It was raining as Elizabeth drove the long windy path that lead to the lodge. The weather suited her mood perfectly and she began to cry as she realized the once warm and loving reception she would have received was no longer possible.
The conversation that she had with Jason ran over and over in her mind.
Jason "I have some very bad news Elizabeth, and I need you to sit down"
Elizabeth "What is it Jason you are starting to scare me"
Jason "Your grandparents Elizabeth they are…they were…they have been killed"
Elizabeth "Wha…what?"
Jason "I'm sorry Elizabeth, I'm so sorry"
Elizabeth's knees buckled and she fell to her knees as she was completely overcome with grief.
Elizabeth "No Jason…please…they cant…no"
Jason "I'm sorry Mia"
Her grandparents were gone Elizabeth still couldn’t understand it and didn’t think she ever would. The two people who were everything in her life, who had always been there for her were gone. When she pulled into the driveway she could see Jason waiting for her and usually would have hopped out of the car and run to him happy to be home, but this time all she could do was sit and stare.
Tears flowed in a never-ending stream and Elizabeth was so lost in her grief she didn’t hear the car door open or feel the seatbelt release. She became aware that she was moving but didn’t pay much attention to it until Jason took the first step up the stairs that would lead them into the house.
Raising her eyes she saw Jason's concerned and sorrow filled eyes staring back at her and wrapped her arms tightly around him burying her face in his shoulder.
Jason "It's ok Mia, everything is going to be ok"
When they reached the top step Jason tried to open the door with Elizabeth still in his arms but was unable to. Looking in her eyes he could tell she would be all right if he let her down and did so as he reached for the door. Elizabeth placed her hand on his arm and he looked at her with concerned eyes.
Elizabeth "Do you mind?…I think I need to go in alone"
Jason "Sure Mia, I'll be right here if you need me"
With a trembling hand Elizabeth reached out and opened the door that led into the kitchen. Inhaling deeply she could still smell her grandmothers sweet rolls baking in the oven. She walked into every room each one bringing back wonderful memories of her grandparents. When she walked into their bedroom she could see the bed was unmade and knew her grandmother would never stand for that so she made it up complete with hospital corners and all. She had never felt so lost in her life her grandparents were her grounding influence and she was afraid without them she might float off into nothingness.
Jason was worried…Elizabeth had been inside for over an hour and he hadn't heard a peep from her. Opening the door Jason went inside and walked the rooms of the house searching for her. He found her curled up on her grandparent's bed clutching their homemade quilt in her hands and rocking back and forth.
Climbing on behind her Jason pulled Elizabeth into his arms and held her close as she tried to find herself again.
Elizabeth "How Jason?…How did they…"
Jason "There was a car accident"
Elizabeth "Do they know who?"
Jason "No Mia it was a hit and run they don’t know who was in the car that hit them"
Elizabeth "Why…why?"
Jason "I don’t know sweetheart"
Elizabeth "Do I?…I mean things need to be done a funeral what can I…I don’t even know where to start"
Jason "It has already been taken care of Mia, your grandparents wanted to be cremated and to have their ashes scattered across the hills. The memorial will be tomorrow and we will scatter their ashes then"
Elizabeth "Thank you Jason I don’t know what I would do without you"
Jason "You won't ever have to find out"
Elizabeth and Jason fell asleep in her grandparent's bedroom and went through the motions as they got up and got ready to say goodbye to Logan and Anne. The service was a small gathering and Elizabeth was surrounded by a lot of people she didn’t know. Emily and Nicolas had come along with Sonny and a few other friends of her grandparents she had met over the years. The service began and several people rose to speak.
Nearing the end of the service the pastor looked at Elizabeth and asked if there were anything she would like to say, her first instinct was to say no, she was much more comfortable grieving in peace. But she decided she needed to honor her grandparent's memory and walked on wobbly legs to the podium with Jason right at her side.
Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear
Elizabeth "There will never be enough words to express how I feel for my grandparents, love just seems too small a word. My grandfather was the absolute best teacher and friend anyone could ask for. I don’t think anyone who ever met him didn’t like him, he was just that kind of person.
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
Your still an inspiration
Can it be?
That you are my
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above.
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
When I was little I used to think he was magic cause he could do so many things that I couldn’t and because he always made life seem that way magical…special. Grandma was the same way she was strict but always seemed to teach with a sense of wonderment that made things fun.
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me
Everyday
Cause you are my
Forever love
Watching me from up above
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
Before my mother died I would spend every summer with my grandparents and every time I would have to leave I would dread it. Being with my mother could never compare to being here and feeling the love and support from Nana and Papa all the time. When I moved out here for good I felt that love every day. I feel so blessed to have had them in my life and will miss…will miss them every day of my life"
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
Elizabeth's voice broke toward the end and Jason was right there to take her in his arms and walk her back to her seat. He knew Elizabeth couldn’t take much more and made sure the crowd left quickly so that she could spread her grandparent's ashes where they wished in peace.
The wind whipped past her face as she stood on in the hills sending her hair cascading over her shoulder. Opening the urn Elizabeth released her grandfathers ashes and as they drifted away she heard his voice on the wind I love you little Mia . When Elizabeth did the same with her grandmother's ashes it was the same her voice spoke on the wind It will be ok Elizabeth .
Feeling weary from the day and completely cried out Elizabeth headed back to the house with Jason right by her side like he had been since she got home. After being forced to eat a little of one of the many casseroles that had been dropped off over the last couple days Elizabeth just wanted to be left alone.
She loved Jason but he was always close by and as much as she appreciated having him there she was starting to feel crowded. They were sitting in the living room when Elizabeth took Jason's hand in hers and turned to look in his eyes.
Elizabeth "Jason, do you mind leaving?"
Jason "What?"
Elizabeth "I'm sorry I didn’t mean it to sound like that it is just you have been here since I got home, and I love that don’t get me wrong its just I think I need some time alone"
Jason "If that’s what you want, but promise you will call if you need anything"
Elizabeth "I will Jason"
Without another word Jason left and Elizabeth spent the rest of the night alone, she was so tired she couldn’t sleep and wandered into and out of every room in the house finally ending up in her favorite room in the house, her grandfathers study. She remembered he would read her stories every night before she fell asleep. As she looked over the books her eyes caught site of a very familiar one.
The story was her favorite an unusual fairy tale about wolves and women. As she opened the book to read the story she heard so many times as a child an envelope fell from the pages and landed on the floor. Picking it up Elizabeth saw that it was addressed to her, wondering who would put a letter for her in her favorite story book she opened it and sat down to read.
My precious Elizabeth,
If you are reading this that means something has happened to me and I wasn’t here to tell you this in person. I want you to know that you were the greatest gift in my life and even if I am not with you in body I will always be with you in spirit.
There are things you must know my love, things I probably never had a chance to tell you. I know they might be hard for you to read and I pray your grandfather is there to answer any questions you have, if not there are a lot of people there who would.
You were born into this world with a great responsibility Elizabeth, one you must understand. I along with your grandfather and your ancestors for thousands of years have been born wolves. You also have wolf blood that flows in your veins but being a woman are not able to change as men are. I am sure you have heard the term Werewolf used before to describe monsters and terrible creatures but we are not monsters Elizabeth we are members of the wolf clan, a race of beings that inhabited this earth long before modern man.
When you were born you were promised to Jason Corinthos he was meant to lead the clan and will need a strong mate at his side. I knew you would be that person Elizabeth. Your destiny is to lead our people by Jason's side, as well have children to continue our line. I know that must sound archaic to you but that is the way of our clan.
Our people take only one mate in their lifetime one person whom they will share their soul with. I know this will be hard for you to understand, but your mother was not that person for me. I too was promised a mate when I was born who died before she and I became one. Your mother was my attempt at finding a new mate someone to share my life with. As you know that didn’t work out well for us, but through her I had you and I will always be grateful for that.
Sonny Corinthos is a good man and I know he will raise Jason to be one as well, and that the two of you will mate and be happy. Please remember if you chose to mate with Jason there will be no going back once the two of you have made love he is yours and you are his and it will remain that way for eternity. I know if your grandfather is not with you this will be hard to understand but trust Jason he will help you when you need him.
If you have met Jason you may only have seen him in his human form but he does take on wolfs form as well. For our clan there is one thing that can distinguish all of the wolves, we all have blue eyes. Jason has black hair now as a child so I imagine when he grows up it will be the same. He is to be the alpha male which means that there will be a lot of people looking to him for advice, he will need you Elizabeth as his mate and his partner. Women are revered for their wisdom in our clan so people will be looking to you for answers as well.
I know this seems a lot right to take in right now Elizabeth but you will understand everything in time. I love you my little one I know you will be a strong leader and a good mate to Jason. Be safe for there will be people at work who will try and harm you trust Jason he will keep you out of harms way.
I love you,
Daddy
Elizabeth couldn’t believe her eyes and read the letter several times over and over again trying to absorb everything her father had said, knowing only one thing for sure Jason was her wolf, and she would become his mate.
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