It was a warm summer afternoon, exactly 2 years since Laura's passing. A lot had happened since..
The first couple of months were the hardest. I had lost weight from the lack of food I had eaten. It's not that I didn't want to, I just didn't have the strength. Mattie helped me get back on my feet with that. Everyday I'd visit Laura's grave and read a new poem each time. I knew she'd like that. Laura was burried beside her mother, where her and I discussed she'd be placed.
Not a day went by that I didn't visit her bench either. I visited her and her spot in the rain, cold, and shine. It was something I knew she would have loved doing had she had the strength. I was planning on buying the cabin from Mattie since Laura wanted it for us, but she ended up giving it to me as a 'wedding gift'. She had done so much for me. I couldn't part from Laura's apartment though, so I kept that as well when I didn't feel like driving out to the cabin.
Mark visited everyday for the first few months, due to the fact that I never left the cabin. He'd tell me more stories of Laura's childhood to feed the emptiness I felt with happiness. He was having a hard time as well but together we made it through. He eventually went back to work helping people as the town's sheriff. It's what Laura would have wanted.
Lafontaine and Perry visited the park more often. They both also checked on me when they could but had very busy lives of their own. I enjoyed their company when I had it. Lafontaine had a custom plack placed on Laura's side of her bench with her name on it. It brought me pure happiness. We speak every time we see each other as if we never stopped.
I was actually busy on my own now. It took me a year to fully get back on my feet. I had a lot of help during that year, but the year after that I was able to hold my own. I got the job me and Laura talked about. I was now a philosophy teacher at Silas University. It wasn't the highest paying job, but I wasn't in it for the money. I still had more than enough to last me a life time, or 20.
"Mommy, can we visit mama Laura today?"
Oh yes, how could I forget to mention, I adopted a 4 year old son named Landon as me and Laura always wanted.
"Of course Landon, we go everyday sweetie." I smile at him as he runs up to me from playing with Charlie at the park.
"I know. But can we bring Charlie?"
"As long as he doesn't try pooping on anyone else's grave again." I say causing Landon to chuckle.
"Deal." He says handing me his pinky. I take hold of it with my own.
"Let's go little man." I say as I stand from the bench. Landon grabs hold of my hand and I hold Charlies leash with the other.
- - - - -
We reach her flower filled stone and sit at the newly installed bench. It was beginning to become my favorite place to sit, think, and talk to her. Landon walks up to the stone and kisses it. It was something he did everyday on his own. It always melted my heart. The grass was fully grown around the cemetery. It was a beautiful green that made the many colors of the flowers pop out. I knew Lafontaine visited when I saw yellow. I knew Mark visited when I saw red. And I knew Mattie visited when I saw white. Landon and I decided to be unique and bring a dozen blue iris', Laura's favorite color.
"Do you miss her?" Landon says from beside me. I squat down and place an arm around his shoulder. Charlie sits quietly beside me while I hold his leash.
"Every second of everyday."
"Do you think she would have liked me?"
"Of course silly. She would have loved you just as I do." I place a kiss on his forehead.
"In fact, she was the one who named you."
"No way!" He says surprised and happy. "I love my name!"
I laugh at his silly remark.
"Me too," I say standing now.
I couldn't keep my eyes off the stone. It was beautiful. Laura's father had picked it and I couldn't find a single flaw in it. Her name was beautifully written and the numbers still haunted me to look at.
"I miss her sometimes too." Landon says randomly, snapping me from looking at the stone.
"Do you?" I smile down at him.
"Yes! It's like she's here because you tell me stories and I feel like she never left but... I miss her too." He says in a loud and excited voice. "I wish I met her."
"Me too, love. Me too."
He looked sad at the stone causing my heart to ache. I spoke of her so often he practically knew her like the back of his hand. He'd ask about her often and I'd tell him everything. His favorite story was the poetry slam we both went to, practically the first time we spoke since I had seen her the day before though she did not see me. He knew little of my secret but I preferred he knew more about Laura than I to begin with. He walks up to the stone and places his tiny hand on the lettering, tracing it with his fingers. I could tell he was thinking a lot.
"Hey, how about we get some ice cream by the coffee shop then go visit grandpa Hollis?"
"Ice cream and grandpa! Oh boy! Come on Charlie!" Landon says cheerfully running towards the parking lot. He quickly comes to a stop and turns right back around to run back to the stone. I give him a curious look until I see him place a kiss on the stone.
"I love you mama." He says softly to the stone before smiling and running back to the car with Charlie not too far behind. I shake my head with a smile before squatting beside the stone and giving it a kiss of my own.
"I miss you cupcake. I hope I did you proud." I place my hand on the letters of her name letting a tear fall from my eyes.
"I love you Laura. I'll see you soon."
I stand and walk towards the car. Landon runs up to me and grabs my hand to walk beside me.
I'll see you soon..
- - - - - -
A/N: IT'S OVER😭😭
(please read all the note below!)
I want to thank you all for reading, seriously, your support is what kept this going. A BIG Thank you to LiesLike2ndNature again for the inspiration, go check out her one shots! She's got a one shot called Turn Away that puts my story to shame!😂
The giveaway is still ending on January 12th, I will be messaging and posting another "chapter" on here letting you all know who won, there's still time to enter!
ALSO I have started my new Hollstein story
LAST CALL
Which can be found on my page, PLEASE check it out, I promise I have TWO plot twists that'll probably kill you because they sure as hell killed me .-. 😂
THANK YOU
And I hope to see you all over at my other story ❤😊