There it is...the last post and it was a joy to write Bobby and Eva's journey.
Thanks again for all your comments! You are the best
Josy~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Epilogue
It happened one autumn…five years ago and sometimes, it felt like a lifetime went by or other time, I felt it just happened yesterday. This journey had been filled with tears and struggles but with time, with laughs and wonders.
I could feel the warm ray of the sun tickling my skin. My eyes were closed and I was leaning against a strong and mature tree. Today, it was Eva’s birthday. She was turning fifteen years old. I was proud of the young woman she was becoming. I knew Tara had a huge influence on her but I recognized a lot of the hard work Kate poured on her when she was little.
Today, it was also the day that my sister died in this car accident. She passed away the night she was rushing to get her daughter a birthday cake. The first year, the fact those two anniversaries mingled, it had been a struggle. However, now, this date had turn to be a day to celebrate life.
I smiled and I flustered my eyelids. My eyes met the sunset and a silhouette that was standing immobile under the maple tree. The leaves were golden and red and they were falling like a quiet rain. One golden leaf clung to her auburn hair and danced softly with the breeze.
Eva was staring at the sunset. Behind me, I could hear a distant racket: Tara and our kids were probably dancing and singing in the kitchen. I married Tara the following spring I proposed: it was an intimate wedding where only our families and closest friends were invited. Nine months later, our first daughter arrived. I remembered the day my daughter was born: Eva was starring at this little bundle and asked with a shy voice if we already chose a name. Tara informed her that she and I were undecided and that we were opened to any suggestion. I recalled how her violet eyes misted when she lifted her chin and asked in a whisper.
“Can we name her Kathy?” she said with a small voice. Tara and I remained silent and we agreed with a nod. Kathy was a fearless and stubborn child. She was the first one to climb in trees and to slide down the stairs with a crazy carpet, which result in a broken arm. It did not stop her and she remained reckless as ever. She was keeping her mother and me on our toes. However, I loved her temper: nothing would keep her to do whatever she had the desire to do. Nineteen month after Kathy’s birth, we welcomed in our family, our boy twins: Austin and Samuel. I was apprehensive as I watched them growing up, fearing that they would be as reckless as they older sister. To my own relief, they were quieter but different to each other.
Austin loved to laugh and he was ready to play a prank at anytime. His older sister and he were a team that made me nervous. If Kathy and he were silent; Tara and I knew that something would come up. I developed the habit to check all doors before opening them; I verified every lid on either salt, sugar or any other food containers. I loved this rambunctious boy. On the other hand, Samuel was soft-spoken and the one who loved to cuddle. He resembled so much to his mother: gentle green eyes, constant tousled blonde hair and a soft smile. I found irresistible the way he climbed on my laps at his bedtime and snuggled his blonde head against my chest. He said he loved listening to my heartbeat and in silence, he would fall asleep.
Now, the three kids were dancing in the kitchen and driving Pal nuts with their noises. I walked to my niece and stood behind her. I knew she was thinking about her mother but also, I knew she was not sad anymore. Far away, I heard the door bell ringing and I distinguished Jack’s voice. Kathy’s squeal made me smiled: Jack and Sue’s daughter was a bit older than my Kathy: Sarah was maybe not as wild as my daughter but she inherited her parents’ sense of humour and she was full of energy and laughs. Also, Jack and Sue had a younger son: Michael. He was the perfect playmate for my twins: he balanced their temper.
A sudden move brought my focus on my niece. She turned around and the sunset mirrored on her short hair. She grew up so much lately: she was as tall as me and her passion for the soccer made her built muscular and lean. To my own dismay, she had lost her Aussie accent but when she was passionate about a subject, it still lingered in her voice. Again, the door bell echoed and I heard Myles’ modulate voice: I hoped his wife could come and was not stuck at the emergency. Myles had been struck by Cupid’s arrow over a year ago and the lovely lady, Roseline, was a doctor but mostly, she possessed a personality that subdued the Bostonian.
“Do you think she’s proud of me?” suddenly asked a crystal voice. I swiftly turned my head and smiled to Eva.
“The moment you were born, you became her pride and her joy. If she could see you from heavens and she could talk, she would tell you how proud she is because…” I replied tenderly. I breathed deeply and caressed her hair.
“Because, me, I am proud of you, pumpkin” I said with all my affection. A wobbly smile blossomed on her lips and she snuggled in my arms. It been a while since she gave me a hug and I enjoyed that moment. She did not protest that I used her childhood pet name. The sun was disappearing behind the hills and twilight took its rightful position in the sky. I heard the door bells ringing few more times and I knew that all our guests were arrived.
All of a sudden, three little girls ran into the backyard, hooting and shouting. One had dark caramel hair, green eyes and a dimple in her chin and she was my daughter. The other had deep blonde hair, chocolate fondue eyes and a smile to melt any heart; Sarah was the spit image of her mother, Sue. And then, the last little girl: curly black hair, cute little nose and a smile that could illuminated any room, Tasha, Lucy’s daughter. Tasha was more the age of my twins but both Kathy and Sarah adopted her as a playmate.
“Daddy, Eva! Mommy wants you inside” said Kathy as she grabbed Eva’s legs. Immediately, Sarah followed and grabbed the other leg. Eva laughed and placed her two hands on her hips. Tasha hopped and I scooped her in my arms. She climbed on my shoulders and her squeal of delight made me laugh.
“But girls, how can I walk with you wrapped around my ankles?” quipped my niece, still immobile.
“Eva, you are strong. You can do it” replied with confidence my daughter. Eva rolled her eyes and she smirked. She did few steps and in an exaggerate move, she lost her balance and stumbled on the leaves covering grass. Sarah and Kathy shrieked and laughed as Eva started to chase them. Soon, friends of my Eva walked on the veranda and my pupil welcomed them with hugs and smiles while the two little girls disappeared inside. I could feel Tasha’s little hands grasping my hair and I walked inside at my turn.
Lucy approached me and after a light hug, she removed her daughter from my shoulders. Strong smells of chicken mixed with chocolate cake tickled my nostrils and my stomach growled in anticipation. I smiled at Roseline, happy to see she could free herself from her work. I winked at D and Donna.
While all my friends and Eva’s friends moved into the kitchen and dining room, I watched them with a sigh. I was thankful for every each of them. Because of them, I had been able to walk in the unknown. From the beginning, they showed me their support and their friendship had been a refuge.
My gaze drifted slowly to Tara : my wife, my lover, my confident…Her hair was messy and her cheeks were flushed. I proposed earlier my help but she kicked me out of the kitchen. She stated that two cooks cannot survive in one kitchen. She removed her apron and looked at me. She was beautiful and my heart did stumble loudly in my chest. Even after almost four years of marriage, she still had the knack to bring fuzziness to my heart.
Everyone took place at the big table. The kids had their own plastic picnic table. Tara walked and stood at my side and she entwined her fingers with mine. The table overflowed with food and everyone was smiling.
Today, it was Eva birthday and I thanked God who helped every step on this chaotic adventure. Because of Him, even when darkness and sorrow surrounded me, I knew I was not alone. He placed strategic persons in my life to help me with decisions that I would have to take.
As I looked around, an urgent feeling overpowered my thoughts. I took a glass of wine.
“Before we enjoy all the food, I would like to make a toast to the birthday girl” I started and everyone grabbed their glasses either it was filled with wine, juice, water or even milk for the kids.
“Eva, it is your fifteenth birthday and wow, you are growing up too fast for me” I chuckled. In response, she pulled her tongue. I smiled.
“I…” I chocked as Tara pocked my ribs. “We...” I continued glancing quickly at my wife “We, Tara and I, are very proud of the young woman you are becoming. Your generous heart, your passion and your determination shaped you in this very unique individual that you are. You are getting more and more independent but know that you are part of this family and I thanked God that through all the struggles, we managed not too badly.” I tried to say lightly but my voice betrayed me. A lump of emotions settled in my throat
“I love you Eva and I hope that the next coming years will bring more joy and will unveil more secrets for you” I said with a hoarse voice. I breathed deeply and added:
“However…” I trailed with a frown and a smirk. Eva’s violet eyes twinkled.
“However, don’t be in a hurry to bring a boy at home. Tara is already starting to pity him” I quipped and everyone burst in laughter. Again, Eva pulled her tongue and laughed heartily.
“Happy birthday pumpkin” and I raised my glass. Everyone did the same and exclaimed with joy.
“Happy birthday Eva!”
As everyone kissed Eva and helped the kids with the food, I watched with a sigh of wonders. Five years ago, my life took an unexpected twist. However, when I looked back, this twist had been the slap from destiny that he needed to put my life in gear. Eva taught me responsibilities and Tara taught how to love.
Suddenly, a crystal voice broke my reverie.
“I love you too Uncle Bobby” she whispered to my ear and a goofy smile spread on my lips.
FIN~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Words Total: 11 275 words