Rosings have never been immersed in such a distressing gloom that made the entire town weep and sniffle for the Livinggood family.

Word spread around faster than a hailstorm making it sensational and heart wrenching with meaningless words; for those who were in search of breaking news for their channel or newspaper. For those who gossiped; the coming month was a festival. Those who criticized severely couldn't hold down their fancy words on the tip of their tongue, they unleashed and it was just a dire judgment.

However, counting it all in wouldn't even surmise the defeat and deafening silence that have wrapped the Livinggood and those families who stood to the ground in support to them that night. Even though it was apparent that the death was a peaceful and victorious one after Lucy closed her eyes on its own with a smile and the smell of roses; however, the thought that Lucy was gone, forever, only to never come back flipped everyone's sanity.

Katie coped with silence, staring at Lucy's bed as long as someone nudged her awake. Emily has never stopped crying, showing signs of depression and insanity as per Sharon's judgment. Father Kruger left soon but Father Matthews couldn't leave the family. His constant prayer and sniffles soothed the families but sometimes Julian got so angry that he blamed it all on them for Lucy's death.

In total; Livinggood mansion was never going to be the same again.

The three mothers are under the strict guidance of their family doctor for their behavior which was horrible and horrific to a point where their doctor feared for their life. Lucy's mother constantly cried, "even if she was acting unnaturally, I could have seen her. She would have been with me. Oh God... why..."

It's been five days since the death and the next day was going to be her funeral.

The death was considered to be suspicious and the authority was informed from the word of Mrs.Rottweiler; thus, inspectors came to investigate, but were strongly dismissed by the family. Otherwise, there would have been an autopsy and that would have created a much different spectrum.

The night before the funeral, despite being exhausted and dejected, every one of the family fell asleep. One thing they never did after Lucy's death in fear of the horrific nightmares. But that night, they slept peacefully and they all saw the same dream.

In a garden which was beautiful than any garden they have ever seen; Lucy was standing by a rose bush, smelling and caressing the roses in a white flowy gown with her hair windswept. Her smile was just enchanting. In the distance, a bright white light blinded it all with only her and the shadow coming from in between was seen. The shadow spoke in a beautiful voice, "bid your family farewell my dear, and come with me." Lucy smiled and walked away with the shadow holding the bright light.

The funeral morning was bright, sunny and enchanting. The family got up refreshed and happy for the first time in forever to a bright beautiful day. They couldn't help but feel happier. They exchanged the words and were astonished to find everyone saw the same dream.

At about nine o clock in the morning, everyone was ready to leave for their church. Emily refused to wear black or any depressing color and walked out in Lucy's favorite color; yellow like the day it was. With Father Matthews, the family left to the church.

Upon reaching the house of God; it was a completely different atmosphere. Peace, torment, confusion, and gossip bubbled with the soft music. Though, many participated to assist and support them. Most of them were there for the free meal in the reception. But, there was another group; the vilest, and they were there to just spark a word about the family which was anything supportive. Mrs.Rottweiler was with them.

But Livinggood family wasn't here for them. They were here for the funeral. For Lucy, so they kept their head low and walked to the beautiful mahogany coffin polished and glittering.

To see Lucy was to see the dream. In a beautiful white gown, adorned with white lilies and roses, she slept peacefully. The smile on her face enacted the dream, making the family break down in tears and smile. The funeral went beautifully with words and tears passed around. Many families gave their word which leaked few more tears.

At last, she was buried in a bright place where the sun rays kissed the beautiful flowers placed on her grave by the kind souls. The family lingered longer with the silence, daring not to tear up since they agreed that Lucy would have wept in the grave if they cried anymore.

Coming back to the reception was like walking into a subway dressed up scary with a long dagger. The chatter and buzz died instantly. Everyone stared at the family especially at Emily who wore Lucy's favorite yellow dress. Standing with the people for a little longer, they decided to go home and take rest.

It was at the moment Em heard what Mrs.Rottweiler whispering, loud enough to let the family hear but not too loud to go beyond the circle.

"I can feel in my bones, oh you know, that the curse must have passed to someone else in the family; preferably the girls of her age. Because you see, the death unnatural such as her's would surely be considered as an omen. If not, then I must say I fear that the girl might haunt Rosings forever."

"Stop you wretched woman with the tongue of the Devil; how holy do you consider by buzzing up such comments about a girl who just died and would not have rot in her grave? Shame on you, you bloody witch." Em's outburst echoed through the church silencing everyone. Even the pigeons had stopped their soft cooing.

Katie looked nastily at Mrs.Rottweiler who looked as if she said the right thing but was stunned at the sudden outburst. Father Matthews walked down the aisle and asked Mrs.Rottweiler to walk out. He held Emily and began to descend the steps.

"Oh, mark my words you girls; she may be dead but I am sure. I am never wrong. She will haunt you. Her curse shall rise."

Church servicewomen stepped up and asked her to walk away from the church and never come back. Mrs.Rottweiler looked shocked and tried to reason with her outburst. However, the Livinggood family didn't wait to see what happened with that foul mouth. They walked down the path and went silently to their home.

Once inside, Tina, Mina, and Katie sat on the patio looking at the hammock Lucy always chose. Rocky was whining and crying, looking at the girls as if asking for his favorite master. Katie cried, as Mina tried to soothe her. Emily was still in her bed.

Em was lying around, looking into the ceiling when suddenly; she thought she heard Lucy giggle. Getting up, she saw an illusion. Lucy was sitting on her bed, looking at Em, once again giggling.

"Lucy..." Em asked, looking shocked and relieved.

"Of course dummy, who else did you think?"

"But..."

"Look, don't mope around looking silly. That doesn't suit you. Please, don't hurt me like that." Lucy said, suddenly all her playfulness slipping away. She looked awfully sad.

Emily hastily got up feeling cold. She pulled on her jacket and pocketed her cold fingers and walked out hastily, bumping into Linda, scattering the laundry. She walked out in search of Katie and found her crying on Mina's shoulder. Rocky came running to her and whined. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Kat, I need to get out of here."

At first, Katie couldn't say anything. She just hugged her and stood for a while in silence.

"I thought, I thought..."

"Never mind, I want to go. I am not sure if I can complete the studies but I need to get away from here."

"Em, what about our parents..." Kat asked, looking into the mansion's direction.

"I don't care, I want to leave, right now," Em said without looking into the direction where Katie was looking.

"We have about four or five days more for our semester to begin."

"I don't care about semester Tina; I need to get away from here, this place, her..." Em said, suddenly bursting into tears.

"Alright, we will leave tomorrow," Kat said.

"What about your parents, they might need you," Mina said.

"No, it's better if these girls are away from them so that they don't get to see Em and Kat; to remember Lucy and feel guilty or... sadness. It's best we leave." Tina said, looking into the vast greenery.

***

"I think, Lucy would have been proud of us," Em said, as Katie stopped clucking at the keyboard.

"Yeah, I don't think I did justice though."

"Oh, Katie... always the perfectionist." Emily kissed Katie's forehead and got up. "Let me close the workshop, then we can leave. The train leaves early in the night."

"Ok," Katie said, shutting down her computer. She got up and cracked her back and shoulders.

Everything was packed and ready. All they needed was to get on the train and walk back the lane to their childhood memories, after a long gap of ten years. Leaving Rosings subsequent to the funeral never got them turning back. Not even once. Not even when they got the news that they have new additions to the family.

Emily didn't complete her studies because she was seriously in need of help. Since Katie was by her side, attending her always; got Emily good and running in time without the threat of suicide lingering the air.

Mina and Tina got married to their college sweetheart's and had a family. They were in touch used to visit them every once in a while. By Katie's suggestion, Tina and Mina were going to accompany their journey back to the memories.

Katie ditched her job as a manager in one of the prominent business firms to become a writer and completed her book; their story, which was to get published soon by a famous publishing firm. Because Emily didn't have any interest in studies, she started a pastry shop and flourished in her business.

Tina had a twin and Mina had a girl and a boy two year apart. They left their children with their spouse family and were sitting in their seats, waiting for the train to start the journey; anxiously excited.

"Nervous..." Tina asked as she opened a candy packet.

"Uh uh," Em muttered uninterested.

"It's going to be okay. Just a week; we will come back as soon as we can if you don't like it there."

"Alright," Em said, smiling at Katie.

Mid-journey, a girl walked in chatting on the phone and sat opposite to Katie. Em, Tina and Mina were fast asleep. Katie couldn't just close her mouth or look away.

After the girl ended the call; she noticed this woman looking at her astoundingly. "Hello... what is your problem?" the girl asked annoyed.

"Umm... are you Lucy?"

"Huh! Yes, I am, how do you know me?" the apparent shock and how similar she looked like her sister got Katie's heart in a twist.

"Uh, nothing... I had a sister like you. We were triplets. We lost her, in a terrible... accident."

"Oh, I am sorry."

"It's fine."

Katie wished this girl would get out somewhere before Emily woke up. After seeing her, Katie wondered if she could tolerate Livinggood estate.

After a long tiring journey, Katie tapped on the doorbell; waiting anxiously for what is to come. The first thing they heard was the screams, and laughter of children. Emily loved children. With a huge smile, Katie looked at Emily who had this sheepish look on her face.

The same old butler opened the door with shock painted on his bald kind. He welcomed them warmly and called out heavily for the family to come. Never hearing their butler's screams before, the family came running down the stairs and from the back garden, with lots of children on their hips and shoulders.

Upon reaching the hall, Julian, Peter, Patrick, Lydia, Julie, and Katy stood rooted to the spot. Their expression was assorted but soon the trance was over as they ran, leaving their young ones behind, hugging the living breath out of the two girls. Tina and Mina couldn't keep their emotions in. Katy, Julie, and Lydia even hugged and welcomed them after they could actually believe their children were back.

Livinggood home had the light back on which was diminished for a long time.

Each parent had two children each. Long time, Katie realized she missed a lot with a heavy sigh looking at the bright beaming children. However, Katie and Emily didn't need long to realize their sister was never gone because they picked Julie's youngest and looked at Julie with teary smiles.

Julie nodded her head, wiping away few stray tears. "They all remind us of you guys. But, yes, she is Lucy. My Lucy," Julie said beaming with happiness and tears. Lucy looked at Em and giggled as she played with her hair.

A feast was ordered and the children had lots of chocolates and gifts from town to feast on.

In short, Lucy was once again relived with memories and laughter in the eyes of young Lucy, that Livinggood home didn't feel so bad to breathe in for Katie and Emily. They were only sad, they took too long to realize and come back home where Lucy was always living.

___________

THE END!