Seven Days…
Episode expansion of: Song of Orpheus
By TunnelsOfTheSouth
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My Beloved Margaret,
The tunnels are so quiet, tonight. As I sit here, beside you, I can hear you talking to me. Your whisper carries on those winds which blow endlessly through our world. I say *our world* because you have become such a beautiful part of it. Even if you were only here for seven days. Those precious few days were the happiest of my life. I can rest easy now, knowing you are safe. Here, with me. Knowing you're no longer far away from me, as unreachable as the moon. I may visit you as often as I please.
You chose to be buried in my world. You asked for no memorial, no headstone, to mark the spot where you rest. I know we have no need of such. Please forgive me for asking Cullen to carve your name into this piece of rock above us. It seemed fitting, somehow. Fitting that you have a place of your own.
We chose this spot well. It has everything you said you ever wanted. The distant sound of water falling, and a cool breeze. I remember how much you loved to swim, in that fateful, long-ago summer we shared. I can still see you standing before me, squeezing the water from your hair. You were laughing, and so full of life. I wanted to stay in that moment, forever…
Then, your father took you away from me. I have come to accept that cruel fact now, as necessary. If I had been with you, would I ever have needed this realm? Would I have come Below, when the world Above rejected me? It all seems to have been a part of some larger plan we cannot grasp, much less understand.
I was needed here. My skills as a doctor were needed here. I created a place for myself, and it has suited me well, all these years. I made myself content. And then… you came back to me.
Margaret, as I told you, all is truly forgiven. Years ago, I let go of everything that tied me to your world. There was a time when I did gorge myself on bitterness and self-pity.
But then, I came to know Vincent. He saved my life. He gave me a focus for what I could truly do in this world. He had every reason to curse fate, to feel punished, and yet he accepted all that life had to offer him, with gratitude and love.
I must accept our final seven days together with the same love and gratitude. I will heal, I will go on. For as long as I am needed, here I will remain to guide this place, for as long as I draw breath.
I know you understand, and you will wait for me. We will be together, again. Of that I am certain. We will walk again, in the sunshine. I live to hear your sweet laughter, once more. It will be as if we were never forced apart, by circumstances beyond our control. I know this in the very marrow of these old bones…
Until then, sleep… sleep, my love…
Your devoted, and loving husband…
Jacob