Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90464 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
She’s asked me the same question every night for the past nine days, and I appreciate it. Giving her a smile, I nod. “I’ll call if we need you.”
“Okay. Have a good night.”
I shut the door behind her and head back to the living room. Even though Rachel sleeps most of the time, I turned her bed so she can see the TV.
Lainey’s watching a fantasy movie while Nova’s making coffee.
I sit down on the armchair I’ve placed next to the bed and take hold of Rachel’s hand. Leaning back, I let out a sigh while I stare at my sister.
“Here you go,” Nova says, holding a mug out to me.
I take the beverage and give her a grateful smile.
Nova goes to sit down beside Lainey again, and while she drinks her coffee, she draws patterns on my niece’s back.
I sip on the beverage, my attention divided between my sister and the movie. Every now and then, I catch myself staring at Nova, her mere presence bringing me a sense of calm I desperately need.
Rachel’s fingers stir in mine, and my eyes snap to her face. She looks very weak and slowly blinks.
When I lean closer, she barely manages to whisper, “T . . . im . . . e.”
“Nova!” I snap.
While Lainey turns off the TV, Nova comes to press a kiss to Rachel’s cheek, and I hear her whisper, “I love you, Rach.” She gives her another kiss, then makes space so Lainey can stand beside her mother.
Nova places her hands on Lainey’s shoulders as my niece whispers, “I love you, Mommy.”
I set the coffee down on a table, and moving to sit beside Rachel on the bed, I lean over her. Staring at her with every ounce of love I feel for her, I say, “I remember the first time Mom and Dad brought you home. God, I was so happy to finally have a sibling.” She blinks slowly. “You were everything I wished for.”
When she blinks again, I know it’s for the last time.
Lifting my head, I glance at Nova, who immediately steers Lainey back to the couch. My goddaughter curls against her aunt’s side and begins to cry silently.
I look at Rachel again, drinking in her peaceful features for close to an hour before she exhales, and as her final breath leaves her, tears fall from my eyes.
Every memory I have of Rachel flashes through my mind, and I keep staring at her face, which looks like she’s sleeping.
I suck in a deep breath as I move my fingers to her pulse, and not feeling anything, I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Harlow’s number.
“Should I come back?” she asks as she answers the call.
My voice is hoarse as I say, “Yes.”
“Okay.”
I end the call and drop the device on the armchair before looking at Rachel again. I brush my hand over her hair, and leaning forward, I press a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll miss you.”
When a sob bursts from Lainey, I get up and rush to her. I crouch down and pull her into my arms. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.”
Not today and definitely not tomorrow, but one day.
Nova gets up and walks to Rachel, where she presses another kiss to her cheek. After being so strong the past few weeks, her shoulder begins to shudder.
I move to sit on the couch with Lainey on my lap, then say, “Come here, Nova.”
Her breathing starts to come in choppy puffs, and she looks at Rachel for a little longer before she rushes to me. I quickly open one of my arms for her, and when she falls down beside me, I pull her into my side.
She wraps her arm around Lainey, and burying her face against my chest, she breaks down.
With Nova and Lainey weeping in my arms, I stare at Rachel’s peaceful face until Harlow comes rushing into the house.
I shut the front door and lean my forehead against the frosted glass.
Watching the coroner take Rachel’s body was unbearable. I’m so fucking glad I told Nova to wait upstairs with Lainey so they didn’t see it.
My legs feel numb, and sitting down flat on my ass, I lean back against the door while staring at the vase of flowers on the glass table.
Rachel chose that table, and she always made sure there were fresh flowers in the vase.
I glance over the living room.
Rachel chose everything because I wanted it to be the home she always dreamed about having.
A groan ripples from deep in my chest, and my shoulders start to jerk.
I cover my face with my hands as the tears come, and I’m not strong enough to stop them.
In the darkest moment of my life, arms wrap around me, and Nova’s soft scent envelops me. I rest my head against her chest, and gripping hold of her arm, I hold onto her as I break.