Victoria's Two Hearts

Untitled Part 8

Elijah hadn't seen Victoria since he took her home the morning after the party. It was the day of the funeral and she had sent him an invitation asking him to come. He wasn't going to but she had written a note at the bottom of the invitation for him.

A celebration of life in loving memory of

REAR ADMIRAL SAMUEL COOPER

A gathering of friends and family to share memories

and stories. To laugh, cry and remember a strong

person who will be greatly missed.

I know you don't want to impose but I would greatly

appreciate your support and your presence.

Please come, if anything, for me.

With my love, Victoria

He wanted to stay away and give her time to mourn but he had decided to go because of her note. He showed up in a suit. He knew he was supposed to wear his uniform but it didn't feel right and he hadn't gotten to buying a new shirt or getting his uniform cleaned. It was still sitting on the chair where he had taken it off after the party. It was a beautiful ceremony with many high ranking officers speaking fondly of the Admiral. After the proceedings everyone dispersed, some to go home and others to go to the wake at her house. Elijah was walking back to his car when he heard her voice.

"Elijah, wait."

He stopped as she walked over to him. He could tell she had cried but she looked better, more composed, than the last time he had seen her.

"I know many people have asked you but how are you doing?"

She looked away for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Better, I suppose. I invited you for a reason... Samuel wanted me to. He... he left me a letter outlining his final wishes. He also left this, for you." She held out a letter with his name written on it. "He told me not to open it and to give it to you. I honestly don't know what it says but... he wanted you to have it."

"What do you want?" He asked questioningly.

She looked him in the eyes.

"Honestly... I want to talk to you about things. I wish you were around all the time. I... I want things I can't have but that you and Samuel wanted for me. I need to mourn, but I haven't pushed you aside or forgotten about you. I... I still love you."

He looked away, knowing that if he didn't he would kiss her.

"I will read the letter. Contact me when you are ready... or whenever you need me." He paused then looked back at her. "I love you too, Victoria."

He turned and walked away. When he sat in his car he looked at the letter. His name in the masculine font on the front. He took a deep breath and opened the letter.

Elijah,

I never expected our arrangement to lead to you. I know that you and me do not have the most Orthodox relationship but there are some things that you should know about me and Victoria. She is my everything. She is fragile and strong. She puts on her hard exterior but on the inside she is incredibly breakable. She will need you. If you are reading this then she listened to my final wishes and read my final letters. I want you to know that all I ever wanted for her was to be happy. It was never my intention to make her a widow or hurt her so young. She won't admit it to me but I have seen her change these last few months. You have reignited a fire inside of her that I haven't see since we got the news about my cancer. She is strong willed but I know you are stronger. She needs that. She needs you. I have just recently learned of your military predicament. If it is what you truly want then your love will prevail just as ours did. I want you to know that if you wish to take on the challenge then she is yours to have. Just please always promise me that you will care for her as I have. You will always treat her with equal respect and love her forever. She is a one of a kind person. As long as you love and care for her she will show you the same and always be there for you. Be her rock to lean on and her safe place of comfort. You two have my complete blessings.

With respect and honor,

Samuel Cooper

Elijah took a ragged breath as he read the letter. The words bringing forward a flurry of emotions. He wiped away the wetness on his cheek that had unbeknownst to him, fallen from his eye as he read the letter. Even though he had never met Samuel, aside from the one time, he felt as though he had lost a friend too. He knew, in his heart and soul, that Victoria would reach out to him when she was ready and they would be together, their relationship just as strong as her's and Samuel's, forever.