For the Love of Stella - Epilogue

Many years later…

Winter, the season of death, the Undertaker thought to himself as his mule-driven cart rolled along the white blanketed streets.  A new century this may be, but death was a reliable old friend.  Not that he was complaining, of course; far from it!  It was good for business!

Pulling back on the reins, he hopped out of the cart in front of his next stop.  "This won't take long," he said, giving the old nag a pat and tying her to a post.  Moseying up the walk, he pulled his coat tightly around him.  The temperature was much too cold even for his taste.

He was spared the trouble of knocking, though, when the door opened and a vicar exited, crossing himself and whispering a silent prayer.  The Undertaker smirked as he passed.

"Evening, sir, always a pleasure," he said, as pleasantly as his low, creepy tones could manage.

The stout little man turned up his nose, walking away with a quickened pace.  "I can't bring myself to say the same."

The Undertaker cackled under his breath and met a teary-eyed woman at the door.  "I believe it's my turn next."

She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief and gestured him to the stairs.  "Up there, first door on the left."

He gave a nod and went about his way.  "Caught pneumonia from Mummy, did she?"

"Yes, she was so insistent on taking care of her.  Although I'm…a little glad that my sister went first; it would've destroyed her to lose another child.  But…oh, how I wish it could be me instead!"

The Undertaker opened the door, taking a sweeping glance around.  "It might be if you follow me in," he said.  "It'd be best if I have a little of space while I draw up some measurements."

The woman hesitated but agreed.  Shutting the door, the older man walked to the bed where the dying girl lay.  Most unfortunate, she sure was a pretty thing.  Her lips parted as her breathing grew worse.  He didn't bother to greet her; probably had no idea he was there anyway.  Thus, pulling out a tape measure, he went about his work.

"The fact that you're here surprises me, y'know," he called, undisturbed as William T. Spears stepped forward.

"Contrary to popular belief," he said, desperate to keep his stoic expression set, "I am not some heartless beast."  

"Does your lady love know yet?"

The younger Reaper sat on the edge of the bed, stroking the girl's cheek.  "No, that is why I took this case.  Knox has too big a mouth.  Sutcliff…he wouldn't be able to do it without breaking down into a sobbing mess."

The Undertaker shook his head, rolling up the tape.  "Some model couple you are, still keeping secrets!  You know she'll massacre you when she does hear about it."

William ignored him, focusing on more important matters.  The end was near, and it was taking every bit of his strength to go through with this assignment.  The girl's panting breaths worsened, graduating to full-blown gasps, and her eyes fluttered open, glazed over with illness.  He felt a lump in his throat when she turned to look at him.

"Are…you…Death?"

"Yes."

"Is…al-most…over…?"

His gloved finger touched her lips to silence them.  "It is," he replied, unable to keep his voice from shaking.  This rush of emotion was too strong for him.  This pain and sadness…it was tearing him apart.

"You can…I-I'm…r-ready…"

"Shh, don't speak," he whispered.  "Stella Brooks…reaping begins now.  I promise to be as gentle as I can."

The death scythe appeared in his trembling hand, and William cursed Grell as he made the incision to extract her Cinematic Record.  He cursed him thousand-fold for teaching him love, for bringing a child into their lives all those years ago; Grim Reapers didn't need any of that!  William was here to do what he was called upon to do in the after-life, subtly, discreetly, and without feeling!  

His jaw clenched as he searched the film reels for any sign of greater importance, any reason at all to let this young woman survive!  But there wasn't any.  She had lived a happy life, had a good heart inside and a smart head on her shoulders, much like other Humans.  As the last reel disappeared into the scythe, William threw it aside, and lowered his head onto folded hands.

"Damn you, Grell Sutcliff…damn you to Hell…"

"I doubt that'd be a punishment for the missus, considering her lust for Demons and all," the Undertaker laughed, ignoring William's glare and walking over to the newly made corpse.  "Poor lil' thing…so young too."

"She would've been twenty in a fortnight," William confirmed softly.  Catching the strange look the older man gave him, he cleared his throat.  "Not that I remember; it was in her file."

"Well, yeah, but I'm still trying to figure out who else besides you still says 'fortnight'!  Really, Will, it's the 20th century; get with it!"

William rose from his place, gathering his scythe with irritation.  "I really don't have time for this."

"Don't suppose you do…but there is one more thing that I'm curious about."

"What?"

The Undertaker lifted Stella's one eyelid, lips pursed in thought.  "Your lady fair always made such a fuss that she looked just like you," he said.  "'Cept for those eyes, o'course…"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

The old Reaper looked up at him meaningfully.  "If I was her father, I'd want to change that.  Not to mention, the daughter of Grell Sutcliff…now that'd be interesting…"

O0O0O

Grell leaned over the desk, having already sent papers flying everywhere with his lightning-fast entrance.  "Will~ darling~!  I came as soon as I got your memo!  Please forgive me, I know look positively atrocious.  But looking a little disheveled going into the office won't rouse suspicion when I leave, hmm?"

William sighed, adjusting his glasses.  "Honestly, what have I told you about conduct at the office?"

"The floor is more comfortable than the desk?"

"Sutcliff!"

Grell giggled at the outburst.  "I'm teasing, love.  You're simply too cute when you blush; red does look quite handsome on you."

Yet again, his body had betrayed him, and William did all he could to pull himself together following the embarrassment.

"As usual, if anything is to be done, it falls in my hands to move it along," he sighed.  "I have a new assignment for you."

"Oh?  What is it?"

"A new student has been sent over from the Academy.  It was a late enrollment, and they feel it's best for her to receive tutoring in order to catch up."

Grell frowned.  "Oh, no, please say you didn't…"

"I most certainly did."

"But Will, I despise~ tutoring, mentoring, whatever you want to call it!  You and I both know I signed up for that program to be with you!"

"Too late," William replied, checking his watch.  "Your new apprentice should be here shortly."  He straightened some stray papers on his desk as he openly smirked.  "Besides, who better to teach her than the only Triple-A graduate?"

Grell scowled.  "I've told you before not to mock me, W—wait…teach 'her'?"

"Indeed, she's the first female student in years to be sent to the Reaper Department instead of General Affairs."

"Hmph."

William looked up from his work, exasperation building at Grell's predictable disappointment.  "Is that a problem?"

Grell crossed his arms in a huff.  "No, not really; I just don't relish the idea of competition prancing around the office."  He picked up Will's shiny nameplate, checking his make-up in the reflection.  "What's an older woman like me to do?"

"Remember that one is generally monogamous in a relationship, perhaps?"

Sensing a second chance at conquest, Grell opted for a complete turnaround, clinging tightly to William's arm.  "Aw, my Will can be so jealous…"

William rolled his eyes, gradually tuning Grell out as he prattled on.  Honestly, what would it take for him to understand that there was a time and place for his antics, and 'at work' was not one of them?  Fortunately, a glance at the hallway window became William's saving grace.

"Ah, there she is now," he said, slipping his arm from Grell's grasp.  Opening the door, however, revealed a different nuisance.

"…you've got to see it!" Ronald insisted, casually leaning back against the wall as he pulled his typical flirtations on the new intern.  "It's a great place to relax after work and…maybe get to know each other?"

The girl smiled shyly.  "That sounds nice, actually."

"Unfortunately," William interceded (a bit too harshly, Grell noted), "Mr. Knox has accumulated a sizeable amount of overtime, which will only continue to grow if he doesn't get back to work this instant."

Ronald scratched his head out of nervous habit with a chuckle to match.  "Reading ya loud and clear, boss; sorry about that."  With a parting smile, he bowed 'gallantly' to her.  "Until we meet again, fair lady."

William sighed, rubbing his temple and gesturing the girl inside.  "Well, now that the welcoming committee has disbanded, could you step into my office for a moment?  There is someone I'd like you to meet."

"Of course, Mr. Spears," she said, gracing Grell with a polite smile.  "Hello!"

Grell nodded, eyeing his student closely.  She was petite and exceptionally pretty; nothing exquisite but far from plain.  Her dark hair was tightly braided, and she was dressed in the required black uniform with minor female alterations.  She wore a skirt instead of trousers, and in place of a tie was a black silk scarf tied into a bow.  Of course, perched daintily upon her nose were the standard-issue glasses that all students received, framing the signature yellow-green Reaper eyes.

"This is Grell Sutcliff," William began.  "He—."

"She," Grell interceded, "will be mentoring you; the honor is most definitely yours."

William shot him a warning glare, but the girl simply laughed.

"It really is," she said with admiration.  "When I told everyone who my tutor was, they couldn't stop talking about you!  Your skills are legend at the Academy!"

Grell relaxed into a pleased grin.  "I think we're going to get along swimmingly, my dear Ms…I'm sorry, what was your name?"

"Oh I'm sorry!"  She held out her gloved hand.  "It's Stella; Stella Brooks."

If there had ever existed a moment when time completely stood still, it was this precise moment for Grell Sutcliff.  His eyes widened, lips parting but unable to form speech.  How long he stood like that, he couldn't tell you to this day.

"F-Forgive me," he said at last.  "I…"

"Ms. Brooks, I think I'm still missing some forms from you," William interrupted.  "Could you see if the front desk received them yet?"

"Absolutely," she said, heading for the door.  "I'll be right back."

The minute the door clicked shut, Grell turned on William.  "If this is some cruel joke…"

"It isn't a joke at all," William said calmly.  "I pulled a few strings with the board.  The process took longer than usual, which was maddening, but they approved it in the end.  She is precisely who she says she is."

"But if she's here then…when did she…?"

"Last week, pneumonia; I admit it, I took the assignment myself.  I didn't have the heart to give it to you."

Grell shook his head, still very much in shock.  "I hope you know that some small part of me wants to kill you for not saying anything."

William shook his head.  "Then you truly are a fool.  What kind of surprise would it be if you knew about it?"

Grell broke into a smile, fanning himself when tears formed in his eyes.  "Then…it really is her," he said, the information beginning to settle.  "My Stella, a Reaper, and I get to teach her."

"You certainly do."

"I guess I can't expect her to remember us, since she was a baby," Grell agreed, mildly disappointed but it passed quickly.  "Goodness, how old was she when she died?"

"Almost twenty."

Grell let out a choked laugh, wiping away any mascara lines before they streaked too badly.  "She's so grown up, a beautiful young lady."

"Indeed."  William lowered his head.  "I know it isn't the same as raising her, Grell.  But I hope this is…as they say 'second best.'"

Grell lifted his lover's chin, practically glowing with happiness.  He gave William a chaste peck on the cheek and embraced him tightly.  "Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't romantic, Will."

"No one is ever going to know," William insisted, the blush appearing once more.

"Mmm, even if I can't shout it from the rooftops, this is still the most wonderful thing that anyone has ever done for me…and I love you for it."

"Am I interrupting?"

The pair pulled apart without hesitation when Stella returned, making a mild show of fixing their appearance.

"No, not at all," William reassured, composing himself.  "Did, uh…did those forms arrive?"

"Yes, sir!" she said, handing them over.  "Here they are."

"Excellent, thank you," he replied, sitting at his desk to work on them.  "If all goes well after your final exam, Ms. Brooks, I will see to your immediate transfer to our division.  It would be a pleasant change to have someone who could obey orders and finish simple tasks."

"Ha!  How soon he forgets who was assigned to teach the girl everything~ she knows!"

William scowled at him.  "Sutcliff…"

"We ladies need to stick together, right?" Grell continued, blatantly ignoring him, "And training begins right now!  There are so~ many things that stuffy old school won't teach you."

"Sutcliff!"

"I mean, there are the basics: glasses, death scythes, sundry expenses; everyone knows about those!"  Grell lowered his voice conspiratorially as he whisked Stella towards the door.  "But I added in a special little rule of my own, mhm."

"What's that, Mr. Sutcliff?"

"Ms. Grell, love," he corrected.  "No need for formalities with me!"

"Alright then, Ms. Grell," Stella amended with a grin.  "What rule is that?"

Grell looked back at William with a sweet smile.  "'If you meet a handsome man, you get a paid holiday, preferably with that man."

"Grell Sutcliff, that's enough!"

But it was too late.  The door had closed, and the poor girl was at the mercy of the red Reaper.  William shook his head in despair.  Had he done the right thing, or would there truly be a Sutcliff clone running through the office as all had once feared?  Only time would tell, and despite his nerves…he looked forward to the days when he would find out.


~ THE END ~