Sacrament (PG)

A place for redwinter101's G to PG-13 stories
User avatar
redwinter101
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 23759
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 am
Location: lost in Moonlight, forever

Sacrament (PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

Title: Sacrament
Author: redwinter101
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I don't own Moonlight or any of its characters
Note: This is a sequel to Bronze, set some time post-Sonata. You don't need to have read that story for this to make sense, but it works much better if you have. I'd been working on this story for a while but it lacked focus - until today.


***************************************************************************************************************

For allegrita, because the Mick I adore is a lover AND a fighter.



--- Sacrament ---


July 29th 2010

She'd felt it growing, spreading, a distance, a remoteness between them. Mick smiled his sad, sweet smile and told her she was imagining things, that everything was fine, that he'd never been happier, but she heard the lie catching his words, saw the flicker as he couldn't hold her gaze. There was a quiet desperation to the way he held her when they made love, so tender, as though they might break under the weight of hopes and dreams. Unfamiliar fear kept her from confrontation; she'd always stepped forward to face trouble head on, but now, she had too much to lose. In lonely silence, she clung to the moments they shared, analysing every word, every gesture, every touch, searching for clues, waiting and hoping Mick would draw her close once more.

Something about this particular day was different, sharper, clearer and Beth sensed a point of finality, of decision. Mick had arrived home just as she was leaving for work; she saw pain, felt need in his grasping touch as he pulled her close.

"I love you," he whispered.

It felt like goodbye.


*****************************


Weathered, dulled by age, a little battered, the bronze figure endured. Mick smiled at the comparison; fifty years had taken their toll. St. Jude, haloed in flame, still extended an embrace to the lost and the hopeless, a pool of welcoming light spilling from the ever-open church, catching the simple lettering of the painted, wooden sign hung from the door, "All welcome, always."

Mick's hesitation was brief this time, confident in the sanctuary to be found within. The church was silent, the choir long since disbanded, the regular worshippers departed for hearth and home. The pews and kneelers were the same, much-repaired and patched, peeling varnish and threadbare velvet a testament to years of bowed heads and bended knees. On so many days he'd felt God's absence but here comfort seeped into his soul. Inch by soothing inch tension leached from sprung muscle; eyes closed, his breathing calmed until finally he could hear the silence.

"Dominic!" The stage whisper interrupted Mick's reverie. "Dominic, what do you think you're doing?" An elderly priest hobbled from the altar giving chase to a younger man who was heading for the rear door. Robes flapping like an agitated crow the old man swept along, pausing only to genuflect, in pursuit of the young priest in jeans and T-shirt. "Don't you dare go near that door with those keys."

The younger man paused, an indulgent smile as he turned, "Father, it's nearly 2a.m. You should be in bed."

"How many times do I have to tell you? In the fifty-three years I've been priest of this parish, those doors have never been locked and we're not going to start now. Not everyone has their crisis of faith during business hours. Besides, didn't anyone ever tell you, the older you get, the less sleep you need." He plucked the keys from Dominic's hand, "You go off to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

Dominic shrugged, hands wide, defeated once again in an argument they replayed most nights. He'd never understand the old man's determination to put himself in harm's way but he'd wear him down eventually. "Very well, Matthew. I'll leave you to your empty, freezing church for another night while I-"

"Not empty, Dominic." Matthew gestured to the dark-clad figure in the rear pew. Both men dropped their voices.

"I didn't see him come in. Do you want me to stay?"

Matthew smiled, wistful, a little puzzled. "No, son, I know him. Go on. Off to bed with you." Dominic shrugged and departed, yawning. It had been a long day. If Matthew wanted to stay up all night, so be it.

Mick heard the arthritic creak as the priest approached and eased his ageing body into the pew, resting a callused hand on his shoulder. "Hello, Mick," his voice warm with the rasp of age.

Mick rose from his knees to sit beside the old man, "Father Matthew." Eye to eye they appraised, smiled. "I'm surprised to see you still here."

Matthew chuckled, "And I you."

Mick waited for consternation, questions, disbelief, fear. None came. "That's it?"

Another chuckle, "You'll tell me what you need me to know and the rest doesn't matter. You're here and I'm glad of it." His smile was warm and genuine, no fear, no wonder, only welcome. "I've thought of you often, regretted I couldn't have been more help to you. I always felt I failed you that night."

"No, Father, I just wasn't ready to be helped."

"But you are now?"

It was Mick's turn to chuckle, "It only took me fifty years, but yeah, I think I am."

"Well I can see you're a very different man from the sorry soul who hovered on our threshold for days before stepping foot into this house."

"You see a different man. Most people look at me and want to know why I'm the same."

"I see a man. Just a man. I have no idea how you came to be here, but I'm glad to see you again." They settled back in the pew, relaxing into the balm of each other's unquestioning company. "Back then you could barely meet my eye. You had the heavy heart of a man searching for a reason to go on. Now you look like a man who might just have found it."

With a nod and a smile Mick acknowledged Matthew's truth. "I can't believe you still keep the church open all night. It was brave in 1960. Now it seems like a death wish."

Matthew cast a glance around the church, "Much has changed in this community since then but people still need sanctuary. I've never been able to think of God closing his door. And it brought you back here, back to God, so tell me, Mick."

"Tell you?"

"How I can help? And please God," he paused to cross himself, "don't ask me about Hell again."

They both laughed, "I promise. No more Hell." Mick settled back into the pew, unsure where to start, disarmed by the warm welcome. He started at the beginning, "Something happened to me, a long time ago," he glanced up, expecting questions.

Matthew nodded, "Go on."

"You saw the man I was then. I felt… lost, ashamed," his voice dropped to a husky whisper, heavy with remembered pain, "abandoned."

"God abandons no-one, Mick. No-one."

"Not even someone stuck between life and death?" Eyes downcast, Mick chewed his lip, waiting.

"Ah the mysteries of life and death." Matthew smiled. "The fallback for priests faced with difficult questions - 'Why did my child die?' 'Why did this happen to me?' Always 'Why?' Let me tell you this, Mick. All those years ago, you were a man close to death but when I look at you now, I see a man full of life. I can't tell you why your life has happened like this, but I can tell you it is certainly a life worth living, if that's what you're asking."

"Maybe it is. But there has to be a reason."

"Why? Some things you just have to take on faith, Mick."

"What about God's plan?"

"God's plan is a cop-out for people who are afraid to live their lives. That way whatever goes wrong, there's always God to blame, right?"

Mick blanched, "What happened to listening and not giving advice?"

Matthew snorted, "I was young and innocent then - now I'm old and cranky. And the closer I get to death, the closer I feel to life. It makes an old man reflective and a little self-indulgent. I've seen enough to realise how little we ever really know about anything. All you can do is know yourself, Mick. That's it. Everything else is up for grabs. You do the best you can and see how it plays out."

"And if my best isn't good enough?"

"Good enough for whom? Back to blaming God again?"

"No. I… What if it's not good enough for her? I love her. But-"

"You think she's too good for you?"

Mick shrugged and grinned, "Definitely."

"Well then doesn't that make you a very lucky man?"

Mick leaned forward, elbows on knees, hands clenching, "What if it's a trap? What if I let myself believe it - live my life the way I've always wanted, but I'm not supposed to be that man, to have that joy." A vision of his life without Beth, of pain, loss. "I can't-"

Matthew paused, taking a deep breath, tightening his grip on Mick's shoulder. "Mick, please, listen to me. God doesn't lay traps for people no matter who you are or what you've done. Every day is a new chance to live well, to be happy and to enrich the lives of those around you. That's a precious, precious gift. Release the past, let your burden go and live, Mick. Take your chance. Don't waste it by waiting for it to come to an end. I chose a different path, but I've seen enough to know it takes courage to take a risk on happiness. Are you brave enough for that?"

Mick turned to face the priest, a smile behind his eyes, pulling him into a close embrace. A simple touch once his undoing, now a sacred act of connection. "You know what? I think I am."

"Good. As a wise man once told me, 'Worrying about tomorrow is the death of today'. Now, make an old man happy and tell me about this wonderful woman of yours."

So they sat through the night, side by side, bonded by a friendship brief but steadfast as Mick poured out his devotion. Matthew listened, rapt, warmed and thrilled by another's joy. Finally Mick asked the question that had brought him back to St. Jude's, "Will you hear my confession, Matthew?"

"I think I just have, Mick." Matthew rested one hand on Mick's bowed head, making the sign of the Cross with the other as he said, "Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen. Because us old guys never forget the Latin."

"I… Thank you, Matthew. Thank you."

"It's a rare thing you've found, Mick. A rare and beautiful thing. Treat her well, my friend, or you shall have me to answer to. You can consider that your penance." He shifted to face the rear of the church where candlelight was ceding dominion to the breaking dawn. "Now, help an old man up and we'll watch the sun rise on another beautiful day."

Mick supported his elbow as he rose and held his arm as they shuffled out onto the steps. Mick shielded his eyes from the shards of sunlight poking through the horizon as Matthew turned and embraced him once more. "I think there's somewhere you need to be. Go with God, Mick. Go with God."

Grasping his shoulders in farewell, Mick took his leave and strode towards his car, light of tread and heart, turning to wave as he swung the car door open. Matthew returned his wave before turning for the sanctuary of the only place he had ever called home. It had been a remarkable night.


*****************************

All night Beth had waited, hoping against hope he'd come back to her. At the click of the door she sat a little straighter, smoothed a hand through her hair, prepared herself for whatever was to come. She knew he'd hear her pounding pulse, sense her fear, the tears she was determined wouldn't fall.

Mick closed the door softly behind him and crossed to perch on the coffee table in front of her. He rested his hands on her knees, feeling her tremble.

"Beth." She clamped her eyes tight as Mick stroked his fingers across her flushed cheek. "Beth, look at me," his voice warm, soft, filled with care. When she opened her eyes, she knew she couldn't hold back any longer, her tears falling freely as she saw the love in his eyes, felt the distance between them disappear. "I'm so sorry." As he drew her into his arms, he whispered, "I'm here. I'm here. Everything's going to be all right."

They settled in each other's embrace, close, tight, together.

It was going to be a beautiful day.
Image

Click here for my story index

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" - Emily Dickinson
User avatar
darkstarrising
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 11014
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:25 am

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by darkstarrising »

This is lovely, red, simply lovely....

You bring the lovers full circle, from the fear of separation to the joy of eternal reconnection. The path of that journey with Father Matthew is remarkable. In 'Bronze' he tried to reach out to Mick, only a few years into his vampiric condition, but Mick wasn't ready for help back then. He is now, and the wisdom of the old priest guides him back to the one who loves him most.

There are so many wonderful lines in this, but these two in particular are ones we can all learn from
"God's plan is a cop-out for people who are afraid to live their lives. That way whatever goes wrong, there's always God to blame, right?"
"Mick, please, listen to me. God doesn't lay traps for people no matter who you are or what you've done. Every day is a new chance to live well, to be happy and to enrich the lives of those around you. That's a precious, precious gift. Release the past, let your burden go and live, Mick. Take your chance. Don't waste it by waiting for it to come to an end.
Not only are you a gifted writer, you are a very wise woman :rose:
darkstarrising
Love – the universal language, the story of Moonlight
View My Fanfic Index

Image

Thanks to the talented and generous Phoenix for my beautiful banner!
User avatar
wpgrace
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 16429
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:25 pm

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by wpgrace »

Damn! I'm amazing! Yes me. It's alll about me. :rolling:

I have been out... I just got back. I am psychic and amazing. A Red fic JUST posted!!! Yay! :hyper2: Yay for me!

Oh and it's sooooooooooo good! He went back to that church from Bronze! And Father Matthew is still there! And OMG you have so nailed the Mick that he has become. I LOVE the little grin he gives the father when the father notes that Beth is too good for him. Adorable! And so Mick!

And this sucker is just full of real-life wisdom, Red... it's not just about Mick here. We could all learn from these lessons. But ya know, Father Matthew kinda did that in his first scene too, didn't he?

And what a cool priest he is...
redwinter101 wrote: He started at the beginning, "Something happened to me, a long time ago," he glanced up, expecting questions.

Matthew nodded, "Go on."
And these, the very words Mick most needs to hear... but you'd know that... you talk to him and all...
redwinter101 wrote:Matthew paused, taking a deep breath, tightening his grip on Mick's shoulder. "Mick, please, listen to me. God doesn't lay traps for people no matter who you are or what you've done. Every day is a new chance to live well, to be happy and to enrich the lives of those around you. That's a precious, precious gift. Release the past, let your burden go and live, Mick. Take your chance. Don't waste it by waiting for it to come to an end. I chose a different path, but I've seen enough to know it takes courage to take a risk on happiness. Are you brave enough for that?"
I will need to re-read this many times, cause it's rich and fully loaded with good stuff. But for now, to Alle :drinking: ... for inspiring this piece!
Image
Banner by redwinter101. I miss you, Beloved.
Awesome avatar by the awesome, clever, and gracious Lilly.

If you read a lot of books you are considered well read. But if you watch a lot of TV, you're not considered well viewed. Lilly Tomlin

Grateful to Alex for Mick, Andy, and McG. :)
User avatar
redwinter101
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 23759
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 am
Location: lost in Moonlight, forever

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

darkstarrising wrote:Not only are you a gifted writer, you are a very wise woman :rose:
:giggle: Only someone who's never met me could think such a foolish thing. :snicker: But a :smooch: for you - with my thanks.

Grace, :rolling: you know those "All About Mick" threads? Maybe we should rename them "All About Grace"? :chin: Matthew is VERY cool - the kind of priest we all wish we knew, right? And I'll join you in a :drinking: for wonderful alle.

Red
Image

Click here for my story index

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" - Emily Dickinson
User avatar
wpgrace
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 16429
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 2:25 pm

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by wpgrace »

redwinter101 wrote:
darkstarrising wrote:Not only are you a gifted writer, you are a very wise woman :rose:
:giggle: Only someone who's never met me could think such a foolish thing. :snicker: But a :smooch: for you - with my thanks.

Grace, :rolling: you know those "All About Mick" threads? Maybe we should rename them "All About Grace"? :chin: Matthew is VERY cool - the kind of priest we all wish we knew, right? And I'll join you in a :drinking: for wonderful alle.

Red

By all means, rename. As long as the pics are still all Mick. :snicker:
Image
Banner by redwinter101. I miss you, Beloved.
Awesome avatar by the awesome, clever, and gracious Lilly.

If you read a lot of books you are considered well read. But if you watch a lot of TV, you're not considered well viewed. Lilly Tomlin

Grateful to Alex for Mick, Andy, and McG. :)
Moonlightsonata
Rogue vampire
Posts: 1760
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:43 am
Location: Outside Philadelphia Pa.

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by Moonlightsonata »

Thank you for writing this wonderful story. I shall have to go back and read Bronze as well.
Image
Thank you Coco for the lovely banner.
User avatar
redwinter101
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 23759
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 am
Location: lost in Moonlight, forever

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

Grace, all Mick, all the time, sweetie. Always.

Moonlightsonata, thank you for reading. :rose:

Red
Image

Click here for my story index

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" - Emily Dickinson
User avatar
allegrita
Moonlightaholic Admin
Posts: 45960
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:22 am
Location: Snuggled under the brown afghan, watching the fire

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by allegrita »

Oh! I knew he remembered!!!!! :yahoo: And Mick went back. He went back, and finally, after 50 years, he was able to find that connection he so longed for. :hankie:

And he went home to Beth, and he made the distance disappear. Because that's what you do when you really love someone. You work on it, and you try, and you bridge those gulfs. Love is hard work.

Hmm... Maybe Father Matthew wasn't ready back in 1960, either. Maybe they both had to live a long, long time to be ready for that wonderful conversation. :hearts: And oh, it's such a wonderful conversation, dear darling Red. Full of wisdom and humor and acceptance and love. Just exactly what Mick needed.

And this story is just exactly what I needed today. Thank you, more than I can say, for giving me this story. :hug: :rose: :hankie: :cloud9: :hearts: :smooch: --and, of course, :drinking:
Image
User avatar
redwinter101
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 23759
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 am
Location: lost in Moonlight, forever

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

A :comfort: and a :smooch: and a :heart: and a :phew: for you, dear alle. I'm so happy you liked it.

Red :flowers:
Image

Click here for my story index

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" - Emily Dickinson
User avatar
seamus3333
Freelance freshie
Posts: 207
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:51 pm

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by seamus3333 »

Red, You never disappoint. How well you portray a believer's misery when he feels he has lost God and his joy when he finds Him again. We should all know a Father Matthew. How well you know Mick. I can always find him in your stories.
Image
User avatar
one.zebra
Logan's WoW nemesis
Posts: 942
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:35 am
Location: -in Michigan...give blood-->play hockey!

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by one.zebra »

Lovely, just lovely.....

My I adopt your line?

'Everyday is a chance to live well, be happy and to enrich the lives of those around you'

Wise words for a good life.

Thanks!
Image
Banner and avatar by Twilightdew!

Travelling 33rpm in an iPod world
User avatar
rijane
Freelance freshie
Posts: 154
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:25 pm
Location: stalking Mick...

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by rijane »

I took a break from NaNoWriMo and what, before my wondering eyes should appear but a new fic from Red! Hear, hear! Cheer, cheer! (it's possible my mind has been affected by the ceaseless writing ;) )

Loved it! After rereading Bronze with the music suggestion, I read it with 'Quando corpus' in the background and that really brought the feeling of the church to me and the emptiness of the night Mick came from before our vampire decides to embrace the day. I love how your stories have such a rich tapestry of inner thought and character and this is no exception.

Some of my favourite bits:
redwinter101 wrote:Mick had arrived home just as she was leaving for work;
I love the juxtaposition of the two of them - this strangers passing in the night feeling. I can taste Beth's desperation as they come close but don't meet.

redwinter101 wrote:Mick waited for consternation, questions, disbelief, fear. None came. "That's it?"...

You see a different man. Most people look at me and want to know why I'm the same.
Hee. This is rather adorable and fantastic Mick-reaction. Plus, I do love a good word play :D.

redwinter101 wrote:They settled in each other's embrace, close, tight, together.
It was going to be a beautiful day.
Sigh. Perfect ending - simple, brilliant, lovely.

Do it again, do it again!
User avatar
redwinter101
100% Moonlightaholic
Posts: 23759
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:19 am
Location: lost in Moonlight, forever

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by redwinter101 »

seamus, thank you, my friend. :rose:

one.zebra, thanks and borrow away, sweetie!! ;)

rijane, :giggle: re "That's it?" I think Mick was rather disappointed he didn't get more of a reaction - it kinda took his legs from under him. And I can't WAIT to see what your fevered brain is turning out for NaNoWriMo!

Red
Image

Click here for my story index

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" - Emily Dickinson
User avatar
AussieJo
Logan's WoW nemesis
Posts: 994
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:48 am

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by AussieJo »

Oh Mick! :hug:
Oh Father Matthew! :hug:
Oh Red! :hug: :rose:
mitzie
Courtesan
Posts: 2911
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:39 am
Location: Somewhere in Moonlight land...

Re: Sacrament (PG)

Post by mitzie »

I love this story!! The distance that both Mick and Father Matthew have crossed with each other. The distance from Beth closed. And yes, there are everyday words of wisdom in this story and just reading those words has helped me with my struggles. A gem of a story, magnificent!!!! :heart: :yahoo: :yahoo: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hyper2: :hankie: :happysigh: :cloud9: :chin: :serenity: :rainbow: :yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :clapping: :notworthy: :worship: :hearts: :flowers:


mitzie :mooncat:
Post Reply

Return to “redwinter101's Office”