The atmosphere between them became so silent after his confession. Callan grunted. That wasn't how he planned to confess how he felt about her to her.
"Callan,"
He knew what she wanted to ask of him. "Yes, Orla. I didn't realize this until you left me months ago, and now, it's glaring. I wouldn't go the extra mile for anyone, but I realize that I would go to the end of the world for you, Orla."
She lost her breath. She couldn't breathe for a while. That was his confession to her. He was in love with her, he felt the same way she felt about him.
"Your feelings might not be the same because I have not been the best husband to you, but Orla, I want you to know that I am sure when I say that I am unapologetically in love with you. I would choose you to be my wife in every lifetime. I love you more and more every day, I don't want the feelings to ever end."
Orla didn't notice that they had arrived at the cemetery. Callan halted the car and took her hands. "We are here,"
She nodded.
Thoughts of her mother, sisters and Callan's confession muddled up her mind. She was messed up, she didn't know what to do. She wasn't certain where to go. If she wanted to meet her mother and sister, or stare into Callan's eyes and let him know how much she loved him too.
"Do you want to see them now?"
"Yes," she responded. Thinking through, she wasn't certain she was ready to take in Callan's confession now. She needed time to process all that he had said and accept it for what it was.
"Do you want to come with me?"
Callan felt slightly pained that she didn't acknowledge his confession, but it wasn't obvious from his expression. He suppressed his pain with a feigned smile.
"I will if you want me to come with you."
Was there nowhere he wouldn't go with her? She smiled.
"I will go now," Her hand rested on the handle of the door, struggling so hard to press it down and get out of the car.
"Do you want me to help you?" Callan asked when he noticed that she was still pushing through.
"No, I am fine." She lied. She wasn't, but he had done enough for her today.
After some minutes, she got out of the car and headed into the cemetery.
The place was still the same way it was, two years ago. The last time she was allowed to visit with her sisters and father for their memorial. The shrubs around have grown taller, they needed clearing. Aside from that, nothing else had changed over time.
She absentmindedly walked towards the path where her sister and mother were buried. The tombs were painted the same color. They were close to each other, but with different names.
"Isla Marie Sullivan," the inscription on one of the tombstones read. Isla stopped there, her eyes on her sister's tomb.
"Isla," she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. "I always visit you with the guilt that I killed you, but I guess that ended today. This is the first time I am visiting you without blaming myself for your death, and it feels so…" She burst into loud tears, she missed her sister. She didn't realize how much she missed her until now. "It feels so surreal, Isla. How are you in heaven? Are you fine? Are you with Mom, I trust that she's taking good care of you."
Orla took a seat on the tomb, between her mother's and sister's. Running her fingers through her mother's tomb, a smile separated her lips into two.
“Mommy, I know you're happy in heaven, and that's all that I need to know."
Callan had gotten out of the car. He was staring at her, but she had yet to notice him as he approached her. She was too engrossed in her conversation with her sister and mother.
"I got married. His name is Callan Barlowe, and he's very handsome." She said, causing Callan to smile proudly. He knew she hadn't noticed his presence yet. "He's the best man in the world, better than Dad, you know?"
Orla grinned widely, scraping off the dust that formed on the tomb. "I brought him here to meet you guys, but I guess he's scared of the cemetery and doesn't want to come out." She shrugged, smiling again.
"Who said I was?" Callan interrupted unexpectedly. He didn't mean to, he didn't plan to, but she wrongly accused him.
"Oh, Callan. Did you hear those words I said before?"
"I have been here for a while, and I heard everything you've been saying. I never knew you saw me as handsome, I should impress you more." He smirked at her, wriggling his head in pride.
"I wasn't talking about you," she protested. "Some other Callan."
"Oh, I am the only Callan Barlowe that you know, Mrs Orla Barlowe."
She smiled. She didn't argue further. "I will take the fall and let you rise."
"It's a win-win. You're a Barlowe too."
"Callan," she looked up at him.
"Hey," he took a seat beside her, taking her hands in his.
"Thank you," it was genuine.
She didn't expect that she would banter words with Callan at the cemetery. She had envisioned crying herself into a stupor, but there was, smiling and giggling like a child. Only because Callan was right there with her.
"Mrs Florence Sullivan, I love your daughter so much, and I swear on this grave that I will never hurt her anymore. I will take care of her until my last breath on earth," then he turned to Isla's grave, and said, "Isla, your sister is safe with me, that I can assure you."
Her hand was still tightly clasped to his. Callan had never been this open about his feelings for her, and it melted her heart so badly. She tightened her grip around him and smiled.
"Thank you for coming into my life, Callan."
"You too. I wouldn't know peace if I didn't have you." He bent a little to kiss her cheeks. "Orla, you are my only reason to live."
It took time, but the chapter is finally here! I have a few more chapters until conclusion.
Thanks for reading. Don't forget to vote and comment.
I love you all.