So, here I am at 1:22 AM trying to find the right scene to include. There have been so many "deleted scenes" it's almost impossible to pick one that is polished enough to post without being embarrassed! Most of my scenes are extremely rough, as I write things down before I forget, and I hate to put unedited work out there. However, sometimes you just gotta do whatchya gotta do!
So here's a deleted scene. I'm not sure which book it was from or what changed to make me exclude it. When the characters talk, I listen...
Deleted Scene from Legacy of Secrets {unedited}
He
took my hand and led me up the wooden stairs and, for the first time, I was
able to appreciate the beauty of his home. I’d spent most of my time wandering
around so much I could find my way in the dark, yet I never realized how large
the house was. He kept it free of dust or clutter, but it was clear that most
of the items were never touched more than they had to be. Pictures donned the
walls of the long hallway; some of family and other of beautiful landscapes and
waterfalls. Pretty autumn colored wreaths wound in the spaces where the wall
might show. Small nick-knacks were positioned neatly on cascading shelves
beneath the pictures. It all looked as if it were from a magazine rather than
ever being lived in. Everything had its place and Christian made a point to
keep it that way.
“This
house really is beautiful. This is the type of home people dream about you
know.”
“Well
my father worked very hard to give my mother everything she wanted. While he never
faltered from his vows to her. He was the type of man everyone wanted to be but
was too afraid to admit it. The type of man I hope to be one day.”
“You’re
lucky. You can remember your parents. I’m having a hard time with that these
days. I’ve spent so much time ignoring the pain that I’ve ignored the pleasant
memories as well. The worst part is that I don’t know how to get it back. Am I
terrible for that?”
“No,
you’re not terrible. You’re in pain. That pain will never really go away but it
will subside. It’s all about how you mourn and what you choose to celebrate
about their lives.”
“Celebrate?
How could I ever possibly celebrate what happened to them?” I asked bewildered.
I winced as the mental pictures fluttered through my mind. I often dreamt about
the night they died and nothing was more frightening than reliving that
horrible night.
“Silly
girl…not celebrating what happened to
them, celebrating their lives.
Granted they were short, but great things came from them and those things
should be celebrated. That’s how you remember the good things and the bad
become less relevant.”
“I
can’t remember much of what they had done. I was thirteen when they died. I
want to remember, but it’s hard. I’d like to know what accomplishments they
made.”
“Lia,
you’re missing my point” he had led me to a room at the end of the hall and
still held my hand as he spoke softly; a smile playing in the corners of his
mouth. Breathlessly
I answered his challenge, a bit annoyed. I hated it when he danced around the
subject.
“Well what is it then? I’m not a mind reader.”
“You
may not remember them, but the greatest thing they did is staring at me.” He
laughed briefly yet deeply, clearly amused. “I don’t think you realize how
adorable you are when you try to be angry with me. If you weren’t absolutely
frightening when you were furious, I might have tempted you one day” he laughed
aloud and all I could do was melt into his laughter with my own.
“Well,
I think you’re a bit biased. I’m no catch. Besides, how can I celebrate myself?
That seems a bit conceited don’t you think?”
“Happiness,
Lia. Celebrating is about happiness. Indulge in what elates you and your
possibilities could be endless. I indulge myself with you, which is incredibly
selfish, but you are my happiness” he kissed my fingers that were wound in his
and my heart fluttered.
His lips were soft and warm on my skin and an
unexpected burst of rippling joy exploded through every pore on my body. I’d never felt that before and I wasn’t sure how to control it. Instead
of focusing on an object or a way to channel, my attention was only on him. He attempted to tell me how he felt, but didn't quite succeed. But when he spoke to me sincerely, without guard, he didn't have to say a word.
I couldn’t take my eyes away from him and I could feel my joyous bubble
growing larger which each beat of my heart. The only thing I could see was
Christian and I never wanted him to let me go. This wasn’t the same passion as
the night before, not quite as raw. I knew then, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that
he was my rock; my bread and water; my air. Soft, happy
tears to fell freely as I used the fingers he was kissing to turn his face toward mine. I didn’t think that he could feel the bubble, but he was instantly
on guard when he saw me. Before he could say anything I blurted, “I love you."
Really good for being unedited and then deleted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula! It was only deleted because it didn't fit with the storyline anymore. I like to think my later scenes are better :)
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