So much time was taken from us—stolen by the very people he trusted with his life.
And yet, he stands here, determined to do just about anything for me.
For his son.
Somehow, deep down, I know I will lose in the end.
If this is all the time I have with him, I’m taking it.
If there was anything this whole ordeal has taught me, it’s that time is precious. I’ll be damned if I waste any more.
My fingers graze his shirt and for a moment, I let my eyes drift all over Noah. I selfishly soak in the sight of him, so lucky to have found him and have had the privilege of calling him mine.
Two steps. That’s all it takes for him to move between my legs. My face drowns in his palms, while his thumbs caress my cheeks.
“Noah…” His eyes smile gently down at me. “I need you.”
My husband stills, and then his forehead presses against mine. His breath fans my face, his voice gruff with need. “I feel like I’ve been waiting forever to hear you say that again.”
My heart beats painfully against my chest, knowing this may very well be the last time. I’ve wasted weeks being scared, but I know the thing I’m most afraid of is being without him.
I love this man. I love him with everything I am.
Even when we were apart, there wasn’t a single second where I regretted taking a risk on him.
A flood of emotions threatens to pull me under, but I hold on to him like a life raft.
My arms come around his shoulders and my fingers thread into his brown locks.
I pull him closer, and with a low growl, he closes the last few inches between us.
I’ll drown on my own time, because right now, I want to lose myself in this moment with him. This is what will keep me going later on when we’re apart and I’m missing him.
At least we’ll have tonight.
We’ll have this.This goodbye.
Isee it in her eyes.
Under the need, lies the finality of tonight.
She’s saying goodbye, and so I let her.
Iease Ria gently onto the pillow, pulling my arm out from under her neck. I position two more pillows on either side of her, tucking the covers under her chin.
I allow myself a few extra minutes to take her in. She’s wearing my shirt; the same one she wore that first night, all those years ago. My stomach dips at the memory.
A cement block is resting heavily on my chest, causing a sharp pain in my heart. My fear intensifies with each second. We’re still here, knowing there’s a chance we could be ambushed at any given time.
I brush a kiss on her shoulder, breathing in her scent for a moment, and she stirs.
“Noah?” Her sleepy whisper is my undoing.
“I’m sorry, baby… I didn’t mean to wake you. I need to check and make sure everything is going according to plan, okay? Get some rest and I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
Her hand comes up to cup my cheek and she strokes my jaw. “Thank you.”
She rises and I meet her halfway.