Forcing myself to speak, I whispered his name, “Danny.”
He quickly moved to my side. The fear in his eyes evident of what was to come.
“My darling, Sophia. I’m here.”
My heart hurt for so many reasons. I’d never watch my daughter grow up. I’d never grow old with Daniel by my side. There would never again be a moment we would share like last night. Yet, God blessed me with seeing my daughter for the short time I did and being in Daniel’s arms once more before I died.
Smiling, I let my tears fall. “Will you promise me that you shall take care of Annabelle?” Daniel lifted my hand to his lips and softly kissed the back of my hand like he had done so many times.
“With all my heart, I promise you.”
So tired. I’m so tired.
With all my strength, I pulled in a deep breath. “Promise me you won’t be angry with Devlin. He loved me, Danny. He was there for me in my darkest hour. Do not hold that against him, please.”
Pressing his lips to my skin again, he vowed to honor my promise. My eyes met his and I knew this would be the hardest part.
“Promise me you will find love again.”
Shaking his head, he softly spoke. “No. I cannot promise you that. For the only woman who shall ever have my heart is here in this room.”
My chest squeezed. Life was cruel. I wanted to stay longer. Needed to stay longer. If I had been stronger, I would have asked him to make love to me again. My time was running out. It was as if I could feel myself slipping a bit more as each minute passed.
“Danny, I’m going to be with our little girl. Promise me.”
The feel of his lips on my hand sent gooseflesh across my heated body. He stood and looked directly into my eyes.
Light. I feel so light.
“Sophia Marie Stowe. You will always remain the keeper of my heart and soul. For each night I close my eyes, I shall see your eyes. Each morning I wake, I will dream of your smile. You will forever be the love of my life.” His voice stuttered as he continued to speak. “Darling, I promise you I will be happy. Please don’t worry about me. I shall count down the days until we are together again.”
Using every bit of energy I had, I lifted my hand to his face. His tears caused me such pain. How I wish I could kiss each of them away.
“I walked to the dock every night when I was in Savannah and prayed for your ship to sail in. I need you to know you will forever have my heart, Daniel Gael Stowe. My life with you was the happiest I have ever been.”
A sob escaped from between his lips. My time was drawing near. Someone was calling out my name.
A little girl.
It was in that moment I knew it was okay. Daniel would be okay. My precious Annabelle would grow up loved by her father and Daniel. All will be okay.
Dropping his head, Daniel’s body shook. “Remember our dreams, Daniel. For every time you look out over the ocean, I shall be there. Every time the wind blows the branches of our tree … I shall be whispering your name. Our hearts were destined for each other. For eternity.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears. My journey had come to an end. My own hand would not write my last journal entry, but by
that of the man I loved. My last moments of happiness needed to be recorded so that he and Annabelle could truly see how I was taking their love with me and how much of my love was staying with them.
Once Daniel placed my journal on the side table, he pressed his lips to mine. The ache in my chest grew fierce as he whispered, “I love you, Sophia.”
With a weak smile, I replied, “I love you, Danny. Will you hold me?”
Slowly crawling into bed, he held me in his arms. Home. This was home. The place I felt the safest. The happiest. In my Danny’s arms. Lifting my gaze to his, I grinned. “I always knew you would come back to me.”
The love of my life held me tighter as I closed my eyes. I would see him again someday. For now, I would have to wait patiently. For we shall be together.
Forever.
TEARS STREAMED DOWN my face as Gael finished reading Sophia’s words. She had loved fully and died completely whole. It was unfathomable to think of leaving Gael and our little Sophia.