Allie’s shoulders shake as she sobs and I wipe my thumb across her cheek. She does the same to me and leans forward to rest her head against mine.
“My beautiful storm. You have no idea how truly amazing you are, and I wish you could see yourself through my eyes.”
Leaning back just enough so we can see each other, she continues, “I knew from the beginning you had a darkness inside of you. We shared an odd sense of understanding, even though our pain was completely different.
“That day at the cabin is a moment I will never forget, but wish I could. And I want you to listen to this and promise me you will try your hardest to understand and take it in.”
She waits for me to nod and when I do, she untangles one of my arms from her waist, brings my hand in between us, loops our pinkies and kisses them. “I had you promise me this when I left, but I need you to look me in my eyes as I say this.”
I nod and she continues, “That day was not your fault. You couldn’t have seen it coming, because I didn’t realize how far my mind had drifted until you were begging me to stop. But at that point, I had let myself feel all the pain I had been pushing away, and it was all too much.
“I wanted nothing more than to run away and never feel that pain again, even if that meant having to give up the one person who made me feel an ounce of peace. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. You saved me that day, even if you think you didn’t.
“And I know these are just words, but I will remind you every single day that I am here with you. Every time you wake up feeling that fire inside your veins, let me be the rain that washes it away. I love you, Storm. You are my best friend. My missing link. My safe space to weather all the bad days with. I can promise you with every ounce of strength in me, I will be the same for you.”
Leaning back, I stare at her, shocked.
She loves me. Allison Paige Evans just said she loves me.
And just like that, all the voices fade away. The fire subsides. The storm clouds drift away, and all that is left is me sitting in the arms of my missing link.
Allie smiles and brushes a lone tear off my face.
“Say it again, please,” I beg.
A laugh escapes her. “I love you Storm.”
Hugging her tightly to my chest, I bury my face once more in her neck. “I love you Bluebird. Thank you for being my everything.”
Allie’s arms move around my neck, and we sit in each other’s embrace. The silence we love so much, blanketing us.
Taking a deep breath, I replay everything she just said over and over. I know it will take time for my mind to believe her words, but I will put in the work. Because together we may be a pair that shares very few words, but the ones we do say mean everything.
So even though it will be hard, especially on days like today, I will let her be my sense of peace and shelter during the bad days. And when the day comes that she falls behind the wall that separates her new found look on life and the pain hiding behind that closed chapter, I will be there, just like she is for me.
Allie shifts and we both look out at the park in front of us. The wind picks up and the swings sway in the breeze.
An idea hits me and I stand with her in my arms. She giggles and I carry her over to the swings. Setting her down in front of one, I wait for her to sit down and sit down on the one next to her.
I watch as she leans back, hanging onto the chains, and looks up at the starry sky. A smile spreads across her face, and when she sits up, she turns to look at me.
I lean over, and she meets me in the middle. Grabbing the chain of her swing, I pull her close so that her face is inches from mine. My lips hover over hers and when her hand brushes mine on the chain, I kiss her. It’s soft and carries more meaning than just a simple kiss. It’s a promise. A promise to love her through all the bad and good.
Before letting her go, I place another kiss on her nose, and as her eyes lock with mine, I pull her chain a little more. Just as I let go, I say, “Fly with me, Bluebird.”
Chapter Fifty-Four
Landon
“Allie Girl! Breakfast isready!”
“Coming!”
I turn back to the counter and finish putting our breakfast on plates and just as I move to sit on the barstools, tiny paws jump out and attack my feet.
“Raven! Shadow! No attack paws!” I exclaim and move back just in time for them to start running circles around my feet before running up the cat tree.
“Damn cats,” I mutter, sitting down on the stool just as Allie comes downstairs, hair wet from our shower.