Hello everyone! This story is very different than anything else I have written and to be honest, I'm not sure anyone will read it. However, it's been on my mind for a while so I decided that I must write it. My other stories should be updated within the next couple of days. I am somewhat settled, but still in the mist of some craziness. So updates on all of my stories may be a bit sporadic until July.
Warning: Major character death.
If Love Finds You Worthy
Fall 1970
The black car pulled up in front of the ornate house, stopping right at the front doors. A man stepped out of the car, nodding a thanks to the driver. He then glanced up the large building, a smile coming to his lips as he thought of the many wonderful memories he held at this very house.
Adjusting his briefcase in his hand, he walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Like always the door was almost immediately opened. A young man dressed in suit welcomed him, but also eyed the worn jeans and trainers on his feet.
"Ah, Mr. Bates," the butler then said. "Come in. They are waiting for you in the library."
"Call me Jack." The butler made a face and Jack rolled his eyes. He had never been one that cared much for the propriety of things. He just stepped past the butler and into the library.
They were there, sitting in their same spots where they always sat.
"Oh Mary! He looks like John! Is that John?"
"No," Mary answered, her hand came over to rest on Anna's hand. She clasped her fingers around hers, giving it a loving squeeze. "Darling, that is Jack." Anna furrowed her brows, confusion over her features.
Jack sighed, but then he smiled, walking up to his grandmother. He kissed her cheek and then did the same to Mary's.
"Gran," he said, sitting down across from her. "You know me."
"Yes," she replied, though she looked as though she didn't, not really. "You do look so much like him."
His Aunt Mary grasped at her cane and adjusted it to the side of the chair, before attempting to stand.
"Would you like some tea? Where is that butler anyway?" She scowled. Her gray hair was pulled up into an ornate bun and she wore a beautiful lace dress. His Gran was also beautifully dressed. Mary always made sure of that.
"I'm alright. Sit down, Auntie Mary."
"I am quite capable of getting around, Jack. I am far from an invalid." Mary's lips pursed thinly. However, when Anna's hand grasped at hers, she warmly smiled down at her and retook her seat.
"Mary," Anna whispered, meeting Mary's eyes. "Is that John? Is he not dead?"
Sadness filled Mary's face and she reached over, brushing Anna's cheek with her knuckles.
"That's our Jack," Mary said, attempting to curl up her lips. "You know Jack, darling."
Anna stared back at Mary with emptiness within her eyes. Jack began to fill the heavy weight on his chest. Just over the past few months, his Gran had begun to lose this part of herself. It seemed to be hitting her quickly and making them all lose her.
"Jack is….?"
"Johnny's son," Mary reminded her, ever so patient.
"Oh, Johnny. How is my Johnny?" Anna asked, now smiling. Seeing Anna smile made Mary's hand brush through her while hair.
"Dad's good," Jack replied. "He will be by on Saturday for family dinner."
"Anna, Jack's come to hear our story." Anna's eyes lit up. "Do you want to tell him how it all began?"
"What a terrible beginning," Anna frowned. Then she slipped her hand into Mary's and held it tightly. "But a happy ending."
"So happy," Mary agreed.
"But the middle was a bit cumbersome." This made Mary laugh.
"It began when Grandfather John was sent to the gallows, correct?" Jack questioned. He pulled out his notebook and pen, ready to write down everything he was told. He also slid out a recording device to in case anything was missed.
"Yes," Anna gloomily began. "Such a horrific day."
1920
Sun shone in through the small window of the cold room and Anna tightened her embrace around John's frame. They had allowed them one night together before John was to be sent to his death. Anna could already feel the tears bubbling up in her eyes, but she held them in. She had promised herself that John's last hours would not be spent comforting her.
His hand combed through her hair and he pressed a kiss on her temple, pulling her closer to him. The bed they had been given was small with uncomfortable, itchy sheets. But neither of them had cared. They had only wanted one another.
"I need you to promise me that you won't be there," John huskily said. There were tears in his eyes, making it harder for Anna not to cry.
"I need to be there, John."
"No," he disagreed. "I won't have my final memories be of you standing there about to watch me be hung. I want them to be of this moment, of you here with me."
Despite all her efforts not to cry, a lone tear slid down her cheek. The pad of John's thumb brushed it away, before he leaned forward and gave her a deep kiss.
"In all my life," he then said, resting his forehead upon hers, "you are the best thing that ever happened to me. But I want you to be happy, Anna. I don't want your life to end today."
"But it will," Anna cried, her hand coming up to press against John's cheek in a desperate attempted to hold him closer.
John brought his hand over hers and closed his eyes.
"Live, Anna, for me."
Anna let out a low sob, but didn't disagree. They heard the door open and Anna clung to John harder.
"I'll be alright," he promised her, kissing her cheek. "I had you."
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
Anna blinked harshly, standing on the edge of the large ship and overlooking the skyline before her. Her lower lip continued to quake, knowing that John was likely now gone from this world. She wanted to scream and to shout at the unfairness of this world.
A hand slid to her shoulder and then a body pressed to hers. She glanced beside her to see Mary right at her side, their hips touching. Mary didn't say a word, her own eyes were glassy with tears. Anna didn't know if it was sympathy for her losing John, or because of her own loss of Matthew. She had left, believing he wouldn't want her after what had happened with Kemal Pamuk.
The horn on the ship sounded off and then both Anna and Mary jerked slightly, as the boat was pushed away from the shore.
They traveled for a few moments, before Mary's tightened her grip on Anna's shoulder and began to turn her away from the edge of the ship.
"Come on," Mary encouraged. "Let's go see our room."
To be continued...
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