Hopelessly Devoted {ManxMan} [Book II]

Chapter 14

B A S I L E

Zachary was torn to pieces, his dad had died right in front of him, he couldn't stop crying when he came out to tell his sister and mother. But he was very strong until they ran into the house.

He hadn't smiled since the day he showed me around, but I won't deny Zach his time to grieve.

His father's funeral was four days after his death, but Zachary said he didn't want to go, "Funerals are for the living, not the dead. It's not gonna do shit, but remind me that he's gone and never coming back." He cried and held on tight to me.

His mother tried persuading him, "He would have wanted you to go."

"Bullshit," He protested, "Dad hated faunerals and you know it."

She gave up soon after that.

As Aspen and Sarah went to the funeral I stayed home with Zachary.

They hadn't cleaned out the room since he passed away, but Zachary had this new found strength and decided that today was the day to clean it out.

He asked me to help him and did.

He went through his bedside table and found papers, pictures and drawings. He also found photo albums and sealed envelopes.

There were three letters addressed to Aspen, three addressed to Zach and one very thick one left for Sarah.

Aspen and Zach's had the same titles on the envelope: I Love You, Wedding Day, First Child.

Sarah's just had her name in his beautiful penmanship.

Zach opened the first one and silently cried as he read.

He looked up at me and smiled, "My dad always had a way with words." And then he was smiling, laughing and crying all at once.

I never asked what was in the letter, but whatever it was, I was just happy it made him smile.

After he saved the letters and finished cleaning out the room we went down stairs and Zachary made breakfast. He made me coffee as he cooked everything else. I offered to help but he turned me down.

Once the food was done, he made us plates and brought them to the table. We ate in a comfortable silence.

After our food was gone Zachary looked at me, "Will you play for me?"

I nodded, "Of course."

As I walked over to the piano, Zachary ran up stairs and got something.

He came back down with his schetchbook and pencils. He sat down at the chair closest to the piano and began to draw as I played.

Between songs I asked, "What are you drawing?"

"You'll see." He smiled.

I turned back and continued to play. A few songs later he sat in my lap and showed me what he had been drawing.

It was a single rose laying on a gravel road, the detail in the drawing was just as good as anything else he would draw, the shading made it look real.

"What made you think of this?" I asked.

"It just came to me, and your music always keeps me focused when I draw, even if I just play it in my head." He smiled.

I kissed him then. It had been awhile since we had kissed.

We pulled away smiling, "I've missed that."

"Me too." I smiled.

I continued to play as Zachary sat on my lap and held on to me.

Sarah and Aspen eventually returned with red rimmed eyes. Zachary had fallen asleep in my arms. I stopped as they walked in and Sarah shook her head, "Please, keep playing." She managed a smile and sat down in the living room, soaking up my music.

Aspen came down in comfortable clothes and did the same.

After I finished the soft song I was playing I turned to them, careful not to disturb Zach.

"He left letters for you. Zachary decided to go through his room while you were away and he found three lettered addressed to him and for you, Aspen, all having different titles, which I assume tells you when to read them. And one very thick one for you, Sarah. Zachary brought them in here, they should be in the drawers of the coffee table."

Sarah slowly opened the drawer and pulled out the letters, she handed the three to Aspen and opened the thicker one herself, "Thank you for telling us." She offered a smile and read the letter.

I didn't stay long enough to see their reactions, it felt like I personal moment I had no right to intrude on. So I carried Zachary to his room.

After I laid him on his bed I was about to walk about downstairs to get a drink but Zachary grabbed my hand, "Stay." He said in his scratchy morning voice that he got when he took long naps or just woke up.

"Okay, my love." I kissed his forehead and got under the covers with him as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on my chest.

I soon fell asleep aswell.

Okay, so I have an announcement, if you would even call it that. Anyway, Basile and Zachary are going to have a cameo in my story City Boy Rehab. Because one of the main character's mom is Zachary's sister, Aspen.

It should be published soon, so you should go check it out.

P.S. The cameo takes place in the future so, if you do decide you want to check it out, be warned it is Basile and Zachary in the future so yeah... they have children.

Love you guys!

~Beatrice