* * *
I was exhausted by the time we got to Jason's house. I wasn't used to human physical and emotional limitations, but Jason on the other hand, still seemed invigorated—perhaps something to do with the venom in the healing potion. We were all surprised to find all my things moved into the quest room, even Jason's mom. On the kitchen table, there was a box filled with school records, medical records, the works, everything I needed to carry on a normal human life. Jason's mom finally got up from the table.
"Goodnight." She paused as a smile spread across her face. "I didn't think I'd ever say that to you again—to either of you."
I got up and stepped into her open arms. "Thank you." I whispered in her ear.
She cried and then eased back. "Bless you. You truly are the embodiment of the word love. I love you, Izzy. Goodnight, kids."
"Mom," Jason called after her as she neared the top of the stairs. "I'm going to take Izzy by the Faulkner place."
"I understand. Drive carefully, and bundle up."
We hurried out to the Rover and headed out the driveway. I was still freezing.
"Did you notice the picture by the fireplace was gone?" I said.
"I did."
"Do you think she knows?"
"Not the truth, but I think she believes you were Isabella Newton's angel and you came back to save me. I think, like the song tonight, she holds you in a place of 'awesome wonder'."
The snow in the field at the base of Lambs Knoll was undisturbed, but Jason crossed the field where the tracks should be and up the side of the mountain. Except for the front porch light, the house was dark.
He pulled to a stop at the base of the snow covered front steps. "Ready?"
"I don't know what I expect to find, they're obviously not here, but—"
"You feel drawn, I know, I feel like I was supposed to bring you here—tonight." He pulled my hand up to his lips and kissed it. "You look exhausted."
"I am. Maybe we should do this tomorrow?"
"No, we're supposed to be here." Jason pushed open his door, ran around to my side, helped me out and then up the steps to the front porch. "Still got your key?"
"I'm not—" I patted the front pocket of my jeans. "Yeah, it's here." I unlocked the front door and Jason followed me inside.
Except for the lack of personal items, the house looked exactly the way it did when I left to go over to Jason's the night of the accident. We glanced around the rooms downstairs and then went upstairs. Not so much as a picture had been left behind—as if no one had ever lived here. We started back toward the stairs from Elizabeth and Benjamin's empty room.
"I don't know what I expected to find, there's nothing here."
"We're missing something." Jason said as we walked down the steps.
"I don't know what?"
Jason led me into the parlor. Except for the furniture, it was void of any personal items like all the other rooms. Jason tugged my hand and started across the room.
"Look, there's two chess pieces on the board."
On the table under the window, moonlight cast a faint shadow across the board, illuminating the outline of two chess pieces in a blue halo.
"The king and queen." I whispered and looked up into Jason's eyes. "Us?"
He didn't respond, but seemed to be mesmerized by the chessboard. "Stay here." he finally said. He walked across the room, flipped off the overhead light and returned to my side. "There, do you see it?"
"See what?"
Jason stooped, pulling me down with him. "Look closely."
There, scrolled in the dust,
We love you, forever.
Elizabeth
We were both crying when we stood. Jason slowly reached toward the table, but I stopped him.
"Don't, I want to leave it like it is." I said.
"Notice the way the 'h' in Elizabeth trails off the front of the table—and the other letters are perfect, like you'd expect."
"Yes."
"I think there's more." He reached out, gently grasped the handle of the drawer and slip it open, bathing the contents in moonlight. A sparkling object lit up the room in tiny facets of blue light. Jason reached into the drawer and withdrew an official looking paper.
"What is it?"
"The deed to this house, it's made out in the names of Mr. Jason Whitaker and Mrs. Isabella Faulkner Whitaker."
"You can't be serious?"
He set the paper on the edge of the table and reached back into the drawer. As he withdrew his hand, the blue sparkles moved with him. "You recognize this?"
"It's Elizabeth's ring."
"And this one?" He withdrew a gold band and set it on the deed.
"Benjamin's."
Jason knelt in front of me, took my left hand gently in his and looked up into my face. "Your parents left these rings so we could fulfill our dream. "Will you marry me?"
"But—yes, yes, of course I'll marry you."
Jason slipped Elizabeth's ring on my finger—naturally a perfect fit—kissed the ring and then my hand. He slowly stood, pulled me tightly against his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around him. We stood silently, two hearts beating as one, from this moment on, until death do us part.
The End
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for spending your valuable time reading my work. I truly hope you enjoyed Till Death Do Us Part, and the entire Southern Exposure Saga. A book review is a great way to let me know if you enjoyed my work.
Thanks again,
Lari
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Coming in 2015
Off the Grid, Book II in the Perpetual Motion Series
Book IV of The Southern Exposure Saga???
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