I know, FINALY! Right? Sorry for the long delay. We have heard it all before from every author, how busy life has been. I just hope you find my story worth the wait. Please send me a review. It keeps me motivated.
This ch was rough to write. Sad. I hope you feel the emotions I put into it.
Chapter 15 Hard day
Previously at St. Vladimir DPOV
Roza's face was flush, and her breathing was still slightly labored. I wasn't sure what to do... After sex cuddling? I wished I could have been there. I couldn't help the goofy-ass grin that came to my face. Well, at least it's me in her dream... Right?
Currently at St. Vladimir DPOV
Continuing the Flashback
I eagerly climbed into the hospital bed with Roza and gently wrapped her up in my arms. She was still breathing hard, and in her sleep she clutched me to her. She was clinging to me as if her life depended on it.
My mind was reeling with the idea that she just had a sex dream about us. I mean, I know it happens to all of us, but I guess no one ever sees it happening. Well, in my case I heard it happening too. Roza's moaning is going to be the death of me!
She seemed to slowly calm down again. I could tell she was deeply immersed in the vivid dream by intently watching her eyelids. With rapid eye movements her eyes darted back and forth underneath the closed lid. She incoherently mumbled and shifted around, obviously following what was happening in her dream.
For me, sometimes, I am so engrossed in what she is doing I completely tune everything else out. I miss her so much that any little thing is like gold to me right now. More precious then you can imagine. I guess you could say I hang on her every word; it's pathetic - I know, but I can't help it. She's my life.
And I'm going to make sure she knows it as soon as possible.
I wonder what she will think when I propose. "Roza, will you marry me?" I whispered in her ear and kissed her forehead.
Suddenly, I noticed she was crying. That... puzzled me. Why would she be crying if we just made love in her dream? Maybe it's like a normal dream where things jump around randomly. I pulled her closer to me and caressed her arm and back hoping I could soothe her.
Another sudden change in her facial expression and now she had a bright shinning smile radiating complete joy. I watched with confusion then she said very excitedly, "YES! YES! YES! A million times yes! I love you; I want to be your wife!"
What? No way! She couldn't be answering my question – or could she? My heart squeezed in my chest. Well... the doctor did say she can respond to outside stimulus. So it must be that, Right? Wow, will she really say yes to me? God, I hope so. I honestly believe that I love this woman more than life itself.
I was pulled from my thoughts with her touch. Her hand had come up to my chest, caressing me. She grabbed my shirt pulling me closer. "Ohhmm, Dimitri... I want you to touch me everywhere..." she sighed in one breath. Her hands slid up into my hair, intertwining her fingers and bringing my mouth to her neck. My hand caressed across her hard nipple that was only covered by the thin hospital gown and I grazed my teeth on the soft skin of her lovely neck. I bit and sucked her neck gently as I heard her hiss in pleasure.
Moving up to her soft lips, she kissed me aggressively. I felt my body awaken and respond to her. She was pawing at my clothing, attempting to remove it. My body was begging for it to continue. But my mind knew better. I grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head.
I was basically laying on top of her and I kissed her one more time, passionately, and slowly backing off. I really didn't want to stop, but she was unconsciously doing this so no matter how good it felt to have her all over me, I decided to calm her down. Finally, she seemed to relax so I let her hands go. She reached up and caressed my cheek, mumbling another incoherent jumble of words.
After that she seemed very happy. Smiling and giggling in her sleep, she was almost giddy.
End Flashback
As I sit here, holding my Roza and thinking about yesterdays events; I marveled at this very strange experience. I just hoped and prayed to God that she would wake up soon. Dr. Olendzki seems to think it will be soon. Her brain wave activity has increased. Something about showing signs of conscious brain frequencies.
Adrian is still trying to get into her dream, but as of yet he hasn't been too successful. I say it that way because he told me he is getting flashes or glimpses of her mind. Nothing concrete, though, but he said he will keep trying. And for that, I'm thankful.
I'm waiting as patiently as I can, knowing that the whole ordeal will be over soon and I will see my beautiful Roza's brown eyes gaze into mine in a short time. Plus, I'll have one hell of a story to tell her when she wakes up. I felt myself drifting off as I lay next to her, happy to be holding her.
Previously in The Wild, Wild West
I crawled into my warm comfy bed that night, only a mere ten minutes later with thoughts of my weird and wonderful day replaying in my head.
Currently RPOV
"Always in a rush," a voice said. "It's a wonder anyone can get you to stop moving."
I came to a halt and turned my eyes wide. "Mom…"
She stood leaning against the wall, arms crossed, with her cropped auburn hair as curly and messy as ever. Her face, weathered like Alberta's from being out in the elements, was filled with relief and – love? There was no anger, no condemnation. I had never been so happy to see her in my life. I was in her arms in an instant, resting my head on her chest even though she was shorter then me.
"Rose, Rose," she said into my hair. "Don't ever disappear like that again. Please."
I pulled back and looked at her face, astonished to see tears spilling from her eyes. I had seen my mother tear up, but never had I seen her outright cry. Certainly not over me. It made me want to cry too, and I uselessly tried to dry her face with Abe's scarf.
"No, no it's okay. Don't cry," I said, taking on an odd role reversal. "I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I missed you so much."
Janine Hathaway was my mother and standing there with her, I was happy – so, so happy – that I was her daughter. She wasn't perfect, but then again of course no one was, as I was learning. She was, however, amazing, brave, fierce, and compassionate- and I think she understood me more than I realized sometimes. If I could be half the woman she is, my life would be well spent.
"I was so worried," she told me, recovering herself. "Where did you go – I mean, I know now you were in Russia … but why?"
"I thought …" I swallowed again. "Well there was something I had to do. I thought I had to do it on my own."
She reached out and touched the bright colors of the cashmere scarf, her face filled with wonder as much as shock. "This is Ibrahim's scarf… it's a family heirloom…"
"No, it belongs to this guy named Abe…"
I stopped as soon as the name crossed my lips. Abe, Ibrahim. Hearing them both out loud made me realize how similar they were. Abe… Abe was short for Abraham in English. Abraham was essentially the same word as Ibrahim in Turkish. There was only a slight variation in the vowels. Tatiana referred to someone by that name that my mother had been involved with.
"Mom," I said disbelievingly. "You know Abe." It wasn't a question as I spoke reality was slamming into place.
She was still touching the scarf, eyes filled with emotion once more – but a different kind than she'd had for me. "Yes, Rose. I know him."
"Please don't tell me…" Oh, man. Why couldn't I have been an illegitimate child or even the daughter of the mailman? "Please don't tell me Abe is my father…" The realization of truth completely sank in.
She didn't have to tell me. It was all over her face, her expression dreamily recalling some other time and place – some time and place that had undoubtedly involved my conception.
I replayed my history with Abe. Everything fit, it all made sense to me now. Why hadn't I seen this before? Abe is my father! Well, I supposed there were worse fathers to have.
My eyes popped open as I took in my room above the saloon. With a jolt the dream flooded back. It felt so real; almost like a memory rather than a dream. My mind was spinning with the vision that just revealed so much about my life. The woman in my illusion, the one I called mom, was the woman that sat across from me in my saloon last night. And in my dream she so much as told me that Abe is my father!
How could this be? My hands were shaking and I squeezed my eyes shut hoping this was still part of a nightmare. The conversation between Dimitri and Abe came crashing through my head. Abe's words suddenly raced through my mind.
"What the hell is going on between you and Rose!" he shouted at Dimitri. "When did this start?" he growled, not waiting for an answer. "You haven't even been here a week! Don't just stand there, I want answers!" he booms.
"Abe, Rose and I... we have a connection. We both felt it the moment we met. I'm not sure how to explain it, but I'm not sure that our relationship is really any of your business. I realize you two are close-"
Abe cut him off. "Close? You don't think it's any of my business!" he shouts angrily. "How dare you-"
"Abe, I don't understand, why are you so worked up? Rose is a grown woman, why are you so concerned about what kind of relationship we have?"
"It doesn't matter the reasons I am concerned. That girl has been my responsibility since she was born! And it sure as hell isn't going to change now!" Abe says with a growl.
I heard the words echoing in my head over and over.
My responsibility since she was born.
My responsibility since she was born.
My responsibility since she was born.
Oh my God! Abe and Jane – or Janine, I suppose – Janine Hathaway – are my parents! My heart was banging in my chest it felt as if it might jump right out of my body and my head throbbed painfully. Dizziness overwhelmed me and I felt like I was going to pass out. Gripping my head in my trembling hands I tried to take some deep breaths.
I had to find out if this was true. I couldn't let it get to me until I know all the facts!
Jumping out of my bed, I raced around the room throwing on clothing. I planned last night to hunt Abe down to find out the meaning of his behavior, but now there is even more reason too. If it's true and he is my father, then that would explain his disconcerting actions. It has been all this time! Years! Why the hell hadn't he told me? He has been in my life for so long, why didn't he say something? Anything?
I ran as fast as I could across the street and up to Abe's room at the Inn. I was about to bang on the door when raised voices stopped me in my tracks. Listening at the door I heard two voices. It was easy to hear Abe's voice; he was irritated by the sounds of it. The other female voice was upset too. I had only heard a little when I realized that it was definitely Janine. Her voice carried through the door as she spoke.
"Abe, please. I left Rose because our life was so hard here without you!" Janine said with an exasperated sigh. "I was only eighteen with a newborn – I tried for five years!"
"I didn't know you were pregnant when I left! I didn't want to leave! I wanted to marry you and stay with you forever!" Abe said angrily. "You know my father forced us to leave. His horse trade took us all the way to the East Coast."
Hearing Abe say that he wouldn't have left me brought tears to my eyes. I leaned my head against the door jam as I closely listened to their stories.
"I couldn't make it on my own. I thought by leaving her with the Dragomir's that I would be giving her a better life!" Janine cried sadly.
"I'm sorry..." Abe paused. "If I had only known you were pregnant, Janine, I would have come back to you immediately," Abe replied with deep regret in his voice. "For Christ's sake, I loved you! I came back as soon as I could. It took me six years to make it back. I was hopping to find you again. I just thought… you might have moved on – not completely disappeared!"
"Why did it take you so long to come back? I waited here, wishing and hoping to see you ride into town one day, but that day never came," Janine's trembling desperate voice rang in my ears.
"It took us months to get there by a covered wagon. When we settled down, my father started building contacts, and finally he got offered a big job for some Arabian Sheik." I heard a creak of a chair as if he had just sat down; he continued to tell her what happened. "This Sheik was collecting horses for some great race across the Arabian Desert. It was our job to scour the lands to find the fastest and best purebred horses around."
Abe had gotten quieter, but I could still hear him through the thin wooden door. I wanted to hear more, I needed to understand why the both of my parents left me. I felt tears slowly trickling down my cheeks as I stood silently there, dejectedly leaning against the door frame. My heart squeezed with pain in my chest every time I felt it beat. My hands shook as I wiped away my tears.
"Janine my family needed the money so desperately and I felt it was my responsibility to help them survive. But things didn't go all that easy. My father and I worked hard traveling across the states, it was long hours and a boat load of work. We spent months herding horses back." A deep sadness seeped into his words.
As I listened through the door, even though it was painful, I started to understand how this happened.
"When I arrived back here, I asked literally everyone where you were. They told me you had a child and had abandoned her to the Dragomir family. I went straight to their home to get answers and when I saw the beautiful little girl, she reminded me so much of you; I vowed to help her, protect, and take care of her. I could only guess that she might be mine."
Now I had a better grip on the situation; it was no wonder he never said anything to me about being my father – he had never known for sure.
"I watched her grow up, how hard she worked after the Dragomir family was slaughtered in cold blood by the Strigoi Indians….. Janine, she is so strong, beautiful, feisty, and kind hearted. I helped her as much as I could. But I couldn't tell her that I might be her father, I could only be a father figure in her life…" he paused and then questioned her bluntly. "Janine, why didn't you ever come back?"
Janine scoffed. "After I left here, I hit rock bottom. I was desperately trying to find any kind of work so I could at least send money back for Rose. One night while traveling, I came across a band of gypsies who took me in. I knew I had talent with the guitar and could sing so I stayed with them doing shows for money. But I realized quickly that I only made barely enough for me to survive and that the life I was living was no place for a little girl."
"I believed that the Dragomir's would care for her and that she would be safe and happy. They were better for her; better role models. I had dreams of her living the high society life that the Dragomir's lived. I thought that one day I would be able to come back to her… I learned through the grape vine that you had returned to St. Vladimir's and vowed that someday I would come home. But time went by so fast."
Silence settled in the little room. I stood there wondering if I should knock or just barge in.
"Janine, its time to stop running," Abe said directly "Stay with me – with Rose." A slight desperation rang in his voice.
I had heard enough, I wanted to confront them. I needed them to tell me to my face that they are my parents. I grabbed the door handle and barged into the room. Both of their heads snapped in my direction and I could see the sadness and shock clearly written on their faces. They were definitely started, but together they both exclaimed, "Rose!"
"It's true!" I demanded angrily. "You are my parents?" I glared at them waiting for a response. Emotions played across their faces as they sat there staring at me for a moment. I looked into their eyes, expecting the conformation. When I looked at Janine she cast her eyes to the floor in shame. But Abe held my gaze and gave a small nod to answer my question.
Without saying another word I turned and ran. I could hear both of them calling after me as I bolted down the steep staircase and out the door into the street. I was crying and breathing hard and my chest ached like someone had just shot me through the heart.
I felt like I wanted to hide in a dark corner and cry my eyes out. I barreled through the doors of my saloon and rushed up the stairs to my room. Slamming the door behind me and flinging myself across my bed, I had barely heard someone call out my name. Curled up into a ball I began to sob.
A few seconds later I felt the warm strong embrace of loving arms wrap around me. He whispered soothing words in my ear as he stroked my hair. I clung to him as the devastating sobs broke from my chest. I couldn't form any type of words to explain as he asked what was wrong.
After some time, my tears began to dry up. Dimitri rocked me back and forth, singing a lullaby in Russian softly into my ear. He stroked my hair and kissed away the tears. Wiping my face with the pad of his thumb, he caressed my cheeks. He told me how much he loves me and said he would be here for me whatever the problem.
Finally I was able to speak and I could only really think one thing. It was the same thing that kept repeating in my head over and over. "Abe and Janine are my parents," I said in a monotone scratchy voice. As if he hadn't heard me I repeated it again and again in a whisper.
"Abe and Janine are my parents."
I was in total shock. Dimitri didn't say anything, he just held me tighter. No more tears came to me, but I couldn't really think, it was as if I was completely numb. Dimitri tried to cheer me up with the donuts he promised me last night, but my stomach was nauseous so even my favorite food didn't appeal to me.
Dimitri had a worried look on his face when I refused donuts. I was trying to pull myself together when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I was dreading who it would be. I didn't think I could face my newly discovered parents. Dimitri felt my tension and rubbed my back saying he would deal with it.
Seconds later he opened the door to Lissa. She took one look at me and rushed to my side. She was holding something in her hands and just flung it on the chair as she raced to me.
"Oh, honey, I know this is going to be a hard day for you, but we all need to say good bye to Mason," She said assuming that I was crying due to the funeral. Well, now that she mentioned it, I felt myself sink further into a depression. It felt like salt on my wounds.
"I'll be okay, Liss," I told her, trying to be reassuring. "As long as I have you, Dimitri, and the rest of my friends with me today, I'll get through it somehow."
Lissa wrapped her arms around me in a big hug and then held me at arms length. "Let's get you ready for the funeral," she said morosely. I nodded in response and climbed off the bed. Dimitri came to me and wrapped his arms around me again. I sank into his embrace and held him tight.
He kissed my forehead and then whispered in my ear. "I love you." It made my heart feel lighter hearing those sweet words. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, taking in his familiar calming scent, and then returning the words to him. Stroking my hair, he leaned back and smiled down at me.
"I'm going to go change for the funeral, too. I'll be back in a few minutes." I nodded again. He leaned in, kissing me slowly and softly on my lips. Looking into my eyes for a moment and lightly caressing my cheek, he promised once again. "I'll be right back."
Letting me go, he gave a quick nod to Lissa and left. I stood there, looking at the door and took another deep breath. I was thinking, how can I miss him already? But I did. Liss stepped in front of me, smiling from ear to ear. I looked at her strangely for a second. "What?"
She laughed and started singing "You are in Lo-ove, you are in lo-ove!" She was doing a little happy dance. I just rolled my eyes at her. I guess this was all new to her. I couldn't help but smile for a few moments.
"Okay, enough with the silly dance; come help me decide what to put on." I shook my head as I watched her bounce around me singing the wedding march. She did get a little smirk out of me. This silly girl.
"Oh, I knew you wouldn't have anything to wear to this, so I took the liberty of raiding your closet at the ranch and brought your little black dress," she announced. She picked up the bag and handed it to me.
"Thank God you did, because I really doubt I have anything suitable here," I replied with relief.
"So, go presto change-o." She made a shooing motion with her hand.
I hurriedly changed into the dress. I had forgotten how pretty of dress it was- it had a high collar with one button at the very top, from the button to the very top of my cleavage the neck line was a cut-out diamond shaped so it showed my skin. The sleeves were long lace, but see through. It was flawlessly fitted in the bodice showing the perfect line of my bust and waist. The skirt stopped just above my knee, and had an inch of lace. I slipped my foot into a dress shoe and stood in front of the vanity.
Lissa came up and stood behind me in the mirror and smiled. "You look lovely Rose. Let's do your hair." She grabbed the chair and sat me down in it. Picking up my brush, she worked through my hair, making it soft and silky in waves. She brought up the sides and pinned it into place with a simple clip at the crown of my head. Using my brush, she touched up her own perfect blonde hair and nodded her head in satisfaction.
"We should go," I said quietly, looking back at her eyes through the mirror. She reached for my hand and we headed out my bedroom door and down the steps. As we stepped into the saloon I found a gathering of people. All of the people whom I held dear were here to support me and say good bye to our loving friend.
A hush fell over the room as our entrance was detected. Dimitri gallantly stepped forward out of the crowd. He had a small sad smile gracing his beautiful face. But his eyes were lit up. He looked so unbelievably handsome. He was dressed all in black with his hair tied perfectly at the nape of his neck.
"Roza, you look amazing," he said breathlessly as he took my hands in his, bringing them to his lips and kissing the back of my hand.
"You look pretty incredible yourself, cowboy," I replied quietly so only he could hear, giving him a flirty wink.
His smile grew bigger and his eyes sparked at me. I couldn't resist rising up on my toes to kiss his soft, luscious lips. He didn't hesitate to return the kiss. Our moment was interrupted by a clearing of a throat. I looked over to see Eddie standing a few feet away.
I gave him a sad smile and stepped in his direction. And with only another small step I wrapped my arms around him in a comforting hug. He held me tight for a few moments. I released him and brought my hands to hold his face. I looked into his eyes. "How are you holding up?" I asked, suddenly I saw the deep sadness in the shadows of his gaze.
"I could ask you the same." He smirked at me. "We'll get through this together Rosie," he added, this time a little more seriously. As he spoke, I noticed that Mia was standing right behind him and she stepped to his side to wrap her arm around him. I noticed a brief moment of happiness flash in his eyes as he put his arm around her shoulders.
I couldn't help the smile that formed, knowing that they had finally found their way together. I reached out and hugged Mia close to me too. "Thank you for taking care of him," I whispered in her ear. She squeezed me tighter in response and when I backed away she gave me a soft smile.
I looked over the crowd of people and my heart thumped in my chest. With tears in my eyes, I said to everyone, "Thank you for coming here to support Eddie and me. Mason was – is," I corrected, my voice breaking slightly, "– and will forever be family to us." I looked around at the sea of saddened faces.
"Seeing all your loving faces warms my heart on this hard day." I paused, knowing that my emotions were on edge and I was barely hanging on to my tears. "Please, let's all go say goodbye to our Mason."
I took Eddie by the hand and with my other hand I reached for Dimitri's. Turning toward the door, I held my head high as I led the funeral procession to the small St. Vladimir church and cemetery. As we stepped onto the street, I had Eddie and Dimitri at either side. Mia held Eddie's other hand. Slowly but surely, we made our way through town; one by one my closest friends joined hands on either side of me.
When I glanced back, I saw that everyone had joined hands - showing each other love and support. Again, my heart squeezed in my chest. Seeing everyone come together like this made me realize how much we needed each other, and more importantly: How short life is, and how it can be cut short by one sharp knife.
Trying to be strong and hold it together, our group continued our solemn march in the direction of the church. As we marched on, we were joined by the entire town's people, everyone clasping hands in a show of solidarity. My heart ached for the loss of my friend, my brother, my Mason, but at this moment it felt so full of love that I knew I would be okay. We would be okay.
As we filed into the little church, my heart broke at the site of Mason laying in his open wooden casket. I could not hold the tears back any longer. Hot tears streamed down my face. I stopped a few feet from him. It tore me up to see his pale white face and his still form positioned so perfectly in the white satin.
A heart wrenching sob broke from my chest as I took the last steps to my Mason. I reached out with a violently shaking hand and touched his cold stiff hand that lay across his chest. I hung my head and cried, silently wishing he would wake up and tell me it was just a cruel joke.
Our life together flashed before my eyes like a silent motion picture. I watched every scene play out, happy that I had so many good memories. It killed me to know I would not get to make any more with him, but I vowed then and there to keep those memories alive in my heart.
Hearing the sobs around me brought me out of my thoughts. Looking around, I saw how many people loved him and I suddenly knew and understood that I would not be alone in keeping his memory alive. Dimitri supported my weight as he led me to a pew. Father Andrew stood at the podium, waiting patiently with a sorrowful smile on his lips for everyone to take a seat.
"Welcome beloved family and friends. It is my humble honor to preside over this service for such a courageous man. We are gathered here today to honor the life of Mason Ashford. He unselfishly gave his life during the rescue of our sweet Jillian, who had been captured by the Strigoi Indians."
"If you will, please join me in a moment of prayer for the deceased."
As I hung my head, silent tears fell on my hands that were folded in my lap. Dimitri held a firm grasp around my shoulders, trying to comfort me.
"We will now hear words from any of you who would like to pay tribute to Mason," Father Andrew said into the silent room.
I watched as several people went to the podium offering up memories of Mason. It was an overwhelming blur of kind words. The one that caught my attention was Jill. She stood there with bloodshot red eyes and a tear stained face. She had to take several deep breathes in order to calm down enough to speak.
"I don't know if I can make it through this… but I want to try…" Jill said with a weak and shaky voice. "Mason never knew this … but to me… he was everything." Her voice cracked "I… I love him…" Several tears streaked down her sad face and she took another shaky breath. "I wanted him to be mine… to love me the way… He … he loved … Rose," Jill admitted, looking up directly into my eyes. I felt a hot flush come to my face and many tears flowing over my cheeks.
Jill opened her mouth to continue, and I could tell this was getting harder and harder for her. "His last words … were for you," Jill added sadly, directing the comment to me. "I should have told him… how - how I felt." She placed a hand over her heart. "But now, it's too late." More tears streamed down her face. "So… I just want, or rather, I wish." She stopped and looked up. "If you truly love some one, tell them. Life is too short to wait." And with those last words of truth, she ran out of the church, sobbing like crazy.
I decided I needed to say something then. It was important to me that everyone knew how much Mason meant to me. What he will always mean to me. I stood up, my knees shaking under me and threatening to buckle under my weight, slowly making my way to the podium. I stood there, collecting my thoughts for a moment and then looked up to the loving eyes of my fiancé.
"I believe our hearts are like puzzles. We have many pieces that throughout our lives we must search to find. Each piece we find helps complete our puzzle. It's complicated because, as you know, each piece has to fit perfectly into its spot. And if you're not careful, you can lose some of your pieces," I said sadly as I described my metaphor.
"If you lose a piece to your puzzle, it's never the same ever again. It can never be complete. Mason was a big piece to my puzzle. He has been in my life as far back as I can remember. He is my brother, as well as my best friend, and I love him deeply. I will always love him no matter how many pieces I find to add to my puzzle. Mason's spot will always be there; filled with the memories of him." Tears were flowing freely down my face now but I didn't care. I needed to get this out.
"He not only gave a piece of himself to me, but to everyone in this room – in this town. He was an extraordinary, kind, loving and wonderful man. His one goal was to make sure that everyone he knew was happy. I have learned that love and life can be ripped away from you in a heartbeat, and we need to cherish every single moment of it.
"We all must carry on. I will live my life in a way that I know Mason would approve. I will honor him by keeping his spot in my puzzled heart alive with his memory, but I will also continue to find my pieces to my puzzle. I will cherish them all and keep them safe."
"I hope everyone here can find the strength to do the same. Live… Love… Cherish…" I looked into Dimitri's sparkling eyes that were full of pride. "I would like to sing the last song Mason helped me write. I want to dedicate it to him." I watched as my guitar was passed in the hands of my friends up to Lissa, who brought it to me. I sat down on the stool on the stage and placed the guitar strap around my neck.
"This is a song called, 'If I die young'. It's the last song he helped me with and this is for him."
If I die young, bury me in satin,
Lay me down on a, bed of roses,
Sink me in the river, at dawn,
Send me away with the words of a love song.
Uh oh, uh oh.
Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother,
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and,
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no.
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby.
The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had, just enough time.
If I die young, bury me in satin.
Lay me down on a, bed of roses.
Sink me in the river, at dawn.
Send me away with the words of a love song.
The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had, just enough time.
Uh oh.
I finished my song and got up. I looked to the faces of the crowd and saw the sadness etched across every person's face. I walked over to Mason's coffin, taking one last look at my friend. I felt my eyes burning as I swallowed the lump that was closing off my throat. Emotion welled up in me as pain stabbed my aching heart.
"Good-bye Mason. I love you," I whispered. I touched his cold hand one last time and then turned, walking away with my guitar in hand.
I returned to my seat and waited for it all to be over. We filed out of the church and stood as Mason's body was lowered into the ground. I placed a single red rose on his casket before I walked away. Dimitri held me close. It's good that he did because I don't know if I could take anything more today.
"Are you going to be okay?" Dimitri whispered in my ear as he hugged me.
"Yeah, it's just been a really hard day," I replied softly. He kissed my forehead and began to lead me away.
I looked around and saw Sonya and Makhail. I was happy to see them together. They came up to us and gave us a quiet greeting. Sonya looked better, a little haunted, but better.
"Hi Sonya, how are you doing?" She smiled a little.
"Better, Rose, thank you," Sonya answered quietly.
"Dimitri, I need to tell you a few things," Makhail spoke up. Dimitri nodded for him to continue. "The Strigoi Indians have moved their village further away from here; which is absolutely great news. But the Dashkov brothers seem to be planning something, so we have been watching their every move. I just wanted you to be aware of this, and I think he will make a move soon."
Dimitri nodded again and said thank you. We said our goodbyes and started to walk again. We passed a glaring Tasha and I briefly wondered where she has been because I hadn't seen her much. Actually, I hadn't seen her at all. But I let it go because I have been too busy to care.
A few people congratulated us on our engagement and I heard a few words of the town gossip. Something about a medicine man and his elixir of life. People seemed to be very hyped up about it. I briefly wondered what that was all about but again, I was far too busy to care.
Finally, I was out of the crowd. I recognized my friends waiting for me. Lissa pulled me into a tight hug and just held me for a long time. It was comforting.
"Rose, this weekend is the carnival, the rodeo, the big horse race and the dance. Are you up for it?" she asked hesitantly.
"I'll be okay, Liss," I told her.
"Are you entering Jez in the race?"
I paused before answering her. "No, I don't think so… Maybe… I mean, I'm not exactly sure. If the race was today I would say no, but maybe I will change my mind." She just gave me a nod and a pat on the back.
"I just need to go lay down for now. I need to rest. I'm exhausted." With that, Dimitri wrapped me up protectively in his arms and we said goodbye.
He stayed quiet as he led me to the saloon and up the stairs. Dimitri helped me get out of my dress and into the bed. He kicked off his shoes and took off his belt and black dress shirt. He slowly climbed into bed, right next to me, and pulled me close.
"Take a nap. I'll be right here. Just remember... I love you."
"Thank you; I love you, too." I closed my eyes and felt like I was drifting.
The next thing I know I'm standing in a beautiful garden filled with the most perfect flowers I had ever seen.
Please Review I need to hear from you guys.