Page 155 of I’m Already Gone

Jake turns to him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “Yeah, actually I did.” Then he looks at me. “You too?”

I nod, a sick feeling growing in the pit of my stomach.

As if our minds are linked, our eyes, in perfect unison, drift down the hall to Mom and Dad’s room.

Without a word, I push past my brothers, my heart hammering, and throw the door open. The moment I step inside, I know. It feels the exact same heavy emptiness that had been in the air the day Mom died.

“Oh, no,” I whisper, hugging myself tightly, a shiver running through me.

Jake and Ollie rush past me to the bedside. And that’s when I know Daddy is gone.

“Dad?” Jake’s voice is a ragged whisper as he gently shakes Dad’s shoulder. Nothing. Only stillness.

I walk closer, my legs feeling like cement, and my breath hitches. He cradles the purple bear against his chest. He looks so peaceful, almost as if he decided it was time.

“No, he’s not gone,” Ollie chokes out, his voice cracking, as he fumbles for Dad’s wrist, searching for a pulse. His shoulders slump, and he slowly drops his head. When his red-rimmed eyes lift to mine, I already know the answer.

“He’s gone,” I confirm.

Jake kneels beside the bed, carefully taking Dad’s hand in his. “It’s okay, Dad. You and Mom are together now. Take care of each other.” He swallows hard, a sob catching in his throat. “We’re going to be okay, and that’s because of you. Thank you, Dad, for being the best father. I love you.”

He buries his face in the mattress beside Dad, his body shaking with silent sobs.

Ollie leans over, pressing a soft kiss on Dad’s forehead. “Thank you for everything, Dad. For being my father, for stepping up. I love you.”

I join my brothers, my own vision blurring, and press a kiss to Daddy’s head. “It’s okay,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. He’s exactly where he wants to be.

“Bye, Daddy,” I murmur, gently patting his cheek. So cold. Like ice.

I look up at the sunny sky outside the window. “Take care of him, Mom.”

Ethan

“Well, finally,” a familiar voice says with a chuckle behind me. A voice I’d know anywhere. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Slowly, I turn.

There she is, my Lily, standing on the porch of our beach house. She looks incredible, even more beautiful than I remember. Her long blonde hair is down, catching the breeze, and her lilac summer dress sways around her.

“H-how? Wh-what?” I stammer, my brain struggling to catch up.

The last thing I remember was being at the beach house with the kids and grandkids and falling asleep with Lily in my arms.

“Is this a dream?” I whisper.

Please say no. Please say no. Please say no.

She pushes a strand of hair from her face, a soft smile playing on her lips, and shakes her head. “No, my love. You are not dreaming.”

And just like that, I’m a goner.

I sprint toward her, scooping her up, one hand instinctively going to her ass, forcing her to wrap her legs around my waist.

She laughs, a bright, clear sound that I’ve missed so damn much it physically ached.

“Oh, my God, Lily,” I choke out, burying my face in her neck. “I missed you so fucking much.”

“I missed you too,” she whispers, holding me tight.