A/N: Happy New Year!
Hugging Evelyn close, Cal felt a greater sense of relief than any he'd ever known. For fifty-two horrifying minutes, a part of him had been missing. To hold her in his arms and know that she was safe, he was once again made whole by Evelyn's return. With her little face between his hands, he pressed a firm kiss on her forehead and looked up as a lingering figure stepped into view. This must have been the person who found Evelyn and escorted her home. They deserved a reward for their charitable act and Cal would gladly pay-
Rose.
Her almond eyes, her round face, her full parted lips. Bathed in the golden light of sunset and illuminated in undeniable perfection, she stood before him like an angel descended from heaven. Had his dreams followed him into the waking world? Or was this a hallucination conjured by his panic and sudden relief?
"Papa, you're not listening."
"What's that, Sweetheart?" Cal asked, his gaze pulled from the mirage by his daughter's voice.
"I said, and then Miss Rose got us tickets for the little train."
"Rose," Cal breathed her name like a prayer he didn't understand. Seeking her visage, he looked again only to find the sidewalk empty and void of her presence. Cal shot to his feet and strode quickly down the pavement, his head on a swivel as he searched this way and that for any glimpse of the phantom. His heart was racing in his chest and he wanted to call out for her, but a lump in this throat stifled his voice. He didn't dare shout her name. It couldn't be true. This was just grief, the fear of losing Eveyln making him think that he saw two lost souls instead of one. But she'd called her 'Miss Rose,' or had he imagined that too…
Running a shaking hand through his hair, Cal returned to his daughter and lifted her up. "Evelyn, what name did you say just then? The person who bought the tickets."
"Rose." She responded confidently. "Like the flower. But she couldn't guess my name."
Cal missed seeing her proud little smile for his eyes were still scanning the streets.
"Well, it seems everything is as it should be," the lead officer said brightly. "As I said, Sir, these situations usually sort themselves out. Will there be anything else, Mr. Hockley?"
"What? Oh, no -thank you officer. That'll be all." Cal said absentmindedly, realizing the police were still here. The man tipped his hat before entering the vehicle with his men. Evelyn wrapped her arms around Cal's neck and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug, but his confused gaze continued to wander. It couldn't be. Could it? No. It couldn't be her.
"She's back! Mother! Mother! Evelyn's back! They found her!" Albert's voice called out excitedly, drawing Cal's attention to where his nephew stood at the top of the steps. A wave of family and staff poured from the entrance as Cora and Ms. Barker and a handful of maids clamored around him, all of them reaching for Evelyn, petting her hair and showering her in kisses. Surrounded by such a joyful reunion, Cal's own sense of relief returned and shifting her weight in his arms he gave his daughter a smile.
"Let's get you inside, little one. I want to hear all about your adventure."
Light shone from every window, lively music electrified the night, and all throughout the house there was a rumble of mirth, laughter and entertainment. In a dark room upstairs, Cal stood by the window, his gaze locked on the street below, watching -hoping- for another glimpse of Rose's ghost.
The door opened, letting the glow from the party intruded on his solitude.
"Cal. You have to come downstairs. You're missing all the fun."
Cal listened to the sound of Cora's heels as she crossed the carpet, feeling her hand on his arm a moment later. "I changed my mind, Cora. I'm not in the mood."
"It's okay if you're still feeling rattled from Evelyn's…excursion today. But she's back now and everything's fine."
"Fine? Cora, you need to fire that woman. Any Nanny who would be that careless has no right watching my child. This never would have happened under Ms. Kruger's watch."
She sighed, "Alright. I'll post for a replacement. Now will you come down?"
Cal didn't answer, just kept staring at the empty street. Turning to get a better look at her brother, Cora studied his face in the lamplight.
Concern clouded her gaze. "Cal, what's wrong? I haven't seen you like this since-"
"Rose." He said seriously, his eyes jumping to hers. "She's alive, Cora. I saw her."
"What?" Cora breathed. "When? Where?"
"This afternoon. She's the one who found Evelyn and brought her back."
"No… Cal that's not possible. I'm sure it was just someone who reminded you of Rose."
He smiled darkly as he shook his head, "I'm certain of it. Her face is burned into my memory, and I saw that exact face ten feet from me today, alive and fucking well."
"Cal," Cora scolded. "Show some respect for the dead."
"She's not dead. I don't know how, but she clearly survived and has been living in hiding, here in the city." His dark eyes returned to the window as he continued, speaking more to himself than his worried companion. "And isn't it just like her not to stay hidden but wander back into my life, to humiliate me and drive me insane wondering if I imagined it… But I didn't imagine it. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."
A knot of anxiety was twisting in Cora's stomach. She wanted to believe him, but the idea was so hard to accept when all other options seemed more likely. This was shock and grief, not a conspiracy, Cora thought as she realized, sadly, that her bother wasn't as ready to move on as she had hoped. The sudden fear that perhaps this relapse was partially her fault, loomed up around her. Maybe she had pushed him too hard too quickly. Steeling her nerves, Cora opted for a compassionate approach. Conflict is not what Cal needed right now.
"So, what are you going to do about it?" She asked calmly.
Cal cast a quick glance at his sister before bringing his glass to his lips and taking a drink. "I've already called Mr. Chase. If Rose is in the city, he'll find her."
"To what purpose, Cal?"
He could hear the sorrow and concern in her voice, but the question still riled his temper. It wasn't that he was angry with Cora, it was the question itself, the same beast he'd been wrestling with all evening. Pivoting to face her straight on, he spoke deliberately, "Because I have a right to know if the woman I've been mourning for the last four months has been making a mockery of my suffering by being alive."
Cora blinked, swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded solemnly, averting her gaze. "If…you'd like me to send up a tray for you, I can."
Cal closed his eyes, letting out a long breath as he rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm sorry. You've put a lot of effort into this event and I'm ruining it for you."
"No, you're not, well… maybe a little." She teased weakly, and gave him a small smile. "But it's alright. What would a Hockley party be without family drama?"
"God," He gave an ironic chuckle, "Please don't make me feel like Father. That comparison might kill me where I stand."
Cora laughed too and gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. "I won't. And you're not nearly that bad. This is only the first party you've ruined. You've got years of catching up before you'll be like him."
Cal gave Cora a sad smile before wordlessly pulling her into a hug. They stayed like that until the tension of Cal's outburst faded from the room. Still holding her close he said, "I won't let this consume me, I give you my word. I just need to confront her and get some answers so I can move on. By the time we're back in Pittsburgh, she'll be out of our lives for good."
