Page 86 of A Thousand Broken Pieces

Until that day,

Poppy

Savannah

Kyoto, Japan

It was too much to absorb. Everywhere I turned was a blanket of pink and white. Trees lining every pathway, parks full to the brim of blossom trees. The floral scent was infusing every fraction of air, and all I saw, wherever I turned, was Poppy. I was happy that I was seeing Kyoto now, at the end of the journey. Because if I had seen this months ago, when this trip had only just begun, I wouldn’t have been able to stand it.

Now, I could gaze at these trees, full of temporary life, and admire them with the respect that they deserved. And I could see Poppy at every turn and not be felled by it. But bestrengthened. I smiled, though my chest rose up anddown with soft cries as tears dropped from my eyes. They fell to the ground, leaving a piece of me forever in this place—a sister’s tribute. Cael held my left hand, just drinking in this wondrous sight with me. I held out my right hand, the breeze weaving between my fingers. And, in my mind’s eye, I saw Poppy beside me, holding me tight. She would be gazing upon the trees she loved so much with nothing but love and gratitude in her heart.

“Incredible,” Dylan whispered behind us. I opened my eyes and saw birds circling up ahead as if they were breath taken by the sight too. “Is it like the blossom grove, Sav?” Dylan asked. I’d told him all about it.

I thought of home and felt the sharp pang of homesickness. As magnificent as this sight was,nothingcould take the place of our small blossom grove. Especially now that my sister rested there. It was a magical place, serene and blessed.

I opened my mouth to reply when a voice beside Dylan said, “Nothing could ever replace our blossom grove.”

Shock rendered me immobile for a few seconds. Because Iknewthat voice. Hadmissedthat voice. I released Cael’s hand and stepped around Dylan. And there was Rune Kristiansen in the flesh, beside us in this stunning Kyoto park.

“Rune …” I said, and fresh tears sprung to my eyes. I ran to him and wrapped my arms tightly around him. Rune held me close, and I felt his long, blond hair on my cheeks as he did. This was all so surreal. Being here, among so many blossom trees, now with Poppy’s Rune at my side.

I pulled back and wiped my eyes. Rune was dressed as he always was—black jeans, black shirt, and biker boots. He hadn’t changed a bit, except now he was a little older. And just like the Rune of old, he had a camera in his hand.

“Surprise,” he said, and I shook my head, unable to speak.

He smiled. “I have been in South Korea with my mentor for a few weeks on shoots. We had a couple of days free between projects. He was meeting with some old colleagues, so I decided to hop on a plane and take a quick detour here. I’m only here for a day and night. But your mama told me you’d be here too. I contacted your group’s leaders, and they told me where you’d be. I wanted to surprise you.”

“You’re here,” I whispered, still in shock.

Rune’s eyes softened and a hint of sadness flickered in their depths for a few seconds. “I never miss the cherry blossoms, Sav.” He touched his camera. “I still have to show my girl.”

The pictures on Poppy’s grave.

Every year at the end of the cherry blossom season, near the anniversary of her death, a new picture of a cherry blossom festival somewhere in the world appeared at Poppy’s headstone.

Rune and I shared a long, knowing look, and emotion clogged my throat so tightly that I couldn’t speak. Rune dipped his head, and I saw him subtly wipe his eyes. When he faced me again, I saw how much he missed my sister written on his handsome face.

“Peaches?” Cael came behind me and placed his arm around my shoulder, turning me to face him. “Are you okay?” He looked to Rune, confusion in his eyes. Rune’s head tipped to the side at how close Cael was to me. Heat filled my cheeks. Clearly, my family hadn’t told him about Cael. Rune raised a knowing eyebrow. It broke the heaviness of the moment.

“Cael,” I said and gestured to Rune. “This is Rune, Poppy’s …” I trailed off, not knowing what to say anymore.

My stomach turned, until Rune said, “I’m Poppy’s Rune.”

Poppy’s Rune …Because he had always been more than a boyfriend to my sister. He was her entire life, the beat of her heart and her soulmate. They were just separated for a little while.

Cael took his arm from around me, and his face lit with recognition. “Cael,” he said and shook Rune’s hand. Rune smiled and then looked at me the way any big brother would. Like I had some explaining to do.

“Rune?” Dylan said. I turned to my friend, who was looking at Rune in earnest.

“Hei,” Rune said to Dylan, shaking his hand, his Norwegian language sneaking through. I would remember to ask Rune to talk to Dylan at some point before he left. I believed he could help Dylan too.

“Dylan,” he said, “Savannah’s friend. I’m on the trip with her.” Dylan gestured to everyone else as they approached us with interest. Understanding flashed in Rune’s blue eyes. One by one he met all my friends. Cael placedhis hand on my back, a silent support. Rune gave us all a small smile. He knew exactly where we all were emotionally. He had walked—was walking—this path too.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” I said, finding my voice again.

Rune tipped his head in the direction of the park. “Do you have time to catch up?”

I looked to Mia and Leo, who were behind us. They’d clearly already met Rune, helped him plan this. Mia shooed us away with her hand. I turned to Cael. I’d wanted to see these cherry blossoms with him too. He must have seen that battle written on my face, because he pressed his forehead to mine and said, “I’ll go with the group. You take all the time you need with Rune. I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” Cael kissed me. It was soft and tender, and shivers ran down my spine.

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