Epilogue
Morai Fraser looked down at the journal in her hands, smiling softly and gently brushing the cover as if she could touch the person who had written it. It was definitely something Briar would have picked; soft deer skin leather with a rose embossed upon it. It seemed like only days ago she had watched in shock as one of her closest friends disappeared before her eyes. Now, a year to the day of Briar's disappearance, she sat in the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art with Briar's journal in her hands.
Briar had taken a page from Michael's book and had included Morai in her will. Held in trust by one Gabriel Christopher Fitzgerald Conlon, Briar's great-great-grandson, the only sole living Conlon left. It had been so odd looking into the face of the man who only a year ago had not existed. In her will Briar had left her journal, rewritten in the beautiful book, her bracelet, enough money to pay for college, and her wedding dress. The dress, though used by many Conlon brides, had been lovingly taken care of and still was as beautiful as the day Briar had probably worn it. The fabric, once a soft cream, had aged to an ivory, the lace incredibly fragile. Gabriel had asked that if at some time he should marry that he be able to give his bride the option of wearing that gown. His smile had been incredibly charming and Morai had been unable to do more than stammer a quick yes. The only thing left in the will was the Lodging House Museum, which had been left in trust to them both.
She had smiled at the thought of Gabriel. His flashing blue gray eyes had to be like those of his great-great-grandfather, his hair as black and softly wavy as Briars. She shivered, thinking of him and that lofty stare that had looked at her so coolly and calmly as she had signed the papers the lawyers had held in trust for more than a hundred years. She wondered if he knew why Briar had included her in her will. Not the reason she had given the lawyers, but the real reason. She shook her head. She was sure Gabriel was the heart breaker that Michael had been. She had sensed it in the raw masculinity of him.
"Well, Briar, if nothing else you made very pretty babies." She chuckled to herself, earning some odd glances from others within the small wing of the new exhibition that had been put up only weeks ago. Slowly, she opened the book to the last entry and began to read.
"I believe that the meat of my story ends there. Michael and I married only a few months later, in a beautiful church in a small town upstate. Michael spared no expense in the small, intimate ceremony. My wedding dress was created by Worth himself. We actually married in the rose garden outside the church on a warm day somewhere between summer and autumn. I can still smell the sweet roses that had surrounded us and picture his smiling face.
It was not far from that church that we made our home. In the country, surrounded by land where our children could grow beyond the confines of the city. Our life was never entirely easy, but we lived it together and that was the greatest gift of all.
For some of us, love comes swiftly and without warning. It can force us to change and grown in ways we are not ready for. If there is anything I have learned in my life, it is that love is the greatest gift. I lived through hell; I survived through what I should not have. I was not sent here for love, but in being where I was meant to be I found it, and I will never question it again. You must trust in the signs in front of you and follow your heart, for there and only then will you find true happiness. My story is over; my life in front of me. I thank God for all I have been given and pray that those I love might live a life half as full. My only advise to those that read this is, trust in your heart, believe in yourself, and do not be afraid of love."
Morai smiled and shut the book, looking up into the soft green eyes of the woman in the painting hung on the wall in front of her. The woman sat on a simple wooden stool, her arms clasping a length of chiffon to her chest, letting the rest of it drape exquisitely about her covering most of her nude form. Her long black curls cascaded over her bare back, her head bent, her lips softly smiling at the artist. The love that was there was hard to mistake. Behind her was a large window that allowed the sunlight to stream in and around her.
"My Hope" it was titled, and Morai felt the tears in her eyes as she glanced at the shiny brass name place below it.
"Exquisite, isn't it?" she heard a voice say from behind her. Glancing around swiftly she saw Gabriel, his hands in his pockets, the tie around his neck loosened in a casual manner. "I must admit my great-great grandmother was an incredible beauty. I believe you knew her."
"She would have never let you call her beautiful." Morai said simply as she looked back at the portrait of her friend. "She never believed she was."
"Then she was mistaken." Gabriel replied, watching her move to the next painting. It did not dominate the room as the other had, but it, too, was of Briar, holding a baby in her arms, a soft smile on her face as she looked upon her child.
"Who painted them?" Morai asked looking at the nameplate where it said Unknown Artist.
"You know." Gabriel said, those eyes watching her like a hawk. Then she stopped at the final picture that was of Briar, though only Morai would have guessed it. It was of a woman whose long dark hair had been pulled upon her head, her face in profile, her back bare and crisscrossed with scars.
"She was feisty." Morai told him. "I suppose she must have been to survive."
"She was tougher than most women." He acknowledged. "She must have been quite the woman."
"She definitely was that."
"I was heading out to the old house this weekend, would you like to come?" Gabriel asked impulsively. He was not sure what drew him to the woman before him, but had a feeling he would regret it if he let her walk out of his life. If there was one thing his family had learned it was take life as it came, but hold on to what it offered.
"I hardly know you." Morai began to protest, but looking into the eyes that had made her feel such turbulent emotions in such a short amount of time she relented.
"Alright."
The house was a large, old-fashioned farmhouse, set upon a plot of land that seemed miles from anywhere. The inside was filled with antiques that Morai knew had been in the family for years. Everything about the place screamed Briar, from the velvet curtains to the riding stables. The quiet of the place was most welcome after the long day in probably one of the busiest cities in the world. She thanked Gabriel as he took her coat. Softly the sounds of a music box filled the air. Morai gasped as she heard the lilting strains of the Blue Danube waltz.
"What?" she asked as she glanced back at Gabriel, who uttered a brief gasp and paled.
"According to family legend, Briar and Michael danced to the Blue Danube Waltz at their wedding. It was a favorite of Briar's."
"I wonder why." Morai said wryly.
"I take it you've heard the story of Central Park." Gabriel chuckled. "It is played at Conlon weddings for the first dance as a tradition. Grandmother told me when I was a young child that Michael told Briar upon his deathbed that he wished he had realized upon meeting her of the love they would share. Supposedly, the music box he had made for a wedding gift plays for a Conlon to tell them when they find the love Michael and Briar took so long to realize."
"That's silly. Do you actually believe that nonsense?"
"I don't know, it hasn't happened in ages. My grandmother was the last it played for. My parents have been divorced for years, each too bitter to have ever married again. Perhaps it is." Gabriel said steadily.
Morai shrugged as she entered the parlor. On the mantle was a beautiful mahogany jewelry box with roses carved in it, along with a date. It was the kind that played when you opened it and stopped when you closed it.
"September 30, 1909, what was that?"
"The date of the wedding of Briar Fitzgerald and Michael Conlon." Gabriel said softly.
"Not only is this silly, it's cliché and sappy." Morai growled as he stepped nearer. Morai jumped as the box, though the lid was shut, began suddenly to play.
"Very." Gabriel responded, his eyes trained on Morai's. As he kissed her, the music box seemed to grow louder, and then it stopped all together. As it ended they stepped apart, both clearly shaken by the kiss.
"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Gabriel Christopher Fitzgerald Conlon." Gabriel said quietly.
"Morai Skylar Frazer." Morai replied, her tone as soft as his. They stared at each other, unable to do much more than that. She could swear she heard the sound of Briar's laughter as Gabriel moved closer to her once again.
"You must trust in the signs in front of you and follow your heart, for there, and only then, will you find true happiness. My story is over, my life in front of me. I thank God for all I have been given and pray that those I love might live a life half as full. My only advise to those that read this is, trust in your heart, believe in yourself, and do not be afraid of love." The words she had read filled her mind in Briar's voice and she smiled softly. No, she would not be afraid; there was nothing to be afraid of. Love would happen whether they wanted it or not, whether they fought it or not, at it's own pace, and, from the signs, love had wanted them badly.
I want to say thank you to all of you that took the time and patience to wade through this story. I hope it was enjoyable and satisfying, it was for me to write it! Thank you, I love you all!
Rhap: More romance for you. Sappy and cliché as previously mentioned, but I think I like it!
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: Boy do you have my number I love reviews. Hope you enjoyed the last of my story!
Falco: I love you too honey (runs about trying to grab the nice warm waffles as the rain upon her.) Thanks!
Fearless: Send me the info and we'll see where we can fit you in the Glimmer fic. Glad you liked it.
Chelci: Yup a story all your own. More Glimmer and Spot time yay for you! Thinking of a good plot right now. Any suggestions?
Angel: Send me your story I'll read it any time! Thank you for the sweet compliments.
Galaxy: Don't start (sniffle) you'll make me start too! I don't wanna cry (wipes away the tear that is trickling down her cheek and looks away for a moment) Okay calm now. Tell me about it. I really loved writing this. Oh well on to the new story.
Erinkathleen: Good, glad to hear it! I tried
Rumor: Ha you can't crack the whip any more nah na nah na nah na. Wait I forgot, new story, oops! Okay thank you! I loved all of you reviews and look forward to more. As for the lynching, well you might not have, but I think Ali might have. Everyone was begging for a happy ending so I gave it. Glad you enjoyed it!
Ali: Bite my ass Hollywood. (Waved crown around gleefully) I'm the queen of romance ha! You can take your Oscars and Emmy's and shove them up your...............(looks around and realizes she's not alone.) Oops hi (smiles and waves) Thank you honey I tried to make it happy for you! No need to hound read on with the new one. I'm trying really I am, I hope it will be as romantic! Thanks!
Morai Fraser looked down at the journal in her hands, smiling softly and gently brushing the cover as if she could touch the person who had written it. It was definitely something Briar would have picked; soft deer skin leather with a rose embossed upon it. It seemed like only days ago she had watched in shock as one of her closest friends disappeared before her eyes. Now, a year to the day of Briar's disappearance, she sat in the Metropolitan Museum of Fine Art with Briar's journal in her hands.
Briar had taken a page from Michael's book and had included Morai in her will. Held in trust by one Gabriel Christopher Fitzgerald Conlon, Briar's great-great-grandson, the only sole living Conlon left. It had been so odd looking into the face of the man who only a year ago had not existed. In her will Briar had left her journal, rewritten in the beautiful book, her bracelet, enough money to pay for college, and her wedding dress. The dress, though used by many Conlon brides, had been lovingly taken care of and still was as beautiful as the day Briar had probably worn it. The fabric, once a soft cream, had aged to an ivory, the lace incredibly fragile. Gabriel had asked that if at some time he should marry that he be able to give his bride the option of wearing that gown. His smile had been incredibly charming and Morai had been unable to do more than stammer a quick yes. The only thing left in the will was the Lodging House Museum, which had been left in trust to them both.
She had smiled at the thought of Gabriel. His flashing blue gray eyes had to be like those of his great-great-grandfather, his hair as black and softly wavy as Briars. She shivered, thinking of him and that lofty stare that had looked at her so coolly and calmly as she had signed the papers the lawyers had held in trust for more than a hundred years. She wondered if he knew why Briar had included her in her will. Not the reason she had given the lawyers, but the real reason. She shook her head. She was sure Gabriel was the heart breaker that Michael had been. She had sensed it in the raw masculinity of him.
"Well, Briar, if nothing else you made very pretty babies." She chuckled to herself, earning some odd glances from others within the small wing of the new exhibition that had been put up only weeks ago. Slowly, she opened the book to the last entry and began to read.
"I believe that the meat of my story ends there. Michael and I married only a few months later, in a beautiful church in a small town upstate. Michael spared no expense in the small, intimate ceremony. My wedding dress was created by Worth himself. We actually married in the rose garden outside the church on a warm day somewhere between summer and autumn. I can still smell the sweet roses that had surrounded us and picture his smiling face.
It was not far from that church that we made our home. In the country, surrounded by land where our children could grow beyond the confines of the city. Our life was never entirely easy, but we lived it together and that was the greatest gift of all.
For some of us, love comes swiftly and without warning. It can force us to change and grown in ways we are not ready for. If there is anything I have learned in my life, it is that love is the greatest gift. I lived through hell; I survived through what I should not have. I was not sent here for love, but in being where I was meant to be I found it, and I will never question it again. You must trust in the signs in front of you and follow your heart, for there and only then will you find true happiness. My story is over; my life in front of me. I thank God for all I have been given and pray that those I love might live a life half as full. My only advise to those that read this is, trust in your heart, believe in yourself, and do not be afraid of love."
Morai smiled and shut the book, looking up into the soft green eyes of the woman in the painting hung on the wall in front of her. The woman sat on a simple wooden stool, her arms clasping a length of chiffon to her chest, letting the rest of it drape exquisitely about her covering most of her nude form. Her long black curls cascaded over her bare back, her head bent, her lips softly smiling at the artist. The love that was there was hard to mistake. Behind her was a large window that allowed the sunlight to stream in and around her.
"My Hope" it was titled, and Morai felt the tears in her eyes as she glanced at the shiny brass name place below it.
"Exquisite, isn't it?" she heard a voice say from behind her. Glancing around swiftly she saw Gabriel, his hands in his pockets, the tie around his neck loosened in a casual manner. "I must admit my great-great grandmother was an incredible beauty. I believe you knew her."
"She would have never let you call her beautiful." Morai said simply as she looked back at the portrait of her friend. "She never believed she was."
"Then she was mistaken." Gabriel replied, watching her move to the next painting. It did not dominate the room as the other had, but it, too, was of Briar, holding a baby in her arms, a soft smile on her face as she looked upon her child.
"Who painted them?" Morai asked looking at the nameplate where it said Unknown Artist.
"You know." Gabriel said, those eyes watching her like a hawk. Then she stopped at the final picture that was of Briar, though only Morai would have guessed it. It was of a woman whose long dark hair had been pulled upon her head, her face in profile, her back bare and crisscrossed with scars.
"She was feisty." Morai told him. "I suppose she must have been to survive."
"She was tougher than most women." He acknowledged. "She must have been quite the woman."
"She definitely was that."
"I was heading out to the old house this weekend, would you like to come?" Gabriel asked impulsively. He was not sure what drew him to the woman before him, but had a feeling he would regret it if he let her walk out of his life. If there was one thing his family had learned it was take life as it came, but hold on to what it offered.
"I hardly know you." Morai began to protest, but looking into the eyes that had made her feel such turbulent emotions in such a short amount of time she relented.
"Alright."
The house was a large, old-fashioned farmhouse, set upon a plot of land that seemed miles from anywhere. The inside was filled with antiques that Morai knew had been in the family for years. Everything about the place screamed Briar, from the velvet curtains to the riding stables. The quiet of the place was most welcome after the long day in probably one of the busiest cities in the world. She thanked Gabriel as he took her coat. Softly the sounds of a music box filled the air. Morai gasped as she heard the lilting strains of the Blue Danube waltz.
"What?" she asked as she glanced back at Gabriel, who uttered a brief gasp and paled.
"According to family legend, Briar and Michael danced to the Blue Danube Waltz at their wedding. It was a favorite of Briar's."
"I wonder why." Morai said wryly.
"I take it you've heard the story of Central Park." Gabriel chuckled. "It is played at Conlon weddings for the first dance as a tradition. Grandmother told me when I was a young child that Michael told Briar upon his deathbed that he wished he had realized upon meeting her of the love they would share. Supposedly, the music box he had made for a wedding gift plays for a Conlon to tell them when they find the love Michael and Briar took so long to realize."
"That's silly. Do you actually believe that nonsense?"
"I don't know, it hasn't happened in ages. My grandmother was the last it played for. My parents have been divorced for years, each too bitter to have ever married again. Perhaps it is." Gabriel said steadily.
Morai shrugged as she entered the parlor. On the mantle was a beautiful mahogany jewelry box with roses carved in it, along with a date. It was the kind that played when you opened it and stopped when you closed it.
"September 30, 1909, what was that?"
"The date of the wedding of Briar Fitzgerald and Michael Conlon." Gabriel said softly.
"Not only is this silly, it's cliché and sappy." Morai growled as he stepped nearer. Morai jumped as the box, though the lid was shut, began suddenly to play.
"Very." Gabriel responded, his eyes trained on Morai's. As he kissed her, the music box seemed to grow louder, and then it stopped all together. As it ended they stepped apart, both clearly shaken by the kiss.
"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Gabriel Christopher Fitzgerald Conlon." Gabriel said quietly.
"Morai Skylar Frazer." Morai replied, her tone as soft as his. They stared at each other, unable to do much more than that. She could swear she heard the sound of Briar's laughter as Gabriel moved closer to her once again.
"You must trust in the signs in front of you and follow your heart, for there, and only then, will you find true happiness. My story is over, my life in front of me. I thank God for all I have been given and pray that those I love might live a life half as full. My only advise to those that read this is, trust in your heart, believe in yourself, and do not be afraid of love." The words she had read filled her mind in Briar's voice and she smiled softly. No, she would not be afraid; there was nothing to be afraid of. Love would happen whether they wanted it or not, whether they fought it or not, at it's own pace, and, from the signs, love had wanted them badly.
I want to say thank you to all of you that took the time and patience to wade through this story. I hope it was enjoyable and satisfying, it was for me to write it! Thank you, I love you all!
Rhap: More romance for you. Sappy and cliché as previously mentioned, but I think I like it!
Kathryn Mason-Sykes: Boy do you have my number I love reviews. Hope you enjoyed the last of my story!
Falco: I love you too honey (runs about trying to grab the nice warm waffles as the rain upon her.) Thanks!
Fearless: Send me the info and we'll see where we can fit you in the Glimmer fic. Glad you liked it.
Chelci: Yup a story all your own. More Glimmer and Spot time yay for you! Thinking of a good plot right now. Any suggestions?
Angel: Send me your story I'll read it any time! Thank you for the sweet compliments.
Galaxy: Don't start (sniffle) you'll make me start too! I don't wanna cry (wipes away the tear that is trickling down her cheek and looks away for a moment) Okay calm now. Tell me about it. I really loved writing this. Oh well on to the new story.
Erinkathleen: Good, glad to hear it! I tried
Rumor: Ha you can't crack the whip any more nah na nah na nah na. Wait I forgot, new story, oops! Okay thank you! I loved all of you reviews and look forward to more. As for the lynching, well you might not have, but I think Ali might have. Everyone was begging for a happy ending so I gave it. Glad you enjoyed it!
Ali: Bite my ass Hollywood. (Waved crown around gleefully) I'm the queen of romance ha! You can take your Oscars and Emmy's and shove them up your...............(looks around and realizes she's not alone.) Oops hi (smiles and waves) Thank you honey I tried to make it happy for you! No need to hound read on with the new one. I'm trying really I am, I hope it will be as romantic! Thanks!