Hello :)
This is my new story "Steamboat Springs". I hope that you will like it.
SUMMARY: After her grandmother's death Meredith inherits her house in Steamboat Springs. She decided to leave her life is Seattle and start a new one in Steamboat Springs. She never thought about meeting an attractive man, who later ends to be her boss, and fall in love with him. But things aren't easy as she thought…
"Grandmother," she said and stroked the old woman's hand. "I don't know if I can do it."
Meredith was sitting in front of her grandmother and wishing to have more time. Melissa Grey had lived a long life, fulled with happiness and pain. Her only son had moved away at the age of eighteen and three weeks later had died of a gun wound. He had been shot. Adam Grey had been a good son, loved his family and took care of his two little sisters — Ellis and Annabel. He was a family man, just like his father, but unfortunately his life had ended too early.
Annabel — Meredith's aunt — had died after giving birth to her daughter. She was sick and wanted to give her child a life. She had loved little girl so much and wanted the best for her. Nora was born three years ago and since then Meredith has been taking care of her. She was her mother now.
And her own mother… she left after giving birth to Meredith at the age of nineteen. She wanted freedom and didn't want to take care of a newborn. Meredith was an accident, and Meredith knew it. One drunk night with Thatcher, and Meredith was made. Thatcher didn't want her, Ellis either, so Melissa took care of her granddaughter. Her husband Dixon Grey died soon after his son's death of a heart failure. He was sick for months but didn't say anyone about it. His dead was a shock for everyone, especially for Melissa. She tried to move on and it somehow succeeded. Melissa had lived a long life, and now was leaving this world.
"Meredith, dear," Melissa answered and touched her other granddaughter's blonde hair. She was sleeping in her hospital bed with yellow colored cat. It was a present from her mother before she died. Melissa swept away Meredith's tears and smiled sadly. "You will do it excellent. I don't have much time left, but I have to say this to you…" She took a deep breath and closer her green eyes for a moment. "You are extraordinary, Meredith. You are a caring mother to Nora, smart intern, who cares about her patients, trusted and loyal friend. I won't continue because I can't count them all. You are special, my child."
"We will save you."
"There is nothing to do, you know it. It's already to late."
"We will do — "
"Meredith." Melissa touched her shoulder and made her to stop talking. Looking into her granddaughter's wet and red eyes, she saw a strong and independent woman, who will do everything to keep Nora safe. Meredith was scared of life without a helping hand, without any family member, who could help her with the little child she considers hers. She loved Nora, that was for sure. She remembers the day when Meredith had first touched her small hand. She had smiled and laughed.
"Please, let me talk."
Meredith nodded and let her continue.
"The next few months will be hard, but I promise you — you will get through it all. Nora will help you to see the light and will show you the right way. She will be your reason to live and try to be the best. Don't let her down, be her family. She needs mother's love."
Meredith looked at the sleeping child and nodded. She will do it. She will be the best mother what Nora could ask for. She will try to be happy and move on, but not to forget her grandmother. Melissa was her mother more than grandmother. Meredith will always see her as a mother and woman who raised her. Because of her she had finished the med school and now was an intern. Because of her she had Nora. Because of her she was living. Meredith will always be thankful for that.
"I will do my best." She touched old woman's hot cheek.
Melissa smiled and turned her face to the window. She wanted to enjoy the last hours of her life. She wanted to remember this moment forever. Her family was here and soon she will see the other's. Her life was ending and there was no way how to stop it. Melissa had seen her children grow up. She was there for Meredith and Nora. And she will always live in their memories.
"Grandmother?" She heard Meredith's soft whisper. "What are you thinking?"
"How much I have had in my life, darling, and how much I still have." Melissa turned her head and felt Nora moving. She looked down and saw her grey eyes opening.
"Grandma?"
"My little strawberry!" Melissa smiled and helped her to sit up with the last strength. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did. Are you feelin' better?" Her grey eyes were filled with hope. This little child didn't know the pain of losing someone, but soon she will have to.
Nora didn't know about Melissa's condition. Every day she was getting worse and worse. Today it was hard for her to breath. It took a lot of strength to sit up and talk.
"Where is mommy?" She asked and tried to look for Meredith. She was standing behind Nora with water bottle in her hands.
"I'm here, honey. Do you wanna drink?" Meredith came closer so Nora could see her. Nora smiled seeing her mother and gave Meredith her yellow toy. Nora nodded and Meredith gave her the water bottle.
"Grandma, when will you return home?" Nora asked. She had stopped drinking and was looking at Melissa.
"Soon, very soon." She touched her soft cheek and smiled.
Meredith knew the hidden meaning of grandmother's words. She was talking about dead and seeing her loved ones again — grandfather Dixon, son Adam and daughter Annabel. Life without them was hard and Melissa never really got over it. She lied to her granddaughter and always smiled, but Meredith knew that it was just an act. Melissa was broken, much more broken than Meredith. If Meredith only thought she was nothing, everything was bad and there was no happiness, then Melissa was a lot more damaged. She had waited her death. She wanted to die, just to be together with her family.
Of course, she didn't want to leave Meredith and Nora alone in this world. They didn't have any other relatives in this world, because everyone of them was dead. But they were to each other. Nora was Meredith's light, and Meredith Nora's strong shoulder. They were like two missing pieces of one puzzle.
"Meredith, can you please give me my bag?"
Meredith went around the bed and gave Melissa the bag. "What are you trying to find?" She asked, when Melissa tried to find something. Melissa took out her favorite book, three different lipsticks and empty bottle before Meredith saw a small smile on her lips.
"I found it." She said and met Meredith's eyes. "This is for you, Meredith." Meredith looked at a small envelope and carefully took it. It was white, with her name written on it.
"What is this?" She looked up and started to open the envelope, but Melissa stopped her. She put her hands on hers.
"Don't open it yet. When I will be gone…"
Meredith put the envelope in her pocket and sat down on the bed, next to Nora. She was looking at the book in her hands. Meredith touched her hair and put arms around her small frame.
"Grandma, what is this book?"
"This is the book I read to your mother when she was younger." Nora looked up.
"Yes, honey. Grandma, read it every night to me." Meredith opened the first page. "This is book about princesses."
"And their princes." Melissa added.
"Can you read it for me?" Nora asked and gave the book to Melissa.
Melissa nodded and Nora moved closer to her. Meredith lied down next to little child and wrapped her hands around her shoulders. Nora put her head no Meredith's shoulder and pressed the toy cat closer to her chest.
"Once upon a time there was a kind girl named Cinderella..."
Meredith wasn't listening. She had heard this story too many times that she already knew it perfectly. Her mind was somewhere else. Looking outside the window she thought about the letter and her grandmother. She doesn't know how much time they have left together. A few hours or two, three days — Meredith didn't know. She just hoped that they would have more time. She wasn't ready to say goodbye.
Eight days later...
Melissa had died in her sleep eight days ago. When Meredith got a call from the hospital at three am, she knew. She knew that her grandmother was dead. She had left this world without any pain.
Meredith was standing in her grandmother's old room and let the tears fall. Nora was sleeping in her room and Meredith had time to grieve. She had lost her grandmother, her family, her teacher and mother. She was everything. There won't be anymore waffle Sundays, Thursday movie nights and family nights, when they played games and laughed. There won't be anymore her joyful laugh and strong shoulder to lean on. There won't be anyone to help Meredith and guide her though the life. Melissa always showed her the right path and helped to make the right choices.
She sat down on her bed and took out the envelope of the nightstand. Meredith had put it in there the other day. Opening it she found a letter and a silver key. Seeing her dead grandmother's handwriting she started to cry even more.
Meredith,
If you are reading this, I'm gone. I'm sorry that I left you and Nora alone in this big world. It wasn't my choice, but that's how the life is — unexpected. Our time together wasn't too long, but I enjoyed every minute of it. You and Nora where my world, my little sunshines who made me feel happy and not alone.
You are extraordinary, my child. Since the first day you have showed yourself as a strong woman, who will do everything to keep her family safe. You have been the best mother to Nora, and I know you will be for the rest of your lives. She sees you as a superhero, someone to be like. Once she said to me that she wants to be just like her mommy — strong, talented and beautiful. Nora adores you.
I'm sorry that I can't be there to walk to you down the aisle one day, but I will be looking down. When you will find the right man to settle down, have children on your own, I will be there watching over you and Nora. You will be an excellent mother to your own children, because you are excellent with Nora. She is your daughter, you have said it before. Don't let anyone say the otherwise.
The key in this envelope is from my childhood house in Steamboat Springs. It's a small, but very beautiful and magical city in Colorado. I have always wanted to return there, but somehow life didn't give me a chance. I was always stuck in the Seattle, taking care of my children and later you. I don't know why we never went together there before, I don't have an answer for that, but I want you to do it for me.
I want you and Nora to go there and see the city. I want you to life in my old house for some time and see our family past there. I had a wonderful time there and I wish the best for you too. Maybe you will finally fall in love and open up your heart for someone. I want only the happiness for you, for both of you. Your mother's mistakes can't affect your life forever, so live. Live, fall in love and be happy, my child!
We will see each other in the other end. Take care of yourself and Nora.
With love and hope,
your grandmother Melissa.
Meredith put the letter down and took the key in her arms before laying down in the bed and closing her eyes.