A Survivor's Tale

Engaged

Lara stood beside a pier, a smile on her lips, a bright light in her eyes, and a warmth in her heart. Her eyes lay upon the golden horizon as it slowly fades to a golden bronze as the sun slowly falls just beyond.

"So, this is where I find you, sulking at the pier," Came the disdainful tone of Atlas De Mornay.

Lara rolled her eyes as she slowly stood up. "Hello, dear uncle."

"And there goes my happy evening."

Atlas sighed. "I hear you've gotten engaged. To an American no less." He looked down at his fingers, rubbing them together as if he were trying to remove dirt from his fingertips.

Lara raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"I belive it to be unwise. There are plenty of bachelors here at home. Surely there is someone here that you might find homelier than this vagabond from one of the old colonies."

"That vagabond that you deplore such has always been loyal and unlike many of those here, kind and restrained. Unlike those that came before, he's not tried to lay a hand on me once."

Atlas stiffened, flexing his wrist behind his back. "Not what I meant, Lara. And you know it."

"I know what you meant, and I don't care," Lara replied, her voice laced with venom.

Atlas hmph'd and shook his head. "You are just like your parents. Just like your father."

Lara turned to her uncle, noticing the venom in his voice. "Is that so?"

"Yes. Your drive reminds me all too much of his own. Your bright mind, your mother's, of course."

"And if I choose the man I love instead?" Lara asked, giving her uncle a glare.

"Your determination is admirable, Lara. You remind me of Amelia in that regard, but to answer your question. If you choose to marry this man, I know all too well now that I could lose you too. I already lost your mother, and you your father. I can only...wish you a joyful marriage."

To say that she was surprised would be an understatement.

"I've made mistakes and I've felt the great cost of each them. I hope you can forgive me for my actions in the past. I know it will likely take time, but...I've come to see that holding old grudges cause broken rifts."

The young Croft watched her uncle leave, his hands trembling behind his back. She wondered what had crawled into his mind and talk some sense into him. When her phone rang, she pulled it out to see a text from her friend, Sam. Curious, she read it aloud.

"So, saw your new status on Facebook. Need help with finding a dress?"

With a smile, she turns to see her best friend, a playful smirk etched across her lips. Lara was giddy like a child getting a new toy from their parent, something she'd not felt in years.

"Come on. I know a place."

Lara felt her heart skip a beat. Looking back at the picture in her hands, she smiled.

If only you could have met him, dad.