Page 76 of Always Right

I had no doubts that this was the way things had to be. Her, by my side, together until death do us apart. But I was sure not even death itself could separate us. If I were to leave this world first, I knew my soul would wait for her, just as it had in life.

***

The next couple of days were spent outdoors, learning how to ski and watching each other fail. Hannah had ended up as a ball of laughter in the snow, and I’d have to help her out more than once, though she didn’t seem to have a single care in the world.

She loved every bit of it, skiing, hiking...exploring every bit of the resort that she could. She snapped picture after picture of our daughters having fun, enjoying the snow and playing with Lily and Noah. I could feel her happiness every second she was with me, it seeped into my bones every time she smiled at me, every time she’d walk into a room with another story to tell.

Seeing her in that way, with her heart on her sleeves despite her fears was a beautiful thing. Every night she would play the piano and then she’d come to bed and curl up next to me and tell me everything she enjoyed in the day.

I could hear her forever.

“I never thought I could feel this much happiness,” she’d said one night as crawled into bed, resting her head on my chest.

“You deserve it.”

She’d smiled, nodding. “I’m starting to think that I do.”

Now, as we packed up and got ready for our flight back home and she was out for one last walk around the resort, taking sight of the snow, it dawned on me nothing would be the same once we returned.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The door to the cabin opened and I watched Dylan walk in, raising his eyebrows when he saw me zipping up our luggage.

“What’s up?” I asked as he sat on a wooden rocking chair, extending his feet onto the small table in front of him. “All packed up and ready to go?”

Dylan let out a breath as he shook his head. “It’s been nice having family around for a change. It’s always just me and Carina.”

I didn’t bother with a reply, unsure what to say. Knowing I wouldn’t say a thing, he glanced around the cabin, his eyes settling on one of the girl's stuffed animals. He’d grown fond of them and Evie’s kids...I just didn’t want him in and out of their lives.

“My lease is up this summer,” Dylan continued. “Carina and I were talking about going to New York for a vacation...maybe try living there for a while.”

That caught my attention. “Move to New York?”

“Yep. I think it’s time to be near my family again. Life’s too short.”

My chest tightened with his words but again, I didn’t say a thing. He was my brother, but half the time I didn’t know what to say to him. Life had torn us apart, and now, though we weren’t strangers, part of me was still weary of trusting him.

“Do you remember mom’s chicken noodle soup?” Dylan stood then, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “The one she would make when we were sick?”

My brows furrowed. “Yes. I remember. What about it?”

Dylan smiled, his gaze distant. “She was a terrible cook, you know? I think she would have been better had it not been for her being high all the time but...I digress. One night, when I was sick, I remember you helped her make chicken noodle soup. You went to bed and mom came into our room and sat with me for a while. It was nice, talking to her and she seemed...happy. Do you remember that time?”

Nodding, I listened. Those memories were few and far in between, but if he would add to them, I’d listen to every damn word he said.

“Anyways, we talked and talked until she suddenly paused and started writing something down on a piece of paper.” Dylan took out a worn piece of paper from his pocket and smiled at it, taking a deep breath as he handed it to me. “She told me if you were ever sick, and she couldn’t make the soup for you, to read the recipe and make it because it’s not something you should ever eat from a can. I’ve kept it all these years, but I think my time with it is over. You should have it.”

Though it had been years, her handwriting remained intact. It made my chest ache, knowing that deep down in her heart, she’d cared for us. The recipe was signed with a simple, “Love, Mom.” but it was enough to comfort the little boy she’d left behind to fend for himself.

“Thanks.” I wasn’t sure I could say much else. My gaze kept reading over every word on the recipe and though I knew it by heart, now it took on a deeper meaning.

“I’ll be calling often, Derek. And I’m going to annoy the shit out of you.” I let out a laugh, shaking my head as he spoke. “And if you don’t answer I’ll call Hannah and if she doesn’t answer I’ll call Evie until she’s banging on your door with the phone in her hand so you’ll speak to me.”

I chuckled again, setting the recipe down and watching him smile back at me, like when we were kids.

“You’re going to be so fucking sick of me by the end of this year, that you’re going to ask me to leave again.”

He began making his way to the door, and though I knew he would be going back to a different state, this time didn’t feel like goodbye.

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