“Can I talk to her?”
My heartbeat quickened. It was Miles.
“Miles Warner, you know you cannot see her,” my mother said in a harsh yet loving voice.
He laughed. “I just want to hear her voice, maybe hold her hand?”
Heather, Patty, and Lana all sighed. I nearly melted on the spot.
Motioning for me to come to the door, my mother made sure Miles stepped back. I leaned against the wall and stuck my hand out and Miles did the same. The moment he laced his fingers in mine, I started to cry.
“Happy crying?” he asked.
“Very happy,” I managed to get out.
“I can’t wait to see you.”
I swallowed hard and took in a deep breath. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
He squeezed my hand. “I wanted to tell you, before all the craziness of this day started, that I had a dream last night.”
I leaned my head gently against the wall. “A good dream?”
Miles didn’t always have good dreams. As a matter of fact, most of them caused him to toss and turn in his sleep. The moment I touched him, or snuggled up next to him, he calmed down and drifted into a deep sleep, hardly stirring at all.
I had asked him about the dreams, and he said they were something that would always be with him. He promised me if they became something he couldn’t handle, he’d talk to me about it. I respected and honored that. I knew Miles had to have some horrible memories, and he knew I’d always be there if it was something he wanted to talk about. But for now, his focus was on us. A new life. A family.
“It was a fan-fucking-tastic dream.”
I smiled. “Care to share?”
“It was me and you, and you were pregnant.”
My free hand came up to my mouth as I tried to hold myself together. Heather and Lana were at the ready for damage control on my makeup.
“I like this dream so far,” I whispered after a moment.
“We were looking out over the Texas Hill Country watching a sunset and trying to decide what to name our little girl.”
My eyes closed. “A girl?” I asked, another sob slipping free. I felt the hot tears on my cheeks, and I didn’t even care. I wanted more of the dream even if it did make me an emotional wreck.
“Yeah, a girl.”
“Did we come up with a name?”
Miles slipped something into my hand and pressed my fingers around it. “Yeah, we did. I love you, Kyns. I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Miles. More than you’ll ever know.”
He let go of my hand, and I heard him walking down the hallway. I pulled my hand back in and leaned against the wall. The photographer who had captured that whole moment, shut the bedroom door then started taking pictures as I opened the folded note that Miles had placed in my hand.
I attempted to focus on the words through my blurred vision.
Dear Kynslee,
For the first time in my life, I was afraid I’d never see you again. I was shot last night and the only thing I could think of was you. I wasn’t about to leave you. I couldn’t leave you. Then I heard June’s voice telling me to get up and run. It was her voice that got me moving, then I heard yours, calling out to me. It led me back to our pick-up point. It was you and June who saved me. But that shouldn’t be a surprise, you’ve always been the center of my world, Kyns. The one thing that made this life meaningful. I want you to know that I love you so much. I’ve always loved you, and I will forever love you. I’m coming home to you, princess. I swear, I’m coming home. And when I do, I’m marrying you and making you mine, just like we promised each other.
Yours forever and always,
Miles
It was dated three years ago today. I stared at the date. Three years ago, Miles wrote me that letter.
“Oh, Miles.” I clutched the letter to my chest and closed my eyes.
Lana gently placed her hand on mine. “Kynslee, we have to touch up your makeup. It’s almost time.”
I nodded and let them work their magic. Smiling, I picked up my phone and sent Miles a message.
Me: What was the little girl’s name?
He responded instantly.
Miles: I think you know.
Heather stood in front of me, holding out my bouquet.
I typed out one more text.
Me: June
Miles: Yes, but you called her Lilly June.
Me: Lilly was June’s favorite name.
Miles replied with a simple heart. I closed my eyes. I missed my sister, but I knew she was always there with me.
Heather gently took the phone from my hand, then squeezed it. “Ready? Your dad’s here.”
My father had tears in his eyes, and I pointed to him. “Don’t you dare cry. If I cry again, it’s all your fault!”