Time Again

Chapter 25: The Beginning

Chapter 25: The Beginning

"It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight."

Vladimir Nabokov

Adelle

Twin tears rolled down my cheeks as twin caskets lowered into the earth.

    I drew in a wet breath and turned my gaze to the blue sky. A gripping sorrow held my heart but I knew that, with time, it would loosen and no longer hold on. Wes curled his arm around my shoulders and held me close to his body, he knew the pain of losing parents and he knew that no words could alleviate any of the hurt.

    My grandfather finished his beautiful eulogy and rubbed his hand over each eye, ridding them of tears. It was my turn now. Wes squeezed my hand then let go as I made my way to the head of each grave. I sniffed then began.

"My parents were the type of people to always help and to always be there when you needed them. They devoted their lives to raising me even though I wasn't biologically there's. I couldn't have asked for better parents. They taught me to be strong and they taught me to take pride in family, something I will forever be grateful for. They didn't die in vain. They died protecting me and protecting the Time Travellers. They will be immortalized within each of us and will never be forgotten. They touched the lives of so many and it is an honor to be their daughter." I finished with a small smile and more than a few tears.

I stooped and picked up a fistful of soil in each hand. Reaching out my hands, new tears welled from my eyes and spilled down my cheeks. My hands shook, I didn't want to let go of the dirt, but slowly I let it funnel from my fingers. It fell silently onto the caskets and I stepped back to let others say their farewells.

Wes came up behind me and pulled me into his arms and held me. I sniffed but no more tears fell. It was over and I had my closure, no more dwelling on the past.

"Ready?" Wes asked.

I nodded and we walked away from the mourners and to the car. Wes opened my door and I climbed inside, finding comfort and nostalgia in the Camero. Wes started the engine and we drove away, leaving the cemetery that held too many people gone too soon.

The air was cold but the sun was out and shone brilliantly over the green hills. My gift had showed me the prone figure on the ground and I had assumed it was Wes and in a way it was but when I saw it in present day it wasn't Wes. The figure was Cain. Relief had filled every space in my body. I feared the worst when I heard that gunshot but fate was in my corner and Wes was unharmed. I smiled, the relief still in my heart and looked over at Wes.

"How are you?" He asked.

"I'm going to be okay." My smile grew bigger and I reached over and threaded my fingers through his. Wes raised our joined hands to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.

    We drove down the empty highway, going home to a temporary house. It was the house that Wes and his family stayed at for summer vacation and was absolutely beautiful, right on the coast with the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves. It was a healing place for everyone. The estate had burned down and only a few of the stone walls remained so it was being rebuilt and while that was happening, Kyle, Mae, Ronan, and Grace lived with Wes and I at the summer home. It was good to be with them. They were family.

    We pulled into the driveway and I got out of the car, turning towards the ocean and breathing deeply. Wes came up behind me and looped his arms around my waist. I leaned into him and took in the view.