Page 13

Chapter 13

Della-200 years later

I laughed hysterically at Henry’s terrible joke. Penelope slapped his shoulder, telling him that he wasn’t funny, but I could not stop laughing. Sometimes it felt like I was the only one who understood his dry humor and appreciated it. Henry's eyes shined brightly.

“Della thinks I am funny.”

“Yeah, well, she is the only one,” Holden scoffed.

I turned to him and smiled. Sara was laughing behind her glass as I glared at Holden. Penelope stood up and clapped her hands together.

“I almost forgot!” She ran into the kitchen that looked exactly the same as it did when I first came to the house with Haden. “I made a new recipe,” she called from the kitchen.

My eyes widened. Henry glanced at all of us with a look of terror.

“She spent all day on it,” he warned us.

“Last time she spent that long on a dessert, I got food poisoning,” Holden whispered harshly. His father gave him a look that he better lie to his sweet mother and tell her that her dessert was the best thing he had ever tasted. Sara was laughing softly to herself as she watched Holden and Henry bicker back and forth. I was smiling, and out of habit, I turned to the seat Haden used to sit in. It still took my breath away when I saw it was empty. The pain stabbed through me, but I tried not to let it show. I could practically see him sitting in the chair next to me, looking like he did when I first met him.

I pictured his stormy blue eyes watching me closely. His dark blonde hair is messy from working on his home. The mischievous glint in his eyes was like we shared secrets. I swallowed hard, and the image in my mind floated away. I rubbed the back of my neck as it stiffened with tension. Quickly, I blinked back the tears that stung my eyes. I looked forward and grabbed my drink. Henry gave me a small smile full of sadness. He knew what I was thinking. Penelope came out and set down some sort of pie.

“That smells wonderful.” I inhaled the pleasant scent of the pie. “Lemon?”

“Lemon and blueberry.” She moved it so we could see how well she had done. “Now I know my baking has been…rocky, but I promise this is delicious.”

Henry served us each a piece, and we all stared at it, wondering who was going to be the bravest one to try it first.

“Oh, I forgot the silverware.” Penelope stood, and Holden looked at me.

“Goddesses can’t get sick; you test it first.”

I threw my napkin at him. Penelope handed each of us a spoon and waited for us to dig in.

“Holden, you do the honors of the first bite.” I smiled sweetly.

Henry’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. Sara snorted softly when Holden’s eyes narrowed on me. He lifted his spoon and took a bite, chewing hesitantly before swallowing.

“This is your best dessert so far.” He smiled. Penelope beamed at Holden before turning back to the kitchen. Holden shook his head, warning us all that it was not good. But we all ate it without complaint. It was her best dessert, but I’m pretty sure she forgot sugar, so it was an odd flavor.

“That was great.” I complimented when I finished first.

“Thank you, Della.”

I sat there for a long moment before looking at Haden’s empty chair again. Grief slammed into me. It had been two hundred years, but the grief never got easier—I just became used to it. Some days I still couldn't get out of bed. Mikel and Pia always came and sat with me on those extra hard days.

“Do you mind if I go to Haden’s room?”

“No, of course not,” Henry said.

I excused myself and headed up the staircase I had been up hundreds of times over the years. But each time it felt overwhelming. I opened the door to Haden’s room and inhaled his scent that still lingered. My magic kept this room standing still in time. The effects of time could not get to it. It was exactly as Haden had left it, and it would be forever. I instantly relaxed. My gaze went to the desk that we had shared our first kiss in front of.

That kiss had changed everything. I could still feel the way he gripped me to him and picture his flirty eyes. I smiled softly. Part of me loved the memories, but another part of me recoiled from them. It was still painful to remember specific times with him. It made the longing for him swirl, and my grief seemed to triple. My gaze didn't move from the desk, enjoying this memory.

My chest tightened at the sight of the plans for his house sitting on top. I traced the lines he drew and felt tears prick my eyes.

I ran my hand along the desk and chair. Haden had touched all of these things, and it made me feel closer to him somehow. I turned and walked to the bed. Slowly, I sank down onto the edge and let the feeling of missing Haden consume me. I grabbed his pillow and inhaled deeply.

“I miss you,” I whispered as if he could hear me.

A soft knock on the door startled me. Henry came in and sat next to me.

“I can’t believe it's been so long since we’ve seen him.” He sighed heavily as he glanced over Haden's room. His eyes paused on certain things longer, and I wondered what wonderful memories he had of Haden.

I nodded.

“Some days it feels like 200 years, and others it feels longer. On bad days it feels like it just happened days ago,” I confessed.

“I feel that way, too.”?

We sat in silence for a long time, just sitting with our shared love and grief for Haden. I gripped his pillow tightly. Henry slung his arm around my shoulder and hugged me to his side once I couldn’t keep the grief inside anymore. Tears fell down my face as my body racked with silent sobs.?

“I still miss him so much that it is all-consuming,” I cried.?

“I know you do.” Henry tightened his arm on me and held me as I fell apart. “It just means you loved him so much that no amount of time can take that from you.”?

I squeezed the pillow to me even tighter. I thought time was supposed to heal wounds. But it just felt like each year that passed made my wound deeper, steadily ripping me open and exposing my heart.?Where would Haden and I be in life if he hadn't died? We would be married. We would have that family he dreamed about. We would be madly in love.

“Penelope and I would like you to take some of his things with you—for you to have when you are away.”?

I looked at him.?“Really?”

“Yes, anything you want,” he said with a smile. “As much as you want. I’ll let you look around and pick some things.” He stood up and left the room. I immediately went to his desk and grabbed the plans for the house he had been building. When I lifted the paper up, I paused at the sight of the picture of me that he had drawn. I lifted it and traced the lines of my face that he drew. My heart rate spiked. I had never seen his drawing of me, but it was so realistic.

He had told me once that he was scared I'd disappear and he'd forget what I looked like. That memory brought me comfort as my gaze stared at his artwork.

My eyes were closed, and my head was on a pillow. He had drawn me as I slept. I took that one too. Then I turned to where his clothes were. I grabbed a few tunics before looking around. Gods, I wish I could take his whole damn bed, but I only took his pillow. I grinned at the thought, glancing around once more before deciding that this would be enough. Tunics to smell him and pictures of his future plans he never got to achieve—me and our home.?

“I love you.” I paused for a moment as if I would hear his voice from where he was hiding in the room. Disappointment coursed through me when that didn't happen.

I walked out of the room and shut the door softly. When I came downstairs, his family was smiling at me and my items.

“Thank you.” I smiled even though tears burned my eyes. “This means everything to me.”?

“Of course. We should have done it sooner.” Penelope stood up and hugged me. "We love you."

"I love you guys too."

I was thankful that Haden gave me a family, even if I had to enjoy it without him.