Chapter 22

It was pitch black, but I could tell Jake wasn't by my side in the bed.

He was probably working on another piece for his FOURTH collection of piano works. Yes, he finally became a pianist. He gave up being a lawyer, his mansion and Albert (who stills comes around sometimes to visit) to live in my two-story light blue house with white trim. Of course, the grand piano had to hike itself with Jake the day he moved. It now sits in the living room where it is still polished every month or far, life for us is going great. Been married for 5, almost 6 years now. Very happy in all areas....

My suspictions were correct when I heard another soft piano piece start to play. I recognized it- Broken Souls. It was an intense, soft song that could only be played by Jake. He said the inspiration came from a couple he saw in a movie who said they had 'broken souls'. It was a catchy title, huh?

I sat up from the warm quilts and looked around our bedroom. Someone was here....

"Mommy...." Little Aiden called from a dark corner, walking out into the moonlight. I smiled at him.

"Hey, baby. Why aren't you sleeping?"

"I couldn't." He said quietly. "There was a wolf howling outside by my window and I was scared. Can I sleep here? Daddy's at the piano."

"I figured." I grinned. "Come on in, honey." Aiden, who was now 5, crawled on the bed and we laid on our backs, me wrapping my arm around his fragile body. Aiden's hazel eyes, like Jake's, always showed his emotions and his right now was happiness, but a play of confusion was also so very lightly present. I played with the soft locks of his brown hair.

"You know," I said. "Your Daddy and you are the same in many ways- that is, when you don't sleep, you're thinking. Are you thinking about anything?" Aiden sighed heavily.

"Mommy, Daddy cried last night." I knew exactly what Aiden was talking about- Jake's father had passed away in his sleep. Doctors told us it was an overdose of sleeping pills. Jake didn't really say much yesterday except: 'yes', 'no' and 'chocolate'. The shock was almost...unbearable to him.

"I know, honey. That's because Grandpa died and Daddy was really sad."

"I was, too." Aiden replied. "That's what I was thinking about- Grandpa."

"I see." I snuggled Aiden. "But, you know, honey, God's gonna take care of Grandpa until you see him again." Jake started to play a tune I didn't recognize.

"That's Daddy's new piece." Aiden pointed out quietly, snuggling me back. "It's called 'Jewish Eyes'. It about World War II." I nodded. Jake usually took inspiration for beautiful distorted songs from any war.

"Hey," I said after there was a period of silence, listening to the song. "How about I tuck you back in bed? I have to check on Elizabeth, anyway. I'm sure the wolf is gone by now."

"Fine." Aiden sighed. "Icky sister..." I laughed.

"Well, you're the icky brother, then."

"Nuh-uh!" Aiden frowned at my comment.

"Never mind, Booger." I picked him up in my arms, feeling his little hands clutch to my night gown as we walked to his room. I laid him down when we got there and kissed his forehead. "Good night, Booger."

"Night, Momma." I shut the door to Aiden's room and walked down the hall to peep in on 9-month-old Elizabeth. I opened the door and looked in. She was on her back, a pacifier in her mouth, sucking furiously. Goodness. I thought I put that up...

"Weirdo." I chuckled as I gently took out the pacifier and put it up. She didn't object- just kept on sleeping. I walked out, shutting the door. Time to check on tall, dark and sexy....

---

When I came downstairs, there was Jake, making marks on music, his hair in a tossled mess. I'm sure I looked just as worse. I smiled and said.

"You know, honey, musicians are usually very well groomed when working." He smiled at my smug comment.

"I didn't know you were up."

"You're thinking. Aiden was, too."

"Aiden was up at this hour of the morning?" Jake asked, apparently very shocked. I nodded.

"Yep. He came in when a wolf howled at his window." Another smile.

"Oh, ok." A soft mark with Jake's pencil was all that was heard for a few seconds before I sat down next to him on the piano bench. His eyes scanned over my face and mine did the same to his.

"Jake..." I said quietly, touching his face with my hand. "Sweetheart, you have to sleep sometime. You didn't sleep all last nightor any today. You just...played the piano."

"I can't sleep at all." came a gruff reply. "I have to do something-"

"Yes, you do and that's sleep. Honey, tomorrow you're going to the publisher. You have enough pieces-"

"THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT!" I jumped at the sharp response. "This..." Jake said calmer this time. "Is for my father. This IS going in my collection and you can't tell me otherwise."

"I...wasn't going to...I'm sorry..." My voice was weak, beaten. Jake hadn't snapped at me in such a long time, I forgot what it felt like. He sighed and put down the pencil, staring at me.

"His death doesn't make sense, Miranda. That's all. Period."

"I know, baby, but...we...can't change it...you know that."

"I KNOW!" His fist met the top of the piano, banging it loud. "I JUST DON'T GET IT!" I wrapped my arms around his cold body, holding him close.

"Jake, calm down. You're exhausted." His hard panting just made me hug tighter. "Baby, come to bed. This is getting to you-"

"IT'S NOT!" He argued. "It's not...." Jake went slack in my arms and we sat there, hugging each other with no one saying a word or making a sound. It was just me and Jake- no Aiden, no Elizabeth, No Creature (yes, I still call her that)...just me and him.

"Come on." Jake let me help him up from his chair and we went upstairs to rest for the night.

---

While we laid there, hugging each other and attempting to catch some sleep, I smiled.

"What are you most proud of in your life?"

"You." Jake answered automatically. "Definately you...Aiden and Elizabeth, of course...my career...." Pause. "What about you?"

"You." I retorted, smiling. "Aiden, Elizabeth, my house, our new cars....the new little one coming-"

"What?" Jake cut me off. Perfect. I thought this was going to wake him up."What do you mean????"

"Jake," I propped up on one elbow and looked him in the eyes. "I'm pregnant again..."

"Oh, God, no!" He kidded, grinning a happy 'I'm-gonna-be-a-Daddy-again-grin'. "Not ANOTHER Miranda!"

"That's what I said." I replied, laughing. "Not ANOTHER me!"

"Honey, that's great!" Jake pet my hair, sighing. "What's Aiden gonna say?" I put on a great impression of Aiden.

"OH, GOD IN HEAVEN, HELP US!" We laughed to ourselves about that. Aiden always acted like he hated having a little sister, but as with all real siblings, he loves her...we hope.

"Well, I can't wait for the baby."

"Neither can I." I notciedJake was half-asleep. "I'm tired..." I kissed his chest.

"Good night, Daddy."

We welcomed Kylie Grace Cleaver to our family on June 1st. Aiden...was not TOO happy that his sister's birthday was close to his, but still, he couldn't believe (as with any other child) the stork brought her. He told us he wanted a refund from the stork when he saw him next.

That was what brought love into my life- a marriage contract. Something that was meant for money and was temporary soon became the most wonderful thing to happen to Jake and I.

And that's what brought our 5 children- Aiden, Elizabeth, Kylie, Jason and Chelsea- into our lives. And as I sit here on the old porch swing, 89 years old, looking through the photo albums of the past, the yellow crinkle pages all I have left of my family, I remembered back on this contract and told you my story. Jake has been gone now for a couple of days- he was 93 years old at the time of death- and our children are also long gone as well, all dying when in their 60s and 70s. One of Chelsea's children take care of me now with her husband and children. I know- I'm ancient.

But I can't wait for that day when Jake and I will meet again. I'll be young and energetic, running to his open arms in heaven, while also meeting up with all 5 of my children at the same time. That day...should be approaching soon, I hope. But until then, I am to remain here only with my photo albums and...

The 60- something year old contract.

Of course, back when this story was told, we still used computer paper. Now adays, it portable screens, lighter than a feather, smaller than my hand, thin like paper. I smiled as I scanned back over the terms I did so many years ago...

"Grandmama?" Renee says gently, shaking my shoulder. I look at my petite granddaughter with her red hair tied up in a bun. Behind her, Olivia and Garrett, my great-grandbabies stand there, smiles on their faces.

"Hmm?" I answer.

"Time for lunch." She says, helping me up from the porch swing. Ugh. I hate lunchtime, but I'm going to brave whatever Renee and Olivia try to posion me with. I look down at the album with the contract perched in it and smile.

"I love you, my Jake." My eyes meet the blue sky. "I'll see you soon, my love...."

That night, I feel myself slip from the world and go to meet my Jacob, my love...

My everything.

THE END

WHEW! IT'S DONE, HOME BOIS! Well, I have news, some good, some bad:

1.) Bad news- I'm taking down 'Ask Pam'. JUST FOR NOW. I'll put it up later, me promise!

2.) Good news- I got my driving permit today! (dances) happiness is found...

3.) Good news- I'M GOING TO SLEEP! YAY ME! 11:52 at night?! Yeesh! Sorry if this sucks eggs...sleepiness, ya' know, bro...

Black Feather Quill