Page 165 of The Best of Us

A rough, breathless laugh broke from me, but my chest seized at the attempt, my lungs on fire. Even after everything, even after nearly dying, I was still trying to mask my emotions.

Enzo stepped closer, his arms slack at his sides. “You saw her?” His gaze locked on to mine as chills swept through me.

“I did.” I shifted my focus to Alessandro, Izzy, and then back to Enzo. “She’s good. Really good. At peace.”

I hadn’t wanted to leave her, but she made me. I refrained from sharing that detail, though.

Enzo cupped his mouth, eyes falling to the floor as he processed. Something told me he didn’t think I was crazy. That he believed me.

More tears fell as I gasped—not for air, but to stop the sob building in my throat.

“There was all this light. Color everywhere. Colors I’ve never seen here on earth.” The knot in my throat tightened. “Bianca was waiting for me, standing in a sundress as real as you are in front of me now. Not some floating something-or-other I’d have expected. I, uh, it was . . .” I didn’t know how to describe what I’d experienced since it was truly otherworldly. “She told me it wasn’t my time.” I shared a few more details I could remember, including Bianca’s message to share her love to everyone. “I was on the edge of Heaven, not at the gates of Hell. I was . . . forgiven.”

The sob I’d been trying to hold back finally broke free, and Juliette leaned in and brought her cheek to my chest, hugging me.

I let myself cry in front of everyone, and for once, I didn’t care. It was as freeing as that serenity I’d felt with my sister in Heaven.

“I heard your voices. I could see you trying to save me,” I said after a few quiet minutes had passed. “Your love for me. Reciting scripture. Your voices and love brought me back.”

Juliette lifted her head from my chest, crying.

At the sound of Colin’s cries, I searched him out and gestured for him to get on the bed with us.

The room cleared out, giving the three of us a moment alone as a family.

My family.

“Thank you for keeping your promise, Dad,” he whispered a few minutes later. His expression was still caught somewhere between relief and disbelief. “Lennon’s alive thanks to you. Even her brother and Daniel survived.” He shook his head, grimacing. “I guess everyone deserves a second chance.”

I reached for his face, dragging the back of my hand over his cheek. In that moment, he barely looked and sounded more than ten years old, his dark eyes full of innocence. “Those two can get their second chance in prison.”

A slow smile crossed his lips. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

I let my hand fall to my chest, resting it on the blanket.

Before I had a chance to say more, Alessandro burst into the room. “Callie’s having contractions. She’s heading to the hospital.”

I tried to sit, but Juliette pressed me back down.

“I don’t have time to get to our jet in Rome, so Sebastian’s lending me his. His plane’s closer to the safe house.”

Juliette asked him something about Callie’s contractions before offering reassurance. “You might have time to get there.”

Alessandro’s jaw tightened. “Callie’s not letting our baby come until I’m at her side. She’s stubborn.” He forced a smile. “Well, she’s going to do her damnedest.”

“If I can come back from the dead, you can make it to Nashville in time.” My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard. “You’ll get there. I have faith.”

Alessandro held my gaze for a moment before nodding. “We’re about to dock,” he said, his voice rough. His eyes glistened, like he was on the verge of tears. “You sure you’re gonna be okay?”

I turned my head toward Juliette. “I’m more than okay. Go, that’s an order.”

“Yeah, okay.” Alessandro hesitated only a second before turning for the door. “Love you, brother.”

He was gone before I had a chance to say it back.

“We’re turning into a bunch of softies, I swear,” I muttered. The laugh that followed sent pain lancing through my chest. “You went to town on those compressions, huh? Lucky you didn’t crack one of my ribs.” I smirked at her. “Thanks for saving me, by the way.”

Juliette wiped away a tear, smiling. “You never have to thank me for saving you.” She winked, and damn, I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her.

---