Page 89 of The Gilded Cuff
“Rachel…”
“Yeah?” Rachel lit a bottle rocket and fired it into the heavens.
“Rachel, am I dead?”
Her little eyes filled with sorrow. It was the sort of expression only a child was capable of. They understood loss so differently than adults. Their sorrow was more pure, untainted by bitterness and memories painted in shades of gray.
“You’re not dead yet. I asked…I asked if I could come to you. They let me.”
“They? Who—”
Rachel squeezed her hand. “I miss you, Sophie, but you can’t come with me, not yet. Do you understand?” The little girl, still only seven years old, had a face full of love and peace. She tugged Sophie’s hand, urging her to lean over so they could hug. Rachel was so small. Sophie had almost forgotten what it had been like to be that tiny. She curled her arms around her friend and squeezed her tight, wishing that Rachel could feel every emotion, every thought she’d ever had about her as the years had passed.
“Rachel…” Her throat constricted and she sucked in a ragged breath. I’m so sorry about everything. I couldn’t catch him…” Tears filled her eyes and she could barely see so she dragged the back of her hand over them to wipe away the tears.
“What happened then…” Rachel’s voice was gentle, so sweet. “It’s over now.” How she could be so strong Sophie would never know.
“I’ll never forgive myself for what happened to you.” Her broken whisper was barely audible.
Rachel reached up and brushed away a lone tear on her cheek.
“I’ll wait for you, Sophie. I’ll be here, always. Every time you close your eyes, there will always be fireworks and there will always be me.”
“Fourth of July…” Sophie smiled. Waves of tears and sadness mixed with bittersweet love. It had been their favorite holiday, the one they’d celebrated together since their first birthdays.
“Don’t cry.” Rachel smiled and it was like the years that had passed between them vanished. They were children again, together. Secrets shared and dreams spun on golden threadswove tapestries of memories they’d always share. Whatever might have been, the things they might have done together, didn’t matter. The past was sacred in that moment. An instant to be worshiped for what it was.
“Whenever I shut my eyes…” Sophie promised, hugging Rachel close again.
“Always,” Rachel’s answer filled her soul and she drew a deep shuddering breath. The night sky continued to be filled with glorious colors and brilliant bursts of light before it all faded around her.
Rachel’s grip on her hand remained strong.
Sensations began to trickle back to her, piece by piece, and although her lashes felt heavy, she forced her eyes to open. Her tongue felt like sandpaper and her head hurt like the devil. A familiar and unwelcome smell invaded her nostrils. She was at the hospital.
The world around her was white—from the windows and walls to the hospital bed she lay in. Except for the man sitting in a chair next to her bed. Everything about him was so opposite to the stark, bland hospital room. The golden gleam of his hair, the sun-kissed skin. He was leaning forward, one of his hands clasping hers. Proud cheek bones, a faint scar on his chin, and the aquiline nose of a Greek god. A fierce tenderness filled her to the point of bursting when she saw the faint shimmer of dried tears on his cheeks as the morning light caught them. No one had ever cried for her before…She bit her lower lip, her own eyes burning. A lock of golden blond hair fell across his forehead. He was close enough for her to touch. She reached to brush it away, ignoring the stab of pain in her abdomen.
His eyes blinked, revealing their lovely shade of hazel. The world shrank in that single instant. She could see nothing outside his eyes and the same look of wonder reflected in his gaze as his lips parted in a soft rush of air.
“Emery,” she rasped. Her throat was dry and raw but she found she could form his name without much pain. Seeing him here with her filled her with so much joy she could barely contain it. The warm feeling of happiness and relief cut through most of the foggy, drug-induced state she seemed trapped in.
“You okay?” He cupped her cheek and leaned in to brush her lips with his.
“I am…I think…” She chuckled and then winced as her stomach cramped and twisted in knots.
His eyes darkened with worry and anxiety formed tight lines around his eyes and mouth.
“You gave me a scare. I thought I was going to lose you.”
“I seem to recall you kicking me out.” She tried to tease him, but he scowled and looked away. She knew him well enough now to see his fury was directed inward.
“I was an idiot…” He met her gaze again. “If you won’t forgive me, I’ll grovel to get you back.”
Sophie considered this. “How about I get to tie you up and punish you.”
He snorted. “Go ahead and try.”
“Well, I’ll forgive you, but I’ll tell you later how you can make it up to me.” She paused, shutting her eyes, relishing the way he stroked her cheek with his knuckles. It was almost soothing enough to erase the pain. It was then she noticed his shoulder was heavily bandaged and in a sling.
