Page 98 of All Your Tomorrows

“Moment of truth,” he said, watching as my hand inched closer to his chest.

I dragged in a deep breath before pressing my palm against his chest. All the air rushed out of me. “Oh my God!” I launched myself into his arms. Luckily, he caught me, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tightly to him.

“How is this even happening?” I cried, savoring the feel of his strong arms around me.

“I hear there’s a piece of me inside of you,” he said.

I pulled back with tears falling from my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I can’t think of a better place for it,” he assured me.

“Where’ve you been?”

“I told you. Trying to find my way back to you,” he said with a smile. “And I didn’t plan on talking when I found you.”

“No?”

He leaned forward and kissed my tear-glazed lips. His tongue pushed its way between my lips for one long, welcome-home kiss. I arched into him, unable to get close enough as the gentle glide of his tongue reminded me of home. I didn’t want this moment to end—especially if I was dreaming. But it wasn’t me who pulled away first. “Do I need to be careful with you now?” he asked.

I smiled through my tears. “I have the heart of a cocky athlete. I think I’m good.”

His lips twitched. “You sure you won’t get sick of me?”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because you’re stuck with me now,” he said.

“So, you won’t disappear?”

He shook his head and placed his hand over my heart. “This part of me inside of you assures it.”

I worried my bottom lip, still scared to accept this was all real.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking if this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.” Losing him had been torture. I couldn’t lose him twice.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He lifted his thumbs to my cheeks and wiped away my tears. “But, there are gonna be a lot of things I won’t be able to give you.”

“I don’t care. I’ve lived without you, and I don’teverwant to do that again.”

He swept me off my feet and held me in his arms. “Say it again.”

I couldn’t contain my smile. “I’ve lived without you, and I don’t want to do it again.”

Dimples dug into his cheeks. “I love you, Nora.”

My—his—heart was bursting with happiness. “I loveyou.”

“I guess nothing in this world could keep us apart, huh?” he said.

“Nothing,” I agreed.

EPILOGUE

Two Years Later

The sun reflected off the Caribbean Sea at sunset. It was the perfect backdrop for our special day. I walked barefoot down the sand aisle toward the small altar surrounded by billowing white curtains. I knew I was passing by my mom on my left and Kyler’s parents on my right, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Kyler at the end of the short aisle in a black suit. No more black hoodie. Once you crossed over, you could choose how you appeared to others. His eyes were locked on mine as I moved toward him, my strapless white dress trailing on the sand behind me and my beautiful white bouquet clutched in my hands. My scar from the transplant was slightly visible at the top of my dress, and though most people hated scars, I loved that mine meant I had a piece of Kyler inside of me.

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