Page 106 of Light As A Feather
With a quick hug, they finish off their glass and leave with the last of the fading sunlight.
“Don’t worry about anything, I’ll make sure everything is handled according to plan.” All business, Mendez assures me that he won’t drop the ball on my final wishes and plans for both this house and the Murphy residence—I have to keep my promise to my girls.
“Thanks, man, I’m not worried at all. Take care of yourself, okay? I’d better see you over here soon.” He nods and claps me on the back before making his exit.
“You two enjoy your retirement. You already know I’ll be over here all the time once the honeymoon period is over.” Hale winks, then gives me a quick peck on the cheek.
Finally, it’s Jayden’s turn to say his goodbyes. His blue eyes are rimmed with tears. “Don’t even start, because if you do, then I will.” I point at him sternly even though my body feels weaker by the second. “This isn’t goodbye, not even close.”
“Still feels like I have to mourn you a bit. It’s the end of an era, you know.” He tilts his head back to prevent the tears from escaping.
“I’m still here. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Fitting our hands together, I pull him in for a hug. “Whenever you need me, you know I’m here. Don’t forget that.”
“I know.” The hug feels like a thousand conversations all at once, and when it ends, I’m confident he’ll be all right, even if he needs some time to adjust. Walking backwards, he keeps his gaze on mine until he passes through the doors.
Taking a dramatic bow, I situate myself within the casket.
“I love you, man,” Jay calls over his shoulder from some distance, earning a final laugh from me.
“He’ll be okay,” Sol reassures me. I know it. We all do. “Are you ready?”
“There’s nothing I’ve looked forward to more.” My tongue is heavy as I try to form my next sentence. Sol pats my hand, reminding me we don’t need words to communicate. Instead, I focus on my breaths, appreciating them as they slip away from me. In the comforting hold of death’s embrace, I find my anchor in the afterlife one last time as the finality of my passing takes root.
I rise from my casket with ease, everything lighter than before, and drag Sol against me. Dipping her for a kiss, I pour all my hopes and contentment into her sweet mouth, sealing the promise of forever with our lips.
“Welcome to the afterlife, Hawthorne Addams. We’ve been waiting for you,” she whispers, a renewed fire in her molten eyes as she looks at me with all the adoration a man could ask for.
“Let’s go home.” Sweeping my arm under her legs, I clutch her against me as I step out into the night and make the short journey from the mausoleum into the house with Curio prancing behind us.
“What now?” Sol asks through laughter as I set her feet on the sacred ground.
“Now we rest in peace, spending our days and nights doing whatever we please.”
“I like the sound of that. I think we’ve earned it.”
“Me too, Nightingale. Me, too.”
