By the Weeping Willows
One Shot.
There were many places a person could consider their favorite place to be. Their sanctuary, a place to come to when all things seemed to go wrong. These places were sometimes their childhood, their current home, or even another country. So many places that could provide you comfort, but to her, there was only one place.
To Ever Moore, this was her sanctuary. The surroundings of Emerson Park had always been a place Ever could partially call her own. Even though it was relatively a public place, Ever still felt like she could be alone and in peace. With the misgivings and tribulations of her barely young life, Ever could remember her father taking her here to spend an hour or two with her. But those days were long gone, and so was her father.
Ever sighed to herself seeming content as she sat on the wood bench looking out towards the pond where a mother duck was leading her trail of little ones across the water. Ever had always found it amusing when one duck always seemed to be a bit too far behind. Really she found it amusing because Ever related to that duck, always falling behind.
“Hey.” a deep voice snapped her out of her trance as she looked up to the person interrupting her thoughts.
“Hey.” she replied equally when she instantly recognized his face. His chocolate eyes staring right at her.
“I thought you told me to meet you at the café?”
“Change of plans.” she replied casually with a smile. “Besides, I thought we could go for a walk.” she added while the taller boy just shrugged.
“Okay.” he gave a curt nod before he extended his hand to her who took it happily as she stood up from the bench. His calloused hand took hers in his as Ever couldn’t help but savor tiny moments like these. Even if it was the smallest of gestures, simply holding her hand, Ever adored the rough texture of hands that were only hers to hold.
The couple walked a few feet into the park where the trees had began to mask away the shining sun with their cool shade. It was typical Spring weather to most of the people at the park, but to Ever it was paradise. She ignored the dull aching pain in her stomach, refusing to let it ruin another perfect day.
“If you could marry this place, you would, wouldn’t you?” Roman teased her playfully when they reached the weeping willows while she just gave a small laugh in return. There was no point in denying it. As long as they had been together, she had met him here countless times. However, Roman was still not sure what it was exactly that she loved about this place.
“I don’t know.” she answered softly. “I come here when I’m happy and stressed…or when I’m scared.” she whispered. The smile on the young boy’s lightly tanned face slowly faded. A moment of melancholy filling through him.
“Ever don’t be-”
“It’s coming Roman.” she cut him off gently. “It’s coming and I can’t do anything about it.”
“You can fight Ever.” he reasoned while she only looked up at him with a slight shake of her head.
“I could…but we both know it’d be pointless.” she replied. Roman didn’t know how to respond and the both of them remained quiet while the sound of the willows rustling was all that could be heard. Ever felt a slight pang of guilt of having to bring this up, but it was necessary. Ever knew deep in her heart that the both of them should be prepared for in the inevitable, it would help things.
“I just want you to be prepared.” she whispered after a moment. Roman turned his head to her and noted that behind her calm façade, she was shaking inside. That made two of them.
“Everyday it’s something else and I’m slowly driving myself insane. The harder I try to hold on, the more it’s only going to be difficult to let go. That’s why I refuse to continue to live like that. I want things to be simple. No pressure, no pain.”
“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that Ever.” he lamented. “I wish you wouldn’t think you could leave so easily and that people wouldn’t care, because that’s not true and you know it. I’m not going to sit here and try to make you happy with your reasoning. Because you should know by now I won’t let you go so easily. I’ll fight for you until the very end. I mean it Ever.” he replied sincerely while she watched him uncertainly. Roman walked over to her before he kissed her head.
“I love you Ever Moore. I love you so much, I want to be with you forever. No matter what, I’ll always be here for you.” he added before he reached into his pocket, retrieving a black little box as Ever’s eyes widened.
“If you let me, I’d like to be able to officially call you mine.” he whispered. “You mean everything to me.” Roman had then got on his knee as he opened the box, revealing a silver princess cut ring. Ever felt her breathing labor as she tried to stay together. Tears burned the corners of her eyes as a smile spread across her face.
“Ever, will you marry me?” he asked softly as a small laugh escaped her lips but was not enough to wash away the nagging feeling inside her.
“Roman, you know I’d love to more than anything in the world, but I wouldn’t feel right if I were to d-”
“Don’t say it. Don’t you ever say it because that won’t happen. You’re going to be okay Ever. You’re perfect, you’re strong. We’ll get through this, together. You just have to believe in it. You can’t give up, I won’t let you.” he assured her. Ever was not sure what to think, but the pressure of it all had begun to burden her. But when she looked at Roman the situation didn’t seem so bad. And if she was honest, she would love to spend forever with him. She was just afraid that dream may not come true. Still, Ever knew he was right and she had no choice but to take his words in stride. For now, she still had a chance. A chance to fight it.
“Then yes.” she whispered as Roman looked at her surprised. “Yes I’ll marry you.” she finished while he grinned.
“Y-you will?” he clarified as she nodded. Roman only got up and kissed her softly, a kiss that Ever wished would last until the end of time. When he pulled back, he grabbed the ring and slid it on her slender finger. When it was firmly encircled around her finger, Roman smiled as he picked her up in his arms, swinging her around as she giggled. Before he could do some damage, he set her back on her feet while he just looked at her in amazement. Her mocha eyes shining in the sun that had managed to slip in through the willows. Her long wavy brown hair dancing in the wind.
“We won’t let it win. I won’t let this take you away from me. “ he assured her.
“I promise you Ever.”
~
“I promise you Ever.”
The words rang through his ears as he listened to the wind rustle. A sigh escaped his lips as he thought about all that had transpired since that day. It seemed life had made it a mission to throw every curveball in the book at him. Even when he felt he would not be able to handle living another day, he forced himself to make it through. Especially because of her. A smile spread across his face as he recalled that day when she said to yes him. The happiest day of his life by far, the moment where it finally seemed like things had gotten better for the both of them. The pain wasn’t so bad anymore and Roman was fully convinced their troubles were gone. They had many moments of bliss that people could only dream about. They had a story together and it was only between them that story would continue to live on. Because he always knew Ever was a fighter. Even if she didn’t seem like one and wouldn’t count herself as one, Ever had that power inside of her.
“You know…it’s been five years already.” he said softly while looking down at his hands. “But it seems like yesterday we stood here in the exact same spot. At first I never understood what it was you like about this place, but now I know.” he smiled. “It does bring you comfort when you need it most. I could just only hope it’s taking care of you the way you wanted it to.” he added.
Sometimes no matter how hard you fight, you can’t escape the inevitable. But it’s not important if you win or lose that battle. The important thing is that you tried.
Roman closed his eyes as a flashback of all the moments that had transpired suddenly played in his mind like a slideshow. The smiles, the laughter, the promises, and even the tears. He could not have prepared himself for that one night that changed everything. That one night when Ever closed her eyes to go to sleep, the night when Ever succumbed to her disease. The cancer had slowly consumed her body until she could no longer resist it anymore. The chemo had not worked like they thought it would. But even with Ever no longer here to fight, Roman would not wallow in his misery. For he knew Ever had gone peacefully in her sleep, it had been simple, just the way she wanted it.
Life after Ever had not been, nor will it ever be the same Roman could admit. He was certain there would be no other person like Ever who could make him feel so alive. A person who could take away his sadness anytime, even if it was by making a corny joke. Whether Ever would admit it or not, she lived life in her own unique way. Despite her complications, she never let her spirit fade, something Roman would never forget. That’s why he had chosen to marry her while he had the chance, he wanted all the time he could have.
“I know you’d probably call me crazy for wearing this ring, but I just can’t bring myself to take it off. I just think it wouldn’t be right.” he whispered. “I guess it’s just a reminder of you telling me to keep living. At least that’s what you used to say.” he shrugged. “The pain has gotten better though. My heart doesn’t feel as empty as it used to when you first left. I suppose it’s because now I have begun to realize that maybe it was for the best. Now, you’re no longer in pain from the chemo, you’re free. As you deserve to be. But just know, I’ll always keep my promise you to.” he swallowed hard as he looked down and touched the cool marble square.
Everleigh Amelia Moore
1993-2012.
A daughter. A sister. A wife. A friend. A fighter.
“I love you Everleigh, I always will.” he finished and kissed the cold surface before placing down a bouquet of white roses, her favorite. “I’ll see you later sweetheart.” he smiled before standing up. A time when he would have to wipe his eyes repeatedly, but now his eyes no longer cried for her. She wouldn’t have wanted that.
Roman took in the warm Spring weather and looked around the park, realizing she had never really left. He dusted the dirt off his jeans and began to walk back to his car, turning over his shoulder briefly to look back at the place his love had been put to rest. He couldn’t help but remind himself she was where she wanted to be when she passed, she was home now.
Right by the weeping willows.
To Ever Moore, this was her sanctuary. The surroundings of Emerson Park had always been a place Ever could partially call her own. Even though it was relatively a public place, Ever still felt like she could be alone and in peace. With the misgivings and tribulations of her barely young life, Ever could remember her father taking her here to spend an hour or two with her. But those days were long gone, and so was her father.
Ever sighed to herself seeming content as she sat on the wood bench looking out towards the pond where a mother duck was leading her trail of little ones across the water. Ever had always found it amusing when one duck always seemed to be a bit too far behind. Really she found it amusing because Ever related to that duck, always falling behind.
“Hey.” a deep voice snapped her out of her trance as she looked up to the person interrupting her thoughts.
“Hey.” she replied equally when she instantly recognized his face. His chocolate eyes staring right at her.
“I thought you told me to meet you at the café?”
“Change of plans.” she replied casually with a smile. “Besides, I thought we could go for a walk.” she added while the taller boy just shrugged.
“Okay.” he gave a curt nod before he extended his hand to her who took it happily as she stood up from the bench. His calloused hand took hers in his as Ever couldn’t help but savor tiny moments like these. Even if it was the smallest of gestures, simply holding her hand, Ever adored the rough texture of hands that were only hers to hold.
The couple walked a few feet into the park where the trees had began to mask away the shining sun with their cool shade. It was typical Spring weather to most of the people at the park, but to Ever it was paradise. She ignored the dull aching pain in her stomach, refusing to let it ruin another perfect day.
“If you could marry this place, you would, wouldn’t you?” Roman teased her playfully when they reached the weeping willows while she just gave a small laugh in return. There was no point in denying it. As long as they had been together, she had met him here countless times. However, Roman was still not sure what it was exactly that she loved about this place.
“I don’t know.” she answered softly. “I come here when I’m happy and stressed…or when I’m scared.” she whispered. The smile on the young boy’s lightly tanned face slowly faded. A moment of melancholy filling through him.
“Ever don’t be-”
“It’s coming Roman.” she cut him off gently. “It’s coming and I can’t do anything about it.”
“You can fight Ever.” he reasoned while she only looked up at him with a slight shake of her head.
“I could…but we both know it’d be pointless.” she replied. Roman didn’t know how to respond and the both of them remained quiet while the sound of the willows rustling was all that could be heard. Ever felt a slight pang of guilt of having to bring this up, but it was necessary. Ever knew deep in her heart that the both of them should be prepared for in the inevitable, it would help things.
“I just want you to be prepared.” she whispered after a moment. Roman turned his head to her and noted that behind her calm façade, she was shaking inside. That made two of them.
“Everyday it’s something else and I’m slowly driving myself insane. The harder I try to hold on, the more it’s only going to be difficult to let go. That’s why I refuse to continue to live like that. I want things to be simple. No pressure, no pain.”
“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that Ever.” he lamented. “I wish you wouldn’t think you could leave so easily and that people wouldn’t care, because that’s not true and you know it. I’m not going to sit here and try to make you happy with your reasoning. Because you should know by now I won’t let you go so easily. I’ll fight for you until the very end. I mean it Ever.” he replied sincerely while she watched him uncertainly. Roman walked over to her before he kissed her head.
“I love you Ever Moore. I love you so much, I want to be with you forever. No matter what, I’ll always be here for you.” he added before he reached into his pocket, retrieving a black little box as Ever’s eyes widened.
“If you let me, I’d like to be able to officially call you mine.” he whispered. “You mean everything to me.” Roman had then got on his knee as he opened the box, revealing a silver princess cut ring. Ever felt her breathing labor as she tried to stay together. Tears burned the corners of her eyes as a smile spread across her face.
“Ever, will you marry me?” he asked softly as a small laugh escaped her lips but was not enough to wash away the nagging feeling inside her.
“Roman, you know I’d love to more than anything in the world, but I wouldn’t feel right if I were to d-”
“Don’t say it. Don’t you ever say it because that won’t happen. You’re going to be okay Ever. You’re perfect, you’re strong. We’ll get through this, together. You just have to believe in it. You can’t give up, I won’t let you.” he assured her. Ever was not sure what to think, but the pressure of it all had begun to burden her. But when she looked at Roman the situation didn’t seem so bad. And if she was honest, she would love to spend forever with him. She was just afraid that dream may not come true. Still, Ever knew he was right and she had no choice but to take his words in stride. For now, she still had a chance. A chance to fight it.
“Then yes.” she whispered as Roman looked at her surprised. “Yes I’ll marry you.” she finished while he grinned.
“Y-you will?” he clarified as she nodded. Roman only got up and kissed her softly, a kiss that Ever wished would last until the end of time. When he pulled back, he grabbed the ring and slid it on her slender finger. When it was firmly encircled around her finger, Roman smiled as he picked her up in his arms, swinging her around as she giggled. Before he could do some damage, he set her back on her feet while he just looked at her in amazement. Her mocha eyes shining in the sun that had managed to slip in through the willows. Her long wavy brown hair dancing in the wind.
“We won’t let it win. I won’t let this take you away from me. “ he assured her.
“I promise you Ever.”
~
“I promise you Ever.”
The words rang through his ears as he listened to the wind rustle. A sigh escaped his lips as he thought about all that had transpired since that day. It seemed life had made it a mission to throw every curveball in the book at him. Even when he felt he would not be able to handle living another day, he forced himself to make it through. Especially because of her. A smile spread across his face as he recalled that day when she said to yes him. The happiest day of his life by far, the moment where it finally seemed like things had gotten better for the both of them. The pain wasn’t so bad anymore and Roman was fully convinced their troubles were gone. They had many moments of bliss that people could only dream about. They had a story together and it was only between them that story would continue to live on. Because he always knew Ever was a fighter. Even if she didn’t seem like one and wouldn’t count herself as one, Ever had that power inside of her.
“You know…it’s been five years already.” he said softly while looking down at his hands. “But it seems like yesterday we stood here in the exact same spot. At first I never understood what it was you like about this place, but now I know.” he smiled. “It does bring you comfort when you need it most. I could just only hope it’s taking care of you the way you wanted it to.” he added.
Sometimes no matter how hard you fight, you can’t escape the inevitable. But it’s not important if you win or lose that battle. The important thing is that you tried.
Roman closed his eyes as a flashback of all the moments that had transpired suddenly played in his mind like a slideshow. The smiles, the laughter, the promises, and even the tears. He could not have prepared himself for that one night that changed everything. That one night when Ever closed her eyes to go to sleep, the night when Ever succumbed to her disease. The cancer had slowly consumed her body until she could no longer resist it anymore. The chemo had not worked like they thought it would. But even with Ever no longer here to fight, Roman would not wallow in his misery. For he knew Ever had gone peacefully in her sleep, it had been simple, just the way she wanted it.
Life after Ever had not been, nor will it ever be the same Roman could admit. He was certain there would be no other person like Ever who could make him feel so alive. A person who could take away his sadness anytime, even if it was by making a corny joke. Whether Ever would admit it or not, she lived life in her own unique way. Despite her complications, she never let her spirit fade, something Roman would never forget. That’s why he had chosen to marry her while he had the chance, he wanted all the time he could have.
“I know you’d probably call me crazy for wearing this ring, but I just can’t bring myself to take it off. I just think it wouldn’t be right.” he whispered. “I guess it’s just a reminder of you telling me to keep living. At least that’s what you used to say.” he shrugged. “The pain has gotten better though. My heart doesn’t feel as empty as it used to when you first left. I suppose it’s because now I have begun to realize that maybe it was for the best. Now, you’re no longer in pain from the chemo, you’re free. As you deserve to be. But just know, I’ll always keep my promise you to.” he swallowed hard as he looked down and touched the cool marble square.
Everleigh Amelia Moore
1993-2012.
A daughter. A sister. A wife. A friend. A fighter.
“I love you Everleigh, I always will.” he finished and kissed the cold surface before placing down a bouquet of white roses, her favorite. “I’ll see you later sweetheart.” he smiled before standing up. A time when he would have to wipe his eyes repeatedly, but now his eyes no longer cried for her. She wouldn’t have wanted that.
Roman took in the warm Spring weather and looked around the park, realizing she had never really left. He dusted the dirt off his jeans and began to walk back to his car, turning over his shoulder briefly to look back at the place his love had been put to rest. He couldn’t help but remind himself she was where she wanted to be when she passed, she was home now.
Right by the weeping willows.
♠ ♠ ♠
Hope you enjoyed :)