Chapter 51
"I'll be waiting in the limo honey, take your time."
Nyla nodded, leaning in her hug her Mom tightly before watching her walk off. Turning, she stared blankly ahead of her, unaware of the cold air whipping around her face.
She felt absolutely miserable and empty inside. What was she gonna do now? "Hey Grams, long time no see huh? I'm really sorry I didn't come see you sooner, I wanna say I was busy, but that's simply not an excuse. I shoulda..." She shook her head, pausing a moment before going on.
"Ya know, I got stuck on the way here in a really bad storm, I shoulda expected it, I know how Rochester winter's are. Anyway, we ended up having to stay in an abandoned mansion for almost eight days before we were finally able to make it here. Yeah I know, you got your wish, me being with Nick again. But it wasn't like that at first."
"It was really odd in the beginning, we were cordial to each other like always, but...then things changed. It was like old times again, when things were different. We laughed, and talked and just...enjoyed each other's company." She wiped at her eyes before continuing. "But then...things suddenly became so difficult. I know I know, you're right, you can only run so long before you fall. Well I did Grams, I fell. I was running ya know, I was going fine and then he asked me why and I fell, I fell right on my face."
"I messed up so bad Grams, so bad and I hurt him so much. See, I didn't trust him to tell me the truth and I had no faith in him and in the end, I lost the one thing that had always made sense to me, I lost my inspiration, my love and my heart to someone who did nothing wrong. "
"He keeps telling me that it's ok, that it's in the past, but I can't forget it. All this time wasted all because of me, we might still be together if I hadn't...if I'd just...I love him, I want to be with him." She sniffled, wiping at her eyes.
"And now you're gone, I don't have anyone to turn to, and...and I feel so alone Grams. I wish you were here to tell me what to do, to hug me...I miss you so much, and I'm sorry..." Her voice broke, the tears streaming down her cheeks. She wrapped her arms around herself, staring hard at the tombstone, trying to block out the cold and hold onto the memories.
Nick made his way up the hill, stopping when he saw her standing there, her body stiff and still. As he made his way closer, he could hear her soft sobs and stopped, watching her sadly.
He knew how hard it must be for her to be standing there, having to say good bye before she was ready. Alone, she stood there all alone, which he knew was how she was feeling, cold and alone. Carefully he made his way closer, standing just behind her.
"If I could do it over Grams I would, I would've come up and visited you more, called more, done something more...I feel like this is all my fault. Like you were waiting for me and I just let you down, I'm so sorry Grams, I am. I'd do anything to take it back, to have gotten here on time, to at least have said goodbye." She bit her lip, her chin quivering.
"I promise I won't f-forget you Grams. I'll think of you everyday, talk to you everyday, tell you what's going on and I'll be a better friend to Nick, and I won't get upset when Mom mentions him and...and...I'll...be more careful washing my clothes like you always taught me, I'll help Mom more...I-I..." Her voice faded as she sobbed softly. "I miss you."
He couldn't stand it anymore, he came up behind her, closing his eyes at her soft sobs, shaking his head sadly.
She couldn't seem to stop, she'd thought she'd cried all she could, but apparently she hadn't. Suddenly, arms surrounded her and she turned. "M-Mom..."
"No baby."
Nyla lifted her head at the voice, her eyes widening. "Nick?! What are you doing here? You have stuff to do places to be..."
"I'm where I'm supposed to be, here with you."
"Nick..."
"Shh..." He placed a finger over her lips, "Shh Nyla. I'm here with you ok? You don't have to go through this alone. You're not alone."
Her eyes welled up again and she buried her face in his chest, sobbing softly, clutching at his shirt.
"I'm so sorry baby, I'm gonna miss her too." Nick whispered, hugging her close to him, trying to stop the shivers running through her body. He stared at the tombstone and sighed, bringing a hand up to wipe at his eyes.
"N-Nick?"
"Yes?"
"I'm...I'm ready to go now."
He nodded, starting to turn her when she hesitated, looking back at the tombstone one last time.
"See ya later Grams, I love you." She whispered, a faint smile lingering on her lips. Waiting just a moment longer before looking up at Nick and smiling a bit as they turned and headed off towards the limo that was waiting.
