An Immortal Gift
By destiny
Paris Present Day
The chateau was just as he remembered it, only the
rose colored stone walls were now mellowed with age. He shifted the gaily
wrapped package into his other hand and knocked on the door. It was opened by a
uniformed butler. A cold blast of air burst into the hallway, carrying with it
little drifts of swirling snow.
"Yes?" the butler asked cautiously.
"I'm here to see Madame Shartay. She's
expecting me."
"But, of course, sir. Do come in. And may I
tell her who is here to see her?"
"Duncan, Duncan MacLeod."
"Excellent! Now, let me take your coat and
then follow me into the parlor. Madame Shartay should be with you
momentarily."
Duncan MacLeod shrugged out of the heavy black
overcoat he wore and handed it over to the butler, who then turned and started
down the long hallway. Stopping at a small door on the left, he opened it and
directed Duncan inside and left to inform Madame Shartay she had company.
A soft white leather sofa and several chairs sat in
front of a rock faced fireplace in the parlor. A nice fire warmed the room and
Duncan as he sat down on the sofa, sighing as he sank into the rich luxury of
the cushions. He removed the gloves he wore and held his hands out to the fire
to warm his cold fingers. As he looked into the fire, he saw one orange flame
licking greedily around the logs. He watched the flame as it moved, his mind
wandering to another time...
London 1762
It was a cold and rainy day, the wind blustery in
its strength. Even so, the crowd at the outdoor market was as busy as ever. The
crush of humanity almost rolled over the small boy as he darted behind a food
cart. Along with the smells of overblown perfume and slightly unwashed bodies,
the child's stomach tightened at the smell of freshly baked bread. The aroma
wafted to him from inside the cart and it was more than he could stand. Beyond
caring, he ran around the cart and snatched up a piece of the soft bread.
"Hey, what are you doing, you dirty, little
thief?" the market woman screamed as the boy started to run away with his pilfered
treat. "Oh, no, you don't," she cried as she snatched him up, holding
him by his ragged jacket. "You're not going anywhere without paying for
that, young man."
"But, but, I have no money, ma'am, and I'm oh
so hungry." His huge blue eyes stared out of his small, dirt streaked
face, begging for mercy.
"That's just too bad now, isn't it? We'll see
what the constable has to say about this."
"If I may, my dear, sweet lady," the
gentleman, dressed in dark silk finery, his long dark hair softly waving to his
broad shoulders, interrupted. "I'd like to pay for that. This was all a
misunderstanding, I'm sure." He withdrew a coin from his purse, more than
enough to cover the cost of the bread, and took the small child by the hand,
leaving the marketplace behind.
With a smile on his handsome face, Duncan MacLeod
watched the boy as he ate the food placed in front of him. Duncan had brought
him home and placed a dinner fit for a king before him. After a moment of
silence, the boy had dove into the food, too happy to ask questions.
"So, what are you called?" Duncan asked
when he saw the child come up for a breath of air.
"Johnny Malone, sir. My name is Johnny."
"Johnny, if I may ask, what were you doing
wandering the streets alone?"
Johnny placed his fork down on his plate and
quietly replied, "I don't have anyone. Me mum and dad went to heaven. No
brothers, no sisters, and now no mum and dad." He bowed his dark head and
tears started falling down his cheeks.
"That's okay, little one. You've got me now
and I know someone who doesn't have a family either. She needs someone,
too."
Paris Present Day
A loud pop brought Duncan back to the present, the
crackling of the fire interrupting his thoughts. He could hear voices drifting
down the hallway as someone neared the parlor. Standing up, he smiled as two
women entered the room. The taller of the two was black haired and brown eyed
and she carried herself with an elegant grace. The younger woman was blonde and
petite and pretty in a delicate way.
"Duncan! How nice of you to come. What would
Christmas be without you?" The dark haired woman came forward and gathered
him into a warm hug.
"Ah, Dominique, you know I wouldn't miss an
invitation of yours. And I brought you a present as well." He held out the
gift he had brought to her.
"Duncan, you have already given me a present
beyond compare," Dominique Shartay replied and motioned the other woman
forward. "May I introduce my grand daughter, Gabrielle Malone."
The young woman walked up to him and smiled. And
as she neared, he looked into her huge blue eyes. Eyes that were so familiar.
The same beautiful eyes of a little urchin boy from so long ago. Yes, Johnny
had found a home and a family. And Dominique now had her 'grand daughter' and
the family she thought never to have in her Immortal life.
Dominique took his hand and directed him back to
the sofa. And as they all sat down, she smiled at him, silently thanking him for
that special gift so long ago.