AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"I think we both know that you and I will never stand before an altar and declare love before God and family." He looked down at her with love before he continued, "But I stand before you now and pledge myself to you and only you. Even across time I will love you."
She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into his neck. "I love you and I will miss you every day for the rest of my life." She held him closer as her tears turned into sobs.
"Oh, Quinn, don't cry, love."
"How am I supposed to go on knowing when I go back you will be gone, lost to me, forever?"
He pushed her away gently and framed her face with his hands. "By knowing that I will spend the rest of my days loving you and when my time on this Earth ends I will be waiting for you, Quinn. We will find each other again."
"I'll be looking, Archer, every day," she whispered and he nodded sadly as he reached for the small iron box in his pocket.
"I had the blacksmith make this specifically so it would stand the test of time." Archer slipped the ring into it accompanied by a small oil-cloth wrapped miniature then closed the lid and locked it. With a shovel left from the grave keeper, he dug a hole by Morgan's headstone and settled the box into it. He started to brush the dirt back over it when Quinn stopped him.
"Wait," she said reaching for a rock that was turned up from the digging. Then she bent down and carved into the metal: A.S + Q.S.
"What does that mean?" he looked confused.
Quinn looked up into his beautiful face. "It means love."
The walk home through the village was bittersweet as they realized it would be their last one.
The following day Quinn, Archer and Thaddeus sat Nickie down to tell him that Quinn wasn't always going to be with them. Their situation was hard enough for adults but trying to explain it to a child was close to impossible.
"Why can't you stay? You can, you just don't want to," Nickie screamed as tears stained his cheeks.
Quinn longed to hold him in her arms but she knew he didn't want that, he needed to understand. It was Thaddeus who spoke as he shared the story of how he first met Quinn. Nickie seemed doubtful at first but by the end he was staring in wide-eyed wonder at Quinn.
"Do what you did before, when you leave just come back."
"I wish it was that easy, Nickie, I really do because I want nothing more than to be here with you. But I haven't any control over it," she said sadly. "I will miss you, every day."
Nickie threw himself into her arms. "It isn't fair! I love you!"
Three little words had the tears spilling down her cheeks. "And I love you," she hoarsely whispered.
"This all bloody sucks," Thaddeus hissed.
"We must enjoy every moment together," Archer explained to his son. "We can't wallow in tears. We should be making memories with Quinn. Thaddeus, collect the staff! A day of fishing and a picnic are in order!"
He turned to Nickie, "It's a beautiful daynowand we are together. Let's celebrate it!" When Quinn looked at Archer, she realized the bravery in his voice was entirely for Nickie's benefit.
Down at the river, the sun was shining brightly. A crisp breeze blew through the valley, and the rustling of the leaves sounded like a whisper. The gentle rumble of the water over the river stones was so very relaxing. The fish weren't biting but no one cared since the day was spent in comfortable conversation. Quinn leaned back against Archer with her feet dangling in the water. Thaddeus, Nickie and Sara were just to their left as the others sat further up the hill under the shade of a large oak tree. All the lines were in as the afternoon sun moved across the sky.
"Would you tell us another story?" Nickie asked.
"Sure." Quinn thought on it for a moment before sharing the stories ofSnow White,Cinderella,Little Red Riding Hoodand theThree Little Pigs. By the time she was done telling the tales, the sky had grown rather dark.
"I think it's time for someone to go to bed," Archer said to a yawning Nickie.
"I'm not tired."
"Sure, you're just catching flies," Thaddeus said as he threw a wink at Quinn while Archer lifted Nickie up over his shoulders.
"I'll ask my mother to put Nickie to bed so we can take a walk along the river."
"I like that idea."
Archer grinned in reply before he said, "Say goodnight to Quinn, Nickie."
