Never forgotten

The old wooden porch creaked under Elsa's feet as she stepped onto it. The house stood silhouetted against the twilight sky, a dark, looming shape that stirred a strange mix of unease and familiarity within her. It had been ten years since she last visited, but the scent of pine and damp earth was unmistakable, a scent that clung to this place like a second skin.

Elsa had come back to Hazelwood, the small town nestled deep in the Appalachian Mountains, for one reason: her grandmother's passing. Nana Willow, as everyone called her, had been the heart of Hazelwood, a woman who knew everyone's secrets and offered sage advice with a twinkle in her eye. Elsa had spent countless summers here, running through the woods, swimming in the creek, and listening to Nana Willow's stories of mountain folklore and forgotten magic.

But Hazelwood held other memories too, memories that Elsa had tried to bury deep. Memories of a boy with eyes the color of the summer sky and a smile that could melt the polar ice caps. Liam.

She pushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. The funeral was tomorrow, and she needed to prepare. Taking a deep breath, Elsa pushed open the front door.

The interior of the house was just as she remembered it: cozy, cluttered, and filled with the comforting aroma of lavender and cinnamon. Dust motes danced in the faint light filtering through the windows, illuminating the antique furniture and walls adorned with family photographs.

"Hello?" Elsa called out, her voice echoing in the stillness.

A woman emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. Sarah, Nana Willow's caretaker, greeted Elara with a warm hug. "Elsa, dear! It's so good to see you. I know this must be hard."

"It is," Elsa admitted, "but Nana lived a long and full life."

Sarah nodded, her eyes glistening. "She did. And she spoke of you often, right until the end."

Elsa smiled, touched by Sarah's words. They spent the next hour catching up, discussing the funeral arrangements, and reminiscing about Nana Willow. As the evening wore on, Elara found herself drawn to the old photo albums on the bookshelf. She picked one up, its leather cover worn smooth with age, and settled into Nana Willow's favorite armchair.

The album was a treasure trove of memories. There were pictures of Elsa as a child, missing teeth and sporting pigtails, laughing as Nana Willow chased her around the garden. There were photos of family gatherings, birthdays, and holidays, each one a snapshot of a life lived with love and laughter.

And then she saw it. A picture of her and Liam, standing by the creek, their faces beaming. Elsa's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't seen a picture of them together in years. They were so young, so carefree, their whole lives stretched out before them like an open road.

A wave of nostalgia washed over her, followed by a sharp pang of regret. She had left Hazelwood without a word, without saying goodbye to Liam. She had been young and scared, convinced that leaving was the only way to escape the suffocating smallness of the town and pursue her dreams in the city.

But now, looking at the photo, she wondered if she had made the right choice. Had she sacrificed something precious for the sake of ambition?

As she closed the album, a floorboard creaked behind her. Elsa turned around, her heart pounding in her chest.

Standing in the doorway was a man. Tall, with broad shoulders and a familiar, lopsided grin. His eyes, the color of the summer sky, met hers, and Elsa felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Liam?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He stepped into the room, his gaze never leaving hers. "You haven't changed much, Elsa."

The years seemed to melt away as they stood there, suspended in a moment of shared history. Elsa could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. It was as if no time had passed at all.

"Liam," she repeated, finding her voice. "What are you doing here?"

"I live here," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I always have."

Elsa felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Of course, he still lived here. Where else would he be?

"I... I didn't know," she stammered.

"I figured," he said, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You kind of disappeared without a trace."

Elsa looked down, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I should have said goodbye."

"It's okay," he said, his voice gentling. "It was a long time ago."

But Elsa knew it wasn't okay. She had hurt him, and she had carried that guilt with her for years.

"How have you been?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Good," he said. "I'm a carpenter now. I build houses, furniture... things."

"That's... nice," Elsa said, feeling awkward and inadequate. She had become a successful lawyer in the city, but suddenly it seemed so meaningless compared to Liam's simple, honest life.

They talked for a while longer, catching up on the past ten years. Elara learned that Liam had never left Hazelwood, that he had built a life for himself here, surrounded by the people and places he loved. He had dated, but never found anyone who could fill the void that Elsa had left behind.

As the night drew to a close, Liam stood up to leave. "I should get going," he said. "I'll see you at the funeral tomorrow."

"Okay," Elsa said, her heart sinking. She didn't want him to leave. She wanted to stay here, talking to him, rediscovering the connection they had once shared.

As he reached the door, Elsa couldn't help herself. "Liam," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

He turned around, his eyes questioning.

"Don't you remember me?" she blurted out, the words tumbling from her lips.

A flicker of something passed across his face, a mixture of pain and longing. "Of course, I remember you, Elara," he said softly. "I've never forgotten you."

He paused, then added, "How could I?"

And then he was gone, leaving Elsa standing alone in the dimly lit room, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that seeing Liam again had stirred up something deep within her, something she had tried to suppress for years.

As she lay in bed that night, she couldn't stop thinking about him. About the boy she had loved, and the man he had become. About the choices she had made, and the life she had left behind.

The funeral the next day was a somber affair. The entire town of Hazelwood turned out to pay their respects to Nana Willow, a woman who had touched so many lives. Elsa stood beside her parents, receiving condolences and trying to keep her emotions in check.

She saw Liam standing at the back of the crowd, his eyes fixed on her. He didn't approach her, but she could feel his presence, a silent acknowledgment of the connection between them.

After the service, as people began to disperse, Elsa found herself drawn to Liam. She walked towards him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Liam," she said, her voice barely audible above the murmur of the crowd.

He turned to her, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and warmth. "Elsa," he said softly.

They stood there for a moment, silent, their eyes locked. Then, Liam reached out and took her hand.

"Come with me," he said. "I want to show you something."

Elsa hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She followed him as he led her away from the crowd, towards the woods that surrounded the town.

They walked in silence for a while, the only sound the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds. Elsa didn't know where Liam was taking her, but she trusted him. She had always trusted him.

Finally, they reached a clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a small wooden cabin, its walls weathered and worn.

"What is this place?" Elsa asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"I built it," Liam said. "It's mine."

He led her inside. The cabin was small but cozy, with a fireplace, a bed, and a small table and chairs. The walls were decorated with Liam's carpentry work: intricate carvings, beautiful wooden bowls, and a stunningly crafted wooden clock.

Elsa was impressed. "You're very talented," she said.

"Thanks," Liam said, smiling. "I like working with my hands. It's honest work."

He paused, then looked at her intently. "I built this place for myself," he said. "But... I always hoped that someday, maybe, I could share it with someone."

Elsa's heart skipped a beat. She knew what he was saying.

"Liam," she said softly, "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," he said. "Just... tell me how you feel."

Elsa took a deep breath. She knew that she was at a crossroads. She could go back to her life in the city, to her career and her comfortable existence. Or she could take a chance, and see where this unexpected reunion with Liam might lead.

She looked into his eyes, the eyes that had haunted her dreams for ten years. And she knew, with a certainty that surprised her, that she couldn't walk away again.

"I feel... confused," she said. "And scared. But also... hopeful."

Liam smiled, a genuine, heartfelt smile that reached his eyes. "That's a good start," he said.

He stepped closer to her, and gently took her face in his hands. "Elsa," he said softly, "I've waited a long time for you. Don't you remember me?"

And in that moment, as she looked into his eyes, she remembered everything. She remembered the boy she had loved, the dreams they had shared, and the bond that had never truly been broken.

She leaned in and kissed him, a kiss that was filled with years of longing, regret, and a newfound hope for the future.

And as they stood there, in the small wooden cabin in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Elsa knew that she was finally home.