Page 98 of Meet Me in the Vines
“James?!” I call out, pumping my legs faster as they thud on the wispy grass.
“James!” I scream, a rawness from my voice as it cracks. His brown hair flows in the breeze, shining under the half-heaven sun. He looks just how I remember him. Forever eighteen. His smile is so bright it leads a clear path to him as we close in on the distance between us. My arms and legs work harder than they ever have. Every stride I take, my heart leaps with it. Adrenaline shoots through my veins, and in ten long strides, I collapse into my big brother’s arms.
We fall to our knees and he holds onto me, my head pressed against his chest as violent sobs leave my body. I cling to his shirt, grappling with every part of him to see if he’s actually here. He kisses the top of my head and hugs me tight, the years apart crashing down in one giant wave of emotions.
“Hey, little bear. I missed ya,” he cries, holding my face in his hands as he laughs and cries at the same time. I mirror him, slamming my head back into his chest as he holds me, falling apart in his arms.
“I missed you too, big bear.” I murmur into his chest. He lifts my head to meet his gaze, beaming like the sun, and ruffles my hair. We stand up and sling our arms around each other, walking toward the gazebo.
“So, you got yourself shot, huh?” he teases. I nudge him in the rib as I shake my head. “Oof, okay, okay, too soon?” he chuckles.
“Way too soon,” I retort, laughing under my breath. I missed joking around with him. I never thought I’d hear his laugh or feel his embrace again.
“You died for love, little bear?”
I look toward the gazebo, Wren and Violet waiting for us.
“Yeah, I guess I did. I died protecting her,” I murmur. He squeezes the outside of my arm and looks down at me. He was always taller than me, which used to make me mad growing up. But now, I love looking up at my brother. He was magic.
Is magic.
“I’m proud of you, little bear. I hope you know how fucking proud I am of you and everything you’ve done,” he beams, tears brimming his eyes. My chest blooms with the affirmation.
“Thank you, big bear. That means everything.”
We approach the steps of the gazebo, Wren and Audrey opening their arms to embrace James. He hugs them both and the three of them stand in front of me, with James in the middle, his arms around both of them.
My heart tugs in two directions. The ache of it all winds so tight in my chest that I can’t take a deep breath. I look at the three of them, in awe of how lucky I am to be witnessing this. They are pieces of Audrey and me. The best parts. But Audrey has the rest of me. I can’t accept that this is where it ends. This can’t be where it ends.
“I’m so happy to have you all here with me in half heaven. But is there a reason my soul hasn’t crossed over? When does that happen? Why am I here and not on the other side yet?” I ask.
James untangles his arms from Wren and Violet and stands before me. “Donovan, your heart stopped. But a piece of your soul is still down on earth, holding onto Audrey,” he says. Oh god, is Audrey with me now? Seeing me like that? I’m supposed to be the one to take her pain away, not give it.
“So, how come you guys are here in half heaven?” I ask. Wren steps forward.
“Donovan, we knew this was going to happen. It was written this way. You were meant to meet us here in half-heaven. It’s not something you can comprehend. It’s…beyond that,” she replies. The wheels in my head work overtime, trying to make sense of it all.
“We knew you’d need us. So we came here to help you.”
I look at James, hoping he can help me understand.
“Help me with what? Cross over?” I reply, my brows knit together in uncertainty. The three of them stand in an arch before me, the four of us completing a circle.
“We are here to help you go home. Back to Audrey,” James whispers.
My heart flutters, thumping wildly out of my chest. I can see her again?
“I can go home? Back to her?” He nods with a dimple grin. Wren and Violet beam with teary eyes.
“Your tie to Audrey is so strong. It’s a soul-deep connection that can bring you back to her. And we are here to do that,” Violet says, reaching for my hand.
Audrey’s my soulmate. Plain and simple. They say love at first sight isn’t real—it only happens in the movies. Well, it happened for me. Our story isn’t over, and if I can go home andbe with her like they’re telling me, I’m giving her the whole damn world.
But I’m hit with a bittersweet pang that booms in my chest as I look at James. My protector. My best friend.
“But what about you guys? I just got here. James…I need you. How can I go back now that you’re here?” I cry. My voice cracks when I look into his eyes. My big brother pulls me in for an embrace, and I don’t know how I can let go now that I have him back. He locks onto my gaze with tears in his eyes.
“I love having you here, little bear, but this is how it’s supposed to be. You need to get back to Audrey. She is waiting for you. That’s your future.Not here,” he whispers. My chin quivers as he presses his forehead against mine. I clench my jaw tighter, holding back the overwhelming emotions that fill me. James passes me to Wren, who holds me in her arms.
