29.12.2014, The Land of the Dead

Julius Kane

I knew what was coming when I died. During my stay in Set's pyramid I had other things to worry about, though. Did I assume the ruler of the underworld would live in a palace? Yes. Did I expect that palace to actually be our old apartment in LA? Absolutely not.

I stay frozen at the doorway, taking it all in. A jazz melody fills the hallway. 'Christmas song', the saxophone version. This was the only time I managed to convince Amos to professionally record something.

Amos… I've left my brother alone at the worst possible time.

He has Sadie and Carter.

Gods, I've left Sadie and Carter alone at the worst possible time!

They have their cousin.

I didn't get to say goodbye to Ayanna. I haven't even seen the little ray of sunshine since she was five.

"I've really let my whole family down."

"For a praised Egyptologist, you can be really stupid sometimes. You did what you had to, didn't you?"

I turn to face the voice slowly, afraid I might be imagining it. Ruby's glistening apparition is leaning on the door, arms crossed. She smiles at me. I've dreamt of that smile a thousand times. I've cried for it a thousand more. It takes me a moment to realize my eyes are watering now, too.

"What?" she teases me. "Did you see a ghost?"

That's when the first tear falls. She's right. I am looking at a ghost. A beautiful, beautiful ghost. But still a ghost. I'm afraid that if I concentrate I'll be able to see right through her. I am grateful to see her again. But my heart can't help but feel like we're still worlds away.

You know what I've come to appreciate about being undead? Life and Death live in the same house, but in separate rooms. Now, Julius, you are standing in the doorway.

A silver of hope begins jumping up and now in my heart. And so I walk in.

There are places that look more real than reality itself. That thought barely has time to sink in before Ruby takes my hand. The woman before me is no ghost. And her touch is nothing like a dead person's. She is warm. And solid. And here. I still remember the day I lost her as vivid as if it was yesterday. Every single moment without her felt like an eternity. And now Ruby Kane is here. Before me. With me. In our old home.

Ruby reaches to wipe my tears. She closes her eyes as her hand cups my cheek. I've never felt so overwhelmed in such a good way.

"Julius." she whispers.

"My love," She looks at me with so much love I might cry again. I've forgotten how the light dances off her eyes, how her smile lights up my heart. I brush a strand of hair out of her face. "My memories could never do you justice."

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too." My voice is on the verge of breaking. "There are so many thing I want to tell you."

"That's okay. We have forever."

Our fingers intertwine as we kiss. Our last kiss was a goodbye, hunting me till my last breath. This one is a new hello, a promise sealed with love. When we got married, I thought we would be together forever. I wasn't wrong.