Page 44 of Gift from the Source
Her power swirls around Willow and me, causing us both to sigh deeply, and I hold my arm out for her to nuzzle into.
The minutes seem to slip by in the blink of an eye, yet they drag for an eternity as my magic dissolves through my skin. It’s a painstaking few moments that I know Willow feels even though she’s trying to muffle her sobs in my shirt.
Her clenching fingers keep me grounded, though, as I focus on the strength in them. The way they ball into a fist, resting above my heart is a comforting weight that keeps me tethered to the ground.
A long, drawn-out gurgling breath escapes my lungs, and with it, all the air empties from my body. The exhale seems endless as my element flows through my parted lips, blowing the branches of the willow tree.
When the last breeze blows free, slow tears drip down my cheeks as hollowness settles in across my heart. I’ve never felt more like a shell of a person than I do right now.
“I have something for you. It’s not much, but I’d like for you to see it,” Willow says as she pushes herself up and quickly tries to wipe her face.
“You shouldn’t have got me anything, sweet girl,” I croak.
“I didn’t get it. I made it.”
As she goes to pass me the rectangular box, the violent tremble in my fingers has her pulling it back and laying her palm on top of my hand. I give her a squeeze and a smile, encouraging her on to open it for me.
“I’m far from an artist, but I gave it my best shot,” she says half-jokingly.
A genuine smile breaks out across my face when I stare down at the present she lays on my lap. Then the dam breaks.
She’s drawn a picture of her willow tree, with the two of us under it, surrounded by books. At the bottom of the page, she scripted the most meaningful message she ever could’ve written to me.
Realm’s greatest dad.
I try my hardest to be strong for her and stop the rapid fall of my tears, but I can’t as the gift I’ve been blessed with rips from around my mind. It’s as though time slows to the normal speed at which everyone else experiences it. The gentle weight that came with the sight is lifted, making my skull feel empty. Every color dulls, and the only bright spot I have is her.
My most precious gift and the gift she’s just given me.
“Worst birthday surprise ever, asshole,” she chokes, trying to make me laugh in these last moments. Which I do. Sort of.
What comes out of me is more like a mixture of a cough and a snort.
“I’d have to agree, my girl.”
“I don’t want you to go,” she whispers, and when I look into her eyes, I see my sweet six-year-old saying the same thing.
With every ounce of strength I possess in my rapidly aging body, I lift my now wrinkled hand to her cheek to wipe away her tears.
“I wish I didn’t have to. It won’t be forever, though. Elementra has something planned for me, and I trust her to grant my request. But I will always be with you. In your heart and soul,filia mea.You have been the greatest blessing I have ever been given. You are my most favorite birthday present.”
“There’s so much I need to say. I don’t have enough time to say it all…” she whimpers.
“I know it all. It’s already in my heart, my girl,” I tell her softly. I do know it all and I’ll hold onto that knowledge forever.
Her shoulders shake violently as her tears flow faster, but my brave, strong girl takes a deep breath and calms herself as much as she can. “Thank you. For everything. For saving me. Loving me. Teaching me. I don’t know how I will go on without you.” Her hands grip mine and tuck it against her cheek, holding me close for as long as she can.
“You will because you are the daughter of many. You’re smart, strong, and pure of heart and soul, Willow. You’re going to do amazing things, and I can’t wait to watch you.”
The weight of my arm becomes too much for me to hold up any longer and she can sense it. With gentle, soft movements, she lays it across my lap and my eyes gradually close as her lips touch my cheek. I manage to get the barest of smiles to cross my lips.
“Tell Elementra she better have you a birthday cake waiting when you get there. You can’t stop celebrating our day just because I’m not there.” She sniffles, trying to lighten the end.
“I’ll inform her…” I take a deep, rattling breath as I my body starts to become weightless. “Happy birthday,filia mea. I love you more than anything.”
“I love you, Dad.”
Her words and my birthday gift follow me into the wind and carry me to the beyond.
