Cupping his hand on her cheek, “My love I gave up when you passed away. I did not care anymore, without you with me, I no longer mattered.” Smiling crookedly, “I missed you; I would go for days and weeks staying in the attic, trying to find a way to come to you.” Archibald stares at her radiant beauty. Unable to take his I discovered your guilt about the mission was holding Tears glitter in her eyes, “I just couldn’t find a way to eyes off her face Archibald bends down brushing his lips gently across Della’s lips.
“Oh Darling, I tried to come for you.” As a tear slides down her cheek Della takes his hand in hers. “You accepting you did your best; allowed me to come here. We can be together again.”
“My Love, I will cherish you until the end of time. You are my one true love.” Tenderly Archibald squeezes her hands as he lays his forehead against Della’s. With a twinkle in his eyes he whispers, “When we are alone I will prove to you just how much I have missed you.” Not giving Della time to respond Archibald raises his head.
Turning to face his friends Archibald grins, “My Della is back with me. I feel a peace inside me I never knew I could experience.” He bows slightly then straightens, “I am forever grateful to each and every one of you.”
CJ and Carrie step forward Carrie stops a few feet from Della; smiling brightly, “I have missed you.”
Happy to see her friend Della moves closer, “You hold a special place in my heart. I’ve missed you too.” Observing pain in Carrie’s eyes Della exclaims, “Do not have regrets, we both agreed. My love for you did not stop through the years, you have to know that.”
Tears rolls down Carrie’s cheek, “We were wrong, we wasted a great deal of time. Time we could have spent together.” Twisting a little Carrie grabs Stephanie’s hand pulling in forward. “Della, I want you to meet your Great Niece. This is Stephanie.”
Stephanie stands perfectly still as Della studies her, “My Dear, I am delighted to meet you.” Grinning she asks, “Do you know you are expecting?” As Stephanie blushes Della laughs out loud, a deep rumbling sound.
Archibald and CJ shifts towards the ladies as Chase joins Stephanie beside his Mother, “Yes, Miss Della we know Stephanie is pregnant. We will be parents sometime in March.” Beaming with pride Chase bows slightly to Della. “Do you remember me?”
Eyes’ twinkling with joy Della exclaims, “Junior, I could never forget you? You would listen to my stories; you gave this old lady your time.” Surveying Chase, Della remembers the young man from earlier times; viewing the man he is now she recognizes his honor is as strong as Archibald’s. Della’s heart swell with pride knowing Chase has grown to be a man respected by many.
Chuckling Chase denies, “You old, never. You will always be the woman that got away.” Glancing at Archibald Chase winks. “I just couldn’t steal you away from him.”
Blushing Della turns to Archibald, “Junior was always good for my ego.”
Placing his arm around Stephanie’s waist Chase pulls her close to his side. “This woman now has my heart, so I guess I am just destined to fall for the Cain ladies.”
“Stephanie my Dear, looking at you I see your Father.” Smiling sadly, “I lost touch with him when his son was just a baby, I never knew about you.”
Archibald glides closer to Della, “Stephanie is the last of your relatives, and she is the one who inherited your house.” Nodding toward Chase, “Both of them have been trying to help me and also have solved several murders.”
Astonishment gleams in her eyes, “Murders. What murders?” Della stares at Archibald.
Captivated by her beauty Archibald takes her hand in his. “My Love we have all of eternity for me to enlighten you concerning everything that has happened over the last several years.” Gazing into her eyes, “I need to know how long we are able to stay here.”
Reluctantly Della gazes back at him, “I do not know. I heard everyone telling me you needed me and for me to come to you. I am not sure how I was able to find my way come back. So I am at a loss as to the time we can remain here.” Tears sparkle like diamonds as several slides down her cheek.
CJ clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. As all eyes focus on him he shares his thoughts, “If all of us calling to Della permitted her to come here, maybe we need to do the opposite for them to go back?” Stopping he looks sheepishly around the room.
Andy has stayed in the background to give the others time to visit with Miss Della; stepping forward he pulls Maria with him, “Sorry to interrupt but I think CJ may be right. We could try sending them back within our circle.”
Grief overwhelms Stephanie as she moves to Archibald whispering, “When are you leaving?” Tears slip out of the corner of her eyes, “I knew this day would come but I don’t want to lose you.” Glancing at Della, “You just got here; I wanted us to get to know each other.” Stepping back into Chase’s arms, “I never knew my Dad, he left when I was young; I don’t know anything about our ancestors. I want our baby to know about the amazing people that lived and loved throughout our history.”
As Chase pulls Stephanie tighter in his arms, he looks at Archibald over her head. “Do you have to leave soon? Can’t you two stay for a while?”
Della lays her hand on Stephanie’s cheek, “My Dear, Archibald has been in limbo for a long, long time. He needs to come with me, we don’t belong here.” Smiling fondly, “You will build a life with Chase, together you will build memories. Keep reading the family diaries. They are all in boxes in the attic, and now you being the lady of the house it is your obligation to maintain a diary, it’s a tradition.”
Straightening her shoulders Stephanie stares tenderly into Della eyes, “I am sorry for being selfish. You are right, we need to do this; Archie has suffered enough. Aunt Della I promise to do my part to preserve our family traditions.”
Stephanie focuses on Archie, “You deserve to be happy. You go with Della and you both be blessed with your eternity together.” Walking to the center of the room Stephanie sits in the spot she had vacated earlier. Motioning to the others to be seated, Stephanie expression becomes somber, “Archie, Della you need to get inside our circle. Maybe saying goodbye will help you both get back.”
Archie and Della enter the circle as the others take their places, Archie kneels in front of Stephanie lightly he strokes her cheek, “You are an amazing woman and I see only joyful times in your future. You will always remain deep within my heart, I will miss you My Dear.” Rising Archie joins Della and takes her hand in his; turning to face Stephanie they wait.
Tears flow down Stephanie’s cheeks, “Goodbye Uncle Archie. I love you. Aunt Della I wish we could have had more time together.” Wiping the tears from her face Stephanie takes a deep breath and in a voice filled with sadness, “With deep regret I send these two magnificent people back to where they belong. I wish for them only happiness. They are together now and it is with a deep yearning they remain together throughout their journey. Their love for each other has been a love for all ages and I know in my heart their love will remain strong. They have conquered many obstacles, yet their love has stayed steady and thriving. These two wonderful people have touched many on this earth, leaving behind an unfillable abyss.” Stephanie stops speaking as her voice begins to wobble with emotions.
Chase squeezes Stephanie’s hand as Archie and Della begin to shimmer then begin to fade. Stephanie’s eyes fill with tears as she watches Archie bow slightly to her and Della blows a kiss, staring intently Stephanie sees their human forms flicker for just a second then vanish.
Lifting Stephanie’s hand Chase kisses her palm, as he gazes into her eyes Chase sees tears glistening, bending closer he whispers, “Our love is as strong as Archie and Della’s love and ours will also last through eternity.”
Coming soon:
Book 2 in the Lawmen of Crockett County
Featuring Johnny and Marty
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A Love for all Ages (Crockett County Trilogy Book 1) Page 34