Read Online Grimm's Last Fairy Tale by Becky Lyn Rickman - Free Book Online Page B

have the nurses contact me if there is anything I can do for you.”
    He left the room not a minute too soon. Maggie could hold back no longer. She broke down and cried the only way she knew how—with everything in her. The nurses heard and one of them came in and wrapped her arms around Maggie. She asked if Maggie wanted anything to eat or drink, or if there was anyone she could call. When Maggie declined, the nurse just held her and rocked her like a little child, absorbing the tears into her uniform. Maggie buried her face and let go of everything that had been building up inside of her go. With all of her heart, she wished that she hadn’t banished Jacob from her life. She allowed herself a few moments to grieve, which is a luxury she hadn’t really afforded herself much in the past. Then she sat up, wiped her eyes and took a deep breath.
    “There, there. I know this must be incredibly difficult. We are all here for you. You are not alone.”
    “I know. I just need to work through this. Would you mind leaving me alone? I’m really alright now. I have my bearings. I just have a lot of things to sort out and some important decisions to make.”
    “Of course, Ms. Austen. Just ring if you decide you need something.”
    “Thank you.”
    When the nurse had left the room, Maggie closed her eyes and whispered a request from the one person she most wanted to see, though three days ago she would have sworn otherwise.
    “Jacob, will you please come to me?”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “I’m here.”
    “I have three questions for you. First, were you the one to get me here?”
    “Yes.”
    “Second, are you aware of what is going on with me?”
    “Yes.”
    “Third, how long have you known?”
    “Since before I barged into your life.”
    “I just thought of one other. Would that be alright?”
    “Yes.”
    “How could you get me here? Wasn’t touching me a rule you weren’t going to break again?”
    “That was two more questions.”
    “Please, Jacob. Don’t toy with me.”
    “I apologize with all my heart. I was just trying to elicit a smile.”
    “What about the touching?”
    “These are the circumstance under which I am allowed to touch you. You had to find out you were dying first. Carrying you here was part of that process. This is the whole reason I was allowed to manifest myself to you at this time.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Margaret, I have visited you nearly your entire life. I have witnessed someone living through what most people would have buckled under. I have seen you not only survive, but go on to be a kind woman, although somewhat of a recluse. I think that hiding yourself away stems from wanting to protect yourself. If you are alone, no one can leave you.”
    “So what changed?”
    “When I found out you were ill, I was given permission to show myself to you for support. Margaret, I am your guide. I am sent to make your transition a little less scary. You are a good person. Father in Heaven is aware of what you are going through—all that you have gone through, in fact. He loves you very much. I am here to help.”
    Maggie was silent. What could she say to that? She was without logical response. She spent a few moments deep in thought and Jacob allowed her that. Finally, she was able to articulate her thoughts to him.
    “How can you help? Are you going to try to convince me to undergo treatment?”
    “All decisions are yours. I am not allowed to influence you one way or the other. I am simply here to support you in whatever you decide, and to testify of what is to come. I will give you comfort in whatever way I can.”
    “So you’re not even a ghost. You’re like an angel, and you’re telling me that there is something beyond this life? I always thought there was. I just didn’t have any idea what it might consist of.”
    “It is magnificent! There are no words to describe, and that is coming from a wordsmith. If you knew, you might want to expedite your