Thanks to those who reviewed! And this one is short, but not as short as I was expecting. Please read, enjoy and review! :D

Chapter Eight

"Romantic Remains"

(Levina's POV)

I flee from town as fast as my feet can carry me. It takes a while, but I finally arrive in Ornament Valley. I'm quite sure that one of the keys opens a storage shed. I know I've seen a small complex out here on a drive with Mater before, but it's hard to remember the exact location. I don't have much time, so I kick up my heels and begin searching.

Feeling tired and dehydrated, I spot it at last. I run to it with the little energy I can still muster up. There are four garages, and I grab the first lock I see. With shaky hands I attempt to jam in the key; no luck. I try the other key, and again, it doesn't fit.

I go to the next unit and grasp the lock on it. This time the key slides in with ease. I look over my shoulder, but there isn't a single sign of life. I freeze for a second and just stare at the lock. Then my sweaty fingers open the lock and I thrust up the heavy garage door.

I lose my breath at the sight of the blue sports car. It's a Porsche…the one from the picture. I graze my hands over the smooth exterior and let out a sigh of disbelief. Inspecting the tires, I can see dirt clogged into the treads of rubber. This is my mother's car- and she's clearly been driving it.

I walk to the back and find a stack of boxes. I don't know whether to open them or not. I've found enough already, things she'll have to explain. But she's been keeping too much from me, and for too long, so I pull open the flaps like I'm opening a Christmas present.

I dive into the contents and unveil a photo album. The pages stick together, so I turn them gently and flick through the images. A fair-haired baby, a glowing child, and then a studious young woman, protrude from the pages. Obviously these are snapshots of my mother's life.

I replace the album and push the box aside. Underneath is another cardboard box labeled "Stickers", surrounded by hand-drawn hearts. I make a puzzled face but don't hesitate to tear it open.

This time I'm met with large glossy photographs, some are even framed. In these, I see my mother with her arms wrapped around the dark-haired man from the folded picture in my pocket. My father. There's another with them kissing at Flo's Café. Tears rise to my eyes as I lift the next photo. It is a beautiful shot of my mother smiling and gazing into his eyes under neon lights. His hands are holding her by the waist, like he'll never let her go. And Mom…she's wearing the happiest look I've ever seen in my life.

In the corner of the box I dig out a worn black t-shirt. Wrapped inside of it is an elegant gold ring. In tiny print I can read the words 'eternal love' stamped into the ore.

I slip the jewelry onto my middle finger and snatch up the last photo. All I have to do it remind Mom of this romance and love, then she'll have to let me see Dad.

I don't have time for author's notes today :( But as always, I hope you liked it, and if you did then you can show me by leaving a review! Thanks for reading!