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Crossroads- Ch. 20
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"It’s beautiful." Lara whispered. She turned her head to survey the large evergreen trees that flanked the banks of the stream. Ferns covering the rocks along the forest floor, combined with the broad branches overhead to create a peaceful sphere of green.
Alice squeezed Lara’s hand. "I’m going to move on a little further down the trail. Come join me when you’re ready."
Lara picked her way down to the broad rock that jutted over the churning pool. With a sigh she sat and looked around, enjoying the solitude. With her good hand, she reached into the pack she was carrying and pulled out the jar containing Dana’s ashes. She’d wrapped it in a colorful scarf to keep it safe. She held the vessel tightly for a moment, and thought about the twists and turns her life had taken since she’d met Dana.
With sudden clarity, she remembered the days that she’d watched Dana on her breaks from the kitchen at the country club. She’d moved with confidence and strength on the tennis court, but spoke tentatively and carefully elsewhere. Lara had been drawn in by the contradictory grace and clumsiness that seemed to ebb and flow in turn from the shy athlete. With a smile, Lara remembered the furtive glances Dana would cast in her direction after she’d send out roasted vegetables or some organic soup she’d created. She could almost feel their first kiss in the locker room, and the sensation of butterflies she’d experienced when Dana had finally mustered the courage to ask her out. The flurry of the romance, and the heartbreak of their failed relationship swirled together as Lara watched the water bubble alongside her.
She remembered the sweetness of reconciliation balanced with the sorrow of the pain that it caused for Alice. She remembered the heavy fear that covered them as they faced the diagnosis of cancer. But most of all, she remembered the deep-rooted love that she had forgotten. Her heart ached suddenly at the loss of such a vibrant soul. She clutched the vessel tightly as sorrow washed through her, choking her with silent sobs.
She balanced the jar in the fingers of the hand that was encased in the fiberglass cast, and slowly worked the cork free with her other hand. Tentatively she shook the contents into her right palm. The coarse grains felt smooth and cool against her skin. Lara held them for a moment, eyes closed. With a sad smile she dipped her hand in the water and let the current catch the ashes, washing her clean. "I love you, Dana," she whispered. "I miss you."
A few minutes later, she slipped her clean, still-wet hand in Alice’s. "Thank you." As they walked up the trail, Lara squeezed Alice’s hand. "I love you."
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That was absolutely lovely, Gold. I’ll be sorry to see this one end. Thanks for the story, and I’m looking forward to the epilogue and your next story.
great story sad to see it end but it was a perfect ending.
Gold, I wear it as a badge of honor to be the token straight girl commetator-ess to have sparked the inclusion of Lace NC-17 scenes. I mean, who else would do such a thing, right? hehehe. My belief is that people who are in love should be having sex, period. And when the two are HOT to boot? Even better. Sigh, what to say….it is bittersweet that this story has come to an end but I anticipate your epilogue and future Lace stories because you have a gift with words, darling. Thank you for giving particularly Lara the depth that you did (suck on THAT, IC…) and I love the symbolism of water washing Dana’s ashes away, just very fitting. And Alice just seems so much more -there- than at the start of the fic. Each update has been a little treat ‘o the day in its own way. You rock, and I can’t wait for more. You keep writing, I’ll keep commenting;) Cheers to you.
PS: (because how could I -really- be done here). forgot to include that Lara slipping her clean-still wet hand into Alice’s as they walk off (into the proverbial sunset) together was, oh my goodness, such a touching way to connect LaraDanaAlice and good things into the future. Sigh…
great, i was dying to read the final chapter. hopefully u wil post up another Lace story ASAP
the end? *sigh* it was great while it lasted! amazing story, and alice always knows what to do to make it all better…*sigh again* it really was a great story, and i thank you for keeping it up and keeping me happy! you’re the best! im thinking maybe a sequel? a new story? SOMETHING??? ahhh you’re amazing.
I have a lot of patience though. :P But it was a nice ending. I think they’ve finally have closure when it comes to Dana. I hope Lara will have more peace with Dana gone and her nightmares will dissapear slowly. I’m looking forward to the epilogue. Good to hear Meg will also be in it. :D Btw, The Pipettes made it to my top 10 of last week (on last.fm)…ignore the fact that I didn’t scrobble that many songs. ;)
i´m late, sorry… a big hug for you becuse of this last szene. i always thought, that lara need to be there, to say good bye to dana. that was so sweet! thx for that. i need the epilogue…. ok i´m waiting (at the port).
Wow, just the read the whole story in one stiiting, it was fantastic!!!! I really hope you write another lace story soon cause i was gripped xxx
i completely agree with mineralka.
I love this from begin to end great story and i am sorry to see it end thanks and can’t wait for your next story
I love this from begin to end great story and i am sorry to see it end thanks and can’t wait for your next story
That ending was just perfect, Gold. I totally agree with Min’s comment – Alice giving Lara her little bottle of Dana’s ashes to allow her to say goodbye (a moment that Lara was denied on the show) really does highlight the Alice-Dana-Lara connection in a positive way. The fact that Alice not only gave Lara the ashes, but also allowed her some time and space to say her goodbyes privately just demonstrates once again her unwavering supportiveness and strength (did I mention that I *love* Alice in this story??). I especially liked how you described Lara’s feelings and memories of Dana in the final paragraphs – so sweet and touching. Thank you for this wonderful story – I have enjoyed it every step of the way, and although I’m sad to see it end, I’m certainly looking forward to reading your next Lace creation!