ IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME".
"Where did you find that?" Olivia asks Uncle Logan.
"I found it in between the pages of his journal, I am thinking it is important," he replies and holds it out to her. Her hands begin to shake, so she shakes her head and looks at Uncle Logan, who nods.
He takes out a pair of reading glasses and tears open the envelope, revealing four pieces of paper. Everyone remains quiet as Uncle Logan begins to read.
"I've decided to write this as a sort of a last will and testament, but I have written out it in three parts, each to the people who are important to me."
Logan then reads the second part, "To my family, I understand that you were not happy with me taking Olivia to London following my wife's death. It is true, the pain of her death was too unbearable and I decided to focus my attention on my daughter and pursue my dream as a toy maker. If there is one thing I've learned over the years, it's that a family should provide love and support for those who wish to fulfill their dreams and not rely on old values. So I want all of you to provide my daughter the love and support she needs as she pursues her own dream. Let her see the world as she desires. As for my toy shop, you are allowed to do whatever you want with it. Sell it or keep it, it's just a place. A real home is with a loving family, not a traditional house. As long as there is love between you, then you'll find each other in unexpected places."
Uncle Logan moves on to the third piece, but most of the family had already started to cry, including Aunt Sophie.
"To my beloved daughter, ten years ago, our lives were changed with the sudden arrival of that bat Fidget and that dreadful Ratigan. However, you were brave enough to seek out the Great Mouse Detective, Mr. Basil of Baker Street. It was after the case that I saw something in you that I'll never forget. You became a brave and bright young lady and I am so proud of you. My sweet girl, I love you with all my heart and don't be sad, I don't want you to stop your pursuit in achieving your dreams. I may not be around, but I will always be with you."
Olivia begins to cry, but it was happy tears this time and Basil rubs her shoulders. Uncle Logan pulls up the final piece, but a look of shock appears on his face.
"To Mr. Basil of Baker Street?" he said and everyone lets out a surprise gasp, murmuring among themselves. Olivia looks up at Basil, he too was surprised. Uncle Logan then begins to read.
"To Mr. Basil of Baker Street, after exposing the assassination plot on the mouse queen, Ratigan kidnapped Olivia and you, Dr. Dawson and I went after them. However, during the pursuit, I noticed that you were not going after Ratigan, but you were going after my daughter, wanting to save her from that horrible rat. After saving Olivia from Big Ben, I thought for sure you were going to die at the hands of that fiend. However, you made it and the case was closed. It's strange as I am writing this, I have a feeling that you developed feelings for Olivia. Now that it's been years since the case, Olivia has grown up and I suspect she will go to you once more. I want you to know that if you decide to pursue Olivia and ask for her hand, then you have my blessing. Mr. Basil, all I ask is that you love Olivia as much as I love her. I would certainly love you as a son-in-law. You take care of her Mr. Basil. All my love to everyone-Hiriam."
Uncle Logan folds the pieces of paper and takes off his glasses, he had tears in his eyes. Everyone was silent for a second and then they look at Aunt Sophie, who was quiet the entire time. They turn their heads to Basil and Olivia.
Stewart then speaks up, "I say we honor Hiriam's wishes."
"I agree," Kendrick replies and the family also share their thoughts.
Then, Aunt Sophie stands up from her seat and walks towards Basil and Olivia. She looks at them in the eye, then takes Olivia's hand. "My dear, I think you are hiding something," she said, this time her tone was soft and warm.
Olivia looks back up at Basil, but he nods. She then takes off her glove, revealing the emerald ring on her finger. Everyone lets out a gasp, but then Stewart and Kendrick, with their wives and children step forward.
"You two are in love?" Stewart asks and they nod. Olivia's direct uncles begin to cry and they hug their niece, then her two aunts and her cousins. The Flaversham's shake Basil's hand and some pat his back.
They also congratulate Dr. Dawson and Mrs. Judson, the maid began to cry earlier and she cries even more.
Then, Aunt Sophie taps her cane and everyone hushes. "Do forgive me my dear for calling your father's dreams foolish," she begins, "I always thought of Hiriam as a son and...well, I always believed in the old ways. Times have indeed changed. You decide what you want to do and we'll support you." Olivia hugs her elderly aunt and then Aunt Sophie turns to Basil.
"Mr. Basil," she begins, but then leans into Olivia's ear, whispering something. Olivia then chuckles and replies back. "Mr. Elliott Basil, I should say," Aunt Sophie starts over and Basil breathes in a little. "Much like Hiriam, I except you to love Olivia as he did, in fact, as we all do," she commands him and he nods.
"I will not disappoint you, Mrs. Flaversham," he replies, but the matriarch chuckles a little.
"You can start calling me Aunt Sophie, welcome to the family Elliott," she said and everyone begins to cheer and clap. The gloomy atmosphere transformed into a celebratory one as everyone was happy for Olivia and Basil.
After some time, Olivia snuggles up against Basil, "Elliott," she whispers, "I want to go home."
"Home?" he asks.
"Baker Street," she adds and he nods. He figured that the pass few days had been exhausting and he did feel tired himself. The two then bid goodbye to the Flaversham's, who urge them to come back soon and to inform them of the wedding details. At around 6 o'clock, Albert came back as he said he would.
"Um Basil," Dawson said and the two look at him. "Mrs. Judson and I have decided to take the train," he adds.
"Are you sure Dawson? What if there is a delay?" Olivia asks and Basil nods in agreement.
"I'm sure there won't be," Mrs. Judson replies, but looks at Basil, "You take care of her or there will be serious consequences."
Basil nods and he and Olivia settle in the sardine can on Albert's back. The two wave at the Flaversham's and Albert takes off, heading south towards London. "What a lovely country," Albert said to the two.
"Maybe we should have the wedding here," Basil suggested to Olivia, but she gave an unsure look.
"I'll think about it, but maybe we should stay close to home, in London I mean," she replies and he kisses her forehead, then they fell asleep.
From the author: At first, I thought this would be the ending, but there's still a few things to settle, including the wedding and the marriage between Basil and Olivia. So, the conclusion is still not in sight.
By the way, I thought at first of not mentioning this, but this new coronavirus seems to scare the entire world, at least in my understanding. My home state in the United States has a few confirmed cases, so I am a bit scared. I just hope that this and other stories on Fanfiction provide some form of distraction until this hysteria calms down. Just perform good hygiene and stay away from sick people is the best advice I can provide for now. You take care my fellow readers and writers! See you soon!
