Page 123 of Watercolor Skulls

“You’re the only person I’ve ever loved.”

“But you will love someone else someday,” she says, reminding me of the promise she forced me to make.”

“I don’t need anyone else as long as I have you,” I tell her.

“There’s a man out there for you. I know it. You’ll feel safe in his arms. He’ll laugh at your silly jokes. I bet he’ll even put up with your snoring.”

“I don’t snore.” I shove her leg lightly.

“And I bet he gives you the best orgasms.”

I laugh, rolling away from her. “I’ll never let another man touch me.”

She gives me a serious look. “Take that back right now,” she orders

“Okay, fine. I take it back.”

She sighs in relief, laying against the pillows. “I bet he’s out there right now wishing for you.”

“Do you like it?” Jackson asks, jumping up and down, pulling me from my memories.

I laugh. “I think it’s the best gift I’ve ever received.”

“Grandma and grandpa are here too!” he exclaims. “I’m going to go show them.” He wraps his arms around the painting, toting it outside.

When my eyes turn to Dan I find him, Rachel and Raffe all crying. What the hell?

“What?” I ask, wondering how long I had spaced out while thinking of Jenny. God I miss her.

Dan stumbles on his words, “It’s just…wow…the love in your eyes as you stared at him. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”

Rachel and Raffe walk over, wrapping me up in their arms. It feels good and strange and everything Jenny promised having a family would be. “Can I call you guys mom and dad now,” I tease, trying to lift the mood.

Raffe’s body shakes with laughter as they pull away. “Fuck. No,” he says, his eyes bright with amusement.

I shrug my shoulders. “It was worth a try.” I pretend to pout.

Rachel hugs me one last time before her and Dan leave the room so Raffe and I can talk. Raffe’s knee bounces a few times before he stills and turns to me.

“You know I had the biggest crush on her.” He shakes his head. “That’s why I gave her the dragonfly necklace.”

“She had a crush on you too,” I tell him.

He gives me a beautiful boyish grin. “I always wondered.” He shakes his head again.

“Jenny was so happy when she found you and Rachel. She didn’t tell me who you were, but she did say that giving you her baby was going to make amends for all of the pain she caused in this life.”

Raffe inhales deeply. He holds it in so long I’m afraid he’s going to pass out. When he finally releases it, his breath blows wisps of hair away from my face. “I never blamed her.” His eyes shine bright blue with unshed tears.

“I’m sure you didn’t but it doesn’t change her regret. She was sorry for getting you into that situation. She didn’t talk about it much. And I didn’t ask. I knew whatever had happened broke something inside her. Something I could never fix.”

He nods, wiping at his eyes. Raffe slaps his hands down on his thighs, shoving his emotions aside. “Okay, today is about moving forward.” He reaches into his pocket.

Raffe takes my hand and slowly releases a chain, letting it pool in my open palm. “I’ve come full circle, Lily. You’ve given me closure I never thought I’d get.” He closes my fist around the necklace. “I want you to have this, not because it was hers but to recognize something new. It’s a fresh start. A new friendship.”

I pull my fist to my mouth, pressing it to my lips. I nod, unable to speak.

“Let’s go celebrate. It’s what she would have wanted.”

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