goodbye_sun (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} 100daysofsorrow) wrote,@ 2008-03-03 00:31:00 |
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| Current music: | goodbye_sun=tex perkins/vampirecow-ambitions |
| Entry tags: | 25 - chapter 25 |
Chapter 25
When you come to me, unbidden,
Beckoning me
To long-ago rooms,
Where memories lie.
Offering me, as to a child, an attic,
Gatherings of days too few.
Baubles of stolen kisses.
Trinkets of borrowed loves.
Trunks of secret words,
I CRY.
- Maya Angelou
Warnings/Bonuses: Adult themes. Sappyness. Character death.
Authors note: Just a quick little ramble from me this time. A few of you might be scratching your heads right now wondering what is going on since I only updated a few days ago. Well simply, this is my present to you. One year ago I posted the prologue of 100 Days of Sorrow. It was scary times since it was my first sims story and frankly the first bit of fiction I had written since I was about 12. To my complete and utter astonishment, got some fantastic feedback. And it just kept coming. Now a year on, it seems like the perfect time for me to say thank you to my readers. Absolutely every last single one of you, from the handful who have stuck with me all this time, to the ones who joined in on the way and the ones who have just started reading. This is a labour of love for me, it brings me great joy and that is what makes me keep going, but you guys fuel the fire and for that I cannot thank you enough. Cheers, goodbye_sun Brevard Medical Centre, Brevard. May 20, 2000. 10:22 pm  Lillian’s hands moved swiftly, pressing her finger to her lips and then gesturing to the chair that cradled Katia in a fitful slumber. She mouthed a quick set of instructions and watched as Daniel scooped the girl in his arms and moved her to the nearby vacant bed. He whispered a few words to the young woman and lightly kissed her on her cheek before taking over the chair she had been in.  He let himself glance at her for a few seconds before he was forced to look away. His mouth was heavy with the sour taste the death that was encroaching on her. It made his muscles contract in protest. Daniel let his mouth fall open, but he was unable to force out the words he wanted to say to her. There were just too many things that still needed to be said, but the act of voicing them would only make him face the finality of the situation.  He looked everywhere in the room except at Lillian, eventually his eyes landed on the reflection of Katia in one of the rooms televisions, “She is not all that much different than when I brought her to you.” Her voice rattled and crackled through short breaths, “Don’t underestimate her. She has enough inner strength and determination to compete with you.” “And the other one?” “Sophie? Well she is headstrong and a bit reckless. But she is still young, I think she will calm down some in a few years. I keep hoping she will take after her sister some.” “You should not be so surprised that they are so dissimilar. And do not wish away those traits, that bravado will serve her well in the years to come.”  “I hope checking up on them is not the only reason why you are here?” He dragged the toe of his boot slowly across the floor tiles, “I think you know better than that. I have come to say goodbye to my very dear friend, something I wish did not have to do.” “Daniel?” “Hmmm?” “I don’t regret saying no.” He knew what she had said was meant to reassure him, but they stung just the same. He mustered a reply, “I regret that I was not enough for you to say yes.” He flicked his eyes up to gauge her reaction.  Shaking her head, “Don’t ever think that.” Lillian reached out for him, “It was the right thing for me to do, and I have had a good life. I married a good man and I raised a daughter and two other wonderful girls. I have grandchildren. It was enough for me.” Daniel let himself be drawn to holding her hand; age had made her skin thin and dry but the warmth still lingered, “Did you love him?” “Of course I did. Did you want me to tell you I loved you more? Please don’t force me to say something like that, don’t make my life less than it was.”  Lillian gripped his hand as firmly as she could before she continued, “Daniel, I gave you up so that I could have a life, just a normal life, but I thought about you every single day. You have been part of my life even without being with me. I have never been able to stop loving you.” “Stay with me then.” “What would you do with me now? I’m an old lady.” Daniel caressed her face, “You are still Lillian. My Lily. You cannot leave me, I still need you.”  “Stop. Stop thinking that I am the only one who could ever be in your life.” He eased himself gently into the bed beside her, “You are the only one I will ever want. Once you are gone I only have room for desiring one thing. When Oliva is dead, then maybe I can think about other things.” “I worry that by the time she is dead you will be too.” He shrugged, “Then I will die with having gotten everything I ever wanted. Just like you.”  She ran her hand along his arm and gave it a concerned squeeze, “You deserve more, you are a good man.” “No, I am a very bad man, who for a very short time found a woman who saw a glimmer of good in me.” “Isobel saw it too.” He grimaced, “Isobel saw goodness in everyone, and it ended very badly for her.” The sound of Katia stirring made them both pause. Lilian fought back her tears, “You need to go.” Daniel slid quietly off the bed and whispered, “Are you certain Lily?” When she nodded he blew her a kiss and left as quickly as he could manage.  Katia sluggishly rounded the curtain dividing the room, “Aunt Lil, I thought I heard something. Were you talking to someone? And how did I end up in that bed?” “I had a nice intern move you there, you looked so uncomfortable in that chair.” She move a had up to her face, “I think he kissed my cheek.” “He must have taken a shine to you.” “It was weird. There something odd about him, he was so…ummm” “Handsome?” “No. I don’t know, just different.”  The door swung open bringing with it Sophie and three other familiar faces, Lilian’s daughter Ashley and grandchildren Chloe and Ben. Katia admonished them, “How long does it take for you all to get a drink in the cafe?” Sophie piped up, “Ben was being a nutjob as usual and…” “Quiet.” Ashley cut in, “Mum? Mum are you ok?” “Aunt Lil?” whispered Katia. Neither received a reply.  |
