Yuri had long since stopped feeling the deep pang of grief.
After all, it had been over twenty years since Julie had passed away. Over those two decades, he'd gotten used to the absence, the waiting, the void left by Julie. But certain days, like today, made it hard not to feel a touch of sadness, a whisper of what could have been if Julie were still here to share life with him and Brittany.
The Lynette Family Cemetery was vast, a sprawling expanse of history and memories, mostly visited by members of the Lynette lineage.
Julie's headstone was a labor of love personally overseen by Yuri.
Majestic yet solemn.
Understated yet powerful.
Daniel approached the grave, his legs giving way beneath him as he knelt with a soft thud.
He carefully opened a picnic basket, taking out a piece of pumpkin pie, gingerly setting it down.
"Grandma, it's me, Daniel. I came to visit you."
His voice had lost its babyish lilt, edging more into the realm of a young man's.
Brittany, standing a short distance away, held a bouquet of autumn chrysanthemums. She placed them by the grave, squatting down slightly, "Mom, Daniel, Dad, and I are doing really well. You can rest easy knowing that." Yuri's gaze remained fixed on the headstone throughout, a mix of sorrow and contemplation in his eyes.
Brittany chattered away about recent happenings to Julie as if she could hear, then took Daniel by the hand, preparing to leave. She paused, turning back to Yuri, "Dad, if there's anything you'd like to say, now's the time. We'll be outside." "Okay."
Brittany and Daniel slowly walked away, leaving Yuri alone with his thoughts.
Yuri crouched, his fingers tracing the photo on the tombstone, his eyes filled with regret, "Julie, I'm sorry. I've let Bri face hardships-"
The smiling face on the tombstone seemed to echo the memories he cherished.
He blamed himself. If only he had been stronger, perhaps Brittany wouldn't have had to face threats or been pushed into an engagement with Eltham.
As Brittany and Daniel exited the cemetery, they bumped into Derek Bishop, who had come for his own visit.
"Bro, when did you get back?"
"Cousin Derek-"
Daniel let go of Brittany's hand and rushed into Derek's arms, "Cousin Derek, I've missed you so much!"
Derek lifted Daniel, tickling him, eliciting giggles and pleas, "Cousin Derek, stop, it's ticklish..."
Brittany watched them, a smile on her face, as Derek eventually hoisted Daniel onto his shoulders, "Hold tight." "Horsey ride!"
Daniel's eyes sparkled with joy, gripping Derek's head, his little legs kicking in excitement.
"Where's Mr. Lynette?"
"Still inside," Brittany replied, "When did you get to Craneville?"
"Just got here. How about coming over to the Bishop family's house tonight? Grandma wants to see you."
Brittany nodded, "Sure."
She had been swamped lately, barely having time to visit her grandmother.
Derek didn't bring up her engagement to Eltham, instead asking about her life these past months.
Then he mentioned, "NK is doing well, too. Noel Salter turned out to be more impressive than we thought, on par with Zac." Noel wasn't the typical wealthy playboy; he was more.
"Noel's getting married soon, to his secretary."
Derek paused after mentioning this, "Have you remembered anything about the past yet?"
"Not really."
Brittany still couldn't recall certain events, but it didn't matter. Even without those memories, her love for Isaac had only deepened.
Derek sighed, about to speak further, when Yuri emerged, his eyes slightly reddened as if he had cried.
Derek greeted him, "Mr. Lynette, Grandma wants to see Bri and Daniel tonight. Why don't you join us at the Bishop family's?" "No, I've got some things to handle tonight. You go ahead."
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