Forever Love.
Ch. 18.
This chapter is a peak of the past.
Taylor.
Becca's coming today. Relief washes through me, taking with it the worry that Aro would get to her before she could leave.
She had to make some arrangements before she could come here. Demetri has been appointed to take Caius's place, but he knows he isn't keeping it. Aro of course appointed him. Jane left a couple hours after bringing Phoenix to me.
Jane Natalie and I had spent most of that time just sitting in the kitchen. Natalie on one side of me, her head on my shoulder. Jane on the other, her position mirrored Natalie's.
After Jane left, I went back upstairs to collect my daughter from her Uncle Zac. Natalie had gone to lay down, all the crying giving her a headache.
I decided to go lie with her, bringing Phi who'd fallen asleep in my arms with me. Hours later I woke to find Phi still asleep cuddled between Nat and I.
Becca..
I texted Taylor, letting him know I would be there soon. I just want to be alone for awhile, I need some time to cry.
Just breathe Becca, I tell myself.
Zac..
"Just wait, don't ambush her." Natalie reminds us. Taylor had us gather in the living room. He knew we just wanted to make sure Becca was alright, but we knew she didn't like a lot of fuss.
Becca walks through the door, a small smile on her face at the sight we make. So as not to overwhelm her, we greet her one by one.
I notice she looks like she hasn't slept in weeks. Stress and grief are no doubt to blame. I give her a kiss on the cheek when I get my greeting hug.
"Uncle Zac." we all hear Phi's shouting. She's been extra attached to me lately. Caius's sudden loss has her scared for the rest of her family. We've all been reassuring her that we won't be going anywhere.
"Come see your Momma." I call up to her, she'd been napping in my room with Kate and Shepard.
"Mommy!" she hollers. In a blur she's running into Becca's open arms.
"My you've gotten so big. Mommy missed you so much baby." Becca says, peppering her daughter's face with kisses.
"I missed you too Mommy." Phi replies.
Becca..
I hadn't expected the greeting I got when I arrived, though it did help ease back the sadness.
Phi spent a few minutes telling me about what she'd done while I wasn't here.
I'd put Taylor off when he tried hugging me, only because if he had I would've lost it right there. I made it through greeting everyone without breaking down, though a break down was unavoidable.
"Phi." Zac called her name and she looked at him. As much as I wanted to catch up with my baby, I needed to rest. I haven't slept in months and while I can do without sleep for a long time, I still need it.
I wondered if Zac's intervention had been planned.
"Why don't we go back upstairs and let your Mommy and Daddy have some time to themselves. I'll bet your Mom would like a nap." he said. Phi grinned at that.
"I love you Mommy." she said, giving me a hug and kiss before leaping out of my lap.
"I love you too." I told her as she jumped at her Uncle. She waved at me over Zac's shoulder as he left the room.
I had settled on the couch while catching up with Phi. Now that she was gone, I could let out a few tears. Now that I was here I could grieve.
"Becca?" I looked up to see Taylor in the doorway, a mug in his hands.
Taking a deep breath I mustered up a smile for him. I know it doesn't reach my eyes, but it's as good as I can do right now.
"Got your favorite herbal tea." he says handing me the mug.
"Thanks." I say, blowing on it before taking a small sip. He sits beside me, and I lean into him without thinking about it. While in Volterra I've had to wear my mask and be strong while making decisions I never thought I'd have to make.
It hasn't been easy and I'm so glad now to be here. Aro has been acting odd, and I've never been happier to be away from him. He has no idea exactly where I've gone, which is as it should be.
I woke up slightly disoriented, and for a moment unsure of where I was.
"Shh, it's okay Becca." Taylor's voice whispers in the dark. Awake now, memory floods in. I guess I'd fallen asleep on the couch. Taylor must've carried me upstairs to the bedroom I used whenever I was here. Caius's scent lingers faintly in the air, which pulls a cry from me as pain rears it's head.
I feel arms around me, pulling me to lie back down.
Five months later..
Zac
It's been a long five months. Becca's been getting better, but for the most part she keeps to her room. Phi spends several hours with her, as do Nat and Tay. However Becca's still deeply in mourning. It makes me wish I had a magic pill she could take that would ease her pain.
It's hard to see the normally cheerful woman so sad. So I am surprised to see Becca in the kitchen, huddled over a coffee cup the next morning.
"Morning Becca." I greet her, even though I'm sure she heard me coming. She doesn't reply, nor give any hint that she's aware of me. I make myself a cup of coffee and join her at the table.
"Rebecca." calling her full name get her once vibrant green eyes to focus on me, rather then the grains of the wood tabletop.
"Sorry Zac." she apologizes.
"It's alright. I'm gonna go over to the studio to write, you should come with me." I suggest, knowing how deeply her passion for music goes. In the last five months I haven't once heard her sing, or play her violin.
"Ok." she agrees, finishing her coffee and rinsing out the mug.
Two hours later..
Once we got to the studio I sat to write, Becca drifted over to the piano. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she sits and begins to play. The melody is sad, and haunting. Suddenly inspiration kicks me and as she plays I write. In ten minutes I have a rough version of a song I've titled Me Myself and I.
Later that day I bring the song to my brothers, with the sheet music Becca made of the melody she'd played. Both like it, so we set to work on finishing it.
"Becca we have a surprise for you." Taylor says. We finished the song and want her to hear what she had a hand in creating. Taylor wants to make a duet version with her. I know we'll probably also make a version of us singing it as we want to include it on our next record.
A.N. Just a reminder, this story is FICTION.