If Only..(Part 1 And Part 2 Included)(Under Edit)

Chapter 40 - Closure

Cleo(trying to build up a courtesy smile which anyway failed to take over that shock in her face): You're lying. Yeah?

Madeline stood their holding the packet containing Jacob's last belonging, up above her waist, supported by two hands. She tried her best, not to burst out crying.

Cleo's eyes widened as she now spoke in a stern tone: ANSWER ME!!

Madeline(trying to sound as normal as she could): Umm.. I am afraid, I am not.(In a quivering voice) He was killed right in front of me.

Cleo held Madeline by her arms and jerked her: What were you doing?

.............................................

1 week since the ambush;

Madeline's POV;

It's been more than seven days since Jake took his last breath. Corvett was dead too and as planned I wrote his death to my bullet, but he took away my brother with him and that's not, what I was prepared for.

Cleo's cry kept ringing in my ears since then. The cry that echoed through every corner of that house, that was once filled with love. Now, announcing a new dimension of a never ending loneliness and her cries, that even the walls would remember. I didn't matter, that she had a big belly, when she collapsed on her knees, wailing and crying her eyes out.

Will and Claire thought it was a good idea to let me hand over his belongings, so that she can get a shoulder to cry on.

It is funny how rudely things change without even looking back at the mess it creates as it goes. One day we decide on celebrating and the next day I mourn upon his absence.

If you ask me. It feels weird. Not to have that name flashing on my screen anymore. Not to have someone to cry on, while you feel lost. It feels weird ,waking up to another usual day but without that only person to call a family. It feels weird to accept, he is no more. He is not coming back and that he is gone for good. And, I have yet another nightmare added to my sleeplessness. Every time, I close my eyes the night and that gunshot creeps in to haunt me. Every damn night.

Here I am lying on the bed like a corpse letting out the last streams of the drained out tears. I have not seen the road outside my house since I shut myself in, after I came from Cleo's after handing over the belongings that belong to her memory. I learnt that Mr. Alvarez has returned but neither did I have the energy to call him nor do I have the energy to visit the department. I don't remember receiving any calls since then. Except for that one call that beeps at every interval.

Madeline(sniffing and putting the phone against the ear): Hey.

Jackson: Hey. You up?

Madeline: Hmm..

Jackson: Did you take your medicines?

Madeline: Hmm..

*Door bell rings*

Jackson:... There is someone at your door.

Madeline: Let it be.

Jackson: Madeline, open the door.

Madeline exhales sharply and drags herself out of the bed and get the door, while rubbing his eyes with one hand and holding the phone in another.

Madeline: Jackson, there's food. Wait! Why?

This man has been taking care of me, even when I denied. Making sure of every bit, to help me get back to my normalcy. He set me a few counseling sessions, to help me deal with the loss. Got me medicines that could help and made sure that I don't deviate off the health chart.