Guardian

by Marnie Leighton

  The days were fine, but the evenings weren’t so easy. As the initial excitement of renovating the church wore off, the pain of missing Aydin returned. The temptation to call Isaac increased every day, and the only thing that held me back was the fear of what he might tell me. There wasn’t a single night I didn’t cry myself to sleep, and even though they weren’t always tears of sadness, they usually were.

  ***

  Four months later my church was finished. It was now a three-bedroom home with two bathrooms—both with very warm showers. I’d had to swim in the river for the first few weeks after moving back, and even though I occasionally still did, it was nice to have another, warmer, option.

  I’d not been comfortable with the idea of changing a church into private residence so to make myself feel better, I turned the altar area into a small chapel with an external door. I let May spread the word, inviting the locals to come and sit quietly with their thoughts, if they wanted to. I didn’t realize just how many of them would, and every day at least one person turned up and I often found myself providing a cup of tea and a sympathetic ear. But I didn’t mind, it reminded me of my guardian past and it was nice to feel useful again.

  On the final day of clean up, I approached May as she directed her loyal band of workmen to pack some tools into her truck.

  ‘Morning May,’ I called out.

  ‘Why hellooo Callie,’ she sang. ‘We’re just sortin’ the last of the mess. Be done in no time.’

  ‘No rush,’ I replied, handing her a freshly brewed coffee.

  ‘Ahhh, you do know how to spoil an old lassie.’ She sipped the steaming drink. ‘So what are you planning to do with yourself now all this is finished.’

  ‘Well, I wanted to talk to you about that.’ Her eyes twinkled in anticipation. ‘I’ve met so many lovely people the last few months. I was thinking it would be nice to have a housewarming party.’

  She nearly choked on her drink. ‘Why, that’s a grand idea,’ she declared, wiping brown dribbles from her shirt. ‘I’ll sort you a deal on catering. Bet you didn’t know my cousin’s wife runs the local café.’ I shook my head smiling, even though she’d told me at least a dozen times. ‘We’ll get Jamie to put up lights, and Drew can get tables,’ she added. ‘The weather’s set to be good next couple of weeks, so it’s perfect for an outdoor party. I think next Saturday would be best, don’t you?’

  ‘Sounds wonderful,’ I replied, aware I’d just lost control of my housewarming. I wondered how the workmen would take their new role.

  ‘Well, that’s settled then,’ she said, resting the coffee cup on her ample chest. ‘Wait till I tell the girls at cards, they’ll be chuffed. They’re dying to meet you.’

  It was the Friday afternoon before the party, when I headed into town to check on some final preparations. The celebration had grown exponentially, and the whole village now seemed to be coming, but May had it all under control.

  My errands took longer than I hoped, mainly because everywhere I went somebody was keen for a chat, and a thank you for the party invite. The day disappeared quickly, and it was late afternoon by the time I climbed into my car. My mobile rang as I turned the key.

  ‘Hello,’ I answered hesitantly, not recognizing the number.

  ‘Hey Callie, Jamie here. Wanted to let you know the seating is done, and the lights are up.’

  ‘That’s great Jamie, thanks,’ I said stifling a giggle. The look on his face when May thrust the tangled mess of fairy lights at him and pointed at the many trees had been priceless. ‘I imagine it was a bit of a big job.’

  ‘You could say that. Anyway, I’ve left them on. Let me know if you’re happy. If not, I can come back tomorrow morning.’

  ‘I’m sure they’ll be fantastic. I’ll call you later.’

  ‘Okay, talk to you then.’

  I was tapping my fingers on the steering wheel, lost in a song on the radio, as I drove down the gravel road towards my church. As I rounded the last bend it came into view. I hit the brakes, and my car skidded to a halt. I gazed through the windscreen in stunned silence; I could barely believe my eyes. The setting sun had painted the sky a dozen shades of orange, and golden light flowed over my church, spilling onto the fields surrounding it. Countless fairy lights defined every tree, their glow intensifying as the daylight faded. The tables and chairs were set up, and they seemed to be holding their breath, awaiting tomorrow night’s guests. The whole scene was truly breath-taking, and a sliver of happiness soothed my battered soul. I held onto it best I could. There’d been so few moments of true joy over the last few months, and it felt…nice.

  ‘Please let the weather stay like this,’ I quietly prayed. The forecast was good, but Mother Nature had her own set of rules, especially in England—God forbid she disappoint May though.

  Hopping out of my car, my feet gave a satisfying crunch on the gravel. The night air was cool, and I glanced at the huge pile of wood sitting beyond the tables ready for tomorrow night’s bonfire. Suddenly the crickets leaped into song and the fragrant scent of autumn lilac drifted through, completing the picture-perfect scene. I smiled—it really would be a wonderful party.

  A loud grumble from my stomach got my attention, and I put my hands to my waist trying to remember the last time I’d eaten. I still wasn’t very good at being human; it’d probably be toast for dinner again tonight.

  I turned and walked towards the church door as pangs of happiness and sadness tugged at my heart. This was home now, this was my life now, and I was grateful for everything I’d been given, but it would never feel quite right—not without Aydin.

  I paused before going in, to take one last look at the sunset. A hint of movement near the cliff edge caught my attention. A lone figure stood staring out at the river and fields below. My eyes narrowed as my mind went into overdrive trying to figure out who it was. Was it Jamie? Maybe it was Drew. Then again, neither of their cars were in the driveway.

  The stranger shifted slightly, and I noticed he was wearing a suit. That made me nervous, but perhaps it was one of the townsfolk who’d gotten the party night wrong. If it wasn’t, could it possibly be Isaac?... Or was it someone else? Someone I didn’t want to see?

  Fear and excitement fought to surface as I tried to place him. Curiosity finally got the better of me— I took a deep breath, clenched my fists, and walked towards him. I nearly stopped when a vision of amber eyes flashed through my mind. A cold chill electrified my spine, but I forced myself to keep moving.

  Stopping a short distance away I examined the stranger’s back, surprised he still hadn’t turned. The fear crept upwards, taking the warmth of my skin with it. He was the same height as Samuel with similar hair, maybe slightly darker, but definitely similar. He seemed young, and the way his hands rested in his pockets gave him a relaxed feel. I stood in awkward silence wondering what to do. I went to say something but stopped. There was something about his suit—it was gray, and a little old-fashioned. I was sure I’d seen it somewhere before. Suddenly his feet shifted.

  ‘Hello? Can I help you?’ I said firmly, not wanting to startle him.

  He looked over his shoulder and I examined his profile. Turning slowly, he looked at me with an expression that said he knew me, even if I didn’t recognize him. A subtle smile lit his face. ‘Hello Callie.’

  I inhaled sharply and my legs went numb. He smiled and the fear in my heart melted away. ‘Aydin?’

   He nodded. I threw my hand over my mouth and burst into tears. I took in his shoulders, his skin, his hair and his unmistakable coffee eyes. It was suddenly so obvious; he looked exactly as he had in his last human life—the one we’d shared right here, on this same piece of earth.

  He looked around. ‘You know, the last time I stood here, all I could think about was how much I wanted to be the one who would dance with you.’

  He talking about my wedding day—now I knew where I’d seen his suit, it was the same one he’d worn all those years ago.

  ‘You remember?’ I
whispered.

  ‘I remember everything. I’m not sure how I ever forgot.’ I closed my eyes too scared to look in case it was all just a beautiful dream. ‘Are you okay Callie?’

  His deep voice was like music, but I still couldn’t look at him. ‘Are you here…to say goodbye?’ I asked.

   His soft laugh opened my eyes. He held out his hand. ‘Dance with me?’ I stared longingly but couldn’t move. He stepped forward. ‘Please Callie… Would you grant me this dance?’ My hand shook as it took his. He drew me into his chest and I leaned on his shoulder. He was so warm, so real, but I still couldn’t believe this was happening. We began to sway, dancing to the sounds of silence. ‘I hope you forgive me for not asking the first time,’ he whispered into my ear.

  I pulled free of his embrace unable to deal with the millennia of emotions. ‘Are you here to say goodbye?’ I asked again. He shook his head. ‘So Isaac said you could stay?’

  His smile faded. ‘No, he didn’t.’ He stepped closer; his dark eyes locked on mine. ‘He didn’t tell me I could stay because I told him there was no other option.’

  I stared in disbelief. ‘Please Aydin, tell me what’s happening?’

  He smiled softly, taking my hands in his. ‘To be completely honest, I’m still trying to figure that out. To figure myself out.’

  I squeezed his fingers, torn between the delight of his touch and the agony of my confusion. ‘So, you’re human?’

  His brow furrowed. ‘Almost. Isaac did leave me with one ability.’

  ‘Which one?’

  ‘My strength.’

  I frowned. ‘But he said your soul needed time to heal. Will you be okay?’

  ‘I hope so.’

  ‘You don’t sound sure.’

  He tilted his head. ‘I’m not. In fact, I’m not sure of anything, except one thing.’

  ‘And what’s that?’

  He reached up and caressed my cheek. ‘The only thing I am sure of is that I exist to be with you.’ He pulled me back into his arms, and his mouth brushed my temple. ‘My soul is yours Callie. It always has been, and it always will be. I’ll never be whole without you. And that was what I told Isaac.’ I glanced up and saw my whole existence reflected in his eyes. ‘So can I stay?’ he asked gently.

  I gasped. ‘What?’

  He bit his lip shyly. ‘Can I stay, here with you? I understand if…’

  ‘Yes,’ I interrupted. ‘Yes, of course you can stay.’

  A huge smile lit his face as his eyes flicked between mine. ‘Do you know that even in my darkest moments, even when I couldn’t remember your name…my heart never forgot how much I loved you.’

  His lips touched mine, draining away the hurt. His kiss was real, impossibly, perfectly, undeniably real, and most importantly it was mine. It wasn’t stolen from another or granted in confusion—it was given in love and I owned every second, every minute of it.

  And we stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, with the heavens above, the Earth below, and us somewhere in between.

  The End