The Haunting of Jonas Lennox ...Part 4 of 4
It was strange the way Mother's will drew me back to the family estate and allowed me to meet and become involved with Emily.
It was as if our lives were prearranged and we had been destined to find each other here.
She was sitting beside me in the red glow of the dying day, but her face was illumined by another light I hadn't noticed before—she seemed lit up from within by a soft glow that reminded me of moonlight.
I felt a sudden frisson, but wasn't frightened so much as spellbound by her ethereal beauty.
I felt as if I had known her all my life.
“One of my ancestors built this house you know,” she whispered.
“I didn’t know that. Then your family has been involved over the years in the care and maintenance of the property?”
She nodded. “We’re tied—like your mother to this house.”
“That’s incredible! I’m only sad I didn’t know you before. Perhaps, I'd never have run away.”
She caressed my cheek. “Well, you know me now, and I doubt we’ll ever part.”
“I hope we never do part, Emily. And by the way, I’ve made up my mind—I want to stay on here at The Ashes and continue to restore the house. I hope you’ll stay too and care for the gardens and the black oak savannah.”
“Of course, Jonas—I wouldn’t dream of leaving.”
“You know it’s only been a short while, but I feel I’ve known you forever. I can’t believe how deeply I’ve fallen in love with you. I want to marry you, Em and have a family with you, here in this house.”
Her face fell and tears began to trill down her cheeks.
I hugged her and tried to console her.
“Don’t be sad, Em—it’s a happy thought.”
“It is, but you don’t understand.”
I looked at her blankly. “Understand what?”
“I can never leave this house.”
“And why not, Love? If you’re worried about my forcing you to go on a honeymoon or trips to far off lands—I won’t. I understand you’re not a traveler, and I’m a recluse myself. I’d be happy to spend eternity with you behind these walls.”
She grasped my wrist tightly, imploring me with her eyes. “But that’s just it—don’t you see, Jonas? I can’t leave because I died a century ago–the Emily you know is a spirit bound to this place.”
“Tha-that’s not possible,” I sputtered. You’re a flesh and blood woman as real as any other.”
“I am,” she smiled bleakly, “as long as I remain on these grounds. But is that the future you want—to be bound with me to The Ashes with no children for your posterity?”
A groan arose from somewhere deep within me. “Can’t you see, Em—I’m hopelessly in love with you. Nothing else matters to me.”
As Mother said, I always end up doing the right thing in the end.
And since love extinguishes all other choices, Em is now my life and my love forever.
As for Mother, I’ve decided to scatter her ashes as she intended. In some way she’ll be a part of the black oaks and our lives too.
Em tells me Mother may some day choose the grounds as her haunt or continue on to bliss in a world beyond—either way, I wish her well and know somehow we’ve been reconciled.
And now my hard shell has been softened and I’ve been given space to grow like the oaks.
It’s a beautiful thing this hope that rises from the burnt-over earth–for Em and me, it’s beauty for ashes, and joy continuous.
Nice story!
Is that Charlize Theron in the image? :)
Thanks. It is Charlize - I didn't intend to choose her - I wanted an anonymous model but in searching for the right face I chose hers and realized afterwords when doing the photo credit who she was...May be the reason why she's famous LOL!!
Haha yeah it was hard to tell if it was her. :D
That is by far not what I expected my friend @johnjgeddes, what a twist.
a twist on the idea of a territorial spirit LOL
I recognized Charlize straight away , as she is an SA export!. and yes, Jonas is not adverse to spirits. Nicely concluded , so I gather he will haunt the House that Haunted him?
a nice way of putting it :)
In the beginning I thought the story would be scary but I'm glad it turned into a sweet romance. It'd be really crazy if his mom decided to haunt the place while he still lived there with his ghost wife.
I know - I was thinking the same - it would be hard to write that sequel :)