That’s the version he’s chosen to remember. The one seated at the table in Lotus Prime, surrounded by soft laughter and candlelight. Not the girl who disappeared. Not the silence that followed. Just that damn smile.
He dries off in a daze, pulling clothes on without thinking. Coffee never sounded less appealing. But as he reaches for the pantry, his eyes flicker to the drawer.
The one with the letter.
Crinkled. Still sealed. Still haunting him.
Something shifts. He shuts the pantry door and walks over like a man stepping into a battlefield.
He slides the envelope out with a slow breath, walks to the dining table, and sits.
And this time… he opens it.
“Dear Jaxon,
I’m sorry for reaching out to you in this way. I know you wouldn’t answer if I called. I also know that you probably won’t read this letter. But, in the case that you do happen to read it, I want you to know that I am sorry. For all the pain that I caused you and for all the pain that I will cause.
The truth is, you are the one that got away. You are the one that I should have fought for, fought my questions and what-ifs. You were and still are my one true love. After all of these years, I have yet to understand how. How after only two weeks together, you were the one that I fell in love with. I just hope you know how muchyou truly meant to me. If you haven’t found out yet, I’m also sorry for having to tell you. I’m dying. After the accident, they found a tumor. There is nothing that the doctors can do other than buy me a little more time. My memory is not what it used to be, and even though I still remember every second of those two breathtaking weeks. I wanted to write to you while everything is still there. I am getting all of my affairs in order, and Sara is handling quite a bit. She will be coming to see you, at some point.
I know that I will not be around for much longer, I can feel the Island calling me back. I can feel the breeze of the coast growing stronger with each day that passes. When it does call me back, I hope to be able to stop by on my way. I hope that I have the chance to pop in and make sure that you are ok. Jaxon, I hope you have found your happiness and “the hard one.” If by chance you have not found her yet. When you do, hold on to her and do not let her go. I am also sorry for you to find out this way, but…
Jaxon’s reading is interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Come in,” he calls out, distracted, fumbling to slide Claire’s letter back into its crinkled envelope.
As he moves toward the living room, his fingers still clumsy from shock, he hears the door creak open behind him.
“Good morning, Jaxon.”
He looks up—and freezes.
Standing in the doorway is Sara.
But she’s not alone.
Next to her, clutching a small tablet with both hands and hiding behind her arm, is a little girl.
“Hey!” Jaxon says, confused but friendly. “And who’s this?”
“This,” Sara says gently, “is Jaqueline.”
Jaxon kneels slightly, offering a smile. “Hey, Jaqueline. I’m Jaxon.”
The girl gives a shy wave. “Hi.”
Jaxon turns back to Sara with an uncertain laugh. “Wait… you have a daughter? She’s adorable. I didn’t even know you had kids.”
Sara just stares at him. Her eyes are full—too full for a casual visit.
“She’s six,” she says softly.
Something tightens in his chest. “Six?”
He straightens up. “Sara... who’s her dad?”
Sara swallows hard. Her voice is steady, but her hands tremble.
“Jaxon... I’d like you to meet your daughter.”
