sidhe_faerie | The Many-Petaled Peonies

The Many-Petaled Peonies

Emma/Aaron

Word Count 662

Written for GYWO April Challenge Titles

Emma watched as the coffin lowered into the ground. She tossed a peony like the ones in her bridal bouquet on top. The petals scattered as it hit the wood.

She remembered how their friends and family had thrown petals on them as they came out of the church after saying their vows. She closed her eyes and turned her back.

She couldn't bear to think of Aaron in the cold dark ground. She would never forget the look on his face when he realized he was dying. She wiped a tear from her cheek.

She looked around at the faces standing in the churchyard. Aarons death was a shock to everyone in the village. Murder hadn't touched them here, only war. Death was something that happened in their sleep when they were old. That was the way it was supposed to come…. Not like this. Never like this.

They were all in tears, but she couldn't feel anything. Emma felt like she was sleepwalking through the worst days of her life. She wanted to wake up and be in his arms, but it was just a false hope.

She should be on her honeymoon instead she was burying her husband. She put a hand over her belly. But she still had his child. She had cashed in the tickets and she would use the money to leave this place.

How could she stay? There was only pain for her here. She didn't want to raise their child in the village where its father was murdered. That was the one thing she was certain of.

“Emma, we're going to the house now. Ride with us.” Aarons mother interrupted her thoughts.

Emma nodded. She couldn't speak the words that she should to make his mother understand what had happened, so she said nothing. Emma let herself be led to an old black sedan.

Emma would endure the kind words and sympathy for a while longer then she would get into her already packed car and disappear forever. She wasn't sure of where she would end up and she didn’t care as long as it wasn’t here.

When the last cup of coffee was drunk, and the people were all gone Emma went to her car. Aaron’s mother followed her out carrying a large basket.

“I wish you would stay. You are all I have left of him.” The old woman wiped her face with a lace edged handkerchief.

“I'm sorry. I can't stay here. There are too many memories. I'll let you know when I settle down.” Emma knew that was a lie. She had no intention of telling this woman where she was going, at least not for a while.

“He loved you so much.” Aaron's mother smiled through her tears.

“And he was killed for it. I have to find a way to accept that.” Emma looked at the keys in her hand.

“Don't blame yourself. No one knew what Judd was planning. We all thought he had left town for good. No one expected…”

“That he would burst into our wedding reception and shoot Aaron?” Emma interrupted. “No one expected that, but it still happened because I rejected Judd and loved Aaron.”

She gave Emma a sympathetic look. “I put some sandwiches and fruit in this. Just something to keep you going.” She held out the basket.

Emma took it. “Thanks. I have to go. Thank you for everything and for Aaron.”

“You always have family here.” She hugged Emma then turned and rushed back into the house.

Emma opened the car door and got behind the wheel. She sat the basket on the floor on the passenger side. She started the car and drove off. She drove until she was exhausted, sleeping in a cheap motel. It was the first of many on her journey.

Emma had a plan. She would go to the city and get lost in the crowd. She would raise their child and never look back.