“Wow!” I gasp, holding onto every word.
“Look, Santa is giving us this sunrise, too.” He smiles. I watch as the sky slowly blends into an array of colors, ranging from midnight blue to lavender to pink. My eyes drift across the sky to the moon. The moon always brings me comfort, and right now, it is covered by fluffy clouds.
“Do you think Santa wants us to watch the moon and the clouds too?” I ask hopefully.
“Of course, Irie.” He grins, his eyes fixated on the mural in the sky. “He wouldn’t want us to miss a minute of this.”
“I want you to promise me to live every minute, Irie.”His voice echoes in my mind.
I scurry downstairs quietly, remaining mindful of all the sleeping souls in the home. Adrenaline fills me as I rush toward the back door, hoping I haven’t missed it. I open the door and step outside, greeting the brisk winter air in haste.
I close the door behind me and gaze up at the sky. A cluster of twinkling stars capture my attention. As I watch them begin to fade, I close my eyes, reminiscing on all the Christmas sunrises we shared together. Then, my eyes shift to the moon, lighting the darkest part of the sky as opaque clouds grow more visible by the second. Warm tears stream down my cheeks.
I didn’t want to lose Kai. I blamed myself for his early departure, feeling an endless stream of guilt rushing through me constantly. As I sunk deeper and deeper into the chasm of grief, I wished I could’ve taken his place, not valuing my life as much as I valued his. I couldn’t bear the insufferable quiet, always choosing to embrace chaos because the noise reminded me of our last moments together.
For years, I avoided building new relationships out of fear that I’d inevitably lose them—I couldn’t bear any more loss.
No, I couldn’tsurviveit.
When the sun set on that quiet, snowy day two years ago, the moon claimed the sky and the clouds as its own, and I didn’t want to accept it.
But if I hadn’t lost the sun in my sky, I may have overlooked the moon.
Suddenly, defined arms wrap around my waist from behind. I tilt my head, staring at the man holding me.
In his arms, I feel safe. In his arms, I feel warm. In his arms, I feelunbreakable.
My loss led me to the love of my life, my soulmate, and that cannot be coincidental. Fateisreal. I will miss my brother every day for the rest of my life, but in the meantime, I want to make the best of every minute I get to share with my loved ones—particularly this one. Every moment of life is precious. Perhaps life is not meant to be lived alone.
“You didn’t have to get out of bed.” I chuckle softly, leaning into his warm embrace. While the sun rises, owning the sky, the snow-capped mountainscape serves as the most striking backdrop.
“As much as I need my sleep, I need you far more, love.” Jasper's soft lips graze my ear as he moves to place a gentle kiss on my temple. I breathe in his scent and close my eyes. This man was made for me. I’ve determined that the depth of our love is abundantly worth the inevitable loss to come. “Are you okay, Greene?”
For years, I’ve hidden. I’ve told countless people I was fine, masking my emotions with the widest and brightest smile I could muster. But with Jasper, I don’t need to lie.
He sees right through all my masks, and he still loves me.
“I feel happy,” I say, granting myself permission to smile. He spins me to look at him, then cradles my face in his palm. I lean into his touch and gaze into his stormy eyes. His hand roamslower down my back, pulling me closer and holding my waist, his lips curling into a smile.
“What are you waiting for, Jasper?” I challenge him.
Without hesitation, his lips crash against mine like a tidal wave, stealing my breath away. He grabs my waist and pulls me into him even tighter, rightfully claiming what’s his. I slip my tongue out to join his and run my fingers through his soft hair, etching this kiss into my mind and stowing it away with all our other kisses.
Bliss takes over, entirely consuming the very core of my being, as it tends to do with Jasper’s touch.
I always considered Kai the sun in my sky, keeping life bright and cheerful. If he is the sun, then Jasper is unequivocally the moon, lighting the dimly lit, cobblestoned path when the dark gets too perilous to endure alone. Against all odds, I’ve prevailed with help from my angel along with my soulmate.
Now, I'm like a cloud—simply floating across the sky without a care in the world.
Epilogue
Kai
Roughly Two Years Later
Let me start off by saying: I’m okay. I know, I know, it’s not about me—it’s about Irie. It’s always been about her. So, let’s get to the good stuff, shall we? Chrysocolla Cove is thriving, the flowers are in full bloom, and the sun stays out longer during these toasty summer days. Little Falls remains the top destination spot for Cove locals and tourists alike. The highschool is closed for the rest of the summer, and with it being event season, Irie is busier than ever.
“Let’s go, people!” She motions toward her team, ushering them into the event venue. “We are running five minutes late; we don’t have a second to waste.”
