hold me close - michael

[Shania Baldwin]

Just Stay With Me

-------------------------------------------------------
and hold me close

[/center]

Shania was finally moving on. Though forgetting a loved one lost would never happen, moving on with your life was evident. For the first time in a long time Shania was happy. Elena and Hanz would forever be in her heart but Shania believed that they would want her to be happy. When Shania had finally made that realization she had taken a couple of days off to go and visit their grave site. That had been over a month ago. When she arrived Shania cried for over an hour between the two graves begging for forgiveness and it was like the forgiveness was handed to her. Shania came back feeling so light and so happy that everyone seemed to notice the new color in her cheeks, the new glow in the way she held herself. For years Shania had blamed herself for what had happened to her family. Now that she had forgiven herself and said goodbye to them Shania was ready to move on with her life. And maybe start another family. But Hanz and Elena would forever inhabit her heart.

Classes were over Shania had a full weekend to herself. For once Shania was releaved. Normally she would spend the entire weekend grading reports or something of the like, but she had given nothing of the sort that past week so now Shania would get a break. Even though classes had lightened up slightly since Shania had gotten back she was still as stern with her schooling as ever before. No matter how many kids said she was their favorite teacher there were still others that could not keep up. But Shania would just pull them aside and give them the one on one time they needed. Speaking of she needed to pull aside one of her first years on monday. But then again that would have to wait. Now Shania wanted to spend some time outdoors. There was a slight drizzle outside so many of the students were staying indoors and so that would give her and Keko some time alone. The blue roan stallion deserved some alone time with his mommy.

Stepping outside Shania let her long, thick brown hair just fall off her shoulders. It was rather cold outside and only getting colder, but Shania was dressed in only a pair of blue jeans, tank top, light jacket and cowboy boots. Her naturally wavy hair was swurling slightly in the wind as Shania made her way towards the stables. The drizzle was now a steady rain, but it wasnt a hard rain or anything too drastic so why not stay outside for a ride. Entering the barn Shania looked around and gave Navarano, Portia's horse, a loving pat. Legolas avoided her but Keko was right there to greet her. The large blue roan stallion shoved his head in her chest and nickered lovingly. Shania couldnt help but smile and cradle his large head before grabbing a bridle. Come on Keko, lets go for a ride. The bridle was a simple noseband less western style halter that Keko loved more than anything. Shania rarely rode him with a saddle. Walking outside leading Keko she mounted and looked up allowing the rain to drip over her beautiful face. Kicking Keko into a canter Shania made her way to the great forest but stopped at the edge. The only time she had been in there before was when she had Michael with her.

ooc:
done [/size][/blockquote][/color][/font][/left][/blockquote]

[Michael Ashmore]

To say that Michael was finally moving on from the death of his fiance would be a lie. It had been three years, and it seemed as if he was slowly giving up his grief, but steadily she had been taking over his dreams. As if her spirit was willing him not to let go. Not yet. The day he found out his love was dead was the day he died. Though time had continued to move on, he hadn't. He could still remember exactly what he was doing when he found out. The initial hurt, the pain he felt when he found out she wouldn't be coming back. He could still feel it. Though he was still grieving, still not the same person he was before, he wouldn't let anyone know it. The few closest people to him that were there those years ago, they knew he wasn't the same. Everyone else, the people he knew before and the people he had met afterward, they'd never guess the sadness and longing he felt on the inside. It was as if he wore a mask around people, hiding the true feelings he felt on the inside and showing only a reflection of how he used to be. Jessica would always live in his heart, but there was something else there, something willing him to keep holding on.

Classes were over, the last of the students just reaching the stone steps, returning to the castle after he had dismissed them. Michael sighed, running a hand through his mousy hair. Finally, he had the whole weekend to himself, and what's better, he had been rather lenient on the homework, so he didn't have stacks of papers to grade. Not that he ever really gave the students homework. He believed in a more hands on teaching method, and a laid back class. There were so many people that said that Care of Magical Creatures was a blow off class, but Michael didn't care. The students were learning what needed to be learned, and they didn't even know it. The slight drizzle felt good on his warm skin, but already the water was darkening the shoulders of his shirt. Not really wanting to head back inside, Michael turned and walked down the path, away from the castle. He wasn't sure where he was going, but he didn't really care. He loved the smell of the rain.

Though the rain was starting to get cold, and the air was only dropping in temperature, Michael wore only a simple blue button up shirt. It was untucked, the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He wore a semi-casual pair of black pants and his usual pair of black Doc Martins. Spending most of his time outside, he was used to the weather and the cold didn't effect him as much. The fact that he grew up in Canada might of helped with that though. Continuing his walk, he rounded a corner allowing him to see the line of trees signifying the Forbidden Forest's edge. Looking, but not really registering what was going on, he saw a figure on top of a horse. Blinking as the image sunk into his mind, he quickly recognized the figure as Shania. His hands in his pockets, he walked toward her. "It's not like you to venture into the Forest alone," he called, walking up to her and the horse. His voice gave no reason for anyone to suspect the torment he was going through mentally, the grief he still felt. A bit of humor could even be found dancing at the edge of his words.