As the fire burned down and the children began to yawn, as parents gathered their things and prepared for the drive home, Rachel held on to this moment the way she'd committed her family’s memories. Because George was right… love didn't run out. Her heart was big enough to hold everyone she'd lost and everyone she'd found.
She couldn’t imagine a life without Jack in it, and was glad that she’d never have to find out.
5
Eleven Years Ago
The sand was still warm beneath the blanket even as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Jack sat with his back against a piece of driftwood, Rachel tucked against his side, her head resting on his shoulder. His arm wrapped around her, holding her close, and he breathed in the scent of her shampoo mixed with salt air.
This was their spot. The private beach north of Baytown, where they'd spent countless afternoons over their adolescent years. Where they'd shared deep, longing kisses. Where she'd told him more about her youth and wonderful family, and then the fear that had shaped her preteen years. Where he'd promised her she was safe in his arms and that he'd never let anyone hurt her again.
And now, where he had to say goodbye.
Rachel shifted against him, and he felt her fingers curl into his shirt. She'd been quiet for the past ten minutes, ever since he'd mentioned leaving for the Naval Academy in a week. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy with everything neither of them wanted to say. She was often quiet, unlike some girls who seemed to giggle too much and had little to say when they talked.
“Remember freshman year?” Rachel's soft voice was almost lost amid the sound of the gentle waves. “When you taught me how to swim?”
Jack smiled despite the ache in his chest. “You were terrified.”
“I was.” She tilted her head to look up at him. “But you were so patient. You never made me feel weak or stupid for being scared.”
“You weren't weak.” He brushed a strand of dark hair away from her face. “You were brave. There's a difference.”
Rachel's lips curved into a small smile. “You always say that.”
“Because it's true.” Jack let his fingers trail down her cheek. “You went from being afraid of the water to swimming in the bay with me. That's courage, Rach.”
“I could do it because you were with me.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I don't know how to do this without you.”
The words hit him square in the chest. Jack tightened his arm around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “You're not doing it without me. I'll just be in Annapolis instead of down the street.”
“That's over three hours away.”
“I know.” God, did he know. He'd been counting the distance, calculating how often he could come home… not much, and how many weekends they could steal together… not many. “But it's not forever. In four years, I'll have my commission, and you’ll graduate. We'll figure it out after that.”
Rachel sat up, turning to face him fully. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. “What if you meet someone else?”
“Hey.” Jack reached for her hands, gripping them firmly. “Look at me.”
She met his gaze, and he saw the fear there.
“There is no one else,” he said, his voice steady and sure. “There will never be anyone else. You're it for me, Rachel. You have been since the day I met you.”
“We were barely in high school then.”
“So?” Jack squeezed her hands. “I knew then. I know now. Nothing's going to change that.”
A tear slipped down her cheek, and he released one of her hands to wipe it away with his thumb.
“I'm scared,” she admitted. “Of losing you. Of losing this… what we have.”
“You won't.” Jack pulled her closer until their foreheads touched. “I promise you, Rach. Distance won't change how I feel about you.”
Rachel's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she remained silent.
Jack cupped her face in his hands. “You're not something I'm waiting to get past. You're what I'm waiting for. There's a difference.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, their gazes on the setting sun. Jack shifted so that she was tucked underneath his arm, her body reclined next to his. “I'm terrified right now.” His admission came easier than he'd expected. “Of leaving you. Of not being here if you need me. Of missing out on your life while I'm gone.”
