Then it hit me.
I realized why all of this felt so real. My heart beat faster in my chest. Because if itwasreal … if Ihadjudged this correctly…
“Poppymin?” I asked and took a deep breath. “This isn’t a dream … is it?”
Poppy shifted to kneel before me and placed her gentle hands on my cheeks. “No, baby,” she whispered and searched my eyes.
“How?” I whispered in confusion.
Poppy’s gaze softened. “It was quick and it was peaceful, Rune. Your family are okay; they are happy you’re in a better place. You lived a short but full life. A good life, the one I always dreamed you would have.”
I froze, then I asked, “You mean…?”
“Yes, baby,” Poppy replied. “You’ve come home. You’ve come home to me.”
A huge smile spread across my lips, and a flood of pure happiness washed over me. Unable to resist, I crashed my lips to Poppy’s waiting mouth. The minute I tasted her sweet taste on my lips, a deep peace filled me from within. Pulling back, I pressed my forehead to hers.
“I get to stay here with you? Forever?” I asked, praying it was true.
“Yes,” Poppy answered gently, and I could hear the complete serenity in her voice. “Our next adventure.”
This was real.
It wasreal.
I kissed her again, slow and soft. Poppy’s eyes remained closed afterward, then as a blush spread on her beautiful dimpled cheeks, she whispered, “A forever kiss with my Rune … in our blossom grove … when he finally came home.”
She smiled.
I smiled.
Then she added, “… and my heart almost burst.”