Edie

Edie

SasatheShy

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Epilogue: Edie

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(Some months later)

Hectic Tonisha held Edie’s sweated hand tightly. The atmosphere in Edie’s bedroom had a heavy, mustiness to it as Edie was placed onto the floor, comfortably resting on a large heap of wool blankets and quilts. She had a large belly, indicating her pregnancy -- but this day was the day. She could feel the contractions every few minutes as Doctor Tiller and his wife raced about her room to get things ready. Soon, Edie had her clothes off, and sheets over her nude body. She had her legs spread up and balanced as Tiller knelt before her, ready to help deliver the expected baby.

“Alright, Edie, this is it, okay?” he smiled at her. “It’s time to start pushing. Lisa, make sure to keep dampening her face with the washcloth. We need to keep her cool.”

Lisa nodded. “Yes dear.” She knew the routine -- they’ve delivered many babies before this one.

Edie was in tremendous pain. She leaned against the many pillows keeping her in a half-sitting position, but she was down enough to keep room for Tiller to grab the baby. Her eyes glanced this way and that. She looked up at Tonisha -- the woman looked deathly afraid. Edie tried ignoring this as she looked to Tiller. He was looking straight at her.

“Here we go, Edie,” he said. “It’s time now -- I need you to push.”

Tiredly, and with all her might, Edie pushed. She cried out as she squeezed down on Tonisha’s hand. She knew that Lavan was out in the hallway, pacing and waiting nervously for the determination of the baby’s physical features. She knew he hoped it was his -- but she -- nervously prayed it wasn’t.

“Ah…!” she cried out. It hurt -- it was so painful. How could her body handle this? She had to stop and breathe.

“Come on, Edie,” Tiller encouraged. Edie was getting tired of hearing his voice.

As Edie heavily breathed, Lisa patted the cloth on her face, keeping her cool. She took a second attempt at pushing. This time, it seemed even harder. But she pushed. She screamed, almost scared that the baby might be stuck inside her. Her vision became foggy. She knew she had tears streaming down her cheeks, and she almost felt embarrassed by the way she looked. She wasn’t caring if it was a happy day. She looked like a mess, and she was in a heap of pain.

“One more big push, Edie,” Tiller said, smiling. “Come on now. One final push.” He saw the head, and knew that Edie could do it. “Come on.”

Groaning, Edie did as she was told. She breathed in greatly before pushing best she could. Her entire body shook as she squealed. She could feel something coming out of her, then -- and in seconds, she gave a huge breath of air as the once panicky emotion in the room transformed into one of happiness. Leaning back, Edie gasped as she heard the cry of a baby -- of her baby. She looked down, seeing Tiller holding up a sticky, wailing baby girl. The little one made fists as she wiggled and wailed. The sight of her nearly made Edie faint.

“Here she is,” Tiller smiled. “A beautiful baby girl.”

“Oh God,” Tonisha breathed out as Lisa grabbed a towel to wrap the baby in, keeping it from getting cold.

Tiller cut the umbilical cord perfectly, and he and Lisa worked to keep the baby warm. Edie never took her eyes off the small, precious infant even as she was taken into the toiletry to be cleaned up. And Edie tried to say anything, but she just couldn’t find any words.

“I’m so proud of you,” she heard Tonisha whisper. Edie peered up at her, and she could only give a short nod. She was still mesmerized by what had just occurred. She had given birth to a healthy, beautiful girl. But Edie still wondered something.

Was the little one Lavan’s or Cain’s?

--

Nervously anticipated by the outcome of Edie’s birth, Lavan swiftly paced the hallway, keen on the hopes that the baby about to be born was his. He continuously passed Leigh and Amana, ignoring their scared expressions as he waited impatiently. He had wanted to be a part of the experience, but Edie had wanted him out of the room. He didn’t blame her -- for the past few months, neither of them really spoke much. Well, they did speak, but more like friends. And Lavan still wanted to be more than just friends. He kept hoping Edie would accept him, and possibly marry him at some point in the future. But all hope for that seemed lost… Lavan felt his last hope was this baby.

“What’s taking so long?” he grumbled. He heard Leigh giggle lightly.

“Relax, Lavan,” she smiled. “She’s having a baby -- it’ll be a while before we’re allowed in.”

Sighing, Lavan soon leaned against the wall. He crossed his arms. He at least hoped that the baby would be a hundred percent healthy.

“I know,” he said. “It’s just -- it’s been, like -- five hours.”

“Come now,” Leigh nodded. She rubbed Amana’s shoulder. “We all need to be patient.”

Lavan supposed Leigh had a point. But he was still anxious.

A couple of minutes later, he had to wait no longer. He turned his head, pushing off the wall with great force as he watched Tiller, Lisa, and Tonisha come out of the room. They were smiling and chuckling, so he figured the delivery was a success. He went up to them, as did Leigh and Amana.

“Is…?” Lavan began.

Tiller put his hand up. “Edie and the baby are both great.” He faced Tonisha. “If Edie has any questions or concerns you know how to contact us. I’ll be back again later this evening to check on the baby.. And I’ll return tomorrow. But it looks as if both mother and baby are healthy and happy.”

“Fantastic,” Tonisha said joyfully.

Leigh could see that Tonisha was completely red. She pondered if the woman had nearly had a heart-attack from the experience. None of them had ever had a child before. And the moment Edie’s contractions started off, they all went into a frenzied, panic mode.

“Goodnight,” Lisa smiled as everyone waved them off.

“Night,” Tonisha smiled. “And thank you so much.”

Once the doctor and his assistant left, Lavan immediately turned to Tonisha. She saw the eager in his eyes, and knew what he wanted even as he asked, “May I see her?”

“I suppose,” Tonisha whispered. “She’s feeding right now, but -- I think it’d be okay. But just you.”

Nodding, Lavan took a deep breath before going up to the door. He gave a gentle knock. When he heard Edie’s affirmed okay, he entered the room.

Lavan peeked inside. He looked over to Edie. She rested on her bed now, looking achy and tired. He slowly walked in and closed the door as their eyes met. She didn’t look angry to see him, so he started to calm down more. He ignored the many sheets ruffled on the floor as he slowly walked up to her. He peered down, seeing nothing but a tiny pair of pink lips hungrily suckling on Edie’s right breast.

He tilted his head some as he sat down on a provided stool. He kept quiet, not really eager to talk unless Edie gave him some sort of sign. She did look up at him, and she softly smiled.

“Hi,” she whispered.

That was the sign. Lavan smiled back.

“Hey,” he said. He eyed the little lips. “What -- is it?”

“A girl,” Edie smiled.

Eyes widening, Lavan brightened greatly. He had wanted a girl. His smiled broadened as he tried getting a clear look. “Really? That’s great.”

Nodding, Edie winced some. She leaned back, wanting to get comfortable.

“D -- does it hurt?” Lavan asked.

“Yeah,” Edie said, sighing. “A little. But Tiller said I’d get used to it.”

Again, Lavan nodded. He couldn’t quite speak that well. He knew he was beyond overwrought, now. He eyed the little lips. He knew that -- this was it. He had to know.

“Edie,” he whispered. “I want to see her.”

He could hear her sigh. She looked up at him, showing zero emotions. She merely nodded, and said, “Just her face” as she slowly lowered the peach blanket. She still had to keep the little one warm. But Lavan understood completely.

Leaning forward, Lavan gaped down at a tiny, angelic face. The little one had a round, adorable pink face. Her nose was pointed, but her eyes were closed shut as she fed. She had light curly hairs, but only a few, on the top of her adorable head. The sight of her made a bright smile fall over Lavan’s face. He chuckled some as he looked at Edie.

“She’s cute,” he said. He watched as she nodded, but she remained quiet. Lavan blinked -- he looked back down at the baby as Edie covered her. A sudden hit of pain found him. He leaned back some as he eyed Edie. “S -- she’s Cain’s, isn’t she?”

“Yes,” Edie nodded. She turned her head, frowning at Lavan. “I’m sorry.”

Shaking his head, Lavan shrugged. He kept himself from standing up. He didn’t want to upset Edie in any way. This was one case where it wasn’t her choice. But he was disappointed. He had truly been hoping that the baby would be his. But he recognized that little nose. That little nose didn’t match Edie’s, nor his. The baby was definitely Cain’s.

Slowly, Edie reached her free hand out. She placed it in Lavan’s, and she gave him a soft look. “Will you be okay?”

“Yeah, of course,” he said, faking a smile. He had to be all right, though. He had to be -- for her. Turning his head up, he gave her a serious expression. “Congratulations, Edie. She is very adorable.”

Edie smiled. “Thank you, Lavan.”

--

A few days later, Edie was softly humming as she dressed her baby in warm clothes. The little one was wide awake. She had her little eyes open, and she wiggled as her mother dressed her. It was cold and windy outside. Autumn neared. Surprisingly, even a year later in Forter, it had not started to snow yet. It had been rather warm the last couple of days. It was very nice out when the baby was born. Edie was dressed rather warmly, herself, wearing a heavy red dress with matching jacket and brown boots.

“There,” Edie smiled. She kissed her baby’s little nose. “You’re all dressed up for the trip to Kelli’s. Are you excited, Mari?”

Mari replied by spitting up a little. Sighing, Edie wiped her baby’s rosy lips using the back of her thumb. She kissed Mari’s cheek just as Tonisha came into the room.

“The carriage is here,” she said as she stepped over to them. She smiled down at Mari. “Is Mari ready for the ride?”

“She is,” Edie said. She looked up at Tonisha. “I can’t wait to show her off to Kelli.”

“It’s been a while since you’ve seen Kelli,” Tonisha smiled. “Same with me. I’m sure she can’t wait.”

They were interrupted by a short cough, then. They turned, seeing Lavan standing in the doorway. He was dressed warmly, and he had a pack over his shoulders. Tonisha looked from Edie to Lavan before heading out.

“I’ll be waiting,” she told Edie before leaving.

Watching Tonisha go, Lavan faced his attention on Edie. He stepped up to her. He had on his heavy jacket, gloves, and a hat to go with his clothes and boots.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered. He took a moment to glance at Mari. “It was good of Tonisha to give you some time off to care for Mari.”

Edie remained quiet. She folded her hands. Yes, she got time off. She was on a fraternity leave. She’s not seen Kelli in forever, and the woman was excited when she discovered Edie was pregnant. Kelli had learned of Cain’s true self, through Edie. But even so, she was glad Edie was happy, and a mother. Edie planned on staying with the woman for about three months before returning to Forter. She considered Forter her home now. Her very bedroom was her home.

“I’m excited,” Edie said.

Lavan nodded. He stood on his heels, trying to keep calm. “Well, I’m -- all packed and everything. So -- I’m going to head back to Naltin.”

“Roddy and Blythe will be happy to see you,” Edie said, trying hard not to look sad. But Naltin was Lavan’s home. He belonged there.

Chuckling, Lavan shrugged. “Roddy will most likely hit me over the head -- or something… But I know they’ll be glad to see me.”

Giggling, Edie nodded. She then remembered something. Gaping, she turned, and dug through her dresser. Lavan raised a brow as he watched her scattered some things. He tilted his head, curious.

“I -- forgot,” Edie whispered. “Mark found something in Cain’s bottom dresser. And when he showed it to me, I -- I’m not sure why, but I think I recognized it.” She found what she was looking for. She faced Lavan again, holding the item to her heart. It was in a black case. Slowly, she held it out to him, and she opened it. “Is it -- what I think it is?”

Glancing down, Lavan felt a wave of emotions wash over him. He grasped his chest, nearly falling over at the sight of the glittery, gold item resting in the case. He reached out to it, and picked it up.

“I -- don’t believe it,” he stuttered. “M -- my father’s pocket watch. Cain kept it?” He had told Edie of the watch a long while back. He never thought the captain still had it. He thought for sure that it had been sold off or something.

“Mark told me that Cain kept a collection of items he -- found,” Edie whispered, using ‘found’ distinctively instead of ‘stole.’ “And what he treasured. I guess he really liked the watch. Anyway…”

“This is wonderful,” Lavan smiled. He could tell that Edie struggled to find words on the watch. “Thank you so much.”

Edie was glad Mark had found it. She smiled up at Lavan as the room went silent. They stared at one another, for a while, trying to decipher whether there was anything else to say. But nothing came.

Slowly, Lavan went up and hugged her. She accepted the hug, wrapping her own arms around his waist. She did not pull away as he gave a kiss to her cheek. She welcomed it happily.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispered before pulling away.

“You too,” she nodded. She watched him turn and go over to the open door. She stepped forward automatically. “Lavan?”

Turning on his heels, Lavan confidently eyed her. “Yes?”

Gulping, Edie fiddled her fingers together, twirling them as she unsurely looked Lavan over. She was quivering some, having difficulty letting him go, even though she was not in love with him. She took a small step forward, but stopped herself. She had to be strong. “W -- we’ll see each other again, some day? Right?”

Gaping, Lavan chuckled. “Of course.”

Seeming glad, Edie gave him a final nod. “Goodbye, Lavan.”

“Goodbye, Edie.”

And he was gone.

--

Edie soon sat comfortably in a well-built carriage. She held a small bouquet of red and black roses. To her left sat Tonisha holding a sleeping Mari. The innkeeper was a bit worried, knowing Edie wanted to make a certain pit stop before they left town. She looked out the window, watching as Forter Cemetery came into view. Frowning, she turned to Edie, seeing that the cook was rather quiet.

Soon, the carriage came to a stop. Edie waited for a moment, knowing very well that Tonisha wanted to say something -- anything!

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Tonisha asked softly, so not to wake the baby.

“I haven’t visited him in so long,” Edie answered. “And I’m going to be gone for a long time. I want to do this.”

“Alright,” Tonisha said, knowing she couldn’t change Edie’s mind. “We’ll be here.”

Nodding, Edie smiled down at her sleeping baby. She waited as the driver helped her out. She looked to him. “I won’t be long.”

“That’s fine, miss,” he smiled. He closed the door, and stood waiting by the carriage as Edie descended into the cemetery.

Edie moved slowly. She held out the bouquet, flowing like a sad angel as autumn leaves fluttered about in the wind. She crunched over the leaves, keeping her mind on fogged thoughts. She held in her tears as she traveled up the graveled road, coming to a small hill. Turning, she soon found her way up to a particular gravestone surrounded by green grass, and leaves.

Cain’s grave.

Slowing her pace, Edie halted just in front of the gravestone. All around her was nothing but silence. She carefully got on her knees as her eyes took in the carved letterings indicating Cain rested just beneath her. And at that moment, a soft smile fell over her as she held the roses close to her body.

“Hi,” she whispered. She bowed her head. “I -- I’m sorry I haven’t visited since -- well, last year. Things have been pretty crazy lately. Crazy and stressful. And I’m here now because I -- well, I’m going away for a while, and I won’t be back for a few months. But I am coming back.”

Lifting her head, Edie reached her hands out. She placed the bouquet of roses next to the grave. She put some heavy rocks over them, keeping them from blowing away. Once they stayed in place, Edie rested her hands on her lap. She licked at her lips, keeping them from drying as she looked at Cain’s gravestone.

“Let’s see,” she smiled. “What’s been going on? Well… I guess I’ll start with Mark. He’s captain now. Of course, you know that… But he’s doing an excellent job.” Pausing, Edie almost frowned. “He -- well, he sold your house. I don’t know who’s living there now. I’m sorry. But Mark’s living in a smaller place now, and guess what? He married Aleah. And they’re expecting a baby, believe it or not.”

“I know, it’s hard to believe,” Edie giggled. “And how shocked was I to discover Aleah was -- Verity’s younger sister. I thought she had looked familiar. I wish you could have told me…” She drifted some. She smiled again. “But it’s okay.”

She scooted a little closer to the gravestone.

“He really is doing a great job, Cain. You’d be so proud of him. He has -- changed a lot of things, though. Businesses are booming, and no one refers to him or his men as Cretchens anymore. He -- really corrected so much, and, well -- everyone’s thankful you chose him.”

“So -- what’s going on with me? Well -- I’m still cooking. I do love my kitchen. And I’ve added a few new meals to the list.” She smiled, and giggled some. She sniffed due to the cold air. Her nose was starting to run. “I really do love it. And my bedroom is officially my home. Tonisha’s letting me live there, and it’s great.”

Pausing, Edie slouched some. She looked to the floor, watching some leaves of orange and brown sway in front of her. She pushed back her hair, trying to stop it from blowing into her face. She smiled, and faked a short laugh.

“But I’m alone,” she said, then. She looked back up at Cain’s gravestone. She inched even closer. “I couldn’t go through with it, Cain. Though Lavan repeatedly proposed to me after your -- well, I just couldn’t say yes to him. I don’t love him.”

Her voice was now trembling. Edie gulped down dryness. She was starting to feel cold. She finally reached out, now, to touch the gravestone. She ran her hands along the fine marble, making small circles with her fingertips.

“He left,” she whispered. “He went back to Naltin.” She nodded her head, choking back some tears. “It’s for the best.”

“But guess what?” she said, then, pushing Lavan past her. “I had my baby…”

Trembling now, she looked down at the gravestone, taking in Cain’s fine name engraved in the marble.

“And…” she paused, stuttering as she desperately fought the urge of breaking down. “I had a girl. H -- her name’s Mari. I -- I named her after my mother. Isn’t it a pretty name?”

Edie had tried so hard, but bringing up Mari made her break down. Her tears left her then, trailing down her cheeks in waves of anguish. Her lips quivered up and down, turning blue from the cold. She patted the gravestone, trying to slow her tears as she revealed more to Cain’s grave.

“S -- she’s yours,” Edie nodded. She sobbed and sniffed. She grew closer to the grave, almost hugging it. “She’s y -- yours, Cain. I --” She had to pause to keep back a choked sob. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her body controlled. “I -- wish you could have -- been there… You would -- of loved her. She -- looks so much like you…”

She smiled through her tears, then. She managed a soft giggle. “Except for -- the hair… She -- she has my hair. She wasn’t born completely bald.”

Taking a moment of silence, Edie took in everything she told him. Thinking of Mari, she immediately started to cry hard. She couldn’t take it anymore. She allowed her tears to fall freely as she pushed into the grave, staring down at it as she shivered all over.

“And she -- would of loved you,” Edie cried.

Lowering herself, Edie held onto the gravestone. She bitterly cried, no longer holding back. Her cries increased, turning into sharp wails. Only after some seconds did she try to stop them. She leaned back, and wiped at her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I -- told myself I -- wouldn’t cry. But -- it’s just so hard, Cain. It’s -- so hard. I -- miss you so much.” She stared down at the gravestone. She ran her fingers along the marble, not caring that it was chilling to the touch.

“It’s s -- so hard,” she whispered.

Sniffling, she leaned back. But she kept her hands on the stone, palms down. She held onto it for support, bowing her head some as she pictured Cain in her mind. She pictured him in a form if he were still alive. She imagined his handsome, strong face, his stiff, etiquette stature, and even his rare, wonderful smile. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing moist droplets to fall into the dewed grass. But imagining him warmed her on the inside. And ever so slowly, she lifted her head, and re-opened her eyes. She took in his name, it brilliant before her. She did best to ignore a sudden breeze flowing past her.

Rubbing her hands over the marble, she sniffled before lifting her body. She stayed on her knees, but she held herself up straight. She wanted to look beautiful for Cain, even if she was crying.

“I really do love you,” she said in a whimper. And ever slowly, she lowered her head, planting a soft kiss to the letters scripted: CAIN. She breathed out once she finished the soft kiss. She closed her eyes, and shivered. “And -- I forgive you…”

Edie wobbled to her feet. She knew she had to leave him now. She had to move forward, still, and raise their baby. But she knew this wasn’t the last of her visits. She’d seen Cain again and again, year after year. He was here for her, like he had been before. Giving the top surface of the stone one final touch, Edie slowly turned and made her way back down the hill.

Due to curious events, her life had changed. And for the better. She could now live happily knowing that if it had not been for two love-struck men, her life never would had blossomed.

She had Lavan to thank. Not only had he loved her, he became a friend she could count on. And she was certain she’d see him again -- perhaps not right away, but soon. Even though she had thought she loved him once, she did appreciate his wanting to keep her safe. And she was glad for his love, and she was glad she was able to meet him.

But then, there was Cain. The one man she truly had to thank. Though in the beginning, she saw him as a demonic beast, years later she learned to see a better part of him that she helped to grow. And she was glad for his love, for it was the very kind she was able to accept, and give back. Though she did not understand how it worked -- how she could fall in love with such a man, she knew he had been the one. He had caused her great pain, but he had also given her a life she never dreamed possible. She became familiar with new friends -- Lavan, included. And she was given a life -- a dream she had longed for using special recipes given to her by her mother. If it had not been for Cain, she would not be where she was, now… She’d be in her village, possibly less happy, and sad.

And there was a truth Edie knew. A truth she had fought for the longest time. But no longer.

She had always loved Cain. And every kiss, smirk, touch, and tear he made was a change she helped him commit. Edie knew she had him to thank, for she knew that everything he had done had been for her.

To the captain, every act he played, smile he gave, and lust he shared had been for her.

All for Edie.

--

-End-

--

My side stuff: Wow. I never expected this story to come so far. And I never expected to receive as much hits or reviews as I did. Thank you so much, everyone, for the wonderful comments, and for reading ‘Edie’ to the end.

I would like to thank the following for reading and reviewing ‘Edie’: Lilu, miles, LonnyR, ana maria, Rammina, ClownRaper, thatprettyface, Antaris, daveb, Amanda88, goldentrio, dragongirlcv, CandyCaner, lovelyl, Karategirl422, Thulytran, Tragedy, shellsfiction, Gwengwel, Likara, Kangae No Hinasho, novea21, astriddestler, Gaxnela, Christi, Morgana, The Lilith, DarkMoon, ShelleDW, ThatRedHead, and Ruby.

And I thank all readers who have not reviewed and/or may during this final chapter.

More on ‘Edie’: Hmm… When I first started this story, I wasn’t too sure on the plot. I thought it up after having this dream about a young girl who lived to tell a dark story after getting raped. But -- I sort of added Cain in, and I went with it. And I’m very happy with the outcome. In fact, I fell in love with Cain -- and I had thought about having Lavan die instead, but -- this is the original so it’s what I went with. I’m glad I did, and I’m so glad the story was a hit!

Also, on some other things -- I forgot to put SoloF as one of the ‘many sex things’ that occurred in the story -- Aleah and Edie both had SoloF scenes. So sorry about that.

Also, in case any wondered why I didn’t put Minor nor Major char death is because I never do. To me, that’s a huge spoiler, and I like keeping my readers guessing. This angers readers sometimes, but -- I prefer to not put those out there.

What’s to come from me next time? I do not know yet. But here are a few titles I may get out soon, if any of you are interested on what’s to come by me.

Titles are: ‘The Cross Scroll,’ ‘Blossoms,’ ‘The Island,’ and ‘Search.’ These are just a few ideas I have.

Again, I’d like to thank everyone who read. I enjoyed writing ‘Edie’ and I hope you all will look into my next story, whenever I get the chance to put another one up.

Thank you so much.