AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded my head against his chest. “I hid them so Trace won’t find them.” I had stuffed the sealed envelopes in the bottom of the drawer of the table beside our bed. I knew he’d never look there.
“Good girl,” he hummed. “I want you to know,” his voice grew thick, “that no matter where I am, I’ll always be thinking of you and Trace. You can be sure of that. My body might be leaving this world, but never my spirit. I’ll always be close to you, Olivia.”
“Gramps,” I sniffled.
“No tears,” he rubbed my dampened cheeks. “Only smiles.”
“I don’t feel like smiling,” I mumbled.
“Silly girl, a smile and laughter can cure anything. It doesn’t benefit anyone to dwell on the sad or bad things,” he reasoned.
“But it’s hard not to,” I sighed, my grip on his shoulders tightening. Maybe if I held on tight enough he couldn’t be taken away from us.
“I know,” he nodded sadly. “Stay strong, my brave girl,” he kissed my forehead.
With that, he bled into the crowd. I wasn’t left alone for very long as Trace appeared in front of me.
Trace took my hand and pulled me off to the side.
“Are you okay?” He asked, noting my bloody lip.
“Yeah,” I nodded. “I’m sad, but I’m fine.”
He took my face between his hands. “I don’t want you to be sad today.”
“I’m trying not to be,” I took a deep breath. “But it’s hard.”
He pressed his forehead against mine and his eyes fluttered closed. “I understand.”
He held me for a moment and his presence alone calmed me.
Around us, everyone chatted and danced, having a good time. Some of the kids ran around with sparklers, adding light to the night around us.
It was late and I was tired, but I never wanted to leave. Right now, my whole family was together for the last time.
“Olivia,” he said my name warningly.
“Sorry,” I looked up into his green eyes.
His tongue flicked out to moisten his lips and his eyes darkened like clouds when a storm was rolling in. “Tonight is about you, me, and our family. We can’t worry about what tomorrow might be bring, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed.
We were heading to a table when his mom stopped us. “It’s time to release the paper lanterns,” she clapped her hands together, smiling giddily.
“What?” My brows furrowed in confusion.
“It’s the final event of the night,” she explained. “Everyone will release a lantern and then the party’s over.”
“Oh,” I gasped, not realizing how late it was.
Everyone grabbed a lantern and we began lighting the candles inside them.
One by one they lifted into the sky.
“Make a wish,” Trace whispered, watching me closely.
I closed my eyes, wishing for the impossible…that I would be strong enough for the both of us.
