Page 74 of Hostile Saint

On her tippy toes, her angelic face nuzzled into my neck as she whispered, “I can’t shake this feeling that you may not come back. Like, I may never see you again. It-It… feels like I’ve had to say goodbye to you before—” She broke into a little sob before catching herself, “and it broke my heart.”

Her words screamed of past memories that were fighting their way to her conscious state. Her words slain me. Yet, once again, there was nothing I could say without it being a lie, so I said nothing and just tried to bring her comfort with my silent hug.

After a moment, she finally leaned back to see me but refused to let me go. “Do you think it happened? In our parallel life?”

I thought back to her poem and fought to swallow down the truth. Not being permitted to say much didn’t stop me from trying to put her fragile mind at ease. “If it did happen, I can swear to you that I will do everything in my power to never let it happen again. Not one more goodbye between us.”

Her breaths were choppy with fear. “But we have goodbyes every night.”

I forced a smile. “That is only because I have to rest my eyes after staring at your beauty.” I playfully tightened my hold while teasing, “You’re simply too much to stare at for hours at a time.”

That was a lie. Never would I tire of staring at her.

She knew I was lying, too. But the real reason for me having to leave her every night was far too sad for either of us to discuss without feeling pain. So, we both stood there, staring, holding each other, allowing lies while knowing our hearts were shouting the truth.

And when two hearts hear each other…

Crying, she nodded. “I’m ready.”

Confused, I asked, “For what?”

“For you to fall madly in love with me.”

There it was. The day I would finally get to kiss my wife.

As my lips slowly descended to hers, I wondered how many married couples take these moments for granted. How many would have sorely missed such a tender touch as much as I had? That night, even before our lips caressed, I promised myself to truly appreciate every single kiss she would ever give me again. Whether I got a thousand more, or only this one, I would treat each one as the gift it was.

Love.

As soon as I felt her familiar softness on my mouth, warmth exploded throughout my whole body. I think even my soul felt that kiss. She was that magical to me. She was that heavenly.

As our lips stayed attached with such determination and compassion for one another, Lacey melted to me as if her spirit was sighing out loud.

With her eyes still closed, as if treasuring the connection we had just made, she whispered, “You’re not the only one who just fell.”

Beautiful words… Lacey was mine again.

Her lips were parted as she stayed in my arms in some sort of dream state. Then her head rested on my shoulder. “I’m so relaxed.”

I was too, but her weight suddenly increasing had me asking, “You okay?”

She replied, “Mmhmm,” but her legs were barely holding her up. “I’m so happy now I can’t fight it off.” She leaned into me, no longer supporting herself.

Concerned, I scooped her up. “Fight what off?”

She burrowed into my chest. “The pill.”

My chest began to pant. “What pill, baby?”

“Doctor Landon said I looked tired.”

“He drugged you?”

“Mmhmm…” Her words sounded lazy as the drug took over.

Feeling cheated because our night was going to be short-lived, I rested my head to hers, wanting as much of her as I could get before she passed out. “I guess I’ve been keeping you up late every night.”

“Mmhmm… Need rest for tomorrow.”