by Rona Jameson
Rogan paused and glanced at Chase before he swallowed hard a few times and continued.
“Julia became friends with Fallon when they were both thirteen, and drove us three boys crazy. We couldn’t turn around without having them following us, and especially spying on us.
“From the moment Julia discovered boys, it had only ever been Leon. I’d never seen my friend so confused over a girl before. Eventually, they both grew up and became inseparable, and their love produced a daughter.”
He stared at Poppy.
“Poppy, your mom and dad loved you so much, and one day when you’re older, Chase and I will tell you about the stupid antics only boys can get up to. Fallon no doubt will have lots of stories to share about your mom.
“Fallon and I want you to know that we’ll always be here for you. Your home is with us now and together we’re going to make your parents proud.”
Looking around the church, Rogan deeply inhaled and stared at me. I offered him an encouraging smile through my tears.
“Julia and Leon will be missed more than I will ever be able to say.
“Thank you.”
Not a dry eye remained in the church by the time Rogan stepped down and came back to us. I quickly passed Poppy to Chase, and then reached for Rogan. I wrapped my arms tightly around his shoulders and just held him while he cried into my neck. Tears poured from my eyes. We both felt broken right now. The mourners stood and started to sing “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”
Eventually, I felt like I could breathe when we exited the church into the sunny afternoon. The clouds had disappeared leaving the sky so blue.
Chase carried Poppy, who to our surprise had fallen asleep on his shoulder. He’d always been able to get her to sleep.
Heat from someone’s gaze hit me hard and I turned sharply.
“What’s wrong?” Rogan asked, forever in tune with me.
“We’re being watched.” I then caught sight of a couple moving through friends and family toward us.
Julia’s parents.
“They don’t have any power over us, or Poppy.” Rogan kissed my cheek and slipped his arm around my waist.
Maeve Quinn looked elegant in her black and white dress. Her blond hair had been swept back and minimal makeup was on her face. She was only in her mid-fifties. David Quinn was arrogant and had never bothered with Julia’s welfare until she’d gotten pregnant. Then he’d disowned her.
They made me nervous, which Rogan knew, but that stemmed from my fear of losing Poppy. We’d both fight for her if it came to that.
Silence had gone through the mourners and I thought every eye was on us. No wonder when they all knew what had happened between them and Julia.
“We’d like to visit with Poppy,” Maeve said. “We’re not going to cause trouble, but she’s our granddaughter and we’d like to get to know her.”
It was subtle, but I felt Rogan shift beside me. If we hadn’t been touching, I wouldn’t have noticed.
“You wanted to have nothing to do with Poppy.” Rogan paused. “Or Leon. If it hadn’t been for Leon and Julia being so organized, you’d have had Julia buried in a different cemetery than Leon.”
Maeve’s mouth tightened and David looked embarrassed. He was well aware of the attention they had drawn, whereas Maeve wasn’t.
“Leon did nothing but stand by your daughter. He loved her. Can you say the same?”
David cleared his throat. “I think we need to go somewhere private to discuss things.”
“No!” I stamped my foot, annoyed beyond belief. “Everyone here is well aware of how you treated Julia. They’re also aware of everything Leon did to make sure Julia and their daughter were looked after. It was Rogan and my parents who helped them out initially. It was the sale of Leon’s family home when his mother died that provided a good home for them. You two did nothing, and you deserve nothing.”
I glanced at Rogan and felt a load of stress lift from my shoulders. He kissed my cheek and whispered, “I’m so fucking proud of you.” He chuckled. The first time in days.
Rogan
Our parents’ home was full to capacity as the funeral reception was being held here. A large decorators table had been shoved to one side of the large hallway. The table was laden with food from neighbors: Casseroles, sandwiches, tarts, veggie platters, crackers, cakes. The small table beside the front door had condolence cards in envelopes. The kitchen bustled with friendly women making tea and coffee and washing dishes.
I figured if one more person offered me condolences, I’d scream. Fallon had taken Poppy out into the back garden to play with her puppies, so I headed out to them.
Fallon had retrieved two seat cushions from the storage box that doubled as a small table on the back deck. Flower boxes, planters, and hanging baskets provided a burst of color.
Poppy played with Butter while I spotted Peanut meandering around the garden and investigating the corners of the yard. Probably looking for somewhere to dig a hole. The puppy’s favorite past time.
The dogs would probably always be known as puppies because they were already over two-years-old.
Fallon turned and spotted me lingering in the doorway. She held her hand out and I didn’t hesitate. I sat and tugged her onto my lap.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and breathed deeply. Her cool hands ran through my hair, which helped settle me. “I needed this.”
“I hated leaving you in there alone.”
Placing a kiss in the curve of her neck, I rested my chin there and watched Poppy. “I wanted to spare you that, and I knew it would be better for Poppy to be out here.”
Fallon raised her gaze and cupped my face. “How are you doing?” She wouldn’t let me look away as I struggled with emotion.
“I’m doing okay because I have you. I can survive anything with you here.”
“That’s how I feel. It hadn’t hit me properly until I saw them in church.” Tears came swiftly to her eyes. “You always make me so proud, Rogan. Your words also did Julia and Leon proud. I love you.”
Unable to find my voice, I buried my face in Fallon’s neck. Speaking in church today had been one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. It drained me, but having Fallon’s arms around me after had recharged my energy. The looks of curiosity we’d received during the course of the day hadn’t gone unnoticed.
Dad had noticed too. Mom had been distracted with keeping everyone together.
“We’ll head back to the hotel soon. I’ll get changed and head back here to tidy up. We can take some food back for you and Poppy to eat. Hopefully she’ll sleep after eating and a warm bath.”
“I want to help you.”
“Chase and Vince are going to help.” I smiled and kissed her. “Poppy needs you. I need you to relax with her. I’ll be able to carry on here knowing you’re away from all of the grief. I’ll know you’re waiting for me.” I kissed her again.
Poppy climbed between us and cuddled in Fallon’s arms. Her cherub face looked between us both, her eyes drooping.
“Okay. I’ll stay at the hotel.”
I nodded and caught Dad approaching from the corner of my eye, about the same time as Fallon had.
“How are you both doing?” he asked, his hands in his pockets.
“We’re managing.” I glanced at Poppy before raising my gaze to Dad.
He nodded toward the tool shed.
I didn’t want this talk, but deep inside I knew the sooner we had it the better.
Dad led the way as I quickly glanced at Fallon, who appeared worried. I bent and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry.”
I followed Dad into the shed and coughed when I took a breath. The air was thick with dust. A strong smell of paint permeated the air. It came from the stacked tins along the siding to the right. “Been a while since you were in here, huh?” I banged my shin on the peddles of an old bike.
“It has been a long time since I needed anything from in here.”
“Ugh!” I glanced ar
ound and decided I wouldn’t move a muscle. The workbench I was about to lean against was coated with paint, grease, and potting soil that had tipped over. “Let’s get this over with.”
Dad sighed. “I don’t want this talk, Son. I really don’t.”
“I can’t help loving Fallon. I don’t want to anymore. She’s the only girl I’ve ever loved.”
“Fallon wears your mother’s rings.” Dad observed, and heavily sighed. “What happened to Tiffany?”
So we weren’t going to discuss the ring and the commitment I’d obviously made to Fallon.
I frowned. “Tiffany? I never dated her. She was crazy.”
“Julia said you did.”
“Julia saw only what I wanted her to see. Tiffany stalked me, until she got focused on someone else. Last I heard she’d married the poor bastard.”
“You’re never going to give Fallon up, are you?” he asked wearily.
“No, Dad, I’m not. Asking me to give Fallon up would be like asking me not to breathe. I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with her by my side. She’s my wife, Dad. Has been for three years.”
Dad stared at me for a long time until he uttered, “Okay,” and left me in the dark and dank shed.
Tears burned behind my eyes at his reaction. He was my dad. The only one I had. I loved him and Mom, however, nothing and no one compared to my love for Fallon, and now Poppy was included in that.
After one last glance around the old shed, I spotted Fallon through the cracked and dirty window as worry etched on her face.
I left quickly and reaching Poppy, I took her into my arms, and held Fallon’s hand. “We’re going home.”
Part VI
Epilogue
Rogan aged 49 / Fallon aged 48 /
Poppy aged 28
Epilogue
Poppy
The fire at the warehouse was still going strong four hours later. When I’d arrived my heart had been in my throat because I’d known my boyfriend, Vasily Sokolov, was inside with other members of his ladder company.
A smoky haze covered the sky as dark billowing plumbs of smoke climbed up the walls to the roof. The sound of glass breaking as the flames licked around the windows had my heart thumping in fear. This fire was bad, and I hated that Vasily and others were on the inside trying to put the fire out. The alarm blurred for all fire crews to clear the building and my hand immediately clenched at my chest in fear.
As a fire investigator, our paths crossed often, after all that was how we’d met. My job wouldn’t be fully started on this fire until it was safe to enter, and then the work would really start. I loved my job, even though I’d go home exhausted when the case was a difficult one. The warehouse had been empty for years and the owner hadn’t been able to sell it. My nose twitched it was arson, but I’d have to prove it.
Vasily, known to his team as Solo, often teased me about my job. It was the way of things in the department, and I enjoyed the banter between us. He was my love. Vasily had lived in America since he was five years old, coming here with his grandparents. He had no family left, apart from me and mine.
We’d lived together for a year, and he was everything to me. I loved the stubborn twenty-six-year-old Russian-American. He loved to say that he was the younger one in the relationship.
“Scott?” Rogers called.
I swallowed around the lump in my throat, and jogged over to him.
“They’re bringing Solo out now.” He paused. “He fell through a floor.” Rogers grabbed my arm as I turned looking for him. “He’s damn lucky. He rolled and managed to break his fall. Concussion maybe. He’s strong, Poppy.”
“I know,” I agreed, hoping Captain Rogers was correct while I fought back tears.
“They’re out.”
Hearing shouting, I turned and watched the stretcher crew bringing Vasily out toward where the EMT truck waited.
My lips wobbled as I ran to him. His dark blond hair was filthy from the fire. I deeply inhaled and caught a breath when his eye stayed closed. I climbed into the truck with him and took his hand into mine. My eyes focused on the EMT who I knew because we worked out of the same building downtown.
“Poppy, breathe, honey.” Simon checked his vitals and hooked him up with a saline drip. “Everything looks has it should, and he’s waking up.”
My eyes shot up to Vasily and his bright blue eyes were focused on my face. Tears of relief hovered on my lashes as I smiled through them. “You scared me.” I bent and kissed his cheek. Hovering close to his lips, I held his gaze, and whispered, “I love you.” I pressed a soft kiss to his lips and sat back.
“You two need to stop scaring each other.” Simon observed.
“I only needed a bit of oxygen, that one time.”
“That’s not how I remember it.” Simon checked Vasily again and sat back writing on his clipboard.
“I’m going to be okay.” Vasily squeezed my hand. “I’ll bruise and I’ll let you kiss them better.”
I rolled my eyes. “Do I want to know where these bruises are?”
He grinned so wide. “God, I love you.” His eyes lit with amusement. “I’ll show you the bruises when we’re alone.”
Chuckling, I kept hold of his hand until I was forced to part with him when we arrived at the emergency entrance of the hospital.
Feeling antsy, I grabbed my phone from my jacket pocket and texted my family. I needed them. Vasily needed them. No matter what he said, he’d had a scare tonight at the fire. My parents loved him as though he was theirs, so I knew they’d come.
Fallon
“Honey, Poppy said he had a mild concussion. He’ll be fine.” Rogan kept his arm around my shoulders and walked into the hospital.
The moment I’d received Poppy’s text message, I couldn’t get out of the house fast enough. Rogan knew I loved Vasily as part of our family. He did too, but wouldn’t admit it. The stubborn man. He’d just grin and laugh when I said he loved our daughter’s boyfriend.
At one time we were Aunt and Uncle to Poppy, and then our lives had taken a different direction when Poppy lost her parents, our best friends. She’d been celebrating her sixth birthday when she’d asked if she could call us Mom and Dad. I think Rogan had been more emotional than I had. We’d also changed her name at that point, just before she’d started preschool. It saved questions that Poppy didn’t need asking.
She’d grown into a beautiful young woman who her parents would be so proud of, as we were. Rogan had been nervous about Poppy actually following in his footsteps, but we’d both fully supported her.
Her grandparents, Maeve and David Quinn, hadn’t been happy, but Poppy was as strong-willed as her mother had been. Yes, we’d eventually got over our anger at how they’d treated our friends, and had let them visit with Poppy, but under our supervision. To be honest, they’d been good for her. Rogan had stipulated that if he ever found out they’d said one wrong word about either Julia or Leon, they would never see Poppy again. They’d agreed to his terms. They were still in her life today.
I ended my thoughts by glancing at the clock on the waiting room wall, and sighed. Only five minutes had passed since we’d arrived. “Where is Poppy?”
“She’s coming out to us.”
I glanced around but couldn’t see her. Rogan kissed my cheek. “I sent her a message. She replied.” He kissed me again. “They’ll both be okay. Don’t worry.”
Letting out an unladylike snort, I dug my elbow into his side. “Are you telling me you weren’t worried, Rogan Scott? I’m convinced after all our years together that you only tease me to hear my voice.”
“You’re on to me.” He quickly slapped a kiss to my lips and pulled me to my feet.
Poppy appeared through the private doors and was embraced by Rogan first, and then me. I wiped the tears from her cheeks. “He’s okay, right?”
She nodded. “Yes.” Wiping at her tears, she added, “I’m just relieved. It was scary seeing him on the stretcher and then in the truck.” Breathing
deeply, she took a step back. “I’ll take you to him.”
Rogan intertwined our fingers and held tightly while we followed Poppy into a private room. Vasily was propped up with pillows. His complexion was slightly paler than normal but he appeared in good spirits.
Letting go of Rogan’s hand, I went straight up to him and gave him a hug, and kiss to his cheek. “I’m so happy you’re going to be all right.”
“Thank you.” Vasily fidgeted with the sheet as his eyes drifted to Rogan and Poppy. He focused on Poppy and I hid my smile. “She made sure I was being taken care of.”
“She’s just like her mother. Fierce when it comes to someone she loves,” Rogan told him, and moved closer, shaking Vasily’s hand. “Glad you’re okay, son.”
Vasily blushed and loved it when Rogan called him son. He would be officially our son one day. I knew that, I just wished Poppy and Vasily would get on with it. We weren’t getting any younger, and although it would be bittersweet to watch her walk down the aisle, I couldn’t wait.
“Would it be okay if we drove out to the house tomorrow and stayed for a few days?” Poppy smiled. “I told Vasily it would be nice to have some home-cooked food, plus I know how much Vasily likes you fussing around him, Mom.”
Vasily cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed.
“We’re staying overnight.” Rogan grinned at me. “So, we’ll drive you once Vasily is released. We’ll drive you back as well.”
