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Chapter 132 — Full Circle
They have been stay here for a long time. And were silent. It's feels good even without any words.
"Mary, let's leave away," Mason suddenly offered.
"Why? I'm feels well here," Mary fumbled in his hands.
"Is it true?"
"What?"
"What you feel well here--"
"Sure," Mary turned and looked into his eyes. "Do you doubt?"
"I... I do not know."
Mason ran his hand through his hair and looked away.
"What's the matter? Or you're hiding something from me?"
"No, I just think that we can not have a calm life in Santa Barbara."
"Why? Because your former friend? Mason, all your family is here. And mine also. Why we must leave?"
"My past... it does not give us a peace."
"I never had promised it," Mary smiled. "I have three children, Mason!"
"You're so well taken Chip and Sammy."
"I can not image my life without them. Why you constantly remind me that they are not my children?"
"I always thought it's impossible," Mason smiled wryly.
"To love a step-child? But what about Sophia?"
"In fact it's because her."
"Why? She did replace your mother."
"Let's just say I saw it with different eyes."
Mary looked away.
"Perhaps after fifteen years Chip will tell me the same thing."
"He'll not!"
"It is unlikely that your father could predict your attitude to his second wife. I'm too the second one."
"What are you blaming me for it? I thought that you were dead!"
"I'm not blaming you, just surprised that you do not see the parallels."
"My second marriage and second marriage of my father as like as cheese and chalk."
Mary looked at him in silence. And then said: "I'm not going anywhere. It's point. My family is here."
"This is an ultimatum?" Mason raised his eyebrow.
"No."
"It's good," he pulls her to him. "I hate ultimatums."
"Like I do," Mary pointedly said and unable to help she smiled. "And I hate even one thought about leaving."
"I just offer it," Mason put her hands on her waist. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course," she kissed his cheek. "It's time to go home. Thank you for brought me here. It's a wonderful place."
"Sure. It's was me who found it."
Mary laughed and went through caves after Mason.
As soon as they entered the house as Christie rushed them.
"O God, you're here!"
"Christy, what happened?" Mary alarm looks at her troubled face. "Children?"
"No, they were okay. Uncle Larry died."
"What? How?"
"His car skidded on the wet road. They say that he immediately died."
"Mom already knows?"
"She called me."
"I call her now," Mary quickly begins to dial the number, but Mason took her phone.
"Its better I talk to her."
Mary pursed her lips and gave up the receiver. And then go upstairs.
Mickey peaceful slept in the nursery. Older children gleefully yelled "Mom!" and stuck her on both sides. She hugged them and inhaled a sweet baby scent, trying to calm down. Uncle's death fills her soul a lot of feelings which she did not even try to found out--
* * *
Mason took care of all the troubles of the funeral, and Mary was very grateful. At the brief ceremony attended only relatives.
Theda touched Mary's shoulder:
"I take the children tonight."
"It is not necessary."
"I know. But I want someone to be there. Alive. They are so wonderful babies, Mary."
"Mom, are you crying?"
"No, of course, sweetie. Something got in my eye."
Mary gazed after his mother until she disappeared from sight. Then she looked for Mason but he's not here for some reason.
She chilly brought her shoulders together and walked slowly through the cemetery, deeply inside aware where she's going, but not wanting to admit it. However reaching the place she was surprised to see the familiar figure at her father's tombstone.
"Come here," Mason did not even turn around.
Mary came over and sat down on the grass next to the tomb. He sat down and touched her shoulder.
"How are you?"
"All right. Really."
"I see you don't. Do you feel guilty?"
Mary shook her head.
"I do not sure. But I would like that we're be in other ways. To keep things differently. Just... he connected me with my father. It is foolish to think so but now seemed his death cut the last thread."
Mason did not answer immediately.
"I think now he feels better."
"Without us?"
"No," he shook his head. "But now he's reunited with his twin brother."
Mary stared at him and then nodded.
"My father had always been the important figure for him. I never thought about it but maybe he really was ready to exchange us for his Kenny."
"It is unlikely that Larry wanted to die. But his life was really hard without his twin brother."
"Do you saw it too?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes, many times."
"Mason, you did forgive him?"
"For the fact that he tried to kill me? No."
Mary did not answer.
"You did not too." The statement, not the question.
"I could not," Mary whispered. "I tried really hard but failed. And now I no longer have a chance."
"Do not beating yourself. He was just the brother of your father. You did not know him. And he almost destroyed our lives."
"Dad loved him. And he saved my life."
"I'm very grateful to him for it, but let's leave it in the past. Duvall Twins are in a better world now."
"It seems to me Uncle Larry was dead long ago. Perhaps dad's death was too hurt for him. He wanted me only because my dad. I and Christy would not his interest if not his promise to take care about us. You're probably right. Now they are finally together."
And they slowly moved along the path to the cemetery gate.
"Lawrence Duvall was the rich man," Mason suddenly said. "I think he left all money to the family."
"Probably," Mary replied absently as if she was deeply thought.
"Do you know where he kept his will? It is strange that his lawyer had not yet turned up."
"I know nothing about that, Mason."
"What do you think?" He stopped, took her hand.
"I have the feeling that circle did closed. A little less than a year ago I accidentally saw my uncle Larry at the cemetery at my dad's tomb, and now he's gone too."
"I can understand what you mean. During this year we have learned a lot about us self."
"That's right," Mary smiled and looked up at him. "The boy with the bicycle--"
"... and the girl in the red swimsuit. I found my long lost childhood friend."
"And once again lost him."
"Not really. Some part of him now lives in you, remember?"
"I remember, just I do not think that you're looking at it in the way."
"During this year I found out not only you. But myself, too."
"I know. I love you."
"I love you too," Mason pulled Mary to her and kissed her. "Let the dead men have a rest in peace. And we alive will look to the future."
"I agree," Mary kissed him. "We will have the bright future."
"And even death never separates us," Mason added, clearly remembering how he found Mary after already having accepted her death.
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