Aleksei held his baby in his arms.
That long-awaited moment had finally come, and after the war, full of happiness, he had finally been able to visit Meredith and little Charles in Man, to meet his child for the first time.
He did not know being a father was something so exciting, he would never have really imagined it as he had never thought to want to become a father.
But it was beautiful, he had to admit, it was a wonderful feeling to hold the son that he had generated.
The prince noticed every little detail of the child who now curiously observed him: he noticed the thick wavy light brown hair, the same colour as those of his mother, his big eyes, which on the contrary the baby had inherited from his father, of his small body, of his cold little hands.
Aleksei knew Charles would make a great successor for House Romanov and was also sure he would raise him in the best possible way so that someday he could inherit power in succession if Dimitri didn't manage to generate legitimate children.
The prince had also been informed, through letters from his mother, that some sort of problem had occurred in Russia, as it had been discovered that from his brother's nights of passion a couple of illegitimate children were born, which first of all Dimitri had refused to accept as his.
So it was very likely that if this news had spread around, he would have had to intervene, Aleksei had to unwillingly defend his brother from his own wrongdoings.
The wind was blowing lightly, the last rays of the sun illuminated the scene, it was late afternoon, they would have to leave early for Russia, as in any case it would take a few weeks by ship to get there.
But that was not the time yet, Aleksei wanted to stay for some more time with his son.
The sun was slowly descending in its rosy aura under the horizon of the sea, illuminating the prince's curly black hair together with his pale face.
Little Charles did not immediately recognise him as his father, on the other hand he had never seen him, never before had he heard his voice but in a certain sense the little boy felt in the man a sense of belonging and affection which were enough to be held without complaining or squealing but rather to present a certain curiosity towards him.
They were due to leave soon, but he wanted to give Meredith her time to say goodbye to Diane for one last time.
Aleksei knew it was a delicate moment for her and the prince incredibly respected that beautiful woman, as the legitimate mother and parent of his son.
He looked towards the high hill covered with green grass, up there, the grass was fresh and slowly moved guided by the gentle blow of the light wind.
Up there, on the hill, he could see the silhouettes of the two women, their figures in the distance, but they were too far away so he couldn't understand what they were saying to each other.
Diane was sitting there, on the hill, that place, it was quiet, silent, she had never loved quiet so much before, but just at that moment where she slowly felt her strength leave her body, she felt she needed a calm and peaceful place.
She kept her big, moist light-blue eyes closed, she felt the light wind beat on her magnificent face, her soft, curly black hair, closed in a short high ponytail, was slowly being blown by the light wind.
From there she could smell the salty smell and the waves of the sea, going back and forth on the beach, it was a good, calming sensation.
One of her cold hands was placed on her abdomen, pressed against it, in the open wound, which still spurted red and fresh blood.
It turned out that the doctor had treated Diane's wound with instruments that were not exactly clean and heated by the flame of the fire, with the result that the wound had slowly begun to become infected and slowly sucked up the lady's strength and life.
Diane sat on a large stone, up there on the hill, she felt the fresh air beating on her face, it was pleasant, especially when she knew that this was probably the last time she would have felt a similar sensation.
Meredith was witnessing her death, the death of a hero, she was standing next to her, the lady's very long and thick brown hair was closed in a magnificent and neat braid behind her back, as well as her perfect body wrapped in a precious green dress, covered on the shoulders by a thin dark green cloak.
Meredith was worried about her but on the one hand she felt that she was in incredible pain and at the same time she didn't want her to suffer.
-Diane...- the woman whispered softly.
-I'm fine Meredith, don't worry- she admitted smiling and placing her big and magnificent light-blue eyes towards her partner -you know, I just need some time alone...- Diane admitted posing another look at the magnificent and clear blue sky of the horizon.
Meredith understood on the one hand but on the other she was worried, she didn't know what she really wanted to do and she didn't know where her help could be useful or not.
-What do you want to do?- asked the lady, squeezing her cold and delicate hands one inside the other.
She felt sadness, she felt fear, but most of all she felt terror for her own future, which was uncertain.
Meredith was going to Russia, she was sure of it, but what was she going to do there? Who would she meet there? How would her life go on?
-I just want to die in my peace- Diane admitted slowly closing her wide and magnificent eyes again -go Meredith, your son is waiting for you...you will have to leave soon and I'm sorry that you have to see me die, just leave and I promise you that I will always remember you in my heart ...- admitted Diane smiling slowly, as salty and cold transparent tears had started to fall on her cheeks and slide down to the ground, disappearing among the soft and green threads of grass.
Diane was special, she was no ordinary lady, she was so much more, she had been her only reason for living in that time and although in her pride she did not want to admit it, even after their separation Meredith continued to having very strong feelings towards her.
In any case, Meredith nodded slowly with her head, slowly lowering her gaze, she had to accept her request, on the other hand it was her right to decide how to die.
-It was nice to meet you Diane, it was really nice to love you...- Meredith admitted turning a last look at the thoughtful and tired girl -I promise you, as long as I'm alive, that I will keep your memory alive and I will make sure that your sacrifice was not in vain- the lady admitted starting with sad slowness her descent from the hill, towards the valley, where there, on the cliff, the prince and his son, the small and beautiful Charles, awaited her.
Diane could not get rid of the idea of dying, it was as if in a moment the truth had opened before her eyes, as if in a second she realised that this was actually the last time they met and that that were her last words -Thank you for everything-.
So now she was alone, only Diane, the sky and the sea, in silence.
The calm, repetitive sound of the waves rang in her ears and grew slower, calmer and calmer.
Diane exhaled.
She could still feel the wind on her face, yes, but she also felt something different, she felt small and thin paw touching her palm: she opened her eyes again, it was the same butterfly she had met some time before in the cemetery .
Same colour, same big and curious eyes, same thin and small paws with which it touched the back of her hand.
Diane knew it was her moment, she knew what that butterfly was there to do.
She slowly closed her eyes, lost her breath for a moment and opened them again but this time without hearing the sound of the waves, or any other noise at all.
She was no longer there, she was no longer on the hill, sitting against a stone but she was in a much more beautiful place, she was in an infinite huge white and bright room but without walls or a roof.
Was that how heaven was then?
Diane slowly got up on her feet, turned around, on the horizon, she clearly saw all the deceased people: she saw them all shining with brilliance in that infinite white room.
She saw her brother Gilbert, her best friend Francis, Abigail, the Dustin twins John, young Thomas Cross, everyone was there, everyone looked at her with wet eyes, everyone smiled sweetly, a smile like when you met a friend not seen for a long time.
-Diane, we've been waiting for you...- came out as a whisper from Francis' thin, dry lips.
Tears had begun to roll down the girl's cheeks, with the difference that this time she could no longer feel them.
There she felt how hundreds of arms hugged her, she smiled, she was no longer afraid of death now that she was with them all, that was all she needed: to be happy for the eternity.
Diane imagined everyone had their own idea of death and that everyone imagined what was next in a different way.
Diane was asleep in an eternal sleep on the hill, with her back against the boulder.
Only one thing could be said about her: that at the moment of her death she wore a smile full of happiness on her face.