Always - Interlude Two

Interlude Two

Many years into the future…

'Do you think you'll ever forget Heather?' I ask. Connor and I are now just walking aimlessly around the older part of the cemetery. It's extremely peaceful and there is nobody else around.

He shakes his head. 'No. She was my first love. How can you forget your first love?'

I sigh. 'Steph wasn't my first love, far from it. Actually, I can't really remember my first love. I was young and reckless, and I had thought that she was everything I could ever ask for in a woman. But then I met Steph, and I couldn't believe how wrong I had been.' I pause as I stare away into the distance. 'I don't want to forget her. She wasn't my first love though.'

Connor is silent for a moment. 'It's different for me.'

I turn to look at him. He's over four hundred and fifty years old, but it doesn't show. One perk to being an Immortal, I suppose. 'When did it stop hurting?' I ask.

He sighs softly. 'It still hurts. But time does help.'

Every year, on the day of her death, I never fail to become melancholic. It's the day I always miss her the most, and it's the day it always hurts the most. For awhile neither of us speak, and I'm lost in my memories. Already a couple are beginning to fade, and I panic slightly. I don't want to ever forget one moment I had spent with Stephanie.

Connor suddenly starts chuckling to himself, and I glance over. 'Did I miss something?'

'No, I was just thinking about how times have changed since my…well, my very early days.'

'Such as?'

'I just remembered when you told me about how Hunter pretty much okayed your relationship with his wife. I mean, if that had been me, I would have killed anyone who even dared to think about Heather in that way.'

I had to smile wryly. 'Yes, I suppose it might seem a little strange. But like I said, theirs was a marriage of convenience more than anything. Actually, it's probably more accurate to call it a business relationship than a marriage.' Then, I thought some more. 'It eventually did turn into a real marriage though.'

'Were you…?'

I shake my head, knowing what he was going to ask. 'I was upset for awhile, yes. I was hurt and angry and jealous, but she was happy with him. She loved him.' I pause. 'Loath as I am to admit it, it did hurt. But she also loved me, so I guess I have to be content with that.'