She winked at him, and the crinkles around her eyes when she smiled made his heart skip.
God.
He was saying goodbye.
It was rare that he got emotional, but this was making him well up, and making him want to cry.
Michael knew he wouldn’t have this life without the Blackhawks.
And he was going to miss being there with them.
“I’m going to miss you. I think out of everyone, saying goodbye to you is going to be the most difficult. Please know that,” he said.
She let him talk.
“I’m going to miss the moments at three in the morning when you found me wandering around the Fort, and you talked me down. I only made it because of you. I’m me now because of your heart and compassion. No matter what happens in this world, or what is said, know that you have the most beautiful soul. Thank you for sharing it with me when mine was dying.”
God.
That touched her in ways he didn’t understand. What she gave out, she got. The only reason she could do what she did was the people who loved her.
It fed her.
Yeah, she loved him a lot.
And she’d not be saying goodbye.
It was more like‘I’ll see you soon’.
Sooner than he thought.
“Saint Michael of the Blackhawks, they were my favorite moments with you, too. I’ll miss you, Cupcake, and I’ll always love you. It’s time, Michael. This is your moment, and you need to start that new adventure. You can always come home, but for now, make it a beautiful experience.”
He kissed the phone.
“I love you, Mom.”
She knew he did.
“I love you more, Michael Graves. I promise. Now that we’ve figured out where you’ll be, I want to give you something.”
Together, they waited.
Neither wanted anything.
They had everything they wanted. A family, a nice, haunted castle to crash in, and her.
“We don’t need you to give us something,” he stated. “You gave me my heart back. That’s more than a gift. That was a miracle.”
Oh, but she did.
Why?
Because it felt right.
“Michael and Graham, we all know Callen and Chris bought that monstrosity for me. So, I’m giving you a share of it for your wedding. You’re both now partial owners with those two nuts.”
Graham’s eyes went huge.
