Page 123 of Make Us Yours
“No, I’m serious,” I cut him off. “And fuck whoever judges us. I couldn’t give two shits about those people. Let them talk, let the media say what they want to say, it doesn’t matter to me. The only thing I care about is that you two are in my life. I meant what I said earlier…” I bring my lips down to his, kissing him softly. “Make me yours, Noah.”Kiss“And I’ll make you mine.”Kiss“Forever.”
My hands drop to his chest as he brushes my hair behind my ears, eyes bouncing over every feature of my face. Then something settles inside him, I see the change in his eyes, but I’m not sure what it is. Worry? Fear? But whatever it is, it’s gone now and being replaced with a dashing smile that makes my heart skip a beat.
He traces my lips with his thumb as he cradles the side of my face, the word falling from his lips like a secret promise. “Forever.”
Chapter twenty-seven
Noah
Sweet dreams, precious Sleeping Beauty.
~ Three Days Later ~
Three days.
That’s how long it took for her body to fully give out.
For her lungs to stop breathing.
For her heart to stop beating.
Three days of coming to see her every day.
Watching her body weaken.
Watching her complexion die.
Watching her fade from existence.
Three days…
Veronica stands at my side, holding my hand as we watch the nurses remove all wires and equipment from the room. It might be a beautiful August morning, but nothing about this dayfeelsbeautiful. No matter how bright the sun may shine through those curtains, the room has never felt darker than it does at this moment.
Everyone works in silence, but I don’t miss the small sniffles every few seconds as they try to compose themselves. Despite them not knowing Trinity personally or her knowing them, she became a part of their everyday life. They all talked to her daily, even though she never responded. She became a friend. She became family.
And now it’s time to say goodbye.
I knew this moment was coming; I’ve known it for a while. Even though the staff tried to keep my hopes up, telling me that some patients just need more time to wake up. I knew deep within my soul that my sister was gone.
The truth is, she’s been gone since the moment she fell.
I just wasn’t ready to let her go.
I look down at my beautiful girl, who stands so tall beside me, unshed tears in her eyes that she desperately tries to hold back. There’s a slight tremor in her hand, her throat working constantly to swallow the cry that’s begging to break loose. But she won’t let it. She’s keeping it together for me, being strong for me.
My brave, brave girl.
I bring up our joined hands and kiss the back of hers. Her gaze falls to mine, and a weak smile forms over her lips before vanishing once more when her eyes return to my sister who lies so peacefully in her bed.
I watch as they finish putting everything away, preparing to leave this occupied room for the very last time until someone else comes in to take my sister’s place. I’ve already removed all the picture frames and things that belonged to Trinity from the room, leaving nothing behind but the vessel that no longer holds life.
I clear the thickness in my throat before addressing them all. “I’d like to thank you all for everything you’ve done for Trinity. I’m deeply and will always be grateful to every one of you.” I look from one face to the other, recognizing every single one of them. “Trinity’s funeral will take place next week, and you are all welcome to attend. So again, thank you. Thank you for being here when I couldn’t. Thank you for treating her like a friend, like a sister, like family.”
They all walk out, squeezing my arm and hugging Veronica, offering us their condolences. When I look back at my sister, I find Jannice at her side, holding her cold hand. “Goodbye, sweet angel,” she whispers, then steps back as tears roll down her cheeks.
Everly steps up next, doing the same. “Rest in peace, beautiful soul.” She releases Trinity’s hand and puts her arms around Jannice, guiding her out of the room.
I stop them just as they come to pass us, letting go of Veronica and taking Jannice into my arms. She crumbles against my chest, tears soaking through my shirt as I pet the back of her head. “Thank you, Jannice. Thank you for everything.”
