They had a wonderful life together for almost half a century. Six months ago, he passed away. He was 88 years old. They had everything everyone dreamed about. After all these years together, she was alone—no more Tim and Lucy; it was just Lucy.
She was sitting on the couch. She was still living in their home. It was strange to be alone now. Someone sat next to her. Lucy smiled at her. It was one of her grandkids. She looks like him—same eyes, same smile. "What's in there, Oma?"" she asked. On Lucy's lap was a box. She smiled again.
L - See Harlow; this box is a lifetime of memories. Memories with Opa mostly. I made it when I got pregnant with your aunt. You know Oma was a police officer? And just in case something happened to me, I made this for the kids.
H - Can we open it?
L - If you want, sweetie.
Lucy opened that box very slowly. There are a lot of pictures, notes, letters, and cards. An amount of love and memories. The first thing Harlow took was a wedding picture.
H - WWhaou Oma, is that you and Opa? You were amazing in that dress! Who are they?
L - Thank you. You see, there was Auntie Angela, Uncle John, Uncle Wesley, and Auntie Nyla. They were our friends at that time. Angela was Opa's best friend. It was a wonderful day.
H- Are they still alive?
L - Angela died one year ago. It's only me now. I'm the last one.
H - Oh, I'm sorry, Oma... Oh, it's Mummy and Opa! She was so tiny in that picture!
They looked into the box for 40 minutes. Harlow asked a question about every picture she found. It was like a treasure for her. It was nice to have her with her this afternoon. It was nice to live these memories again and again.
H - Oma, can I ask you something?
L - Yes, tell me.
H - Was Opa the love of your life?
L - Yes, he was. It was special. I hope, one day, you will find the same love.
H - I miss him...
L - Me too, baby, me too.
She hugged her. Tim was a wonderful father and an amazing grandfather. He loved everyone more than anyone else. Two hours later, Harlow's mom came to pick her up. She stayed a bit with her mom. Her father's death was painful. She was the daddy's girl; he was her hero.
Later that day, Lucy was still looking into that box. She has found a letter; it was his first letter and the only one he wrote to her. He was a nice guy. She hadn't read it for a long time. She took a deep breath and opened it.
"Babe, you're sleeping next to me. We are at the hospital, and our first baby is born. She is fantastic. It's our first creation. We did good, I think. I'm not good at writing letters, but I'm going to try. I will love you, Lucy Chen, soon, Bradford. You know, when I divorced from Isabel, I said to Angela, "I will never marry myself to someone again.". Guess what? You made me change my mind. I can't stop thinking of you in a white dress. What did you do to me, Luce? You softened me. And, to be true, you saved me. I was such a dickhead when I was your TO; I was a mess, and you came into my life like a tornado. I loved that tornado. Thank you. Don't ever forget how much I'm proud of you and how much I love you. You were unexpected; you are now irreplaceable. I will finish this letter with our daughter lying on me. I'm so in love with her right now. We love you, boot."
She smiled when she read "boot.". He never stopped calling her like this, even after their retirement.
What a life they had. It was complicated at the beginning, but then. The feelings—the first kiss, the first date, the messy proposal, the wedding, the kids, the grandkids—work. She made it detective; she did it. He was the proudest husband that day. That day, they learned she was pregnant too. Double surprise. It was not a perfect life. They had fights; they slammed the door more than once. But in every crisis, they found a way to move on.
She missed him so much. He was not only the love of her life but also her best friend. She had no one left to talk to every day. She didn't want to be a burden to her kids. They had their lives, too. Even if she saw them twice a week, she wanted to respect their privacy. As she said to Harlow, she was the last of her friends alive. John was the first to leave them. Angela was the last before Tim. How cruel was the world?
She got up and went to the kitchen. She made herself a cup of tea. She was looking at the picture on the wall. She has a beautiful family. Two wonderful kids, four grandkids. She loved the life she had. Even if he was not here anymore, he was everywhere.
She couldn't stop herself from thinking, "When will I join him?"". And at the same time, she found that reflection selfish because, down there, she still has people who love her so much. But her heart was cut in two parts now. She was there, in that big house full of memories, alone.
Sometimes, when she was outside in her backyard, a white butterfly flew around her. And she couldn't stop smiling because some people said " Their presence is a sign of an angel watching over you ", and she knew it was him, protecting her from up there, always.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
20/05/2024 : Hey everyone, hope you are ok. Short one for today. I have to write a new chapter for my long story (I will be happy to have you opinion on that one too...). I don't know if you will like this one, the old old old Tim & Lucy. I couldn't stop thinking of them as ederly person, i gave that idea a chance! Don't forget to vote, and leave a comment if you want :) thnk you!
