Ascension

Chapter Forty

A small breeze strolled through my hair. The March breeze wasn't some of the best weather to stay out in, but this woman deserved it. I placed a bouquet of roses down in front of her headstone that was surrounded by all the lives of the loved ones that she once was around.

It had been many days - weeks, since she had saved my life. In those days I found love, respect, and thankfulness. I loved Lucia, there was no denying that. I found respect in her, for the rough times, and all the pain and suffering she had endured. And finally, I felt thankful. I was thankful for her saving my life, giving me the days to breathe that I didn't deserve.

I crouched and rubbed my fingertips across the smooth surface of her headstone.

"Thank you." I whisper. "Thank you for everything. I won't let it be in vain."

"Daniella." I heard him speak. I glanced over my shoulders and wrapped my arms around myself. Gavin shoved his hands in his slack pockets. "We're going to be late, we need to leave. We are meeting a contractor at the office."

"I was just finishing." I smiled and walked towards him, avoiding the large patches of grass here and there. My eyes finally landed on the grave of my father. We finally put him to rest. My mouth fell crooked and I took a deep breath in. "I love you, too." I finally said. "See you again one day, dad."

I kissed the tips of my fingers and touched his headstone, too.

Gavin held out his hand and I intertwined our fingers together. We slipped past everyone quietly as they spent some time alone, and prayed at each grave. Some had conversations with their past loved ones while others were broken down in tears.

Nicolas passed us with a bouquet of flowers in his hand, Lucia's ring hanging on a chain around his neck. He gave us a quick glance with a saccharine smile.

Gavin squeezed my hand as he felt the sadness hit me once again. Every time I saw him, it made my stomach drop. The gentle squeeze was a gesture of reassurance, making the knot slowly fade away. He held my car door open for me and was patient as I slid in.

I still haven't fully recovered. My back was still stiff and sometimes I found it hard to move around, but I made a quick comeback. The scars on my back were rough, though. I remember that first appointment I had to remove the bandages. I must have caused ear damage with my screams that day. It was nearly as painful as the lashings themselves.

Eighty seven lashes. Eighty seven raised lines that forever scarred my back.

Gavin reached for my hand again when he got into his side of the car. "You look stunning by the way."

"Thank you." My fingers played with the soft chiffon material at my legs. Gavin had loved the color blue on me.

The sun shone through the windshield, spring nearly around the corner, and it casted a glow upon his bronzed skin. He was handsome. And mine.

"What kind of contractor are we meeting?" I asked and his lips curled upwards. He had that mischievous look about him.

His thumb brushed the skin upon my knee. "I'm building you a home." I stared at him for several seconds, my mouth parting. He kept glancing back at me, then the road, and back at me again. "Is there a problem with that? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Our home." I repeated and he slowly nodded his head.

"It will be one day, if you'd like. But I want to build you something you love. Build anything you want, Daniella." My cheeks were swallowed in a sea of red. "Build a room with a coffee bar, so you can make your fancy drinks. Build the biggest bathtub you want for yourself. Build anything you desire."