Peach Blossom Dreams: Short Stories

Always (Ye Hua & Bai Qian)

~ by SunInTaurus ~

Love manifests in many forms. But to me, the true measure of its worth is how it endures with the passing of time.

Happy Valentine's Day.
Here's wishing to all of you a love for always. 💕

He rested his chin on the top of her head the way he knew she always liked. Soft wisps of her hair rose with the breeze to brush against his face. He smiled as he reached up to gently stroke the pure white locks back into place; strands of his own white hair entwining with hers.

His arms tightened around her as they sat beneath the peach tree. He'd always loved to hold her while she slept. Her warm, soft curves against him had always soothed not just his body but also his soul.

His soul...

Ye Hua could feel it clearly now. More so than at any other moment in his life.

"Qian Qian," he whispered in her ear, tickling its sensitive lobe with the tip of his nose. This would always wake her, ticklish as she was. Yet her ageless face remained serene and her eyes closed. In death as much as in life, Bai Qian was most beautiful, ethereal.

She had passed away into the realm of Nothingness just the night before while sleeping in his arms.

_____

He'd bathed her in scented waters of peach blossoms.

And as he'd gently rubbed her perfumed oils on her, cupping her breasts and massaging her stomach, Ye Hua marvelled as he had a thousand, thousand times before, how beautiful the suppler flesh and the stretchmarks of her multiple childbirths had made her body. His hands caressing her skin, his fingertips had lightly traced the marks of motherhood adorning her. Bai Qian would always say she was just getting old. But to Ye Hua, she became even lovelier with the softer, rounder curves of her body that came with the passing of time.

Having dressed her in her favourite turquoise gown, he'd taken his time brushing out her hair. Ye Hua had laughed softly as he fumbled a little with her silver hairpiece. It was always ironic how her clumsy hands were only deft when doing his hair, but his deft hands only clumsy whenever he tried to do hers. Ye Hua would always tease it was because he was more interested in undressing her than dressing her. She would always scoff at that, but he always saw the shy smile and slight blush whenever he would say this.

The Emperor of the Heavens had appeared the moment Bai Qian's soul passed. He'd stood silent in the bed chamber doorway, staring at Ye Hua's tear-streaked face while the latter rocked Bai Qian's body in his arms. Ali always knew how much his mother hated being fussed over so he remained still. All their generations of children had come by in the weeks before, when it became felt by all that the White Nine-tailed Fox Goddess was nearing her life's end. They'd come to kiss their mother, grandmother, great ancestor as she'd lain in bed. They couldn't help but smile despite their heartbreak as she'd tell them to all stop fussing already and take care.

Ye Hua had been aware Ali was standing there behind them. He knew his son understood what was to follow. Of all their children, only their firstborn felt the immutable bond linking his parents in life... and in death.

After a time, Ali did finally approach, embracing his father thus his mother too. He told Ye Hua not to worry, he would watch over all the children as he always had. "I love you, Father" was all the Great White Dragon God had said before caressing his mother's cheek with a whispered "I love you, Mother". Then with the same glint of mischief he'd always shared with her, Ali hooked his pinky finger about Bai Qian's. "And I never did tell Father about the flower house". Despite his silent tears, Ye Hua couldn't help but give a chuckle. A now tearing Ali lingered a moment more, then left as silently as he'd arrived.