Chapter 26

Six months passed by. Iris held Hugh's hand as they walked into the landscape of Silbury Hill. They stepped on the green grass and walked till they reached the Hill. Hugh couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful green Hill that stood tall under the blue sky. It was a bright day. The sun was right on top of the Hill. 

The wind fanned Iris's open hair. They stood hand in hand looking around the beauty of Silbury. Hugh looked at Iris and she looked at him at the same time. He smiled and brushed off a strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. He cupped her cheek and pressed his lips against hers. 

Iris had no complaints from God anymore. Every year she cursed him for not giving her a soulmate like every other girl. But she got the love of her life at the right time. Hugh managed to see her for at least one hour from his busy schedule from the factory. They had spent a weekend in Middleham with Hugh's mother and Liam. Hugh's mother was in complete awe when she met Iris. They promised to keep visiting. 

Despite Iris's refusal, Hugh took down all the pictures of Olivia except for one frame that had the date of her death on it. He kept that picture to honor their love. Iris felt terrible. She did not like Hugh doing that, but Hugh wanted to let go of his past. He was happy with Iris. He could never stop kissing her forehead whenever they were together. Everyone in the Cafe couldn't be happier for Iris. Especially Albert. He got along with Hugh very well. Albert and Sandra started visiting Iris more often and they watched movies together with Hugh and had dinner sometimes. She had built a new family. She got everything that was missing. 

But it was also time to open Graham's letters. She sat one fine day with a cup of tea and opened his letters date wise and read. She couldn't stop sobbing when she learned that Graham had gotten married six years ago and didn't even bother to invite her. It was a small ceremony in a church he said. She regretted opening his letters. She didn't deserve to hurt herself that way. But she still proceeded with the letters and learned that he had a four-year-old daughter, Aurora. 

Iris got a wide smile on her face because Aurora was her favorite name. She would always tell Graham that when he has a daughter, she'd love to name her Aurora or if she births a daughter, she will give that name to her. At least Graham remembered this little detail about his sister. Things didn't seem too bad in his life. He had sent a photograph of his little family next to a Christmas tree. The picture was from last to last Christmas. 

Aurora was beautiful. Just like her name. Thick blond hair, deep blue eyes, round rosy cheeks, and a bright smile on her face. She was wearing a sky-blue frock with white stockings. Her blond hair was tied up in a half ponytail. She then noticed Graham's wife Barbra. Aurora had her mother's looks. She was beautiful and blond with blue eyes. She stood behind Aurora in a red mini dress. Graham hadn't changed a bit. Had only put on a little weight. 

He stood next to Barbra with his arm around her shoulder, in a brown cashmere sweater and black jeans with a wine glass in his hand. His black eyes were still the same. They still sparkled. And his mustache was thick like always. Though Iris was hurt, she couldn't stop smiling through tears. Graham had left his phone number in almost all the letters. Iris noted it down in a book. No matter what the differences, Graham was still her brother. 

When Hugh came by in the evening, she showed their picture to him. Hugh took her in a hug and forced her to call Graham giving her his cell phone. She spoke to Graham and he promised to visit her soon. 

Hugh forcefully gifted her a phone. She hated it. It kept ringing because Graham was suddenly the older brother who wanted to keep checking on his sister. Graham visited Avebury on Christmas with his family. They spent holidays together and Aurora got extremely attached to Iris and Hugh. He brought her gifts almost every day. Hugh's mother and Liam visited on New Years'. Iris's family and Hugh's family met each other. Albert, Sandra, and Mr. Davies joined in for the New Year's dinner that was prepared by Iris and Hugh. It was a big family event. The broken pieces of Iris's life had finally fallen into place. Her life was complete.