Hi, dear readers, and my apologies for such a long delay in updating. Things are a bit crazy right now... Anyway, here is our last chapter for this story, I hope you enjoy.
September was as rainy as any other months in Dublin, and John was shaking the rain off their umbrella as they took shelter at the top of the stairs leading to the courthouse. He shot a nervous smile to Anna while Alistair was folding his own umbrella. Today was the day when he would get his freedom back. He had a hard time believing it, and he had hardly slept the previous night. He couldn't shake the feeling that Vera was going to pull some sort of last-minute trick on him and postpone things yet again. Alistair kept repeating that there was nothing she could do to prevent the divorce from being pronounced. Ever her not showing to the audience would not stop it from happening, since the divorce was pronounced on emotional harm grounds at her expense. The judge had assured them that her signature was not needed. Still, John thought he would not believe it until it had really happened. Or maybe not even then… This time, since it was going to be the final appointment at the courthouse, Anna had requested to come with him, and he had agreed.
They were sitting in one of the hallways, waiting for their turn, when a voice called:
- Mr and Mrs Bates!
John, Anna and Alistair got up and entered the audience room. Once they had greeted the judge and taken their seats, the judge looked to the seats reserved for the other side, and noticed:
- I see Mrs Bates has not showed up? And where is her lawyer?
- I don't know, your Honour, replied Alistair. We haven't heard from either of them in the last two weeks, since the end of the trial in England.
- Well. I guess we will do this without them then, concluded the judge.
- I can't say I mind, whispered John to Anna. I have seen enough of her for the rest of my life…
Anna only replied with a sympathetic smile and a squeeze of his hand.
Just as the judge turned back to John's side, and said "Shall we proceed?", someone knocked on the audience room's door.
- Yes?, called the judge.
As the door opened, they recognized Vera's attorney, but the woman entering after him was not Vera, although she looked a lot like her. John recognized Joan, Vera's sister.
- Your Honour, started the attorney, I'd like to apologize for the delay. Mrs Bennett here, who is Mrs Bates's sister, would like to talk to you, if you'd allow her.
The judge raised his eyebrows in surprise and expectation, and looked to Joan.
- Yes, go on, madam.
- Thank you, your Honour, said Joan shyly. I need to inform you that my sister won't be able to make it today. We have found her at her house this morning. She's dead.
Anna and John both gasped at the news.
- It seems that she has taken her own life, added Joan, her voice unsteady and tears threatening in her eyes.
- Oh, said the judge. My condolences, madam. Well, I guess this settles our meeting then…
- Am I allowed to speak to my brother-in-law, your Honour?, asked Joan.
- Of course, please, do, replied the judge.
Joan turned herself towards John, and his heart constricted at the sight of her. She seemed so distressed.
- John…, she started. I just wanted you to know… I'm sad that I lost my sister, despite all the wrong she had done, but know that I'm very sorry for everything you went through at her hand. I wish I had seen through her sooner, and I had been able to help in some way. I'm very ashamed that we, as a family, let things turn that bad between the two of you. I wish you happiness for the future.
- Thank you Joan, said John. You don't have to be ashamed. She was very good at hiding and manipulating. I'm sorry for your loss, for what it's worth.
- Thank you, replied Joan.
- Well, concluded the judge. I guess you are now a widower, Mr Bates, instead of a divorcee. I will need a copy of the death certificate so that I can close the case, he added, turning to Vera's attorney.
- Yes, your Honour. I will have it sent to you as soon as possible.
- Alright. I think we can adjourn the session and all go on with our day then.
John, Anna and Alistair all felt stunned as they made their way out of the courthouse.
- I can't believe she rather died than admit she'd lost her power over me, said John.
- Yes. It defies logic, agreed Alistair, but it also says a lot about her character…
- How do you feel?, asked Anna to John.
- I don't know. Tired. Shocked. Relieved. Grateful that it is well and truly over. I can't say I wished for her to die… but it sure will make my life easier. Oh, sorry, Joan, he added, seeing that Joan had gone out just behind them.
- No, you're right, I understand you might feel that way, she said.
- Who found her?, asked John.
- My father, said Joan.
- For what it's worth, I'm glad it wasn't you…, said John, squeezing Joan's shoulder. It's never a good experience, he added, with a quick glimpse to Anna.
He remembered how she had also found him dead, some months ago.
- Yes, said Joan bluntly.
- How did she do it?
- With my insulin…, replied Joan shakily, fresh tears rolling on her cheeks. I feel so bad about it. I had hidden it all when I learnt that she had stolen some and used it on your cat… And the police were supposed to have taken it all from her, but apparently she had more at her house.
- Oh, Joan… It's not your fault, said Anna in a kind voice. You know, someone who really wants to take their own life will always find a way. There's nothing you could have done.
- Thank you, said Joan, wiping her cheeks. Well. I guess this is goodbye then. I don't suppose you'll fancy coming back to visit…, she added looking up to John.
- I don't think so, no, he agreed. But you need to know that I bear no ill feelings towards you or your family. Well with the exception of Patrick of course. I do resent him a tiny little bit…
- Of course, replied Joan with a tight smile. I wish you a happy life, John.
- Thank you. I fully well intend to be happy, he said, taking Anna into a hug and kissing her hair. I hope you can be too. Goodbye Joan.
- Goodbye John.
And with one last hug, the two parties separated on the stairs of the courthouse.
x x x x
- So?!, beamed Mary when John, Anna and Alistair showed at Mary and Matthews' house later in the day. How is divorce suiting you?!
- Aaaah, well, said John in a mysterious tone, turns out I am not divorced after all…
- What?!, cut Matthew. But? What happened?!
- She killed herself last night, replied Anna.
- What?!, exclaimed Mary. Mother of God!
After a short stunned moment, Mary gestured them in, saying:
- Come on in, and tell us everything. I had planned a little celebration dinner anyway.
- Doesn't it feel a bit weird to celebrate someone's death?, said John with a frown. I mean, I know we all hated her, but still…
- Ah but we're not celebrating her death, replied Mary. We're celebrating your return to freedom!
- Well said, smiled Anna.
- So, come on, get in here!, repeated Mary, pulling Anna inside.
John and Anna had escaped outside for a moment, in Mary and Matthew's neat and flowery garden, while Mary watched over dinner preparations and Matthew and Alistair discussed a case. Rain had stopped just a while ago, and clouds tore off to allow a ray of sunlight for them to bathe into. As they walked hand in hand, John turned his face up towards the sun, and breathed in deeply.
- Jesus, it feels so good, he mused.
Anna looked up to the sky too, and gasped, pointing to the horizon:
- Oh look! A rainbow!
John looked in the direction she was showing, and smiled.
- Oh, yes, you're right. Well I guess this is the perfect time.
- For what?, asked Anna, bemused.
- For this, he said, bending towards her to meet her lips.
Then he took both her hands into his, and went on:
- Anna, for almost a year now, you've been my rainbow through the darkness. I owe you my life, and this is no understatement but the perfect truth. I swore to you some time ago that I would dedicate the rest of my life to make you happy, and I well intend to deliver. I had the worst wife one could imagine, and now, if you'd be willing, I'd like to choose the best one any man could ever dream of. Will you marry me?
Anna was looking at him, tears shining in her ocean-blue eyes, and she chuckled lightly before saying:
- I did not expect that tonight…
- I've dreamt of doing this for about eight years…
Anna chuckled a bit louder, and whispered:
- Of course I'll marry you. I've dreamt of doing this for about eight years too.
John laughed and they fell into each other's arms, as lips crashed together, and kissing and laughing and crying intertwined.
- I love you, murmured Anna in a moment when their lips parted.
- I love you too. So very much, replied John. I'm sorry, I knew I wanted to do this as soon as possible, but I had not planned on doing this tonight, so I have no ring.
Anna looked up to him, a happy gleam in her eyes, and sniffed as she wiped her cheeks on her sleeve.
- I don't think I could care less, she reassured him.
They both startled when Mary's voice came from the house:
- Hey there, lovebirds! Dinner's ready!
- Coming!, yelled Anna, as she seized John's hand and led the way back to the house.
- To freedom!, announced Mary as she raised her glass.
- To freedom!, repeated the four other guests, mirroring her gesture.
Then Anna and John turned to each other, and discreetly clicked glasses together, with a knowing smile. Mary caught them and inquired, her eyes narrowed:
- You two are hiding something, I can feel it… What is it?! Are you pregnant Anna?
- What? No!, exclaimed Anna defensively.
- What then?
John took Anna's hand and kissed it, then looked to Mary:
- Anna has just agreed to marry me.
- Oh, wow, already?, said Matthew. You're not wasting any time, are you?
- What can I say?, said John. I've been waiting to ask her for a long time! We saw a rainbow outside and it felt right, so, I guess it was a spur of the moment thing.
Mary beamed as she held her glass up once more:
- So… To freedom, and love, and congratulations on the engagement, I guess!
- Thank you Mary!, smiled Anna.
- I'm so glad for you, girl!, replied Mary. When I think of all the time I spent trying to make you forget him.
Laughter contaminated everyone around the table.
- I'm so glad you haven't been that efficient, stated John.
- I blame you!, replied Mary. You turned her upside down!
- Yeah, sorry for that, shrugged John with a smirk.
x x x x
Christmas 2018
Anna yawned widely, and lazily stretched herself in her bed. She opened her eyes, and noticed through the window the large snowflakes falling from the sky. She smiled to herself. This was a perfect Christmas day. She turned around in the bed, her hand searching for John, but his side of the bed was empty. Then she smelt the pancake smell, coming from the kitchen, and smiled wider. She got up, and joined John in the living-room, where he was dressing the table for breakfast.
- Good morning love, he said as he saw her.
- Good morning. This smells like heaven.
It was then that she heard the noise. She frowned and listened more carefully. It sounded like a mouse squeaking… or maybe, a very small… She followed the source of the sound, and ended up looking at a small box under the Christmas tree. She looked back to John, bemused.
- What the…
John smiled proudly with anticipation, and said:
- Happy Christmas, darling.
Anna picked up the box, as the squeaking intensified, and opened it. A shriek of joy escaped her lips when she saw the magnificent ash-grey and blue-eyed little furball energetically meowing at her.
- Oh my Goood, she marvelled. Aren't you the sweetest thing on Earth?!
John had joined her over and gently scratched the kitten's head.
- Do you like him? I found him at the shelter. His name is Adso. I know he won't replace Sassenach, but I also know how much you've been missing a cat in your home…
- He's wonderful! Oh I love him!
She nuzzled the kitten's head, and took him into a cuddle against her chest.
- Adso? That's a peculiar name, isn't it? But I like it! Thank you so much John, she added, looking up to him with shining eyes.
- You're welcome love, he said with a smile.
Anna sat on the couch and started petting the kitten in her lap, forgetting all about breakfast and the other gifts waiting under the Christmas tree. John looked at her and smiled, then went to sit beside her.
- So, I've been thinking…, he started.
- Hmmm?, she replied distractedly.
- … Maybe next year we could start working on making him a little companion?
Anna's head jerked up, her cheeks glowing.
- Would you like that?, she asked.
- I would.
- Well… It's funny that you would mention it, because…
- Because?, he asked, his eyebrows raised.
- Remember last month, when we forgot the condom, and I took a Plan B pill?
- Er, yes?
- Well, I think it didn't work.
- Oh. Wow. But, do you think it didn't work, or are you sure it didn't?
- No, I'm sure. I took a test yesterday. I definitely am pregnant.
- Oh my God.
John exhaled slowly, as Anna straightened up and came to sit closer to him.
- Are you happy?, she asked, searching for his eyes.
- Well, I didn't expect that today, but yes, of course I am happy! Oh darling, I am so happy!
A tearful chuckle escaped Anna's lips as she curled into John's arms.
- I am too. I'm glad that pill didn't work.
- Me too, said John, pulling her closer to him, as he took her lips into a fierce kiss.
As they were kissing, they felt Adso trying to push his way between them, meowing with insistence.
- Looks like this one is already jealous!, noticed John.
They both fell into a happy fit of giggle.
THE END
Thank you for reading, I hope you liked that story.