Eternal Echoes

Chapter Twelve: Family Haven

 Michaella woke up later than usual, the effects of the wine she had indulged in the night before lingering in her head. She blinked groggily at the morning light streaming through her window, a reminder that she had a full day ahead. She had a get-together planned for the evening, which meant she needed to dedicate the morning and afternoon to writing.

Groaning, she sat up and glanced at the pillow beside her. There, nestled against the fabric, was the small wooden cross Gabrielle had given her. She had been sleeping with it ever since the day he broke up with her, finding comfort in its presence. She picked it up, holding it tightly for a moment before setting it gently on the bedside table.

She hurried to get ready, pulling on a cozy sweater and a pair of jeans before heading to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as she prepared her morning cup, a much-needed boost to kickstart her writing session. Mug in hand, she made her way to her desk and opened her laptop.

As the screen flickered to life, Michaella's eyes were drawn once again to the cross. Memories of the day Gabrielle had given it to her flooded back, and she knew she needed to write about it. With a deep breath, she placed the cross beside her laptop, her fingers poised over the keyboard.

It was a warm evening, and they had been sitting on the porch of Gabrielle's family cabin, the golden light of the setting sun casting a serene glow over the landscape. Gabrielle had seemed a bit nervous, his fingers fidgeting with something in his pocket. Michaella had watched him with curiosity, sensing that he had something important to say.

Finally, he looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of love and determination. "Michaella, I know we're still young, and we're not ready for proposals or marriage just yet," he began, his voice steady but soft. "But there's something I want you to have."

He pulled a small wooden cross from his pocket, holding it out to her with a reverence that took her breath away. "This cross has helped me overcome a lot of traumas," he continued, his gaze never leaving hers. "I can't sleep without it, and it's been my constant companion through everything. I want you to keep it. It's a dedication from me to you."

Tears welled up in Michaella's eyes as she took the cross from his hand, feeling its weight and the love that it represented. "Gabrielle, this means so much to me," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you."

He smiled, reaching out to gently cup her face in his hand. "I love you, Michaella. And even though we're not ready for the next step yet, I want you to know that you're always in my heart."

She had hugged him then, holding him close as the sun dipped below the horizon, the promise of their love as enduring as the cross she now held.

Back in the present, Michaella blinked away the tears that had formed as she typed, her fingers moving over the keys with a renewed sense of purpose. She glanced down at the cross beside her laptop, its presence a comforting reminder of the love she had shared with Gabrielle, and the strength it had given her.

With one hand holding the cross and the other typing, Michaella continued to write, pouring her heart into the story of their love. She knew that capturing these memories on the page was a way to honour what they had, to keep it alive even as she moved forward with her life. And in that quiet moment, she felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, she would find peace and healing through her words.

Michaella sighed as she sat back down at her desk, her mind still reeling from the argument she had just penned. The emotions were raw, the memory of their fight at the park vivid and tinged with regret. She paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, unsure of how to continue.