The Day We Met (Alastor x OC)

Chapter 1

Juliette

I never expected my return home to be so...bleak.

Faces were familiar, and so were the sights, but a sour taste still lingered at the back of my throat.

My husband was no more...no longer here for me, to provide... to house, and hold me...

Never did I think it would be possible for me to feel so utterly hopeless and alone in a place so familiar.

The sound of heels clicking against wood broke my melancholic thought process as I ascended the stairs to my childhood home.

Returning to the people who lovingly transferred me to my groom, sending me off with hopes of a happy future and bundles of grandchildren.

My lip wobbled but I remained straight faced as the door opened with a creak, no knock necessary, and revealed the sullen face of my dear mother.

"Oh, my poor dear..."

Those were the only words she spoke before folding me into a warm embrace, holding me tight as I crumpled like damp parchment.

Sobs escaped my body and I trembled in my mother's grasp, gasping in agony at the final damning realization of what was... what is.

Together we sank, kneeling on the porch, and she held me tight to her just as she did when I was small. Hushing me softly, she spoke sweet reassurances into my ear, though hollow as they were.

There was nothing reassuring about this. I'm not even sure I can bear it.

~*~

Settling back into the at-home routine was easy. My parents did well to distract and entertain me...well... they tried their best, at least.

My mother spent afternoons sharpening up my sewing and needling skills, while my father told me stories that I loved as a child.

The comfort of home did well to chase away the dark demon of loneliness, but the hollow place where love used to reside still remained.

Night time has fallen again, and I'm ready to lay down and wake up to the same routine once more.

Then, a knock on my door.

"Come in."

My father enters very slowly. He is a large man with defined features and thick hair. Stern and tough, with calloused hands and suntanned skin.

But, I'm his flower. His only child, and his baby girl. I can't recall a single time when he even dared reprimand me, he left that task to my mother because one look in my eyes and I could have whatever I pleased.

"Hello, daddy. Do you need something?"

He sat on my bed next to me, looking down at me with a gentle look I only ever really saw when he looked at me or mama.

"You're facing a hardship I wish I could alleviate you of, my flower... and I've seen the way it has dwindled the light from your eyes..."

He sighed, and reached over to gently hold my hand.

"Your mother and I have been discussing about the possibility of you getting a job... something small in town, to interact with people and keep yourself busy... it's been a few weeks now, and grief is a long process, however..."

I stopped him by giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. Daddy was never good at talks like these.

Nodding in understanding, I placed my other hand over his that held mine.

"I know, daddy, and I will. Perhaps you and mama are right. Tomorrow morning, I'll head to town and see if Ms. Melinda needs a hand at her diner..."

Relief washed through my father's features and he gave me a rare smile, before giving my hand a final squeeze as he pushed himself back up off my bed.

"Good dear... I'll escort you tomorrow when the sun rises."

After a final goodnight, he left my room and I resumed my previous plan to retire for the night.

~*~

Just as promised, first thing tomorrow morning I was escorted into town by my father, dressed in a clean, pressed dress and freshly shined shoes.

My mother had insisted on fixing up my hair as well.

After safely transporting me to my destination, my father gave me one last affectionate hair pat for good luck.

"You'll do great, flower... I will return in a few hours to bring you home."

With a smile on my lips, I nodded.

And then I was alone.

The smile melted into a sullen frown, and I turned to enter the diner. It was empty and quiet aside from the sound of a radio playing soft music.

A bell chimed when I entered and a woman with curly brown hair and a plump form quickly came trotting up to the front.

"Hello- oh! Oh, my goodness me, Julie?"

Ms. Melinda was a round, bright eyed woman with a motherly warm aura. She smelled like warm, fresh bread and vanilla, and always had a smile on her face.

"Good morning, Ms-"

My greeting was cut off by a strong hug from the woman, which I returned.

"My lovely, you look so pale! Come, come back with me and we'll get you fed. Thin as a rail, you are, tsk tsk!"

I knew I didn't really have much of a choice as she dragged me back by the wrist and sat me at a table before presenting me with a meal fit for a horse out of seemingly nowhere.

As I picked at my food, she prepared the diner for when customers would begin to arrive.

She hadn't mentioned anything about my return. Everyone probably was aware of why I'd come home... it was a small town, and word travels fast.

I was thankful she didn't bring it up.

"What brings you in, dear?"

My head whipped up at her query and, although unladylike, I shrugged my shoulders.

"Daddy says he thinks it best I get a job... I came to ask-"

"Oh don't you even finish speakin', my love. Of course you can have a job here! You're always welcome..."

She walked over and ran a gentle hand down my head and smiled at me.

That had been much easier than I figured it would be, but then again I chose Ms. Melinda for a reason.

Now, hopefully the world of employment is what I need...