Page 32 of Luckiest Love
He kissed her temple softly, “When Renee died, my parents had a choice to make. Renee was technically alive when she got to the hospital, but was brain dead and the doctors knew that she was young and healthy. They asked my mom if she was willing to donate her organs and my mom knew that Renee would have done it without a thought. She saved people that day. And I know that. I’m grateful for that.”
She looked up at him, “Your sister was an organ donor? That’s amazing Gage. She probably did save a lot of lives.”
He nodded, “My sister was good like that. I remember when we were in the hospital and she told me that Renee would have loved knowing she saved someone. And I don’t doubt it.”
Honor smiled, “Your family was so kind as to give your sister's organs to people in need.”
He nodded, “My parents are that kind of people. So was Renee. I used to be like that, but the kindness in me died when she did.”
She smiled, “I wish I could have met her.”
He kissed her forehead, “I will show you pictures. I know she would have liked you.”
Honor sighed, and he said, “When did you get your surgery?”
She put her finger over his, “It’s been a while now. I was thirteen and I’m almost twenty four now.”
He went still, “You had it ten years ago?”
“Yeah.”
He looked over at her, “My sister died ten years ago.”
She opened her eyes and looked up at him, “That’s what you said. That’s weird.”
“What day did you actually go in for surgery, sunshine?”
Honor told him the day and he sat up, moving away from her and sitting on the edge of the bed, “Gage?”
He had his head in his hands and he ran them over his hair and then over his face, “That was the day that Renee died.”
Honor gathered the sheet to her chest and looked down at the top of her scar, “You don’t think that I have her heart? Do you? No, there is no way? Is there?”
She trailed off and Gage squeezed his eyes shut, “What hospital did you have your surgery in? And, what’s your blood type?”
She told him and he nodded, “That’s where we were. My parents knew that someone in the hospital would receive her heart, but that’s all. You have my sister’s heart. She has the same blood type you do.”
Honor put her hand to her chest and got off the bed, “Is this too weird? I have your sister's heart in my chest.”
Gage stood, and walked over to where she was. He dropped to his knees in front of her and put his hands on her waist, “If my sister hadn’t died, you would have. I hate that she had to die, and I struggled with coming to terms with her death for a long time. But Renee helped so many people because of her organs. You included. And I can’t regret that. I was meant to find you. And you were meant to be mine. She led us to each other and gave us both a second chance at a new life. Together.”
Honor’s eyes filled with tears and he leaned up on his knees so his head was level with her chest.
He put his head right between her breasts and shut his eyes.
Her hand that wasn’t holding the sheet cradled his head to her and he listened to the steady beat of her heart.
It made him smile and he thanked his sister for her gift. For giving him Honor.
She was everything. And he would never take it for granted.
Then he looked up at her, “Marry me.”
She sucked in a breath and a tear slid down her cheek and she nodded.
He grinned and then stood, lifting her off the ground and putting her back on his bed.
He uncovered her body once more and she opened her arms to him.
