THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER XL

The doctors release the Boss from the hospital after a week and I tend him at home.

We attend Bruce's burial service the next day and my heart breaks as I look at his coffin slowly being covered with soil. He's a friend and a good adviser to the Family. August cried the hardest, he didn't stop even if its over and some of the boys starts leaving. Boss Cheston holds me throughout that time. He knows the memories of my past keeps crossing over my mind but I told him its okay. I'm okay. I told my parents that I will move forward, little by little. But if not for his strength, I know I wouldn't make it.

Bliss go back to his adventures after that. We get our house back from the bank so I said that he and Crystal can raise their family there whenever they want and he promise me that the next time he went home he will stay here for good. Though I wonder if he reach the age of fifty by that time. Before we part, he said that he receive a call from Mr. Jayden saying that his wife's due will be next month and that he wants me to see his baby as soon as I can.

"Its a good news!" I said and threw my uninjured arm in the air.

I continue my education at the university, promising to the Boss that we'll get married when I graduate from my Master's degree. He doesn't need a promise anyway, he'll going to marry me even if I like it or not. Geez! What a pity for me.

After a month, the wound on his stomach healed and he can punch anyone again. I feel sorry for the big boys.

That night, I look up at the window, clutching my coat tight since its snowing heavily outside. I stay there and admire the twinkling stars above. The boss are still working on something downstairs and I wish he'll finish quick so we can watch them together.

"My moon and stars.." I whispered.

Suddenly, a memory surface out of my mind that moment. Its the time when Bliss and I were caught up inside the house because the heavy snow made play impossible at the garden. During those times, Gregory will kill our boredom with a puzzle. Well, with him knowing what we can do, the puzzle he always buy consist of thousand small pieces with only a small picture at the packaging that gives off a little idea of how will it looks like after putting the pieces together.

Gregory will watch us in amazement when we finish an entire puzzle portraying medieval soldiers in an hour. But one night, the puzzle he give to us had been the most difficult one. It should portray a Victorian family outside of their house but because its mainly black and white, Bliss and I almost give up in arranging the pieces. We've been trying hard for two days and I felt like its impossible.

"I hate your puzzles, Gregory." I said.

"I hate it too!" Bliss added.

Seeing us discourage, he sits on the carpet with us and to our shock he began scattering the pieces again, saying we should give it another try. "Bliss, Blythe, once you solve it, you will see that its intended to be difficult so you can appreciate the picture at the end."

And he's right. After two more days, we finish it and the picture of that Victorian family came into view. "Its beautiful.." says Bliss. We had it framed and hang it at the hallway on the second floor. Its at the house, until now.

"You still awake?"

I turn around and saw Boss Cheston walk to the window and join me. He embraces me tight from behind.

This time, I'm sure that everything has fallen to their perfect place. As long as I have him, I couldn't wish for more.

Gregory was right after all. Its difficult so I can appreciate the picture when its finished.

I don't know what will happen from here, it may be a rough road ahead but I do believe that at the end of the day, the picture will be beautiful, it will all be worth it.

Just like the puzzle.

"Its beautiful isn't it?" I whisper.

"What? The night sky? Yeah." he answer.

The boss never knows, but I wasn't thinking of the night sky that time.

THE END