Abigail looked at the envelope she received along with the will of her Father, and deed to their ancestral home. It had been quite some time since she'd been in that place. It didn't hold the best of memories for her. 

She threw the sealed manila envelope into her suitcase and boarded the plane. Eight hours later she was in front of it again. It was a grand old English Victorian set back from the street. The light fog and damp air gave it just the right effect to cause her to shiver from the chill.

Her father a brilliant scientist, who was a leader in A.I., had lived here until the day he died. Their mother they lost long ago, for her father it was a devastating blow. He always said she was the key to everything good in him. Which was exactly how she felt about Liam, her father's faithful assistant.

A flash a lightening illuminated the porch as she fumbled for the key. She opened the door, wishing to take shelter from the sudden storm. Again the lightning flashed, the thunder rumbled and she was transported to that night, Liam asked for her hand in marriage.

She was a fool to turn him away, but she was scared. He was diagnosed with cancer and she didn't want to end up alone. She didn't think herself strong enough to deal with that again after the loss of her mother. She felt ashamed.

She flicked on the lights to ward off the images that haunted her heart. She traveled the stairs to her room and smiled. Her father hadn't changed a thing and strangely, it was comforting.

She sat on the bed and pulled out the envelope. Inside held a map and a key.

The top of the key was an intricate heart and in the center, a diamond. The map was of the house and she immediately chose to follow it. She knew where it led. She'd been there hundreds of times before. It led her to her father's workspace, up in the widow's peak. She took the stairs two at a time.

She paused when she reached the door, but turned the knob. She took a deep breath not knowing what to expect. The lightning flashed again and she screamed.

For a second she thought she saw someone sitting in the middle of the room.

"Come now, Abigail. There's no such thing as..." She flicked on the lights and her eyes opened wide. "How can this be?"

There was Liam, his eyes closed as if in sleep but he had died years ago. She cautiously approached. Her hand trembled as she touched his chest and then she felt it, a hole for a key where his heart should be.

She moved the shirt aside and inserted the key. It fit perfectly. She turned it and pulled it free.

Liam's eyes opened and he smiled. "Hello, Abigail. You always were the key to everything inside of me. Welcome home."

Tears streamed down her face. "How can this be?"

Liam wiped them away. "Your father and I worked tirelessly. Our last gift to you, so you'd never be alone but the final decision is up to you.

"I love you, Abigail. I never stopped. Will you stay?"