EXETERRPG: (2 - 0915) Lt(jg) Physiotherapist Cerise Blake and Lt(jg) Alastair Brightwood

[Mark Howard]

Mission: A new day dawns

Day: 2

Stardate: 2446.01.29



(Earth - San Francisco - Lt(jg) Physiotherapist Cerise Blake and Lt(jg)
Alastair Brightwood - 0915)

As they pulled up to the cemetery, Alistair found a place to stop the car.
He wondered if Cerise had figured out the reason why they were there. He
wondered what her reaction would be, and he wondered if this would be their
end. It seemed like a good idea of the time, but he was now doubting his
judgement.

“We’re here.” He said quietly.

“Alastair…?” what are we doing here?” Cerise asked quietly, her limbs were
feeling cold, she pulled a heavy wool-blend coat around her even before she
stepped out of the car.

“I umm, well I just….” He was struggling to figure out what to say, getting
tongue tied. “I know that before we left Risa, you talked about, well the
arrangements, and I thought, well because we were on earth, that maybe, I
would accompany you to bring flowers yourself. I should have cleared this
with you…I just…should have listened to Rookers, he said tis was a dumb
idea.”

Cerise nodded, tearfully, and sighed, holding out her hand. “I’m not mad, I
promise, it’s sweet.”

Alistair took her hand.

“I’d preferred you’d given me a heads up, but I love that you’re trying. I
do.” She sighed, stepping out of the vehicle.

“I overstepped, I know, but I didn’t want you to miss this opportunity. As
we don’t know when we might come back to Earth.”

“I know. And I don’t blame you…I don't, it's just that this is very very
private.” She sighed, picking a large bouquet out of the back, noting in
her mind the position, and direction of the flowers. “I know it was never
on me, but that doesn’t mean I can easily let go…”

Alistair walked around and placed his hand on her shoulder.

“She was the sweetest, most gentle girl. Scored a hit when she snagged a
ride to the big party yeah?”

“I can stay here if you want?”

“No…it’s okay. Please.” Cerise half-smiled.”

A few moments passed, and Cerise reached the headstone. “Hey Mimi…” She
rested her hand on the dark granite. “Got something for you. Not my work
you understand, but I hope that you get the sentiment.” Cerise, looked up
to Alastair and nodded.

“Here you go.” Alistair said handing her the two bouquets.

She took the flowers off him and rested them on the grave that she had
visited so many times. “I’m sorry Mimi, I can’t keep doing this…I have to
let go now sweetie. It doesn’t mean that I miss you less, but…” She wiped
her eyes gently on her sleeve, then she turned to Alastair, leaning toward
him.

Alistair wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.

“I’ve fallen in love Mimi. He’s a good man, you’d like him, but…” the tears
ran down her cheeks openly. “This is the last time that I think that we can
talk;” Cerise gasped for breath. “Until you see me again…I’ll always miss
you.” She kissed her fingers and placed the kiss on the headstone.

“So much pain.” she looked at Alastair.

“I didn’t mean to subject you to this Rise, I just.  Was trying to be a
bloody romantic like in those old movies. But…instead…I’m so sorry dearie.”

Cerise shook her head. “You did the right thing. I’ve been stuck in this
moment, this place for a decade near. Her parents have…moved on…accepted.
Their life is more empty but they accept the hole in their days. I haven’t
Alastair. I’ve been folding the cold cloak of guilt around me since that
day…”

“Well, I am glad you could have this moment.”

Cerise tilted her chin up and kissed him “Tell me that this isn’t all you
have in mind…”

“Well, no, but we need to go to the bay. I recently purchased a boat.” He
said with a smile.

Cerise nodded. "Alistair…?"

“Yes.”

"I love you but please never do this again. It helped and I love you for
it, bit there'll always be that pain."

“Sorry, sorry.” He paused…. ~Wait did she say she loved me?~

"I'm sorry that I'm this way. I hope that you hold me in affection beyond
my neuroses."

“Well, I don’t think I would have embarrassed myself in such a stupid and
not well thought out manner as this if I did not think you were one of the
most amazing creatures created on this planet.”


Cerise smiled gently, her heart melting again, as it always seemed to. “Her
parents never blamed me, not once…that was the thing. It was through them
that I managed to reconnect to my own.”

“They seem nice,” Alistair replied as he offered his arm as the began
walking to the car. “At least your dad is.”

Cerise nodded. “They have quirks. And I do love them dearly.” she pulled
into his arm.

“Well that is good. It’s good to love your parents. Even if they don’t
answer your calls.”

Cerise paused before speaking. She knew that things were tense between
Alastair and his mother. "You okay baby" she asked.

“Yeah, Dad and I talk, even got together for tea two days ago. But mom,
still wishes I was professor Brightwood.” He said somberly.

"You mentioned a boat? We can talk on the way? If you want to?"

“Yes, that would be good. Fair is fair right.” he said with a smile.

She slipped her head under his arm, and pulled him close as they walked
back to the vehicle. "Your mom not returning your calls?"

"No. But it's ok. Mum goes through phases. She'll come around in time."

"Mom was a bit like that. She was the reason for the gymnastics. She failed
to get on the team so made sure her damndest that I did."

"Mum is just all about appearances. The Brightwoods, my father's side, and
the Greycastles, mummy's side, have been amongst the snobbish intellectual
elite for centuries. I'm pretty sure I had an ancestor that once got thrown
out of a party trying to snog Tolkien. But a good catholic bloke like him
wanted nothing to do with her flights of fancy. That's why the Greycastles
swore of gin in 1927."

Cerise laughed gently, not actually sure if Alastair was teasing her,
either way his gentle, romantic nature was slowly pulling her back up.

"More than anything, I'm just looking forward to a quiet day sailing with
you. "

She leaned her head up and kissed him. "Me too. I'm looking forward to
spending time with you."

(Reply none)

(Posted by Mark)
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