Shaking my head, I stared at Devlin. “I … I don’t know if I’m ready to open my heart.”
“She loves you, Daniel. It is evident in many ways. You can see it in her eyes in how they light up when someone mentions your name. The way she takes stolen glances at you when she thinks no one is looking. But most importantly, the way she has stood by you this last year and was there for you as a friend. I fear if you wait too long, Daniel, her heart will find another. No one will look ill upon you Daniel for moving on.”
Everything Devlin said was true. There were moments Colett and I would look at each other and I had to force myself not to pull her into my arms and kiss her. I wanted her fiercely; my body could not deny that truth. Colett never had once pushed me into anything. The only time she even hinted of anything was the day on the train coming to Savannah. My heart had fought with my head for the last year regarding my feelings for Colett. I grew tired of pushing my feelings down.
“I’m scared, Devlin. I’m scared I won’t love her the way she deserves to be loved.”
Inhaling a deep breath and slowly pushing it out, Devlin whispered, “I was too, Daniel, with Margaret. Colett understands your love for Sophia, and she also knows you care very deeply for her. But I know Sophia would not have wanted you to be unhappy. She would have wanted you to find love again.”
Thinking back to the moments I shared with Sophia before she died, her words ran through my memory.
Promise me you will find love again.
There would never be another who I would love like I loved Sophia. My heart would always belong to her.
Colett began walking toward us as she held Annabelle in her arms. Devlin’s words played over in my mind.
Sophia would not have wanted you to be unhappy.
As Colett stopped and placed Annabelle on the ground, she took Annabelle’s small hand within her hand and they slowly began walking. As they moved close, Colett stopped in front of Devlin and I. Bending down she whispered into Annabelle’s ear and then looked up at Devlin, then to me.
“Look,” she whispered as she let go of Annabelle’s hand. Annabelle began walking to me with her arms held out.
My heart slammed against the walls of my chest as a feeling of warmth rushed through my body. In that moment it felt as if Sophia was right there, in the smile that her daughter wore on her face as she walked toward me for the first time.
Devlin jumped up as I stayed seated. When Annabelle reached me, she had the biggest smile on her face. Reachin
g out for her, I scooped her up and began cheering along with Devlin and Colett. Annabelle giggled and started clapping.
“Margaret is going to be so upset she missed this!” Devlin said with sadness in his voice. Setting Annabelle down on the ground, I said, “Go to Daddy, sweet Anna, go to Daddy like a big girl.”
Watching Annabelle walk toward Devlin, I glanced at Colett. Tears rolled down her porcelain skin as she covered her mouth with her hand to contain her sobs. Colett was my best friend and had stood by my side for the last year, never faltering. Letting my eyes wander over her body, I couldn’t help but notice how her hair glistened in the sun with just a touch of red in it. Dropping her hand, she turned to me and I was taken aback by her beautiful smile. In that moment, I knew her heart was mine if I wanted it.
A slight breeze blew through the trees and then blew Colett’s curls. Her eyes filled with love as she took a step closer to me. When the breeze softly hit my face, I knew.
Sophia would be with me always.
Whispering, Colett said, “Daniel, our Annabelle is walking.”
Smiling, I said, “She is growing much too fast.”
Colett turned to Devlin and Annabelle. “She is precious. A rare gift from God.”
Watching the breeze lightly blow Colett’s hair, I walked to her and took her hands in mine. When her velvet-brown eyes penetrated my blue eyes, I smiled as I squeezed her hands. Colett and I were two broken spirits who had both loved and lost but were blessed to be given a second chance at happiness. “Indeed, she is truly a rare, precious, and beautiful gift from God. I love her so.”
Tilting her head, Colett’s eyes began to glisten. “Daniel,” she whispered as she fought to hold back her tears.
Pulling her closer to me, I leaned in and gently kissed Colett’s soft red lips. Moaning softly into my mouth, neither of us having a care in the world what people would say about our public display of affection.
Pulling slightly away, my eyes searched Colett’s tender features as she placed her hand on the side of my face.
Closing my eyes, I felt a rush of tingles spread across my skin. It was as if I could feel her love for me moving through my body.
Placing my hand over Colett’s hand, I whispered, “Life moves on.”
I SAT BACK on the couch in awe of Daniel. For once, happy tears cascaded down my face. Through all the sorrow and the pain—love had won. Love had given everyone the strength to live as life moves on.
Gael had been right to finish this journey. Love knows no boundaries or time. Love is infinite and will always be. Love continues to exist regardless.