A/N: Okay then everyone, this is indeed the very last chapter of this story. I never intended it to go over one chapter, but the reviews were so gorgeous I just had to. Thank you to all who was kind enough to drop me a line, you're thoughts were very much appreciated. This story has to be one of the saddest I've ever written, and even this chapter adds even more gloom, but it has a happy ending, as I try for all my fics, and I hope you all won't be disappointed.
This wasn't intentional, but it came to me one night, and I really wanted some final closure, which I think I got with this. I'm actually proud of it, which is weird for me, coz I don't usually get proud of my work. It's definitely not as sad as the other two, but I like it like that.
Okay, so I guess that's it. I don't think I'll give a mention of reviewers, just so that I am very grateful for all of you, and you are all wonderful.
Enjoy the last ever chapter of Fine Line! _________________________________________________________________________
Fine Line
Chapter 3: Coming Home To You
She was old now, time eating away at her once young and vibrant features, leaving withering lines and creases now where there were none before. Of course, nothing less was expected when age set in.
But as old as she was now, he still saw the young twenty-year-old he had met all those years ago. He had taken a liking to her immediately, overwhelmed by her amazing beauty and outstanding grace. For her, it had come much harder. She had felt pain at the early age of sixteen, and had feared opening her heart again in case it brought more pain. Something she was not ready to handle yet again.
It was two years later that she felt ready to move on. He remembered the day they had gotten together. She had said that he wouldn't want her to be lonely forever, and that he would understand. He hadn't known at the time just who she was talking about, but it wasn't long before she told him, and he understood.
He also understood that no matter what would happen, in some way he would always be second in her opinion. That feeling had gradually gotten easier to deal with, and he had accepted that he wasn't the only man that held a place in her heart.
Over the past few years, however, he started to question if she ever did really love him. She would say it, of course, and he would believe her, but lately he had seen something in her eyes, something that told him she was lying, although perhaps not even she knew it herself.
A harsh cough interrupts his thinking, and he looks towards her bedside, seeing her face contorted in pain. He hates to see her that way, and wishes her pain was his, but then he realises she won't be in pain much longer. And instead of bringing relief, a fresh wave of sadness is brought onto his heart, with it bringing his own pain that he knows will forever stay with him long after she is gone, until he too is taken from this world.
Tonight is supposed to be her last night on this earth, or so the doctors say. He knows they are true, when he sees how hard it is for her to keep her breathing even, and little wheezes escape her as she tries to suck air into her failing lungs.
Like many, she does not fear the inevitable. She will die, and she understands this, but with that knowledge comes peace. She will be taken from this man beside her soon, yes, but then she will be reunited with the one she was always meant to be with, the one who should have been there with her.
Another cough runs through her small and fragile body, and again he wishes it was he who was in pain, and not her, the ache on his own heart makes him think that is true, that it really is himself in pain. But then he opens his eyes and sees her expression, one betraying the knowledge that this is the end.
He doesn't see fear anywhere, just sadness. He knows why. She will be leaving them all, her children and her grandchildren. They had all been and gone, saying what they knew deep down was their last goodbye's. Only himself and her best friend remained. He was on one side, while her friend was on the other.
It was silent for so long that he started to wonder if that was all they could do, sit in silence. But it was she who spoke first, his love, his wife.
But it was not to him that she spoke, but rather to the person on her other side, her best friend, the one who had remained by her side for not just her final days, but for her entire life. To have such a friend as her was a rare thing in life, and one for which she would be eternally grateful.
"Miranda?" Her voice whispers, so fragile sounding, like anything louder would break her.
Immediately the dark haired woman turns, the evidence of her own frailty made only clearer by the grief she was already showing.
Miranda nods at her friend, signalling her quietly to continue. She does.
"I want you to know something. And I want you to promise me that you will always remember this, until the end of your days. Do you promise?" A nod was her answer, as two small tears leaked out of each eye, coming to rest at her quivering lip.
Taking a deep breath, the woman continues, her lack of breath clear for all to see. She struggles to hold in the air now.
It wouldn't be much longer.
"You were my friend when I had no one else. You were by my side when everyone else turned away. I love you more than anything for being my strength in the times I felt weak. I want you to know that even though I won't be there in person, I will always be with you, and I will always look after you. If you ever need to talk, I won't hesitate to lend an ear. You'll know when I'm listening, I'm sure of it," with that she concluded her mini speech, and tears stained the cheeks of both the women. It was all he could do not to join in, but this was their moment, and his he was sure would be coming soon.
"I love you too Lizzie," Miranda cried, grasping her friend's hand, knowing that anything more might be too damaging.
The brunette stood up, as if instinctively knowing her time was drawing to a close.
Lizzie followed her friend with her eyes as she pushed the chair she had gotten so comfortable in back.
"I think maybe I should go now," she started, having no idea what to say. What do you possibly say in a situation like this? Nothing appropriate came to mind.
Thankfully, Lizzie saved her.
"Don't forget me, okay Miranda?" she whispered, a teasing tone in her voice. Miranda laughed to stop herself from crying.
"Duh! As if," she muttered, sounding more like a teenager than her older self. Lizzie was grateful for the light tone her friend had used. It made her feel young again, back in the days when it had been the trio, together forever, or so it seemed at the time. Things had been so much simpler then, back when the innocence of childhood still clung to them, back before they had to grow up so quickly with the events of years passed.
It was such a long time ago, then, and in contrast to the way she was now, Lizzie thought back and smiled, remembering how different she was back then. Carefree and young, not tainted and old as she was now. And dying, can't forget that.
More serious now, Miranda added.
"I'll never be able to forget you Liz, never." They took each others hand once more, and the man just watched, enjoying them being so close to one another. Especially in this dark time.
The dark haired woman lowered her eyes to the floor then, willing herself not to shed any more tears.
"I..." she started, but didn't finish.
"I know," smiled Lizzie.
"You should go. You'll be okay Miranda, you're strong. Go on living, for me. Think of it as my dying wish," Miranda didn't say anything, but her eyes pleaded with her friend to not say such things. It only made it harder not to shed the tears she was fighting.
It was a losing battle, she knew, but at least she could hold off until after...
Miranda walked the length of the room until she came upon the door, turning its handle slowly, lingering slightly.
"I'll miss you," her words were barely more than a whisper, but the other two occupants both heard her, as clearly as though she were shouting it.
And then she pulled the rough wooden frame open, again lingering in the doorway. She turned back, smiled, and stepped through, preparing to close the door.
"We'll wait for you," the words spilt from the blonde's mouth as her friend closed the door, saying goodbye until they were together again.
The man beside her couldn't help but feel stung by her words. 'We'll' wait for you. It ate away at him as painfully as the cancer ate away at her cells.
It didn't seem fair, that she was longing for the end so she could be with him once more, but her happiness had always come before his own. And if that made her happy, then he would stand back and bask in her joy. He would forget his own pain until he was sure she wouldn't be able to see anymore.
Turning her head, she finally came to rest her eyes on his. Hazel eyes sought out his blue ones. They were a painful reminder always of what she was missing, but also it was what kept her going. Looking into his eyes day after day, she was reminded why she lived so long. For him, for the one that was waiting for her, because he wanted her to. It was his wish, and she could never deny him that.
For minutes no words were uttered, the silence that was there before creeping back in.
He grasped her hand tightly. It pained her that he did, but she didn't let him know that, she didn't want him guilty over something so small, so she kept quiet, and let him grip her hand even tighter, ignoring the shoots of pain. That was easy to ignore, but the pain in her chest and heart were harder, and she gripped her chest.
Breathing was now a chore, one with which she know couldn't hold out for much longer.
They both knew that, and so it was time to say something.
"I trust you to look after then, Ryan. I trust you to help them grow up. Our children may be older now too, but our grandchildren need your help. Tell them I love them."
With tears slowly leaking out, Ryan raised her hand he gripped to his lips, kissing her soft flesh gently.
"I will," he nodded, agreeing to her final plea.
"And look after yourself, don't be afraid to move on. You're barely seventy, you have time," she smiled slightly and he once again nodded, knowing deep down he would never do such a thing.
Drawing his head down to hers he kissed her softly, a tear slipping off his cheek to mix with the ones on her own face.
She squeezed his hand slightly before the effort became too much and she let go, her fingers going limp in his own.
"I love you," he whispered softly, knowing this was now the final end.
"I love you too," she replied, and he knew she meant it, he also knew that it was no where near as powerful as what he felt.
He would have like those to be her last words, if she in fact had to have any at all, but he was denied any sort of peace such as that.
And as her last breathe left her body, she uttered the words he had known would be coming, but didn't help to stop the pain.
"I'm coming home, David."
And then he sleep became eternal.
He sobbed over her body, for a love he had known that had made everything else dull, and for the fact that she had never felt the same.
He was content, however, in the knowledge that she was once again happy, and indeed, where she belonged.
* * * * * * * * * * *
It felt as if she were floating, at total peace.
The floating feeling soon stopped, and she looked around, seeing an infinite space of white, and nothing else.
She thought of the family she had left behind, but only for a moment, knowing somehow that they were all safe and happy. She would watch over them always, until finally it was their turn to ascend to where she was.
A soft hand on her shoulder startled her for a second, and then a calm flooded her being, as she turned to stare unblinkingly into the blue eyes of her first and last ever true love.
"Hi," he smiled, looking like he did the last time she saw him, forever in a sixteen-year-olds body. She didn't have to look down to know that she too looked like her sixteen-year-old self.
She grabbed him in a big hug, tears slipping down even though this was a place of happiness.
"Gordo," she breathed, saying the name she only dared whisper in dreams for so long.
"You waited," she sighed, never doubting that he would. He sensed what she was thinking and smiled.
"I told you I would always wait for you Liz." They embraced once again, and she felt more at peace than ever before.
"I finally came home," she whispered, seemingly not able to raise her voice above that pitch.
"Yes, you did," he responded, stroking her hair in a soothing manner.
"Welcome home," he smiled, kissing the top of his head.
She sighed again, never wanting to leave his side, and knowing that wouldn't be possible anyway. Their souls were forever joined, their hearts beating for each other, although now they had no use for such a thing.
Lizzie closed her eyes, drinking him everything at once, knowing that Heaven was every bit as beautiful as she had imagined, because he was there with her.
"They only place I want to be."
__________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Alrighty, as always, I'd love to hear from you all, so do me a favour and click on the button below. You know, the one that says 'Submit Review'. See where it takes you, I think you'd be surprised.
Peace to you all
Ciao for now Em
This wasn't intentional, but it came to me one night, and I really wanted some final closure, which I think I got with this. I'm actually proud of it, which is weird for me, coz I don't usually get proud of my work. It's definitely not as sad as the other two, but I like it like that.
Okay, so I guess that's it. I don't think I'll give a mention of reviewers, just so that I am very grateful for all of you, and you are all wonderful.
Enjoy the last ever chapter of Fine Line! _________________________________________________________________________
Fine Line
Chapter 3: Coming Home To You
She was old now, time eating away at her once young and vibrant features, leaving withering lines and creases now where there were none before. Of course, nothing less was expected when age set in.
But as old as she was now, he still saw the young twenty-year-old he had met all those years ago. He had taken a liking to her immediately, overwhelmed by her amazing beauty and outstanding grace. For her, it had come much harder. She had felt pain at the early age of sixteen, and had feared opening her heart again in case it brought more pain. Something she was not ready to handle yet again.
It was two years later that she felt ready to move on. He remembered the day they had gotten together. She had said that he wouldn't want her to be lonely forever, and that he would understand. He hadn't known at the time just who she was talking about, but it wasn't long before she told him, and he understood.
He also understood that no matter what would happen, in some way he would always be second in her opinion. That feeling had gradually gotten easier to deal with, and he had accepted that he wasn't the only man that held a place in her heart.
Over the past few years, however, he started to question if she ever did really love him. She would say it, of course, and he would believe her, but lately he had seen something in her eyes, something that told him she was lying, although perhaps not even she knew it herself.
A harsh cough interrupts his thinking, and he looks towards her bedside, seeing her face contorted in pain. He hates to see her that way, and wishes her pain was his, but then he realises she won't be in pain much longer. And instead of bringing relief, a fresh wave of sadness is brought onto his heart, with it bringing his own pain that he knows will forever stay with him long after she is gone, until he too is taken from this world.
Tonight is supposed to be her last night on this earth, or so the doctors say. He knows they are true, when he sees how hard it is for her to keep her breathing even, and little wheezes escape her as she tries to suck air into her failing lungs.
Like many, she does not fear the inevitable. She will die, and she understands this, but with that knowledge comes peace. She will be taken from this man beside her soon, yes, but then she will be reunited with the one she was always meant to be with, the one who should have been there with her.
Another cough runs through her small and fragile body, and again he wishes it was he who was in pain, and not her, the ache on his own heart makes him think that is true, that it really is himself in pain. But then he opens his eyes and sees her expression, one betraying the knowledge that this is the end.
He doesn't see fear anywhere, just sadness. He knows why. She will be leaving them all, her children and her grandchildren. They had all been and gone, saying what they knew deep down was their last goodbye's. Only himself and her best friend remained. He was on one side, while her friend was on the other.
It was silent for so long that he started to wonder if that was all they could do, sit in silence. But it was she who spoke first, his love, his wife.
But it was not to him that she spoke, but rather to the person on her other side, her best friend, the one who had remained by her side for not just her final days, but for her entire life. To have such a friend as her was a rare thing in life, and one for which she would be eternally grateful.
"Miranda?" Her voice whispers, so fragile sounding, like anything louder would break her.
Immediately the dark haired woman turns, the evidence of her own frailty made only clearer by the grief she was already showing.
Miranda nods at her friend, signalling her quietly to continue. She does.
"I want you to know something. And I want you to promise me that you will always remember this, until the end of your days. Do you promise?" A nod was her answer, as two small tears leaked out of each eye, coming to rest at her quivering lip.
Taking a deep breath, the woman continues, her lack of breath clear for all to see. She struggles to hold in the air now.
It wouldn't be much longer.
"You were my friend when I had no one else. You were by my side when everyone else turned away. I love you more than anything for being my strength in the times I felt weak. I want you to know that even though I won't be there in person, I will always be with you, and I will always look after you. If you ever need to talk, I won't hesitate to lend an ear. You'll know when I'm listening, I'm sure of it," with that she concluded her mini speech, and tears stained the cheeks of both the women. It was all he could do not to join in, but this was their moment, and his he was sure would be coming soon.
"I love you too Lizzie," Miranda cried, grasping her friend's hand, knowing that anything more might be too damaging.
The brunette stood up, as if instinctively knowing her time was drawing to a close.
Lizzie followed her friend with her eyes as she pushed the chair she had gotten so comfortable in back.
"I think maybe I should go now," she started, having no idea what to say. What do you possibly say in a situation like this? Nothing appropriate came to mind.
Thankfully, Lizzie saved her.
"Don't forget me, okay Miranda?" she whispered, a teasing tone in her voice. Miranda laughed to stop herself from crying.
"Duh! As if," she muttered, sounding more like a teenager than her older self. Lizzie was grateful for the light tone her friend had used. It made her feel young again, back in the days when it had been the trio, together forever, or so it seemed at the time. Things had been so much simpler then, back when the innocence of childhood still clung to them, back before they had to grow up so quickly with the events of years passed.
It was such a long time ago, then, and in contrast to the way she was now, Lizzie thought back and smiled, remembering how different she was back then. Carefree and young, not tainted and old as she was now. And dying, can't forget that.
More serious now, Miranda added.
"I'll never be able to forget you Liz, never." They took each others hand once more, and the man just watched, enjoying them being so close to one another. Especially in this dark time.
The dark haired woman lowered her eyes to the floor then, willing herself not to shed any more tears.
"I..." she started, but didn't finish.
"I know," smiled Lizzie.
"You should go. You'll be okay Miranda, you're strong. Go on living, for me. Think of it as my dying wish," Miranda didn't say anything, but her eyes pleaded with her friend to not say such things. It only made it harder not to shed the tears she was fighting.
It was a losing battle, she knew, but at least she could hold off until after...
Miranda walked the length of the room until she came upon the door, turning its handle slowly, lingering slightly.
"I'll miss you," her words were barely more than a whisper, but the other two occupants both heard her, as clearly as though she were shouting it.
And then she pulled the rough wooden frame open, again lingering in the doorway. She turned back, smiled, and stepped through, preparing to close the door.
"We'll wait for you," the words spilt from the blonde's mouth as her friend closed the door, saying goodbye until they were together again.
The man beside her couldn't help but feel stung by her words. 'We'll' wait for you. It ate away at him as painfully as the cancer ate away at her cells.
It didn't seem fair, that she was longing for the end so she could be with him once more, but her happiness had always come before his own. And if that made her happy, then he would stand back and bask in her joy. He would forget his own pain until he was sure she wouldn't be able to see anymore.
Turning her head, she finally came to rest her eyes on his. Hazel eyes sought out his blue ones. They were a painful reminder always of what she was missing, but also it was what kept her going. Looking into his eyes day after day, she was reminded why she lived so long. For him, for the one that was waiting for her, because he wanted her to. It was his wish, and she could never deny him that.
For minutes no words were uttered, the silence that was there before creeping back in.
He grasped her hand tightly. It pained her that he did, but she didn't let him know that, she didn't want him guilty over something so small, so she kept quiet, and let him grip her hand even tighter, ignoring the shoots of pain. That was easy to ignore, but the pain in her chest and heart were harder, and she gripped her chest.
Breathing was now a chore, one with which she know couldn't hold out for much longer.
They both knew that, and so it was time to say something.
"I trust you to look after then, Ryan. I trust you to help them grow up. Our children may be older now too, but our grandchildren need your help. Tell them I love them."
With tears slowly leaking out, Ryan raised her hand he gripped to his lips, kissing her soft flesh gently.
"I will," he nodded, agreeing to her final plea.
"And look after yourself, don't be afraid to move on. You're barely seventy, you have time," she smiled slightly and he once again nodded, knowing deep down he would never do such a thing.
Drawing his head down to hers he kissed her softly, a tear slipping off his cheek to mix with the ones on her own face.
She squeezed his hand slightly before the effort became too much and she let go, her fingers going limp in his own.
"I love you," he whispered softly, knowing this was now the final end.
"I love you too," she replied, and he knew she meant it, he also knew that it was no where near as powerful as what he felt.
He would have like those to be her last words, if she in fact had to have any at all, but he was denied any sort of peace such as that.
And as her last breathe left her body, she uttered the words he had known would be coming, but didn't help to stop the pain.
"I'm coming home, David."
And then he sleep became eternal.
He sobbed over her body, for a love he had known that had made everything else dull, and for the fact that she had never felt the same.
He was content, however, in the knowledge that she was once again happy, and indeed, where she belonged.
* * * * * * * * * * *
It felt as if she were floating, at total peace.
The floating feeling soon stopped, and she looked around, seeing an infinite space of white, and nothing else.
She thought of the family she had left behind, but only for a moment, knowing somehow that they were all safe and happy. She would watch over them always, until finally it was their turn to ascend to where she was.
A soft hand on her shoulder startled her for a second, and then a calm flooded her being, as she turned to stare unblinkingly into the blue eyes of her first and last ever true love.
"Hi," he smiled, looking like he did the last time she saw him, forever in a sixteen-year-olds body. She didn't have to look down to know that she too looked like her sixteen-year-old self.
She grabbed him in a big hug, tears slipping down even though this was a place of happiness.
"Gordo," she breathed, saying the name she only dared whisper in dreams for so long.
"You waited," she sighed, never doubting that he would. He sensed what she was thinking and smiled.
"I told you I would always wait for you Liz." They embraced once again, and she felt more at peace than ever before.
"I finally came home," she whispered, seemingly not able to raise her voice above that pitch.
"Yes, you did," he responded, stroking her hair in a soothing manner.
"Welcome home," he smiled, kissing the top of his head.
She sighed again, never wanting to leave his side, and knowing that wouldn't be possible anyway. Their souls were forever joined, their hearts beating for each other, although now they had no use for such a thing.
Lizzie closed her eyes, drinking him everything at once, knowing that Heaven was every bit as beautiful as she had imagined, because he was there with her.
"They only place I want to be."
__________________________________________________________________________
A/N: Alrighty, as always, I'd love to hear from you all, so do me a favour and click on the button below. You know, the one that says 'Submit Review'. See where it takes you, I think you'd be surprised.
Peace to you all
Ciao for now Em