This is it, thank you - every one of you - for reading and reviewing, even if not everything was to your liking. I realize there are some who think I didn't put enough conflict in this story - or that there were too many "spontaneous" moments; but that is what life is. There isn't always loads of conflict - some of us (myself included) live lives that are pretty smooth sailing in that area (I despise conflict on just about every level).
And it's the spontaneous moments, the ones we never expect, that take our breath away.
Thank you to my wonderful friend and beta, Mlle.Fox, for all of her contributions (especially in the fashion area) and ideas. You're a gem!!
The title of my new story has officially been changed to "Dark Side of the Glass". It will not be ready to post for quite some time. I usually finish one story before I start a next.
If anyone is interested in writing side stories about any of the characters in this (like Rafe and Meg) or any of my other stories, please feel free, just use my story as a reference.
MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 48 – EPILOGUE
Erik sat on the bench beside the stone edifice that marked the grave of his father; he had been gone several months, but his memory was still so vivid in Erik's mind.
Had it really been only three months that they had taken to build this love – this unwavering, foundational love that Erik felt toward the man he had hated for so long?
There were still times that Erik would dwell on the absurdity of the wasted years, and darkness would begin to descend; but he dismissed and rebuked it – sending it racing away with its proverbial tale between its proverbial legs.
Beside his father, rested Loraine and Jean-Marc – although Jean-Marc had still been nestled in the womb of his mother, Erik knew he was beautifully whole and complete.
The day was cool and cloudy; it had begun to drizzle not long ago and Erik propped the umbrella over his head and sat quietly. He enjoyed the peaceful sound of the rain as it beat rhythmically against the manicured ground and the concrete markers that dotted it.
Not far away, waiting in the car, sat Elise, Evie, Julius, Bridgette, Christine – and their newborn twins – Caleb and Callie. They were giving Erik a few minutes alone after they had finished decorating the grave for the Christmas season.
"I never knew it would be so terrifying, dad…this 'being a parent' thing."
Erik spoke quietly, drawing comfort from his own voice, but feeling that somewhere – not far away – his father listened.
"Knowing that there are two, tiny little human beings depending on you for everything…completely unable to tell you what they want except through unintelligible sounds and unrecognizable mutterings."
Erik closed his eyes and breathed in the freshness of the morning rain. The sun was due to shine later in the day; but for now, the rain seemed to know that Erik took comfort from its constant caress of the earth surrounding him.
"They're beautiful – I never knew they would be so beautiful. Of course…" he chuckled pleasantly, "…how could they not be, with Christine as their mother."
He leaned closer to the sculptured grass and spoke softly in a teasing tone.
"She says they look like me…poor little angels…but all I see when I look into their tiny little faces is unspeakable beauty and heaven's fingerprints.
"We had twins, dad, a boy – whom we named Caleb Daniel, and a girl – whom we named Callie Denise…" He sat back down and smiled broadly, as though his father could see his expressions. "…twins, dad – who would have thought it?"
He looked over at the white limo parked not too far away and knew that his family awaited his return, but he needed a little more time.
"I know she probably told you, but Evie had that girl she was talking about…little Bridgette."
He smiled again and laughed lightly, thinking of the beautiful niece he had held before his own angels entered the world.
"Mom's doing okay…she still cries at night – but that is to be expected. Christine and I moved her in with us…she loves being around the little ones and it helps Christine to have her so close.
"She lost her mother at a very early age and mom seems keen on filling the void that was left behind."
The air grew quiet as he reflected on the last few months. Christine's pregnancy had been nearly uneventful and she had managed to make it through most of the school year without too many adverse affects.
The women she worked with had doted on her and there had been numerous showers – especially after they found they were having twins. Erik had steadfastly avoided getting pulled into attending any of these "parties", as he thought they sounded excruciatingly female!
The art competition had gone remarkably well, for being a new project to the school. There had been several entries in every field – from schools all over the city. Christine's school was well represented and had placed high in many of the categories, but she had been particularly proud of Luke.
The young man had out done himself. The animated, digital movie that he had conceived and created was superb. Many who had never heard of digital arts or computer graphics were in awe of his talents.
Erik had secretly invited a few of his clients who have their hands in the movie business to come and check out the art contest, and Luke had been noticed; not only did he place first in the digital and computer animation category, but he was voted best overall. The scholarship was his after he graduated; and then, it looked like he might have a promising career in the movie business.
These thoughts danced through his head as the rain slowed and the sun tried to come out. The air was still chilled, but the fresh smell of rain had always been one of his most favorite scents.
Erik stood up, ready to say his farewells, when the rain suddenly stopped. He took the umbrella away and watched the sun peek out from behind the massive rain clouds that had covered it.
Erik removed a picture from his inside suit pocket and placed it within the built-in picture frame that was a part of the headstone. Staring back at him were the tiny faces of his son and daughter. He had drawn it one night when they were asleep at their mother's breast.
The picture was sealed inside a plastic sheet and Erik replaced the clasp that sealed the picture frame. It would last a long time, but Erik would replace it as the children grew.
A single tear fell down his face at the thought of them never knowing their grandfather – at least, not in the traditional way.
Now that the rain had stopped, Christine exited the car and slowly approached the tall figure of her husband as he stood over the grave site – staring at the picture he had placed with his father.
She didn't make a sound, nor touch him – she just stood back and watched him say good-bye.
He sat back down on the bench, not wanting to leave just yet. He hung his head and hummed quietly; the promising melody of "Peace in the Valley" could be heard soaring on the breeze; Christine could have sworn that the winter cardinals hushed their chirping to listen to the angelic voice praise its Creator.
It had been a long, painful road to get to this point in his life. Peace had been an unobtainable treasure for so many years, and Erik had almost given up.
He sensed her behind him and lifted his head to meet her eyes. She wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled at him – a smile that could stop his heartbeat in an instant.
Without a word, she came to him and placed her warm hands upon his broad shoulders. He leaned into her touch and rubbed his cheek against her soft skin, breathing in the scent of her.
They stayed like that for a few more minutes before Erik stood up and gave her his arm.
"Ready?" He asked, smiling down at her.
She smiled and gave him a slight nod, knowing that he was still battling a war inside.
"When you are." She replied quietly.
They walked slowly back toward the car as the rain began to fall again.
Erik stopped his steps and turned back toward the stone monuments that guarded his loved ones. He smiled and then dropped his eyes to the ground.
"Do you hear that?" he asked.
Christine listened but heard nothing.
"I don't hear anything but the rain."
Erik looked at her and smiled.
"Exactly…I've always found the rain to be so peaceful…" He turned back around and looked down at her again, "…peace falling from heaven."
He lifted the umbrella once again, sheltering them from the cool drops, and turned back toward the car.
He wrapped his free arm around Christine's waist and hugged her close to him, as they cuddled beneath the branches of the umbrella.
He kissed her forehead and gently rubbed his nose against her rain-dampened skin.
"Let's go home."
THE END