Josephine

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓾𝓮: 𝓣𝓪𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓗𝓮𝓻 𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓑𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓼... 𝓔𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓗𝓮𝓻 𝓥𝓸𝔂𝓪𝓰𝓮

She smiled as tears streamed down her face.

"You keep fighting for what's right my angel, you are an amazing person..."

"I will mom... I will..."

I patted her arm and turned to Victoria.

"Victoria, Victoria... you have changed my life in so many ways... I remember the day I took you in. I thought for once the nobles would stop hounding me about an heir,"

She chuckled, "We saw how that turned out..."

I glanced at Mattéo.

"I think it worked out for the better that way, don't you?" I whispered.

She nodded, "Yeah,"

"You have been through so much in your fifty years, so much struggle, pain, and turmoil, but you have come out far better than I could have imagined,"

"Gosh mom thanks, now I feel old!"

"Can I tell you a secret?"

She nodded.

"Of course mom, anything,"

"I always liked Ali, I thought he was perfect for you but I didn't want to admit it. I was so excited when he asked for my blessing, as I knew you two would be the power couple of the century. Look, what I predicted came to pass..."

"Congratulations mom your prophet," Victoria joked.

"Victoria you have been the perfect daughter and I have never once regretted my decision to take you out of that awful home. I love you and I hope you will remain at peace,"

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. I now turned to my daughters.

"Lily... oh my precious Lily... you have been the perfect daughter, despite some hardships growing up. I see you now, and I see my confidence, brazenness, and bravery. You, as the de-facto Queen of the Irish, have done wonders, and I know until Eire turns eighteen, that you will do more, and more," 

"Sophie... you took the quiet, reserved parts of me and you turned into a beautiful flower... just like I knew you would. I know you weren't happy with Constantine, but I know you'll find happiness with someone else, just like I did all those years ago," 

I looked at Mattéo.

"Oh, Mattéo where do I start with you...? Since we met in 1973 you have been my best friend, stuck by my side through thick and thin. You brought me out of some of the darkest ages of my life and you have uplifted me and made me smile every single day for the past forty-one years. It has been quite the adventure, and for our earlier parts of our marriage, you were quite the lover,"

"Oh jeez, ma really?" Victoria gagged.

Even Junior and John Charles preferred to gag over being mature and reasonable. Lily and Sophie snickered at both of us. 

Mattéo took my hand, "Indeed it has my love, you have been my number one supporter, and I could not have had a better life without you..."

I felt my breath hitch and I seethed for a moment.

"Mom? Are you alright?"

"Mattéo... John Charles... Victoria... Junior... Lily... Sophie... I love you, so, so much... I don't want you to cry about me, okay?"

"Too late for that," Junior and John Charles choked out.

Tears were streaming down their faces.

"I love you Mom," Victoria said.

"I love you mom," John Charles said.

"I love you mom," Junior said as she gripped my hand tighter.

"I love you mom... you were the perfect mom..." Lily choked out. 

"You were the best... I'll make sure to keep my chess winning streak alive for you..." 

We all chuckled with that, but it hurt to try and laugh now. 

"I love you so, so, so much Josey, until the very end of time..." Mattéo said quietly.

The grim reaper stepped closer and extended his bony, cold hand.

"I just... I just wanted to hear that... one... last... time..."

My eyelids grow heavier and heavier. Then... they closed and I felt at peace.

-------------------------------------------------

I woke up in the palace, in a sort of pool of water. I carefully sat up, though I was dry. I was dressed in the dress I wore in the portrait in the Great Hall. Is this heaven? Seems odd...

I stood up and walked forward. I stopped in front of a mirror and saw that I was my younger self. I couldn't tell how old, perhaps late teens.

I approached what I thought was the ballroom and a ghostly herald stood at the ready. I recognized him immediately.

"Conroy!"

I wrapped my arms around him. Oh yes, I am in heaven!

"Josephine, oh it is so good to see you again..."

He picked up his microphone and raised it to his mouth.

"All present for Empress Josephine The Great of The First American Empire!"

The doors opened and dozens of people from my life and even before clapped in a roaring fashion as I brisked into the ballroom towards one man.

My father. When I reached him he hugged me tightly.

"Oh, my shining star... the star of my world... how I've missed you..." 

And...

Roll the Credit Music...