Ryan Hudson was euphoric. Oh, sure, he knew it wasn't a good idea. It was a terrible idea, even. But ever since he'd heard about the possibility. He couldn't stop thinking about it. There was a good chance things could go wrong, after all, this was Horseshoe Bay. But he couldn't pass it up.
So he found the relic Bess was looking for and went to see her. Only she could help him. He hoped she would.
-Would you call Nancy? She'd probably want to be here. Bess had asked him.
- I don't want her to feel obliged to do anything. he'd replied.
And he meant it. This was a chance for him to say good-bye, to leave regrets behind. But he didn't want to impose that on his daughter.
- Do you realize what's going to happen? For 24 hours, Lucy will return in the flesh, and then she'll go back to the spirit world.
-I know, Bess. That's all I ask, 24 hours with the woman I loved as a teenager and still love years later.
Bess sighed; she wasn't convinced that she should keep it a secret from all, she was her mother, and she'd never had a chance to get to know her other than through a ghost that haunted knew what she had to do: she would bring Lucy back and warn would be up to her to decide whether she wanted to see her or not.
She still had a day to perform the had scoured all the historical foundation books that spoke of this once-in-a-century unique day when only two soul mates separated too soon could reunite.
Love one last time.
The day of the ritual arrived very quickly. Ryan had arrived at the historic foundation first thing in the morning. He was excited, anxious. Bess asked him one last time if he was sure. Ryan was more sure than ever. Once everything was in place. Bess began, lighting the candles and reciting the spell. Ryan stared at the circle drawn by the salt. He waited, hoped, impatient. Then, little by little, a swirl of smoke rose up. Slowly, a body took shape, long blond hair, hazel eyes, then she appeared in full. Lucy was there. Smiling. Ryan held out his hand to lead her out of the circle.
- Lucy. he murmured, tenderly caressing her cheek.
She smiled at him, then her gaze lingered on Bess and the rest of the room. The question was silent, but Ryan understood right away.
- I preferred not to tell her. I didn't want her to feel obliged to be there.
Lucy was a little disappointed, she would have loved to see her. She hugged her again, the one and only time she'd ever hugged a tiny baby.
Bess slipped away and left them to find each other. She grabbed her cell phone and texted Nancy. "Come home. Right away. "She hoped it would be enough to bring her back. Ryan and Lucy were snogging when she came back into the room.
- MhMh, uh, are you planning to stay here for 24 hours?
Ryan smiled, "No, I'm going to show Lucy everything that's changed in town. And we're going to spend some time just the two of us. "
Lucy beamed, her head resting against Ryan's chest and her hand gripping his arm. She looked as if she didn't want to let go. As if she feared he would disappear. When the reality was that he was the one who would be leaving in a day. Bess gave Lucy some more up-to-date clothes. And she and Ryan left, hand in hand, a big smile on their lips.
Meanwhile, Nancy was in her car, driving slightly above the speed limit. After Bess's message, she had quickly packed her bags and hit the road. She didn't know what was going on, but she had a strange feeling. Fortunately, she wasn't far from Horseshoe Bay. It took her just 3 hours to get there. Immediately, she went to the historical foundation, certain that Bess was there.
She found her putting away candles and other ritual objects.
- What happened here? Nancy asked, her voice cracking.
Bess wriggled her hands, tucked back a lock of her dark hair and plucked up courage.
- Ryan and I... brought Lucy back.
- I'm sorry. Her voice was a mixture of anger and disbelief. Explain.
- Ryan discovered a kind of door. Once a century it's possible to bring a flesh-and-blood dead person back into the real world. It only lasts 24 hours. When Ryan found out it was today, he came to me for help with the ritual.
- And why didn't he tell me? She didn't understand.
Bess shrugged. "I guess he didn't want you to feel obligated to come."
- But she's my mother. I had a right to know.
- I know, and that's why I called you.
Nancy ran a hand through her red hair. "And where are they now?"
- Ryan wanted to show Lucy around town and then take her home.
Nancy let out a bitter laugh, Ryan had brought Lucy back and he'd immediately thought of staying alone with her and doing God knows what. Just thinking about it made her nauseous, she really didn't want to imagine her parents doing grown-up things.
- Okay. Tell Ryan I'm coming. I don't want to find them in bed.
She gathered up her things and got out. Once in the car, she took a deep breath before leaving. She knew she'd find Ryan at the Hudson family home; he'd finally picked her up.
The journey was shorter than she'd hoped. She didn't know if she was really ready to see Lucy in the flesh, but she was sure she'd regret it if she didn't take advantage of this unique opportunity.
Ryan almost missed Bess's message. No sooner had he read it than he informed Lucy of their daughter's arrival. They hurried to get dressed. Lucy was anxious. She began pacing up and down in the large living room. The doorbell pulled her out of her thoughts. Ryan opened the door and Nancy burst into the house. She'd upset.
- You. she said, pointing at Ryan. We'll have to talk later.
She was about to add something when her gaze fell on Lucy. She was staring at her. Lucy moved forward slowly, not wanting to frighten her. She stopped in front of her daughter, raised her hand and, seeing that Nancy wasn't backing away, gently caressed her cheek. A tear rolled down Nancy's cheek. Overcome by emotion.
- Hi. Nancy whispered. She wasn't sure what to say. It was surreal.
- Thank you for burying my bones in the forest. Lucy had her gaze fixed on the compass hanging from Nancy's collar, she brushed it gently and smiled.
- I wanted to have something of yours. said Nancy, placing her hand on her mother's.
Ryan stood a little to one side. He was happy to see the two women in his life reunited. He'd imagined so many times what it would have been like to raise Nancy with Lucy. He cleared his throat.
- I'll get something to eat and leave you two alone.
He grabbed his car keys, stealthily kissed Lucy - how he'd missed that - and walked out.
Lucy wanted to know everything about her daughter's life, but she didn't know how to ask her. Nancy wanted to know what Lucy had been like before, but didn't know where to start. Her first question was harder than she'd intended.
- Why did you jump? Was it because of me?
- No, darling, of course not. She said as she approached the young woman to take her in her arms, stopping only a few centimetres away. She placed her hands on the young woman's arms and looked straight into her eyes. I was terrified of what the Hudsons would do to you. And I didn't know how to protect you. I couldn't see any way out. I couldn't stand their interference. So jumping seemed the only possible solution. I'm sorry I left you. But I love you, Nancy.
- Is that why you've been haunting me?
- I wanted you to find out the truth. And it was also a way for me to be there for you. It wasn't the best way and I'm sorry.
- No, it wasn't. You haunted me for weeks, it was scary. Nancy spat.
Lucy stepped back and sat down on the white sofa.
- I'm sorry, I should have done better. she said, fidgeting with her hands.
That's when Nancy realized that Lucy was really just a scared kid who'd made a decision based on fear. She was upset that Carson and Kate had lied to her all her life, and that Lucy was dead. But she couldn't blame him for getting her to safety before taking the plunge.
- Thank you. Lucy raised her head as she heard her daughter's words. Thank you for protecting me. I had a happy childhood thanks to Carson and Kate.
Lucy simply nodded. Nancy came to sit beside her and took her hand. She was warm, so different from Dead Lucy. And then, a few minutes later, the conversation came naturally. Lucy asked Nancy tons of questions about her childhood, even though she'd stayed close to her since her return to Horseshoe Bay. In a way, she'd lived it with her. She wanted to know what her relationship with Ryan was like. And was relieved to learn that the Hudsons were out of the picture. As for Nancy, she asked Lucy to tell her about parts of her life, what she loved, and wanted to know how her mother could have fallen in love with Ryan. Lucy explained that he was very different from the other members of her family. He wasn't perfect, of course, and the fact that he hadn't told Nancy about his plans to bring Lucy home proved it.
That's how Ryan found them, when he returned with several liters of ice cream. Nancy and Lucy's favorites.
- Looks like it's going well. he said, setting spoons down beside the tubs of ice cream.
The two young women - it was strange for him to think that technically Lucy was younger than his daughter - were quick to start eating.
- Mmh, you remembered my favorite flavor of ice cream. Lucy said with a big smile for Ryan.
- I remember a lot of things about you, Luce.
- It's a bit strange, though. Seeing you two here. You look really old by comparison. Ria Nancy at Ryan's expense.
The family laughed heartily. It was a day that would stay with them forever. Nancy decided she absolutely had to keep a record of it, so she took several snapshots of them. She wasn't sure whether Lucy would show up again after she left, but she hoped so.
The 24 hours passed far too quickly. Unfortunately, it was already time to say goodbye. Bess had told them that Lucy didn't have to return to the foundation to go back to the realm of the dead. So she asked Ryan and Nancy to take her to the forest. She wanted to go somewhere she loved, with the people she loved.
The car ride was painful; Nancy and Lucy were both in the back seat, their hands entwined. Nancy wasn't ready to say good-bye. She wanted more time, more moments, more memories. But she was already happy to have had these brief moments. Ryan felt tears welling up in his eyes. He didn't want to let her go either. But that was the deal, 24 hours only.
He parked the car near the entrance. Slowly they made their way to where Lucy's bones were buried.
- Thanks for the ride. For bringing me back, for loving me and for protecting our daughter. Lucy said, hugging Ryan tightly.
- Thank you for giving me the greatest gift of all. Ryan added, looking at Nancy. He kissed the woman he loved one last time and let her go to their daughter.
- My darling, I'm so proud of you and the young woman you've become. I know I didn't have much to do with it, but I want you to know that I love you and will always watch over you. In every breath of wind you feel, in every wave, in every spray you smell.
Nancy began to cry. She took Lucy in her arms and cradled her head in her mother's neck.
- I love you, Mom.
Lucy began to cry too, moved to hear her daughter call her that, something she'd never believed possible, had never even hoped for.
The hour arrived, and as they all hugged each other for the last time, Lucy left, tears on her cheeks but a big smile on her face.
Nancy sniffed and wiped her cheeks. Ryan ran a hand over her face.
- Why didn't you tell me? She finally asked the question that had been gnawing at him all day.
Ryan huffed. I didn't know if you'd want to know." Nancy seemed surprised by his words, Ryan continued. "You've never asked me much about Lucy." And Nancy understood. Ever since she'd learned the truth about her origins, she'd grown closer to Ryan, because he was alive and it was easier. But for Lucy it was difficult, Nancy felt a loyalty to Kate, and she was afraid of doing something wrong by wanting to know Lucy. And yet that wasn't what had happened today. She loved them both. Kate had raised her and Lucy had given her life. They were both her mothers, and she promised herself she would never forget that. To come and put flowers on their graves every birthday, every Mother's Day. To never forget them and to love them. She turned to Ryan and thanked him for this day. He took her in his arms and they held each other for a moment.