Part 13:Weeping Willow
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift up lifting rush, Of quite birds in circled flight. I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am there, I did not die.
Anonymous.
(Jack)
You're gone. I still can't believe it. Everything is different, scary, without you. My life feel's so empty now. There's no one to come home to, no one to share my bed, no one to hold at night.
I know that Jake's still here, but it's hard. Every time I look at him, all I see is you. I'm trying not to, but I can't help it, being with him just reminds me of everything I've lost. Reminds me that I'm alone now.
The funeral was yesterday. I had you buried under the willow tree by the river that runs though the bottom of the garden. I know that you loved sitting out there. Especially when you were pregnant.
I stand at the kitchen window and look out at where you lay, and cup of coffee in my hand, and a shadow over my heart. Lost in a sea of memories and pain, but a cry awakens me from my thoughts.
"Colonel? Jake needs he's dad." Janet says, suddenly standing behind me carrying my son, whose crying his eyes out, but I can't, I can't look at him.
"Jack, I know its hard, but please, just think about what Sam would have wanted."
Sam. I miss her. I want her back.
"Jack!" She shouts, loosing her control. Jacob's cries continue as she struggles to keep her grip on his wriggling body.
"Look, I know you miss her and I know you loved her. Jacob loved her too. He's just lost his mum, and he doesn't know why she's suddenly not here anymore. All he wants is a cuddle from someone he knows, someone he loves, who's going though the same thing. He wants is he's daddy."
I guess she's right. I just feel so.numb. But he's lost her too and I can't leave him to deal with this alone. He doesn't know what's going on, and it's not his fault. Sam would be so mad at me if she knew I couldn't even look at our son. I made a promise to her, and I have to keep it. I turn around and put my cup down, hesitating slightly about taking him from her, but Janet all but throws him into my arms. I hold him close to my chest and almost immediately he stops crying, left only with the after sobs that children get when they've been crying their hearts out.
Janet gives an approving nod and leaves.
I look at my son, still in my arms, and I see Sam, as I knew I would. But this time it doesn't kill me. It reminds me in a good way. I haven't lost her completely, not really. I'll always have a part of her, in my heart and in our son. He's at least half made of her. He's like her legacy, something she's left behind for me. A living memorial of the love we shared.
I look back to the bottom of the garden and smile as a single white dove takes to flight from the lowest branch of the willow tree, and soars into the setting sun.
"Bye Sam." I whisper, before turning away and living my life, sure of one thing. Jacob O'Neill will never forget his mother.
EPILOGUE
And so it goes. A love that will never die, never end. A love that will survive eternity.
They part now but only for a short time. They will see each other again, she knows it and he knows it. After all, farewells are necessary before you can meet again.
Destiny can be a strange thing. It brought them together, late and only for a short time, but that time was magical, and it gave them something amazing. A child.
Some people believe that we are here to serve a purpose, and when that purpose has been fulfilled, we are called home. Well, maybe Sam's purpose- destiny- was Jack. Maybe Jack was a means of getting too Jacob. Maybe Jacob is about giving Jack a second chance, to prove that he is a good dad. I guess well never now, but I am sure of something. Fate always has its reasons, even if it doesn't show them to you.
Jack did as he promised he would do. He brought their son up, to be a fine young man. And tonight, 30 years later, a light fills his body as he soars into the sky and into her waiting arms. And as they hold each other, they know. They'll never part again.
~THE END~
WOW! Never thought I'd see the end when I started this, but here it is. Hope you enjoyed the story, and ending isn't too bad! I know it was a tearjerker, which is why I'm putting my efforts into a HAPPY story for my next fic. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, and for anyone who hasn't, feel free to let me know what you thought. I love getting feedback.
Well, until next time! Bye-bye.
P.S. As pointed out, I did get some details wrong, esp. in chapter 6, but I live in England, and have never been to America, although I would REALLY love too! Can you forgive those mistakes? Please? I would change it, but I'm sitting my A-levels (big, important, scary exams) in less than a month, so I really don't have time at the moment. Thanks, btw to the person who did point it out, it helps to have someone who knows what their talking about!
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift up lifting rush, Of quite birds in circled flight. I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am there, I did not die.
Anonymous.
(Jack)
You're gone. I still can't believe it. Everything is different, scary, without you. My life feel's so empty now. There's no one to come home to, no one to share my bed, no one to hold at night.
I know that Jake's still here, but it's hard. Every time I look at him, all I see is you. I'm trying not to, but I can't help it, being with him just reminds me of everything I've lost. Reminds me that I'm alone now.
The funeral was yesterday. I had you buried under the willow tree by the river that runs though the bottom of the garden. I know that you loved sitting out there. Especially when you were pregnant.
I stand at the kitchen window and look out at where you lay, and cup of coffee in my hand, and a shadow over my heart. Lost in a sea of memories and pain, but a cry awakens me from my thoughts.
"Colonel? Jake needs he's dad." Janet says, suddenly standing behind me carrying my son, whose crying his eyes out, but I can't, I can't look at him.
"Jack, I know its hard, but please, just think about what Sam would have wanted."
Sam. I miss her. I want her back.
"Jack!" She shouts, loosing her control. Jacob's cries continue as she struggles to keep her grip on his wriggling body.
"Look, I know you miss her and I know you loved her. Jacob loved her too. He's just lost his mum, and he doesn't know why she's suddenly not here anymore. All he wants is a cuddle from someone he knows, someone he loves, who's going though the same thing. He wants is he's daddy."
I guess she's right. I just feel so.numb. But he's lost her too and I can't leave him to deal with this alone. He doesn't know what's going on, and it's not his fault. Sam would be so mad at me if she knew I couldn't even look at our son. I made a promise to her, and I have to keep it. I turn around and put my cup down, hesitating slightly about taking him from her, but Janet all but throws him into my arms. I hold him close to my chest and almost immediately he stops crying, left only with the after sobs that children get when they've been crying their hearts out.
Janet gives an approving nod and leaves.
I look at my son, still in my arms, and I see Sam, as I knew I would. But this time it doesn't kill me. It reminds me in a good way. I haven't lost her completely, not really. I'll always have a part of her, in my heart and in our son. He's at least half made of her. He's like her legacy, something she's left behind for me. A living memorial of the love we shared.
I look back to the bottom of the garden and smile as a single white dove takes to flight from the lowest branch of the willow tree, and soars into the setting sun.
"Bye Sam." I whisper, before turning away and living my life, sure of one thing. Jacob O'Neill will never forget his mother.
EPILOGUE
And so it goes. A love that will never die, never end. A love that will survive eternity.
They part now but only for a short time. They will see each other again, she knows it and he knows it. After all, farewells are necessary before you can meet again.
Destiny can be a strange thing. It brought them together, late and only for a short time, but that time was magical, and it gave them something amazing. A child.
Some people believe that we are here to serve a purpose, and when that purpose has been fulfilled, we are called home. Well, maybe Sam's purpose- destiny- was Jack. Maybe Jack was a means of getting too Jacob. Maybe Jacob is about giving Jack a second chance, to prove that he is a good dad. I guess well never now, but I am sure of something. Fate always has its reasons, even if it doesn't show them to you.
Jack did as he promised he would do. He brought their son up, to be a fine young man. And tonight, 30 years later, a light fills his body as he soars into the sky and into her waiting arms. And as they hold each other, they know. They'll never part again.
~THE END~
WOW! Never thought I'd see the end when I started this, but here it is. Hope you enjoyed the story, and ending isn't too bad! I know it was a tearjerker, which is why I'm putting my efforts into a HAPPY story for my next fic. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, and for anyone who hasn't, feel free to let me know what you thought. I love getting feedback.
Well, until next time! Bye-bye.
P.S. As pointed out, I did get some details wrong, esp. in chapter 6, but I live in England, and have never been to America, although I would REALLY love too! Can you forgive those mistakes? Please? I would change it, but I'm sitting my A-levels (big, important, scary exams) in less than a month, so I really don't have time at the moment. Thanks, btw to the person who did point it out, it helps to have someone who knows what their talking about!