"- I would like to believe that she has led a contented life and now has met up with her beloved husband in heaven. We shall keep her in memory as the warm, kind, loving and understanding mother, as aunt and as grandmother. May she rest in peace, amen."
"Amen" Said rest of the people softly in chorus.
May my dear and sweet Heather rest in peace without me. I would give everything to join with her but fate has other plans with me. I sighed to the thought while watching the people slowly depart from her urn and walked away. I dared to step up to her urn as there was nobody around, folded up my coat collar and shifted my hat slightly towards my nose. I wish I don't need to do this but I must, hiding from my family for various reasons.
I want to shed tears of sorrow but I can't and as a comfort I know Heather has led a good life even without me. She met a loving husband and soon had wonderful children, seeing the family grow and living on. "Dear Heather." I whispered as I placed a hand upon her name. Suddenly I heard a soft shuffling of fabric behind me and a scoff. I turned around to see who is there. "Vlad?" I blinked surprised.
"Just here to check that you won't go over your head, Charles." He smirked.
"Everyone's gone already." I assured.
Vlad raised an eyebrow of doubt whilst smirking and sighed. "She was your daughter?"
"Yes and for a few years I was able to be her father." I turned to her urn. "Until, well you know what I mean." I sighed and balled my hands into fists. "Until I became who I am now, a vampire." Vlad stood silent beside me with his smirk, it is his mask and the way he is. "But I couldn't completely let go of her. I always came by to check how she is doing and hid in the shadows when she walked down a dark alley. Making sure she is save and see how she handles with life." I sighed. "A father shouldn't hide in the shadows, he should always be there to support her. I've made a vow that I will not be like my father was, he was never there. But I suppose the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Suddenly Vlad placed a hand upon my shoulder. "Don't blame yourself and you know as well as I why. You did what you could."
"Yet I can't stop thinking there was more I could have done." My voice trembled. Suddenly my eyes fell upon a teddybear that I gave to Heather on her 4th birthday, it was well worn of the years but taken good care of. One eye was replaced with star pattern stitching and it wore a new blue silk ribbon round its neck. Was this placed here as a momentum? I gently took the bear into my hands to inspect it closer. Did Heather pass this bear to her children? Tears welled in my eyes to the thought. If so, then she really did love me and had fond memories of me.
Soon I heard running feet coming closer to me. "That's my Teddy you're holding." Panted a young girl with two shoulder long blonde braids.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Was wondering why your Teddy was lying here all alone." I quickly wipped away the tears and grinned at her friendly while handing the bear to her. She looked almost like Heather with those braids. "Did Heather give you Teddy?"
"Yes, did you know my Granny?" Asked a little girl curiously.
I looked down at her speechless and quickly looked behind me, Vlad has already left me. So much for helping me not doing anything regrettable when it comes to family. I soon figured what harm would it do if I told a bit of the truth. "I did know her, she was very dear to me like she was to you."
The child smiled and hugged her teddy. "Was she your granny too?"
I laughed. "No but I knew her-"
"Pamela, have you found your Teddy?" Her parents walked up. For a brief moment I held my breath, waiting for their reaction of surprise or awe. "Pamela, who is this?" Wondered her mother. Pamela's father blinked at me surprised.
"He knew Granny Heather too." Said Pamela while her mother took her gently by the hand.
"Oh, how did you know Heather?" Wondered the father curiously.
"It was many years ago, when I was younger." And a different man to be exact. I fear he recalls my face from a picture among Heather's collection of photos. He kept staring at me and mentally trying to sort where he saw my face before. "Sorry that I stare but are you a member of Heather's family? Your face is so familiar."
No bloody wonder, I grinned to the thought. "No but you're not the first asking this." I lied.
"Would you like to join us for tea and share how you came to know Heather?" Offered Pamela's mother.
Pamela giggled excited and looked up to me with a smile.
As I was about to give my answer, Vlad suddenly stepped in. "You told me this wouldn't take long. We're on duty after all."
"Then how about after work?" Suggested Pamela's father.
I sighed. "I'm sorry but I can't. I just came by to see Heather one more time. It has been a pleasure meeting you, however briefly." I grinned, tipped my hat and paced off.
"Wait! At least tell us your name." Called Pamela's father, trying to catch up with me.
"The name's Charles." I looked over my shoulder to him for a moment, looking him straight in the eyes and then sped off in my lightening speed.
"Once a fool, always a fool." Sniggered Vlad as I caught up with him.
"Maybe it was foolish what I said then again not."
"Just be prepared to face the consequences, Charles."
ns 15.158.61.20da2
