A Full Rich Life

Chapter Seven: Reunited in Heaven

When Helen opened her eyes, she was surprised to see that she was standing in a beautiful meadow. The sun was warm on her, and she felt healthier than she had for years. The grass was springy and soft under her bare feet, and she felt a gentle breeze caress her cheek. She spotted someone coming towards her, and as he neared she felt her heart beating in wild joy. "Charles!" She ran towards her husband, who looked healthy, strong, and vigorous, and he swept her into his arms.

"Helen, I was wondering when you would get here! You've kept me waiting for quite the long time, my darling. But it was worth it to watch you live your absolutely wonderful life. I do wish I could have held our grandchildren as you did, but I was always there."

Helen smiled at him through her tears. "I know, my dearest. I told our grandchildren all about you, and what a wonderful husband and father you were to our girls. You'd be so proud of them, Charles."

Charles kissed her. "I never once stopped being proud of them, and of you. They will grieve for you, but be comforted by the thought that you will always be there in their hearts. Would you care to see how they are managing?"

Helen nodded, and Charles took her arm and led her to the edge of the meadow, where a beautifully ornate mirror stood. "This will allow us to see Underland."

The glass shimmered, and Helen found herself looking into the living room of the Hightopp's cottage. Alice was sitting on the couch, dressed in a dark blue mourning cloak, her face pale with tears. She had cried herself to sleep the night before, clinging to Tarrant and begging him over and over to never leave her. Tarrant had only been able to whisper reassurances in her ear, as he too had been mourning the loss of a woman that had been like a mother to him.

Alice looked up as Tarrant entered the living room, dressed in a subdued blue suit. He gulped before speaking. "Alice, it's time. Mirana….Mirana's waiting at the…site."

Alice swiped her eyes. "Very…very well." She and Tarrant went out to the carriage that stood waiting, and headed for the cemetery.

Alannah was kneeling in front of her mother's grave, remembering the sense of loss she had felt when her body had been lowered into the ground. But stronger than that was the knowledge that Jessicah had found peace and happiness in the next world. She traced the faded words on her tombstone, a sad smile on her face.

A gentle hand on her shoulder made her look up at her husband. Ilosovic knelt beside her. "You still mourn for her, don't you?"

"I will never stop mourning for her, Ilosovic. But I know that she is in a better place, and so is Helen. I know how Alice and Meggie are feeling, since I've felt the same."

Ilosovic sighed. "I wish I could say I would mourn for my parents when their time comes, but the truth is that I will most likely feel nothing but a sense of relief at their passing. Does that make me a terrible person?"

Alannah stared full in his face, her heart breaking at the grief and shame she saw. "No, you are not a terrible person. You are a wonderful man, husband, friend, and father. You are everything your parents are not. So do not weep for them, my love. Save your tears for Helen." She looked over his shoulder. "Alice and Tarrant have arrived. We'd better head over…there."

Alice and Margaret stood by Helen's gravesite. The spot where they had picked to bury her was beautiful. The grave was sheltered by a giant red rose tree and the Garden pond nearby glistened like crystal when the rays of the sun fell on it. It had been Helen's favorite spot when she visited, and her daughters had both agreed that she should be put to rest in the place that gave her the most happiness.

The grave had been dug the night before, and now all that remained was the hard task of saying goodbye.

Helen turned to Charles. "I want to go down there. My daughters need comfort." He took her hand, and they stepped through the mirror. Helen was standing at the foot of her grave, tears in her eyes. "Oh, this was my favorite spot. I always felt so peaceful here."

Charles smiled. "It is truly a beautiful place."

Helen looked down the path as a carriage draped in black bunting came forward, the white horses of Marmoreal draped in black saddle cloths. Behind this came a slow procession of soldiers, dressed in black armor. Following them was her family, walking in a slow, measured pace to the grave.

The carriage came to a halt, and Ilosovic directed his soldiers forward. They opened the doors, gently lifting out Helen's coffin, which was bedecked with flowers of every type and color. Carefully, they lifted it onto their shoulders, marching at a slow, measured pace to the open grave.

Mirana came forward, standing in front of the grave, and looked out over the mourners. Alice and Meggie were clinging to their husbands, their eyes bright with tears. Arianna and Josiah clung to Michael and Victoria, and Katarina had her arms around Erik. Alannah and Ilosovic stood near Alice and Tarrant, their arms entwined around each other. Adrian was leaning into his mother's embrace, tears flowing down his face.

Mirana took a deep breath, and then spoke. "We are here today to put to rest Helen Kingsley, wife, friend, and mother. She has touched all our lives, but most of all she has touched the lives of her daughters. She never once doubted them, and it was her love for them and for life that made her a worthy mother to our Champion. But to Helen, Alice will forever be her darling little daughter, and Meggie will be her stalwart one. I will not say do not mourn for her, because it is not a bad thing to grieve, especially when someone as greatly loved as Helen passes beyond our realm. But remember that she will forever be in your hearts and thoughts, and hold on to the memories and love that will never fade. Fairfarren, Helen Kingsley. Underland shall never forget you."

She nodded to Stayne, and he silently directed his soldiers to stand on either side of the grave, their swords raised in salute. The pallbearers came forward, gently lowering the coffin into the grave as Alannah and Katarina sang a mournful hymn. Katarina sang first.

"Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
when other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour;
what but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's dark sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me."

Helen wiped her eyes. "I wish I could tell my daughters that I am happy, and in a better place."

Charles smiled. "You can. Send them a message on the wind, my love. It is how I comforted Alice when Arianna was wed. Although, I don't think we'll need to. Look."

Alice and Margaret were watching the coffin being lowered into the ground when something made Alice look up and gasp. "Meggie, look."

Margaret looked where Alice was pointing, and her jaw dropped. Standing under the tree were their parents, looking at them both with expressions of pride and joy on their faces. Alice didn't dare blink for fear that they would vanish. Helen gave them a brilliant smile, and Alice and Meggie heard her voice echoing in their heads.

"I am so proud of you both. I love you. Be happy, my dearest daughters, and Fairfarren."

Alice and Meggie watched as their parents slowly faded from view, feeling a profound sense of relief sweep through them.

Even though they were not done mourning, their grief was lessened at the knowledge that Helen Kingsley had led a full, rich life and was now reunited with their father. Alice remembered a poem she had read in a book, and quietly recited it as she stared at her mother's grave.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die."

Alice smiled as she finished. 'I will always love you, Momma. Be happy in Heaven.'

Author's Note: One more chapter to go, and it will be happy, I promise.