So here's the final chapter, sorry for it being so late. Work has been hectic around the holidays and haven't found much time to write. Hope everyone had a good Christmas, or a happy December 25th if you don't celebrate, and a happy New Year.
Hope you enjoy the final chapter, as always, let me know how I've done!
Chapter 3: It was always going to be us.
It all changed for them in the coming days. The dynamic of their relationship shifted from close siblings to inseparable lovers. Often, they would lie together, content to stare into the mysterious stars of each other's eyes. Several days passed since their initial incursion on the couch, a time spent relaxing indoors while the storm raged around them.
The ever present crackle and boom of thunder like a natural clock marking the hours. Mara spent her time reading, a mixture of work related engineering texts and her usual sci-fi fantasy epics. A plethora of dusty leather-backed tomes lay scattered around the living room.
Her work kept her constant, always in motion with little time to think. From what little Ezra could discern, she was designing a pentagonal shaped capsule. Her headquarters back in Switzerland routinely sent her updates on her project, obviously important, to her and everyone that worked on it, Ezra was left wondering why she had left in the first place.
The one question that had nagged him since she had arrived all flustered.
Why?
Mara had loved engineering, space and the uncertainty that inhabited the vast unknown since she was young. She lived and breathed it. She used to lay in the garden, surrounded by books, gazing at the stars until the grass frosted over. Her decision to leave, although it had hurt, came as little surprise.
So why had she come back? And why did it feel more like a goodbye?
Ezra attempted to distract himself through his work. Completing several commissioned pieces of work, a sculpture of a dog from silver painted cast iron, a human sized wicker man and even a commercial businesses sign. It was good money, something that he used to buy more art supplies. He had never wanted for anything. His parents had seen to that.
Even before they had died, they had showered both Mara and himself in money. He felt guilty growing up, having so much money it didn't even register as an object. He had moved away, much to Mara's discontent, in a vain attempt to escape his parent's wealth.
Selling what little he made during his university course to pay for food and heating in his new cottage. He had wanted independence. They died shortly after, barely 2 months after he'd moved away. Leaving him distraught, caring for his younger sister and now wealthier than he could ever need.
Mara had used the money to fund her education abroad, burying herself in her work while Ezra did likewise. Sculpting his mind numb in a cottage that reminded him of his selfishness.
Ezra sat back on his stool, staring at the blue figure he'd just finished painting. The wet brush tumbled from his fingers onto the flags as he loosed a raspy breath. His closed his eyes, replacing the vintage arcade machine and encompassing white cloth with serene black. He rubbed a growing headache from his temples.
"Ezra!" Mara called, her voice sad. Ezra opened his eyes. Mara. What he wouldn't do for her. If only she knew.
"Mara?" He asked curiously, pushing the curtain aside to find her leaning against the living room couch. His sliding door locked into place on the far side of the room. She was dressed for winter, the bitter chill making her thick woolly coat, gloves, scarf and wellies a necessity. She wore a knitted beanie on her head, her hair hanging messily in front of her eyes.
She looked sad, vulnerable. It tugged at Ezra's heart to see her this way. Unsure of how to proceed he quickly closed the distance and pulled her into a deep hug. Despite his paint stained overalls, she melted into him. Burying her face in the crook of his neck. He gently stroked the strands of hair that poked out from her beanie.
She was trembling, he realised.
"Let's go for a walk." She murmured quietly. The storm had briefly abated to reveal a light dusting if snow. The temperature had dropped overnight, replacing rain with sleet and eventually puffy snow. Although most didn't stick, enough landed on the surrounding hills to create a serene picture of winter.
Ezra nodded, not willing to leave her warmth, but managing to pull on his boots, wool jumper and trench coat before she wrapped herself around his arm as if he was a life preserver out at sea.
Locking up, they stepped into a veritable wonderland. Light flakes of snow drifted lazily in a windless sky, catching in a weak orange sun that revealed a light dusting over the hills. Their breath steamed.
Mara pressed herself more firmly into him. He welcomed her heat. Ever since that night, he had craved her proximity. Although they had managed to behave themselves, they had routinely ended up naked, or near to, cuddled up beneath a blanket of covers.
They walked for several minutes, savouring the peaceful quiet and gentle atmosphere. Mara held out her hand, catching snowflakes between her fingers. The faint light caught her face, accentuating the curve of her face, the rosy freckled cheeks, small bushy eyebrows and pursed lips. She was beautiful. She caught him staring and smiled.
"What?" She asked, blushing deeply. Walking several steps ahead he savoured her beauty before answering.
"Just relishing the time I have with you before it's over. I can't get enough of you lately, Mara." She smiled, tucking a strand of hair beneath her beanie and ear.
