Mary arose to watch the dawn rising into the sky turning it a luminous shade of blue. Like the color of hope. Today Madam Rosali would meet her Mark and she would announce his proposal. It was a happy day indeed.

Mary did her morning chores in a rush and even did some of Joshua's easier chores much to his surprise.

"What's got into you this morning Mary? You're doing *my* chores."

"I'm just in a happy mood this morning Joshua. Thought I would spread some good cheer!"

Joshua looked decidedly unhappy. "This new found cheer wouldn't have anything to do with that fisherman would it?"

Mary turned her eyes flashing almost black. "That fisherman's name is Mark! How many times to I have to tell you that?!"

Joshua looked a little surprised over her anger. "All right! Mark. Sorry, I didn't know he was so important to you!"

Mary looked a little apologetic. "I'm sorry Joshua. It's just that I think you should treat Mark with a little more respect. "

Joshua looked annoyed. "Why? It's not as if he's you're husband!"

Mary was silent.

Joshua looked at her in open horror. "Mary! Mary? You can't be serious! You're marrying this-this-this man? How could you! He is not right for you Mary. I know it!"

Mary glared at him. "How would you know?! You don't' even know Mark! And yes, to answer you're question, he's going to be my husband. I'm sorry Joshua, I've told you over and over to find another girl. That I could never love you more then a sister loves a brother, but you never listened!"

"Because it's not true! I know you can grow to love me Mary! You just have to give it time!"

Mary shook her head. "No Joshua, I love Mark, and I always s will love Mark. Please believe me when I say my feelings for you will never change. Please Joshua, find yourself a nice girl who will love you back!" Mary gathered up her long skirts and left Joshua in the parlor alone.

"Tsk, tsk, my dear girl. Did I hear you and Joshua fighting in there?"

"Oh I'm sorry Madam Rosali! I know we were being too loud."

Madam Rosali shook her head and gestured her forward. "Nonsense Mary, you do not need to apologize to me. But perhaps you were a bit hard on they boy si?"

"Perhaps. But Joshua is so stubborn! I've told him over and over that I don't love him and that he should find a nice girl that could love him back. But he does not listen to my words."

"Ah, si, a man's pride can indeed be stubborn Senorita. It takes a lot for a man to notice when a certain affection is not being returned si'?

Mary nodded and changed the subject.. "Madam Rosali, Mark said he would come to meet you today. I hope that is all right?"

Madam Rosali's eyes lit up. "Of course it is all right Mary. I've been waiting to meet you're beau for a long time no? I cannot wait to meet this senor."

Mary smiled happily. "He has asked for my hand Madam Rosali see?" She held up her left hand. The daisy had begun to wilt some, but was not dead yet.

"Ah, si, I see a very beautiful ring of nature no?" Madam Rosali let out a rich robust laugh. "You're beau has good taste in tokens of affection!"

Mary blushed. "I know it's not gold, nor does it have any expensive jewels. But it was from his heart."

Madam Rosali nodded seriously. "Si, from the corazon is mucho bieno- very good. You have chosen wisely Senorita." Mary nodded happily. "I believe so too Madam Rosali. I have chosen a man with the face of an Angel and a soul of a poet. "

Madam Rosali smiled lost in memories. "That was a lot like my Jose. Ah, but it seems long ago. Go fetch you're beau Mary, and bring him back for me to meet."

Mary scrambled unlady like out the door and into the bright warmth of the morning sunlight.

Mary ran happily towards the docks looking for Mark's golden curls. The day was chilly and so Mary had brought a small wrap, to help block out some of the icy wind. The sounds of birds crying could be heard over head. The sound was eerie, if not a bit melancholy. But nothing could spoil her good mood today. As she traveled down further towards Mark's usual dock she noticed the obvious decline in fishermen. The plague had taken its toll. Quickening her pace she reached Mark's dock, and frowned. He wasn't there. Mary felt the first prickle of unease down her spine. 'Don't be silly. He's probably just further up, or getting something. Ask one of the other fishermen and see if they know where he is.'

Mary approached the closest fisherman. "Escuse moi, Monsieur, but do you know where Monsieur Mark Collins may be?"

The fisherman looked at her for a few moments blankly before turning back to his work.

Frustrated Mary began asking fishermen after fishermen, but they either didn't know where he was, didn't know him, or ignored her. Mary was starting to feel frantic and began to run further up the river bed shouting if anyone knew where Mark Collins was. She was starting to feel it was hopeless when someone called out to her.

"Escuse moi, Mademoiselle, are you looking for Mark Collins the fishermen?"

"Oui, can you tell me where he is Monsieur?"

The fisherman's eyes softened. "I'm deeply sorry Mademoiselle, Mark fell ill early this morning, the took him down to the church perhaps I could escort you- Mademoiselle! Wait where are you going?! Mademoiselle?!"

Mary raced off in the direction of the church not waiting for the man's words anymore.

Oh please, oh please God, let me get there, give my feet wings! Mary raced towards the church which seemed streets and streets away. She raced up the stairs of the cathedral as fast her legs would carry her and barged through the door. As soon as she entered the church she ran up to the first man she saw.

"Escuse moi, Monsieur, a man was brought here today-this morning, I need to find him! Do you know where he could be?

The man stared at her.

"Monsieur, please! I do not have time to wait. I need to find him. He's got blonde curls-brown eyes. He's a fisherman!"

The man's eyes softened. "They bring the new arrivals in the third wing my child."

"Merci, merci!" She cried over her shoulder and raced faster down the wings then she thought possible. When she arrived at the third wing she began to look in room after room for Mark, but she could not find him. When she spotted a older woman she raced towards her.

"Madam, please help me find a young man! He would have been brought here this morning."

The woman pointed towards the last room. "The new arrivals are brought there. "

"Merci!" Mary replied as she raced towards the back room. She threw open the door and raced in.

He was there.

Pale beyond belief was her Angel. Sweat pouring down the skin and damp curls clung to the head.

Mark was here.

"Mark!" She cried launching herself to his side. His eyes fluttered open and they looked glassy as he stared at her.

"Mary? Is that you?"

"Oh Mark what has happened to you?" Mary sobbed tears dripping down her face.

"Mary, my Mary, I was feeling a might poorly this morning and I think I must have collapsed when I was trying to hook the line. What's the matter Mary why are you crying?"

"Mark, oh Mark, you're burning up!"

Mark grimaced, suddenly looking solemn. "They think I've got it Mary."

Mary let out a wounded groan. "No, Mark, no my angel don't talk that way. I'm not going to let you slip away from me. Listen to me!"

Mark forced his eyes open again. "Mary, I love you. We are blessed under the stars and night sky."

Mary felt the tears fall rapidly off her face on to marks arm. "Mark, no... Please you're going to be fine. We're going to get married and we're going to have lots of children. You're going to be a wonderful father. You have to take me to our secret place again. Don't go Mark. Don't leave me."

"Mary, my sweet girl. Remember the story I told you? The one about the princess living in the beautiful kingdom?"

"I remember Mark. I remember." Mary sobbed out loud.

"I wish I could tell you more stories that would make you smile. Or maybe just sing you an Irish folk song."

"Mark, you're not going to die. You're going to get better. These people don't know what they're saying. You don't have the plague, you can't. I won't let you. We're supposed to be together forever. Mark!" She screamed out in her grief clutching his hand with all her strength.

"Don't cry, please Mary. I hate it when you're sad. Wipe those tears off you're face and give me a smile. Please. I want to see you're smile before I go."

Mary knew there was nothing that she could do. Nothing at all but be the bravest she had ever been. To do the bravest thing she could ever do.

And so she smiled.

"That's my girl. That's my sweet Mary." Mark whispered.

Mary looked down at her Angel and whispered a good-bye. "I love you Mark. I love you."

Mark let out a last sigh, and with it came his last words. "Blessed, our love is blessed under the stars and night sky."

And then he was gone.

Mary was crazed with grief. For days she didn't sleep or eat. When finally forced to eat for health reasons, she spent most of her time in 'their' secret place. She would hum or sing Irish folk songs sometimes, or sometimes she would just sit silently remembering the way Mark's face had looked in the setting sun. Madam Rosali had tried to give her comfort, but she had shut her out. Joshua had even tried, telling her how sorry he was. But she didn't hear him. The ending to Mark and her love had been so abrupt and final that she felt no peace inside her. Her parents we're gone and now so was her soul mate.

Gone.

Mary looked down at her ring. It was brown and dry most of the petals had fallen off. She started down at it for a long time before she felt drops of wetness. Startled she thought it was the rain at first but then realized it was her own tears dripping down her face. Mary thought she would never stop crying. It seemed to be all she did anymore. Madam Rosali had told her that the memories are what kept the pain to a minimum but it seemed to Mary to make it only harder. She could hear all the sweet words Mark had said to her, and the way his face looked in the sunlight, the moonlight, or by starlight.

The body had been burned. Mary had gone to the burning despite the protest from Madam Rosali and Joshua. She had watched his body turn to a smoldering ash, and start to blow in to the wind. As she watched his ashes blow towards the river she felt her memory of his face fading. Fading like the setting sun, fading like the flowers in the autumn wind. And it terrified her.

The flower was all she had left of him. And so she wore it every day despite the worried looks cast by her two friends. She often heard Joshua and Madam Rosali whispering about her to each other. She ignored that too wishing the world away so she could be alone with her memories.

She wasn't sure at what point she heard someone clear their throat. Startled she turned around. Standing at the entrance to the secret place was an older man. He had an owlish appearance about him and he seemed very wise.

"Pardon moi, monsieur, may I ask who you are?"

The man shrugged and then smiled. "I can see you're a very troubled girl, my child."

His accent was unfamiliar to her. But he defiantly was not French. There was something she sensed in the man, something told her she could trust him.

"You look a might lost my child? What is troubling you."

She hesitated briefly before speaking. "I have lost the other half of me."

The man nodded in understatement. "Ah yes, to lose a loved one is indeed a tragic thing to happen. When you're lover dies you feel as if you have died also no?"

Mary wiped her eyes and nodded. "I feel like part of me has died!"

The man rubbed the bridge of his nose and looked quite serious. "I see. That is indeed serious. To die twice is in a matter of time is a tragic day for us all."

Mary stared at him in confusion. "I don't understand what you're saying Monsieur."

The man shook his head. "No, no of course you don't. I am speaking in tongues. You're loved one. my child, I'm sure he wouldn't want you to grieve over him for the rest of you're life. But if it's any conciliation to you, I do know you two will meet again."

Mary blinked. "What do you mean? He his dead. We will never meet again!"

"No, no of course not! Not in this life. But in the not so distant future. I have read books dealing with such subject matters, being reborn together over and over in the next life. Quite amazing actually."

"Monsieur I don't know if you think this is amusing. I am in terrible pain!" She let out a half angry sob before turning her back away from him.

"I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be saying this. But I know the two of you will have many chances, many life times together."

Mary sighed and turned glaring angrily at the stranger. "And let me guess you must be the man who can predict everything no wait, I know-God!"

The stranger shook his head. "I do not claim to be God, my child. But I do know I can see some things. It's who I am. I shouldn't have come." The stranger turned to leave and then stopped as he heard Mary cry .

"No wait. I'm sorry Monsieur! Please don't leave! Tell me about my future-our future."

The man turned back his face kind. "I know I have upset you Mary, I shouldn't say anything to you. I don't know of you're future on a whole. I do know you will be together in many life times, and you'll also make a lot of mistakes. But don't give up hope. One life time you two will be happy. Fate isn't doomed forever you know..." he paused for an instant and then abruptly said "I must go, I am in a hurry. Be happy and at peace with yourself my child. You will love again." He waved at her and disappeared back into the forest."

"No wait! I need to know more!" But it was too late the stranger was already gone.

For a long while Mary just sat and started out across the hills. The sun was beginning to set just like on the night Mark had proposed. She remembered now. How his face looked in the sinking light. How is blond curls seemed to go a fiery gold. The way his smile softened his whole face and the way his laugh sent tingles down her spine.

She remembered.

The way his rich voice would tell her stories of far away lands and magical times, how he would sing her Irish folk songs and talk about there future together, and how she felt when he held her close on cool nights.

She remembered now and she smiled.

Some of the pain faded away for the first time in months. She could almost hear Marks voice crooning in her ear. Telling her to get up, go on with her life and never to forget the love blessed under the night sky and stars.

Mary stood up and slowly took the ring off her finger she cupped it in her hand and walked to the edge of the hill. Down below we're acres of velvet green grass and daises. Mary opened her hand and the wind took a hold of the flower and carried it on a gentle breeze into the setting sun.

And the healing process began.

Mary moved on with her life. She never forgot, but she also let the pain fade into a slight ache that would fill her with an almost sweetness when she thought of their memories.

Mary ran a slow brush through her hair as she stared at herself in the mirror.

"You look beautiful!" Madam Rosali's voice exclaimed from the doorway.

Startled Mary stood up to greet Madam Rosali. She held the edges of her white skirts and frowned doubtfully.

"Oh, I just don't know. It's not to dull is it? I've always wanted brighter colors."

"Nonsense! You're a bride! Brides are supposed to wear white. Foolish girl! You're going to be late on you're own wedding day. The groom will be upset!"

Mary had to grin at that. "Joshua has been waiting for me for seventeen years I'm sure he can wait a bit longer."

Madam Rosali shook her head in amusement. "Haven't you tormented the poor senor enough? Go on with you, hurry now!" Madam Rosali turned and left in a flurry of skirts. Mary could hear Madam Rosali and Joshua talking outside in the hall.

"Is she ready yet?"

"Patience! You must have mucho-much patience when you wait for you're bride to be si?"

"Oui, Madam Rosali. I'm waiting!"

Madam Rosali and Joshua's voice faded as they walked further down the hall.

Mary had decided to marry Joshua.

At first Madam Rosali had been surprised by her announcement. And then concerned by her reasoning. But Mary had explained to Joshua she could never love another like she had loved Mark Collins. And Joshua had accepted that. Mary did love Josh in a way, but she would never feel the same way as he had when she had loved Mark. Mark had been her Angel sent to brighten her life, if only for a moment.

She would begin her new life with Joshua, and perhaps if the stranger was right, perhaps she would have another chance at love with Mark Collins, in another life time, in another century. But if not, she knew she would always treasure the love she had with Mark in this life time. A love she would never forget.

Surely their love was blessed by the night sky and the stars.

Buffy awoke to the rising sun with tears leaking from under her closed lid. Even in the past she could not be with Angel. Was the past just doomed to repeat itself over and over? Angel was evil now. How could their love ever come together? Had any of their other past lives together been different? Buffy doubted it. Buffy sobbed, she sobbed for Mary who had lost her true love, and married another, and she sobbed for herself who's love also seemed to be hopeless. Mark had died and Angel-Angel was alive.

But not himself.

Still when she thought about it, maybe there was hope. Mark had died, there was no way he was coming back. But Angel-Angel was alive. There was still a chance that they could be together. Maybe even in this lifetime.

And if not, perhaps another. Buffy had to smile. Who could deny a love blessed by the sky and stars?

And for the first time in a long while, Buffy felt something she thought she had lost.

Hope.

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