"I hope…" Doreen started but stopped at the anguished wail that came from Piper's room and closed her eyes. "You'd better go."
"I'm sorry," Martin said.
Doreen sat on the sofa when he left, letting the tears run silently down her own face as she listened to Piper wail out her grief.
----------
The week passed with no word and Doreen became extremely concerned with Piper. She only left her bedroom to go to the bathroom and barely touched any of the food that was brought into her. Either an indifferent silence or a crying jag met every attempt she had made to talk to her. Both Martin and Mr. Watts had made several attempts to visit her, but both were turned away, sometimes harshly.
Finally putting her foot down, she prepared a huge a breakfast and marched determinedly into Piper's bedroom, sitting down with her tray on the edge of the bed.
Piper watched her with distant eyes and scowled when she saw the tray in her hands.
"I'm not hungry."
"Wouldn't my daughter want you to take care of yourself?" Doreen asked.
"Bailey's dead."
"You don't know that," Doreen said ignoring her own pain at the statement.
"Yes, I do," Piper said, bringing a hand out from under the covers to lay a necklace on the bedspread. "She left me that," she choked, her eyes beginning to tear. "She never, ever took it off."
Doreen gasped as she recognized it and reverently picked it up, caressing the inscription on the back. "Her father gave her this for her fourteenth birthday."
Piper just nodded and wiped at her eyes.
"That doesn't mean she's gone, child."
"She transferred all of her money and holdings into my name," Piper sniffled. "She left me a note, but I don't have the courage to read it."
"You should."
"I can't," Piper said. "She told me once never to give up on her, you know?"
"She's quite capable, child. Don't give up on her."
"This is all my fault. If I had listened to her she would be okay."
Doreen reached across the bed and slapped Piper smartly on the cheek. "You listen to me," she said. "She may be your lover but she's my daughter and I won't let you give up on her, because I can't. That girl walked through hell to save you and she let herself die a slow death over the years for her brother and myself. If she's in God's hands right now, I won't have you sitting around and making her sacrifice a vain one. Do you understand me?"
Piper sat in shock, one hand cupping her stinging cheek and looking at Doreen with wide eyes.
"I said do you understand me?"
"Yes."
"My daughter loves you and if she's left this world, you're going to live the rest of your life honoring that. Bailey would want you to carry on and believe me, you can do it, and because you love her, you will do it," Doreen said with flashing eyes. "Now, I want you to eat everything I brought you and then I want to see you bathed and ready to walk with me outside in an hour. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Good," Doreen said with satisfaction, leaning forward to place Bailey's necklace over her head. "Bailey treasured her father as she obviously treasures you," she added rising from the bed and walking briskly from the room.
Piper watched her go and stared at the door for several moments, bringing a hand up to cup the crucifix around her neck. She caressed it lovingly and brought it up to her lips for a tender kiss. With a shuddering sigh, she picked up the tray and reluctantly began eating the breakfast Doreen had brought in.
----------
James Hoake walked into the room and glared severely at the disheveled forms gathered around the table.
"Director," Bob said, standing from his seat.
"This operation is over as of right now and everyone is dismissed until after the first of the year."
"But…" Terry protested, rising from his chair.
"Sit down, Terry," James ordered. "It's over. How many do we have left?"
An uncomfortable silence encompassed the room.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"Nine," Keith said finally. "Six of which are hospitalized."
"Holy God," James said. "Congratulations, Terry. You've managed to rather thoroughly destroy the Organization."
"We can rebuild, I'll make it a priority," Terry stammered. "But Cameron…"
"Shut up," James interrupted. "Bailey Ann Cameron died on the operating table at Bethesda Navy four days ago."
Terry gaped and fell into the back of his chair.
"She sustained several wounds when she all but annihilated all of our operatives. I received a visit from her at home and she made several demands. All of which I intend to honor," he explained. "Terry, I'll review your hand in this after the New Year, but right now, I want all of our remaining operatives to stand down and we'll continue this discussion when we reconvene in January."
"She's really dead?" Terry asked.
"Yes," James said. "And I'm sure we'll all soon regret it. She took several precautions to make sure we'd pay the price if she died. Bob, Keith, remain with me a minute. The rest of you are dismissed now."
"But…" Terry said.
"I said now," James interrupted and glared at him darkly until he very reluctantly and sheepishly made his way for the door.
"Get comfortable, gentlemen," James said as soon as they were alone in the room.
II
I am stretched on your grave, And will lie there forever. If your hands were in mine, I'd be sure we'd not sever
- P. King, S. O'Connor
On the fourteenth day at the embassy, Piper dressed smartly and put on her best jewelry. She took great pains in applying her makeup and styling her hair before emerging from her room and taking up vigil with Bailey's family, Martin, and Major Watts.
They gathered in a large receiving area to patiently wait for word or the Major's cell phone to ring. She had struggled through the last week but Doreen had hovered above her constantly, always quick with a slap when she sank into despair or equally as adept in providing comfort, whichever she felt was appropriate at the time. She kept Bailey's note on her person at all times but still hadn't mustered up the courage to read it, much to Doreen's dismay.
The day dragged on painfully until almost one in the afternoon when the Major's phone rang and everyone turned anxious expressions on the man as he answered it stiffly.
"Watts," he said and his face fell.
Doreen grabbed Piper's hand tightly and waited worriedly until the Major hung up.
"Was it her?" Piper asked.
"No," Jeremy said. "But I was informed we should have a visitor in a few minutes."
"Really?" Piper asked, not daring to hope.
"That's what I was told."
"Who?" Doreen asked.
"I wasn't informed," Jeremy said, standing. "I'll wait outside if you don't mind and bring our visitor in when they arrive."
Piper chewed on her lip nervously and held Doreen's hand tightly until the Major reentered the room a quarter of an hour later carrying a long cardboard tube and leading an olive skinned man dressed in a gray business suit. The man held a briefcase in one hand and a small wooden box in the crook of his other arm. She went very still and followed the man with hooded eyes as he stopped, setting the briefcase on the floor at his feet and looking carefully at the gathered faces.
"I'm Keith DeSilva," he said. "I'm here to inform the Cameron family that you have been granted American citizenship and are free to do as you wish."
"I'm also here to inform Martin Satterfield that he has been exonerated of all charges and is free to live anyway he chooses, without worry for his life," Keith said, pausing to clear his throat uncomfortably.
"It's also my sad duty to inform you that Bailey Ann Cameron died almost two weeks ago in Bethesda."
"No!" Piper screamed, springing from her chair, ignoring Doreen's anguished cry and Martin's quiet curse. "Where's her body?" she asked, shaking uncontrollably.
Keith took the wooden bo
x from under his arm and presented it to Piper. "She requested cremation. I'm very sorry."
"Oh, God no," Piper said, crumbling.
"Miss Cameron was in surgery for the better part of a day before she finally passed over," Keith said. "I'm very sorry."
"No!" Piper screamed, running from the room in tears.
Doreen stood up and took the box from Keith. "Did she say anything?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"My baby," Doreen said and Ryan embraced her tightly.
"Her sword was to be given to Miss Tate," Keith said, gesturing to the tube in Jeremy's hands.
"I'll see that she gets it," Jeremy said.
Keith picked up his briefcase and withdrew three envelopes, which he also handed to Jeremy who took them without comment.
"I'm very sorry," Keith said again to the people gathered who either didn't hear him or didn't care to respond. He looked at Jeremy who nodded and led him, unnoticed, out of the room.
"Damn it," Martin said, wiping at his eyes.
----------
Piper ran hysterically back to her room and locked the door behind her. She raged destructively around the room, finally collapsing in a corner and bringing her knees up her chest, sobbing uncontrollably, her breath coming painfully. She wept until the light coming through the window was gone and Doreen finally had the Major come in and unlock the door.
Doreen entered alone, sadly taking in the shattered room and lowering herself to the floor to take a seat next to the sobbing Piper, putting an arm around her.
"Read me her note."
"I can't."
"Would you like me to read it to you?"
Piper sniffled and dug the note out of her pocket. "Please," she said, handing it to her.
Doreen took several deep breaths as she unfolded it and put on her glasses.
"It says..." she started.
Piper,
As a person who has spent the majority of her life not on speaking terms with God, I want you to know that each day I spent with you I thanked Him. And as you read this letter know that I've much to be thankful for. Because of you, I lived more in the time we spent together than I did in all my years prior; and because of you, a soul in danger of dying was given the gift of happiness.
My sins are of such magnitude that forgiveness could only be found in fantasy. A fantasy that became reality when I met you, for you're the best thing that ever happened to me. At some point in my life, I must have done something right because having you was the greatest gift I ever received.
I know I never said the words, mainly because I was afraid to. Afraid for reasons I can't explain, even to myself. Foolish, I know. But since meeting you I've found myself afraid of things I know are irrational. The idea of someone like me having been blessed with the love of someone like you, was something I dared not ever hope for or allow myself to even dream about. Having you, if only for a short time, made my whole life worth living. I wish I had the words to let you know how much you mean to me. To say I love you doesn't seem adequate enough to convey the depth of my feelings. But know that I do.
I love you. I love you beyond measure. You'll be with me always. You became my life and all that I was and all that I become belongs to you.
"…Yours now and forever, Bailey," Doreen finished in tears and enveloped a wailing Piper in her arms. "It's alright, child," she whispered. "It's alright..."
----------
Piper approached Martin three days later with a determined look on her face. He saw her coming and experienced a quick moment of indecision as to whether or not he should run or hold his ground when he noted her expression.
"Martin," Piper said as she took a seat across from him.
"Yes?"
"What are your plans now?"
"I don't really know," he said with a shrug.
"I want you to come work for me."
"Huh?"
"I want you to come and work for C-Corp after the first of the year," Piper said. "Bailey left me the company, and I could use you."
Martin considered a moment. "I think…" he said slowly, "… I think I'd like that."
"Good, then it's settled," Piper said with a nod of satisfaction. "I want you to come home with me and the Cameron's for Christmas."
"Home?" Martin said. "You mean with your family?"
"Yes, we'll be leaving the day after tomorrow. I'm planning on calling my parents tonight."
"Alright," he said. "I'll call my mother too. I need to let her know that I'm alive."
"Great," Piper said, rising to her feet.
"Piper, are you okay?" he asked before she could walk away.
"No."
"You should be proud of her."
"I am," Piper said with a smile and a quick wipe at her eyes. "Very proud," she added as she walked off in search of the Major.
She found him smoking and talking to the mysterious Andrew in the courtyard, who he dismissed as he saw her approach.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Major," Piper said. "I'd like to talk to you for a bit, if that's alright?"
"Of course," Jeremy said. "Shall we walk?"
"Yes," Piper said, falling into pace beside him.
"What would you like to discuss?"
"I wanted to let you know we'll be leaving the day after tomorrow."
"I see."
"And I wanted to thank you for all you've done for us," Piper said. "And all that you did for her."
"No thanks necessary."
"She thought you were a good man," Piper said. "And I agree."
"I'm saddened beyond words to have lost her, as I know you are," Jeremy said. "I wanted very much to continue my friendship with her."
"I think she would've wanted that too," Piper said. "Where will you go now?"
"Home to my wife and boys."
"Doreen said Bailey left something for me?"
"She did indeed," Jeremy said and waved at Andrew who approached. "Would you retrieve Miss Tate's package from my room, please?"
"Of course," Andrew said and disappeared.
"Who is that guy?"
"Andrew?" Jeremy asked and Piper nodded. "A valued assistant and an extremely lethal bodyguard."
"Ahhh," Piper said with a little grin.
"There are many things I would like to know about Bailey," Jeremy said. "I know now isn't the time, but I hope that you would consider a correspondence."
"I'd like that," Piper said. "Did you know she was in a British prison when she was sixteen?"
"No, I didn't."
"She killed the officer that ordered his men to fire upon the crowd that contained her family."
"Really?"
"Yes, sixteen years old and she killed that man, despite the presence of several other soldiers," Piper said. "She killed a prison guard who attempted to rape her at that same age."
"My God."
"She was in prison for the better part of a year," Piper said. "They beat her constantly and I know they tortured her. But you know what?"
"What?"
"She never let them break her and she never pleaded," Piper said. "She won, just like she always has."
"I'm going to miss her."
"Me too," Piper said. "She was so much more than you could imagine, Major. She was kind and gentle, very loving, and naïve in so many ways. She was everything you wouldn't expect her to be if you knew the kind of life she led."
Jeremy nodded, considering her words as Andrew approached. He waved him forward and took the cardboard tube from his hands. "Thank you, Andrew."
"What is it?" Piper asked.
"Her sword," Jeremy said, presenting it to her.
"Oh my," Piper said, wiping at her eyes quickly before she took possession of it.
"Are you okay?"
"I think so," Piper said as she opened one end of the tube and withdrew the sword, finding it heavier than she imagined.
"That's a custom piece," Jeremy said in admiration. "There's a note."
"Hu
h?" Piper said as she noticed a piece of paper held around the pommel with one of Bailey's hair ties.
She carefully removed the note and quickly extended it to the Major. "Please read it for me."
"Are you sure?" Jeremy asked, taking the note from her hand when she nodded.
Piper closed her eyes and hugged the sword tightly to her chest as Jeremy unfolded it and cleared his throat.
"It says, To the Guardian of my soul."
"Oh Bailey," Piper said, her eyes beginning to tear. "If you'll excuse me."
"Of course," Jeremy said, handing her the note and walking away briskly.
Piper put the sword back in its container and carried it over to a nearby bench cradling it to her chest, where she sat and cried quietly.
----------
Several hours later, Piper stared at the phone with trepidation. She had been sitting in front of it for almost an hour building up the courage to call her mother; a call that she was afraid that she couldn't complete without another breakdown. Finally, with a deep breath, she dialed the phone and waited through three rings for an answer.
"Hello," Corey said.
"Hi, Corey."
"Jesus Christ, where have you been?" Corey exclaimed. "Nancy's called here a dozen times and she's tried you several times at work. They said you took a leave of absence and Bailey's supposedly disappeared into thin air."
"It's a long story, Corey," Piper said. "Can I speak to mother, please?"
"Are you okay?" Corey asked, picking up on her tone. "Yes," Piper said, her eyes tearing. "I'll explain later, please let me talk to mother." "Alright," Corey said reluctantly and Liz got on the phone immediately.
"Piper, what's happened?"
"Mom, I need to come home," Piper said, wiping at her eyes. "I'd like to bring some guests, if that's okay?" "Bailey?" Liz asked. "You know she's always welcome."
"Not Bailey," Piper said choking back a sob. "Her mother, her brother and his fiancé, also a friend from work.
"That's a housefull, I thought she was estranged from her family?"
"She was, it's a long story. Can I tell you when we get there?" Piper pleaded.
"Of course, we'll be glad to have them. When should we expect you?"
"Day after tomorrow," Piper said, biting on her hand to keep from crying.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
"Bailey won't be coming," Piper said, giving up to the tears that wouldn't be denied.
Stories by Kiera Dellacroix Page 51
