Epilogue—Five Years Later

"Lady Mary," Abigail said, entering the room. "You have another bouquet of Forget-Me-Nots."

Mary stood and looked at Abigail. In her hands was the said bouquet. "Thank you," Mary said taking the flowers from Abigail and handing the old flowers, still in the vase, to Abigail. "Please clean this out and bring a fresh pitcher of water."

"Yes, my lady."

Mary cradled the bouquet in her arms. She shook her head. "For once in your life, Cassian," she said to the flowers, "Can't you deliver these on your own?"

Abigail returned with a pitcher of water and a clean vase. Mary rearranged the bouquet in the vase gently cutting the flowers' stems at an angle and setting them in the vase one by one.

"My lady," Abigail said, "Don't you think that…maybe…"

"No."

"But…you're of marriageable age now. Shouldn't you start considering Lord Gabriel's proposal?"

Mary shook her head. "There's only one man who I want to marry."

"My lady, Cassian isn't going to come back. You know this."

"What I know is that he will be back," Mary said. "That's why he sends these."

"You don't know that the flowers are from him."

"Abigail," Mary said, putting the last flower into the vase. "If he wasn't going to come back, why would he keep sending these flowers to me?"

"Lady Mary Weather," another servant called, "You have a visitor."

Mary strode out of the room and down the stairs.

Safely in a drawer was a letter that Mary always read when no one was watching her….

Dear Mary,

I can't begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am for deceiving you. I regret it with all my heart. You accused me of being heartless once. Perhaps one time I had been heartless. Maybe I'll tell you why that is someday.

Mary Weather, when I told you I loved you, I wasn't lying. I wasn't acting. I wasn't trying to deceive you in any way. I wish you didn't find out how I felt about you under such horrid circumstances, but I can't take it back or rewind time.

Yes, I lied. I regret that. I don't know if you'll forgive me. Maybe someday, you will find it in your heart to forgive me.

Until then, you probably won't see me for a while.

Mary stared at the man. He was much older than she. He was in his late thirties, at best. Possibly forty. He smiled at her.

"Hello Mary."

Perhaps I will come back to you with an honest heart and intent. I don't know what that intent will be. I won't be angry if you decide not to wait for me. I will full heartedly accept it.

I can't guarantee that I won't be jealous. Knowing me, I most likely will be. But I will accept that I might be too hopeful to believe you'll wait for me.

I will always love you. You will always be in my heart and my thoughts.

Truly,

Cassian

Enjoy your Single's Awareness/Valentine's Day, everyone! Thanks for bearing with the ultra OOC. As much as I love Godchild, I can't seem to get anyone perfectly in character....gomen...