Subj: Resurrection Part 14
Date: 7/6/99 11:33:42 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Jody
LOVE INSPIRES
WHAT THE EYES MAY NOT SEE
THE HEART IGNITES THE SOUL
AND FINDS IT WAY HOME
A few days had passed and Collinwood remained calm for the time being. However, all at Collinwood still felt the ghost of Woodard remained lurking on the great estate, just quiet for the moment.
Nicole, restless from a day full of reading upstairs in the library, put her book down for a few minutes to have a discussion with Barnabas, who was in the drawing room, reading a literature book.
Julia and Charles were preoccupied with the boys in their room, talking to them about Woodard's ghost. They had to be told to stay not too far from the house, and if anything out of the ordinary appeared to come to get any of the adult family members immediately. The boys wanted to know about the ghost. Most about Woodard was explained, but not about the fact of Woodard's death at the hands of their father in 1967. The boys were fully aware of Barnabas' former existence as a vampire, and had been trained to adapt to the world of supernatural with their everyday lives. But Julia also asked the boys to watch out for Nicole, who was the most in danger from the ghost.
It had been awhile since Barnabas and Nicole had talked in the drawing room where when she was thirteen she babbled about Barnabas' literary collection with great excitement.
Nicole, approached her father, fearless, and started to talk to him. Barnabas put down the book.
"Nicole, are you feeling any better now?'
"Yes, father , I am, I am just a little tired.'
The brow of his eyes went up, "Nicole, are you still not sleeping well, and throwing up a lot. I think your mother should examine you."
"No father, I am still get some morning sickness, but
I am feeling better. But for the baby's sake and mine, I will ask mother to
examine me frequently. Mother has been after me anyway to do that. I have no
objections. Sometimes I still do not feel that well. I still feel restless sometimes,
father, I am scared. I hate to admit it father, but I am. How did you and mother
handle the
supernatural all those years, father, and not be afraid?"
"Nicole, you know the horrible creature I was for so many years. My life which I loved dearly in 1795 was suddenly gone. All I loved were gone. Of course, I felt alone, inhuman and no chance ever of a normal life as a man. The curse made all I love die. It was horrible, Nicole. I would not wish that on anyone. I was forced like an animal to hunger for blood. I lived by night only. I always worried for my survival and like an animal protected my secret. No one except your mother, in this present time knew, and she accepted me for what I was, and the potential of a good man I once was. Julia had faith no one else had in me. She accepted me for who I was, not what she wanted me to be. And she risked her life to help me. Slowly, I turned from the animal I was into the gentle man I am today. If hadn't had for Julia, I would have continued to kill, and be that animal. I would be hunted. I was very frightened and alone. Your mother always loved me so and was always devoted to me and loyal. And something happened to me, I met your mother and had someone for the first time in my life to share my soul with. I didn't recognize what I had in your mother for a long time, and I am so sorry for that. She stood faithlessly by my side and offered only her love. But, Nicole, your mother, even though she appeared not to be afraid. She also was. But of a different type. Your mother, never had been in love before, with any man. Because she loved me, she appeared to be without fear for many years. But because for the first time too she shared a special relationship with me. She had never been so close with any person before that she shared her feelings with me eventually. She let me know when she was afraid, when she needed to cry, In other words, both of us were able to confide in each other more than other people. Your mother and I were confidants, we experienced life together and saw many things together in our life together, not separate, good and bad, and that ability to be together and share made me love your mother beyond life itself. When I feel something Nicole, I always think of Julia, and sharing it with her. If I couldn't I would feel so lost, my child. I am able to trust your mother, without question for anything, Nicole, that is rare. I look forward each day to Nicole to sharing life with your mother, both the good, and bad. She had spoiled and indulged me so. For that I love her. She makes me feel special and gives me strength in life. Your mother, even endured the supernatural, for me. She would sacrifice her life for me, as I would mine for her without question. But never do I want to live this life, without Julia. She is my strength. I love her Nicole. Fear not, you need not worry about your mother ever be alone again. I will always protect and love her. She will never be alone, never!"
Barnabas saw Nicole was concerned about her mother being in this world alone. Poor child, he thought, sometimes, he wished Nicole hadn't know of that time, for it made Nicole more insecure, and perhaps maybe contributed to her doing things alone, he wondered about that. He knew Nicole would always feel insecure because she too had been alone. He felt bad for his daughter. But it warmed his heart to see Nicole so concerned about Julia's welfare.
Nicole had a great capacity to love. She loved Julia
so and respected her mother. Nicole was loyal and devoted to her mother It made
Barnabas feel good that his child loved her so. If anything happened to him,
he felt more secure in the fact Julia would never be alone again, Nicole and
the other children would be there for Julia. Never again, would Julia face the
world alone.
Barnabas know thought that this would be an opportune time , to question his daughter.
"Nicole, let me ask you question? Do you love Charles?"
"Yes, of course,she replied.
"Do you love your brothers?"
"Of cousre, father,"
"Do you love your mother and I , and trust us, Nicole, for good or bad?"
"Of course, father, I would die for you and mother, you know that. I love you beyond life itself. You are a great part of my life. If it hadn't been for you, and mother, I would be afraid and lost as I was for so many years. You and mother have given me so much love that feels like a gentle warmth of the sun. I feel loved father, not alone. I love you father, forever. You have always been there for mother and I. I love you father so much. I hope you know that don't you?"
Those words made Barnabas feel quite reassured of his daughter's love and devotion for him still remained. Ghosts or no ghosts, he saw she was devoted to him eternally. Nothing on the face of this earth would ever change that.
"Nicole, why don't you pick up the book on shelf, the one entitled 'The Aeneid" by Virgil. I want you to recite the beginnings of it passionately to me in Latin?" Nicole, excited beyond belief, pulled down the book, opened it, with a big smile on her face and her brilliant eyes shown with signs of enthusiasm, started to recite the verses to her father in Latin.
Virgil's "Aeneid"
"Arma Virumque cano, troiae qui primus ob oris
Italiam, fato profugus, lavinaque venit
litora, multum ille et terris iactatus et alto
Vi supernum saevae memorem Iunonis....."
Barnabas looked at his daughter's enthusiasm and smiled. Nicole had return to her former self, jubilant and excited as she had been when he had first met her when she was thirteen years old. His babbling daughter returned home.