something from the archives: another sunset - part 10

some au sadness: it's the parkers' funeral, and liz doesn't handle it well. but she's got michael's arms to fall into...

Chapter 10

It was a sad day. Dark, cold, gray and rainy, the weather only reflected the state of mind of the gathering at the town chapel. It was the morning of the Parkers memorial service and the world seemed shrouded in an absence of color, slow and silent, mourning for the lives lost so needlessly.

The preacher, whose face was lined with years past of services such as this one, spoke words of comfort. Words that soothed but in no way mitigated the pain felt by the family torn apart. Liz and Alex sat among their friends in a church filled with lilies. Staring at the two coffins that held the bodies of their dead.

It was Alex’s turn to speak. It was his moment to eulogize, honor the lives of the two people who had raised him, who had loved him. And at that moment his fear was that it wouldn’t be good enough.
He made his way to the dais, to the microphone that would carry the sound of his voice through the church. The words that would be said to commemorate his parents. He faced the audience, their faces streaked with tears, he could feel the sadness, and the pity they felt. And he looked at Liz. Her gaze clear, focused, intent. His words to her would not only be a last homage, they would be the first she heard regarding the people who had birthed her. And Alex knew that he would get it right, if only for her.

“Thank you. Everyone. For everything. For being here, for being so kind. I only wish that it weren’t necessary to be here. I’m here to honor the lives of two of the most important people in my life. Two people who taught me how to live and how to always do the right thing. My parents always said that in life there was so much to look forward to. They always enjoyed and embraced what we were gifted with. Regrets were never a part of their routine. And from them, I have learned so much. Not only what love is, but how to look forward to the best of life and enjoy it always. My parents taught me to follow my heart, because living is an instinct, and should never be forced to settle into a pattern of unhappiness. My parents always followed their hearts. And I believe that wherever they may be they are together watching over Elizabeth and me. And I have faith that in the end, everything will be all right.”

Alex stepped down and took his seat next to Maria who wrapped her arms around him. “Sweetie, that was beautiful.”

“Where’s Elizabeth?” Alex whispered as soon as he noticed his sister seemed to be missing.

“Michael took her home.”

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know what happened. She started fidgeting a lot when you stood up to speak. Michael and I were both really concerned, and then she just fainted. Michael caught her just before she hit the floor. He took her to your place.”

“I guess it’s better this way Liz never liked cemeteries. It would have been too much for her.”

*****

Michael sat on the edge of the bed watching Liz as she slept. When Alex had begun speaking she had grown increasingly agitated, Michael felt that she was stifling the memories Ned was evoking purposely. Being faced with the two coffins, grim evidence that there were two people who perished the same instant she survived was already overwhelming. Alex’s short speech had been so heartfelt, so simple, Michael had thought that maybe words like that were all Liz needed to remember. And then suddenly she’d fainted.

Michael suspected that it was her body’s way of ensuring that the memory and pain would be locked away. Obviously, it still wasn’t time for her to remember. Although clearly, her mind was making a push for it, if her dreams last night were to serve as any indication.

Michael yawned and stretched out fully next to her. He didn’t want to leave her to wake alone. But he was tired. He’d barely gotten any rest last night, and it would be a while before the mourners all came to share a late lunch at the diner.

Slowly his breathing evened out and asleep he curled his body around Liz’s protectively. Prepared to slay the demons she encountered in her nightmares.

*****

It was the sound of steel against steel. Screeching, wailing, shrieking. It was a million jagged edges of glass scattered across the black of the street. A million shining stars against the dark blues of the night sky. An arm that used to hold her. A voice that used to calm her. Words that echoed and rang throughout the cavern of her mind. A message unintelligible. The sounds of fear and horror rising within her. Torn from her throat like an unwilling song of anguish.

*****

Michael tightened his hold on her petite frame as it shook in heartrending sobs. He pulled her flush against him, her face buried in his neck and she cried for sorrows she could not name. He rubbed her back and whispered the same tired words of comfort over and over again. Hoping that the tears would give way to calm.

And slowly it did. She lay in his embrace, wet tracks on her cheeks the only visible sign of her emotional torment. Michael pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Want to talk about it?”

Liz shook her head no and burrowed her face closer to his neck. She curled up her body as close to his as possible and promptly fell asleep.

Michael smiled softly. And let himself relax once more.

*****

A clearing of sorts. A haven filled with love. One heartbeat pulsating throughout. He lay there sleeping. His body beautiful bare. She ran her fingers through his hair the silken waves flowing like water. His skin was smooth. Hard. And his lips so full. Softened for hers. Their tongues danced. They each claimed the other as their own. Slowly at first. Then frantic.

*****

It wasn’t a dream anymore. Their breaths mingled, and their clothing was disarrayed. Their heartbeats faster than if they had been running a marathon. Michael held Liz’s head between his hands and kissed her lips with all the passion he’d been holding in. their mouths fused. He moved them to a sitting position on the narrow bed. Michael moaned as he kissed the sensitive skin of Liz’s neck. Marking the place where her heart pulsed, before tearing himself away from her.  “Elizabeth we can’t do this.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re not ready for this. When it happens between us it will be perfect.”

“Don’t you want me?”

“Look at me Elizabeth. Listen to me. I want you so much you have no idea how stopping like this pains me. But I also know that if we have a chance for anything lasting we both have to wait. Baby, you have to be well. And I need to know that I’m not some temporary fling that will die once you get your memory back.”

“You’re not you know—a temporary fling. But I understand.”

“Good. Now go take a shower before your brother gets here and starts wondering what the hell we were up to.”

Liz nodded and they both stood up to rearrange each other’s clothing.

“This is torture.” Michael whispered before searing Liz’s lips with one last kiss. As he walked away he called out, “I’ll see you again downstairs.”