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“I love you too, Everly.”
32 Everly
WHEN MORNING CAME,I showered and got dressed. By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, Aiken was ready to go. He carried our bags, and we held hands on the elevator down to the lobby for breakfast.
I filled up on eggs and bacon, and he smeared cream cheese on a bagel. When he got a bit of it on his chin, I used my napkin to wipe it away. He smiled, taking my hand and kissing my fingers.
It was perfect.
Everything with Aiken was a dream.
“Are you ready for today?” he asked, taking a sip from his orange juice.
I wasn’t. I dreaded spreading Dad’s ashes for so long. It made things final as if once his ashes were gone, he was gone, as well.
“Not really, but it has to be done.”
He reached across the small table and settled his hand over mine, transferring some of his strength to me.
The pier was less than five miles away from the hotel. After we parked, I pulled Dad’s urn from my bag and got out of the car. Aiken settled his hand on the small of my back as we made our way through the crowd.
The sounds of happiness filled the air around me, and it felt strange that so many people were smiling and laughing while I was walking to do something somber and heartbreaking.
We passed the enormous Ferris wheel, the sounds of kids squealing in joy rushed by us as it turned, and when we reached the restaurant toward the end of the pier, a memory of eating at that very place with Dad and Erik filled my mind and made me smile.
We went down a final set of stairs onto the pier extension where most people fished, and when we stepped up to the rail at the very edge, it was as if we were standing at the edge of the earth.
I stared out over the vast ocean letting the memories of my father play through my mind like an old movie. I missed him. I missed our life as a family. While I longed to have those things back, I appreciated that I had grown stronger because of the changes in my life.
I was driving—even if it was mostly back and forth to school and work. I was staying in Zada’s house alone most nights. I had a job. I had a different life entirely, and while my life was harder than the life I used to live, I knew it would only make me more resilient.
When I turned twenty-one and received my inheritance, I knew I would appreciate it in ways I never did before, and I would use the money to secure my future.
Opening the urn, I pulled out the bag of my father’s ashes. Aiken stepped up behind me, wrapping his massive arms around my waist and setting his chin on my shoulder. His breaths teased the hair by my ear as he whispered to me.
“I bet you were the most amazing daughter a man could ever have.”
A tear slid down my cheek, and I swiped at it. I wasn’t sure I was the best daughter, but I sure tried to be. It was easy when your father was as amazing as mine had been.
“He was the most incredible father a girl could ever have.”
And he was.
“I love you, Dad,” I said to the ashes in my hand. “Thank you for giving me the best life. For the memories and love, but most of all, thank you for seeing me and for loving me exactly as I am. I’ll miss you always.”
I waited for a beat, clenching my eyes shut and building up the courage to let him go. And when I did, his ashes floated away on the ocean breeze and trickled into the lapping waves below.
My heart stuttered. It felt as if I were losing him all over again. My knees shook, and the second I could no longer see his ashes in the wind, I burst into tears.
He was gone.
I turned in Aiken’s arms, and he held me while I bawled into his chest.
“You’re so strong, Everly,” he whispered, rubbing soothing circles on my back. “I’m here for you, baby. Get it out.”
I cried hard, my throat burning, and my chest caving. It was cleansing, and I felt as though I was finally moving on.
I was grateful Aiken was there, lending me his strength. I swiped at my tears and leaned back just enough for him to bend down and place a sweet kiss on my lips.
