Forever Now

Chapter 18

Now, as I wipe away the foliage of their graves, I think of them. My family, the family I still miss even after 145 years. Her children, great grand children and great great grandchildren. The 5 generation gap that I have outlived. I wipe father;s grave, then mothers and place a white rose on each of their graves. Then I wipe Franziska's and Josef's and place a red rose on both, one for every one of their children and grand children.

A hand lands on my shoulder, Kryzstofer. I look up and he nods. He found it, the grave of Clare my grand niece. Kryzstofer takes a step back out of ear shot as I say my good byes. It won't be until next year when i'll be back, too risky.

“Frankie, I love you. It's been 120 years, soon 121, but you know what? You've never left me. I know you are watching me, protecting me.” I lowered my voice. “But please help me. Dearest Sister, I need your help. Is it my time? My time to join you and father and mother?” My voice quivers.

“Let's go.” Kryzstofer said kindle. I stood and looked at my father's grave once more. It reads:

“Doctor M. Tresky

December 1821- December 1883

Beloved husband and father

He shall be missed.”

I kissed my hand and pressed it to his stone.

Kryzstofer lead me to a crypt a few plots down. We were about to enter when Kryzstofer stopped. I stopped too. Inside their was a man. I looked at him closely. He motioned to the inside.

“Alec.” Kryzstofer whispered.

“What?” I peered in closer.

Alec was on the floor praying, in front of Clare's tombstone/plaque. His Lifestream remained missing. Kryzstofer remained in the doorway, his aura followed me into the crypt. Ever since the mysterious Kleopatra infiltrated my home, Kryzstofer has wanted to be by my side. Both he and Hixak, checked in on me every half hour if they were not with me.

I walked over to him, my heels making a clink sound on the linoleum floor.

“I've been waiting for you.” He said as I approached him.

“What?” I replied. Alec turned startled. Kryzstofer remained at the door way, but I felt him tense up.

“Mikaela!” Alec stood. “What are you doing here?”

“Visiting...” I replied. “You?”

“Visiting as well.” He swept his hair back and looked behind me at Krzystofer. “Who are you visiting?”

“My, um, sister and parents. You?”

He pointed to Clare's plaque. “My aunt.”

I shifted a bit. His aunt? That would mean... no. That is not possible.

“Wait.” Alec said, thinking. “I thought your parents died in Germany...”

“No, they died here. We remained in Germany while they, um, visited here. Honeymoon/ anniversary.” I lied. “They died in a car accident.”

“Yes, I remember. I didn't know they were buried here. I would have invited you to come with.” He looked sadly at the plaque. “My aunt died a few years ago. She was really old.” He chuckled. “Raised me better than my parents. I mean look how Janice turned out.”

“Clare raised you?” I asked. This was the first time i'd heard of this.

“Yeah. Janice and I were a handful when we were children. Twins and all. My parents couldn't handle it so I was shipped here to Clare's.”

I looked at Alec and for the first time I could see the family resemblance. His long brown hair similar to Franziska's. Looking at Clare's plaque I tried to suppress tears but could not. In a second Kryzstofer was by my side. His strong arms supported me as I realized Alec was family. He probably knew the legend of me. My sudden death and my body disappearing along with a northern soldier. I'm sure, if he was the person Hixak says he is, he knows who we are and how I am connected to him.

“We must go.” Kryzstofer whispered into my ear while keeping an eye on Alec. To Alec he said, “I apologize on interrupting. We will be on our way now.”

“Call me later.” I told Alec. I looked at the remaining flowers in my hand. “Here.”

“Thank you, Mikaela.” Alec said as he took them and placed them on the little stand next to the plaque. He turned back and hung his head low, praying. Kryzstofer's hands tightened around my waist as we left the crypt. We walked back to the car, I refused to take Kryzstofer's way of travel, in silence. First Kleopatra then this! What was next? The apocalypse? Kryzstofer chuckled as he drove out of the parking space.

“That would be better than the unexpected.” He said.

“Just drive!” I replied annoyed.

_*_