“C’mere,” I murmur. Kinley scoots over until she’s sitting next to me, leaning against the headboard like I am. The water builds in my eyes again. “Today was the first time Gracie told me she loved me. I loved her too, Kinley. I loved her so much.”
“I know.” She pulls me into her arms, my forehead resting on her shoulder as I cry freely. “I know you loved her,” she whispers. “I know.” Kinley holds me tightly, rubbing my back.
Before long, I’m all out of tears. My lips find her neck, kissing her softly. “I’m so glad you’re here, sweetheart. I love you.”
“There’s nowhere else I rather be, Carson Lee. I love you too.”
Pulling away, my mind turns to the arrangements that have to be made, the support Darcie will need both emotionally and financially. I study the beautiful woman in front of me, knowing that I’m going to lean on her while somehow managing to be there for Darcie without breaking down. Kinley cups my cheeks and leans forward to place a gentle kiss on my lips.
“Let’s get some rest, okay?”
I turn out the light. We sink into the bed as Kinley cuddles against me. “Sweetheart?” I say into the darkness.
“Yeah?”
“I’m going to need you these next couple days.”
She squeezes her arms around my waist. “I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere.”
Chapter Forty-One
Kinley
Carson opens the door, and I walk into a small room of the funeral home. I assumed Darcie had family or friends, but no one’s here. She’s sitting in the first row, staring a
t the small white casket in front of her. A huge bed of red roses lay on half of it, and the white satin shines from the opened part. I know Carson has paid for everything, not that he would admit it.
Carson walks right over to Darcie, and she sobs in his arms. I can’t bare the thought of losing a child and to lose a spirit like Gracie’s breaks my heart.
“Carson, thank you,” Darcie manages to get out.
I know that he can’t say anything. The past few days he’s barely said a word. I don’t know what to say, or how to take the pain away. All I know how to do is to be there for him.
“Kinley.” Darcie tries to give me a smile, but she’s still crying.
I hug her tightly and hope that it’s somewhat comforting.
“Do you want to see her?”
I hold my breath. I’ve been to funerals but never a child’s. Carson takes Darcie closer to the casket, and I keep a step behind. I hear him sniffle, and I walk up to his other side.
The beautiful Gracie is in Carson’s jersey, clutching a picture of her, Carson and Darcie. She looks asleep. I pray that I wake up from this dream, and she yells ‘Carson’, but I know she won’t.
Carson guides her back over to the chairs, and the three of us sit there in silence.
“You know, Carson,” Darcie’s voice cracks. “That very first day when you met Gracie, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy before. She told everyone you were her ‘boyfriend’. She has kept that smile every day since then. I don’t know how to thank you for giving her so much joy in the few months that you’ve known her.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It should be the other way around. Gracie changed me, for the good.”
She lays her head on his shoulder, and he holds my hand. I squeeze his hand and try to show him that I’m there for him. The three of us don’t move, don’t talk, but stare forward. I don’t want to leave Darcie, especially knowing she doesn’t have anyone, but soon, the director of the funeral home comes in and says our time is up.
“Darcie.” Carson looks at her. “Our time is up, but if you want to stay longer, I can make it happen.”
She shakes her head. “As much as I don’t want to leave this spot, I know my baby isn’t here anymore.” The tears roll faster down her cheek.
We go to the casket one more time, silently saying our last goodbye. I walk behind Carson and Darcie as we walk out into the dusk light. The limo Carson rented for Darcie is still waiting as we walk to it.
“Darcie, you have my number. You call me day or night for anything.” He kisses her forehead, and I watch the tears leave Carson’s eyes.