She swallowed at that, looking to the floor. "A regular diamond. E..Elena is a conventional girl with..classic tastes." Caroline pulled her hair over one shoulder and took a step back, using all her will to plaster a smile. "Sir, I have to go. There's a lot of things I need to do to prepare for tomorrow." She turned for the door.
Caroline wasn't there in the morning when Cave would make his announcement. It wasn't until the party after it that Jenny from accounting approached Cave with a light purple wrapped gift with a white bow.
"Mr. Johnson? Caroline asked me to give this to you."
Inside was tissue paper and an envelope with a heck for more than 12 grand on it and a letter.
Dear Cave,
Please accept this small wedding gift. I may not have shown it, but now I can say that I am glad that you are happy. I hope you and Elena have many long and happy years together. I'm thankful for the few I was able to share with you. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share this journey with you and I'm certain you're in good hands to carry you into the next chapter of your life.
You gave me everything I had dreamed of as a child. A place to belong, a place to be myself, and a companion in science. That's why I don't hold any grudges for your choices. Even this one that I face this morning. In the event of my death, I've arranged for you and Elena to inherit the proceeds of my estate and the rest of my liquid assets.
The only thing I ask is that you don't forget me. I included my favorite picture album in this gift box. Please remember me fondly. There's nothing in my life that I would have changed, no regret to speak of other than never telling you how I felt. For that, I hope you can forgive me.
With all my unspoken love, Caroline Mossman.
Just under the tissue paper was a white photo album. The edges were worn and the corners rounded from its long use. Inside were dozens of pictures of the two of them, starting as far back as Aperture fixtures, pictures of just the two of them cutting the ribbon at the mouth of the abandoned salt mine that would later become the enrichment center. Newspaper clippings about Aperture's growth, pictures of them laughing and working. There were pages left in the back blank and unfilled still waiting for pictures that wouldn't be taken.
no subject
Caroline wasn't there in the morning when Cave would make his announcement. It wasn't until the party after it that Jenny from accounting approached Cave with a light purple wrapped gift with a white bow.
"Mr. Johnson? Caroline asked me to give this to you."
Inside was tissue paper and an envelope with a heck for more than 12 grand on it and a letter.
Dear Cave,
Please accept this small wedding gift. I may not have shown it, but now I can say that I am glad that you are happy. I hope you and Elena have many long and happy years together. I'm thankful for the few I was able to share with you. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share this journey with you and I'm certain you're in good hands to carry you into the next chapter of your life.
You gave me everything I had dreamed of as a child. A place to belong, a place to be myself, and a companion in science. That's why I don't hold any grudges for your choices. Even this one that I face this morning. In the event of my death, I've arranged for you and Elena to inherit the proceeds of my estate and the rest of my liquid assets.
The only thing I ask is that you don't forget me. I included my favorite picture album in this gift box. Please remember me fondly. There's nothing in my life that I would have changed, no regret to speak of other than never telling you how I felt. For that, I hope you can forgive me.
With all my unspoken love,
Caroline Mossman.
Just under the tissue paper was a white photo album. The edges were worn and the corners rounded from its long use. Inside were dozens of pictures of the two of them, starting as far back as Aperture fixtures, pictures of just the two of them cutting the ribbon at the mouth of the abandoned salt mine that would later become the enrichment center. Newspaper clippings about Aperture's growth, pictures of them laughing and working. There were pages left in the back blank and unfilled still waiting for pictures that wouldn't be taken.