Page 147 of Before You Can Blink
Tripp let out a watery chuckle. “Don’t think there was much of a choice.”
“Maybe not,” I agreed. “But I’m glad you found your way together just the same. It brings me peace to know that, when I’m gone, you’ll continue to hold each other up.”
Penny nodded. “We will.” Swallowing thickly, she added, “Thank you for giving us this beautiful place to call home.”
“It was my pleasure, darlin’.”
They both hugged me and whispered words of love in my ear before leaving.
A lightness stole over me when Daisy reentered the room.
“Hey there, beautiful.” I sighed.
She peeked over her shoulder before facing forward again. “Thought for sure one of the girls snuck up behind me.”
“Nah, all you, Daze. You’re just as stunning as the day I first laid eyes on you.”
That woman had the audacity to roll her eyes at me. “Not sure I can believe that with all these wrinkles.” A hand came up to trace some of the lines on her face.
“Merely signs of a life well lived, honey.”
“Mmm.” Her hum told me she disagreed with my logic, but she elected not to argue further.
“Why don’t you come over here and keep me warm?”
Crossing the room, she dropped to sit on the edge of the bed.
I tugged on her arm. “Lie down with me.”
The weight of her body settled next to mine on the mattress, and for the first time in hours, breathing became easier. She’d always had this effect on me, and it was one of the things I would miss the most.
We lay there silently for a while, simply content to stare into each other’s eyes, savoring these final minutes we had together.
This woman had given me everything, and there weren’t words to express my gratitude for how she’d turned my life around and given it meaning. So, instead of being sad that this was the end, I celebrated the fact that I’d been allowed to love her all these years.
Her thumb brushed the corner of my mouth. “You’re smiling.”
Grasping her wrist, I held it immobile so I could kiss the center of her palm. “Just thinking how I got my happy ending.”
Daisy arched an eyebrow. “How’s that?”
I let out a contented sigh. “Having your face be the last one I see, knowing I’ll never have to experience the pain of living a single day without you in my life? Doesn’t get any more perfect than that, Daze.”
Her lashes fluttered closed, and she pulled in a shaky breath. “I know I can’t ask you to stay, but I sure am gonna miss you.”
“I know, baby, but you know what?”
Glassy eyes peered back at me. “What?”
“We’ll make it work until we can be together again. Just like we always do.”
That got a tiny smile out of her, and she buried her face into my chest, her arms locking tightly around me.
“I love you, Jett.”
“I will love you forever, Daze,” I whispered against the top of her head.
Minutes turned to hours, neither of us moving a single muscle. But eventually, the call to the other side grew too great, and while holding the love of my life close, I finally let go.
