Waiting for Forever

In the spirit of Christmas, here's a short story.



You wanted time. I gave you eternity.

Erika sighed, shaking her head as she bent down and shoveled more snow from the courtyard. It was too much to hope for, that Daniel would finally forgive her. She hadn’t meant to lie, but after an eternity of keeping the truth from society, it had become routine to hide. Everywhere Erika looked, the world was covered in white. Despite being outside, it was silent, not a single bird chirped.

“Miss Darens, the master requires your presence.”

Shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun, Erika smiled. “Tell Grandfather that I’ll see him in a moment. Just let me finish the drive around the fountain.”

“Don’t tire yourself out, miss. It wouldn’t do for peers to see you.”

“I know, Paul. Don’t worry.”

As Erika piled more snow onto the grass, she shivered. It was time to go inside. Placing the shovel against a tree, Erika hurried into the house, quickly shedding her large coat and shawl. Inside, lights blazed and a fire burned merrily. She allowed herself to warm up a little before going up to Grandfather’s study.

“Grandfather?”

“Come in.”

Pushing open the oaken door, Erika stepped into the dim study. “I told you to light a lamp when you’re reading, Grandfather. It’s no good for your eyes.”

Shaking her head, Erika walked over to the antique desk across from the door and lit an oil lamp from the candle sitting on the windowsill. “Now isn’t that better?”

“Much.”

The door had muffled his voice but now that Erika stood in the same room, there was no mistaking it. “Daniel?”

He stood in front of the mantle, his blond hair tousled and unkempt. But his eyes were still as bright as Erika last remembered. A startling green, like emeralds.

“What are you doing here?”

“I…” Daniel ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I’m sorry. I was a complete fool for thinking that you lied to me on purpose. Sir Garet explained everything. I never should have doubted you.”

He looked at Erika and she melted.

She remembered the first time they had met. One of the silver bells had fallen from the horses’ harness, jingling merrily down the street. Daniel had picked it up, handing it to her with a smile. Since then, he had given her a new bell every winter.

Erika hadn’t expected one this year. “It was my fault too. I knew you would have understood, but I couldn’t face the consequences if I had been wrong. I didn’t want to lose you. I…”

Hearing jingling, Erika looked up to see a bell hanging from a young puppy. Attached to his collar was a note and small parcel. As she reached to undo the ties, the puppy bounded away, snapping the string. The glitter of gold caught her eye and she gasped.

“I love you, Erika. Will you marry me?”

All the stars in the sky couldn’t have given Erika a better Christmas gift.