Page 49 of Firefly

Her words set a range of emotions alight within him. He wanted to storm downstairs, gut Alexander where he stood, and watch the life drain from his vile corpse, but Rebecca was so frail she might topple over if he wasn’t holding her up.

He slid back against the headboard and sat perfectly still as she leaned against him. Her breathing was shallow, coming in small pants, and even as her heartbeat slowed, it grew fainter. How had she deteriorated so rapidly?

If he had been there to stop Alexander from draining every ounce of life from her, she wouldn’t be in this state.

He slid an arm behind her and shifted so she could face out the window.

“Simon?”

He angled his head toward the door. “Hello, Sarah.”

She skipped into the room but stopped when she saw her mother.

Rebecca beckoned for Sarah to come, and the girl started forward again. She climbed onto the bed beside Simon and leaned into his other side. Finding her mother’s hand, they laced their fingers over his lap.

“Mama,” she said, staring at the full moon hanging low outside the window, “are we leaving now that Simon’s back?”

“Yes, sweet girl. We will start packing tomorrow.”

Simon’s gaze dropped to their clasped hands, and a sharp pain sliced through him. She was lying to Sarah as he had intended to lie to her.

Rebecca knew her time was nearly up.

They stayed like that through the night, and Rebecca and Sarah nodded off a short time later. Simon leaned his head back, watching the moon’s slow descent as he counted each of Rebecca’s heartbeats against his chest. Each time it stuttered, pausing before continuing its laborious task, fear seized him.

Each time, he thought it might not start again.

Sarah curled onto her side, mumbling something and tiny butterflies appeared in the room, blue and iridescent. They circled lazily over Rebecca’s head and expanded until cerulean flapping wings circled all three of them.

As orange glowed along the horizon, Simon studied Rebecca’s face, memorizing her features and hoping desperately she would still be with them when he returned that night.

Chapter 37

Rebecca

Rebecca struggled to peel her eyelids open, finding the effort entirely too taxing. She tried again, blinking in the blinding false light. Peering around the room, she realized she was sitting up, reclining against a warm, solid form.

She pressed a hand against Simon’s chest, smiling. He had stayed the night with them, trusting them to care for his body when he left. It was the first time he had spent the night with her. She twisted, curling on her side and wrapping her arms around his still form.

In that moment, she longed for nothing more than to feel his arms around her, too.

Sarah stepped through the door, holding a basket full of flowers. “You’re both lazy.”

“Sarah. That’s not polite,” Thea said, stepping in behind her. Her cheeks flushed pink as she took in the pair on the bed. “I’m so sorry, Miss Rebecca. I didn’t realize…” She looked away and reached for Sarah, turning her around.

“No, you’re fine.” She sucked in a shallow breath. “Please, come in.”

Thea looked scandalized for a moment, but she released Sarah, letting her run to the bed. “I brought your flowers, Mama. Simon, wake up!”

She shoved his still form and frowned. “What’s wrong with him?”

Rebecca tried to push herself up, but her arms shook, and the bit of effort it took to try had winded her. “Thea,” she panted, “give us… a minute.”

Thea backed out, closing the door behind her.

“Sarah… listen… to me.” Rebecca patted the bed, giving herself a moment to catch her breath. “You need to pack. We’re leaving tonight, sweet girl.”

Sarah nodded, poking Simon’s arm. “Is he dead?”

---