I spread out my hand against him. “Well, you did take an awfully long time.”
My husband is smiling when I look up.
“I wanted to make sure I got it right.” He glances down at Rissa and Ben, his face softening. “You were too important not to takemy time with, Em. I look at what we have every day, and I still can’t believe it. I’ll never take it for granted.”
He told me once that I’d always lived for other people.
My parents.
Arron.
Even Ben, because we didn’t havetime.
But this is the life I chose for myself. The life we built together.
All the little moments brought me here.
And it’s perfect.
76
Ben
Hey, baby.
This letter isn’t supposed to make you sad, so no tears.
This is not about grief, or pain. It’s about you, because everything about us right now is focused on me. You deserve better than that.
And it’s a farewell, in case I never get to say it. You never know how much time is left.
If I’m right, maybe you’re with Jared. Maybe you’re a Bennett girl. If you are, say hi from me.
But whoever you’re with, I hope you’ve opened this because you found your happy ending.
You deserve all the good things, Emmy.
You’re asleep in the bed right now, and we have some really dark days ahead. Today was one of them.
I thought I’d face these days on my own. I didn’t want Jared to see this. I didn’t want you to see it, either.
But you have a tight grip on my heart. It’s yours, and you’ve asked me to stay.
So I’m staying, for as long as this body will let me.
I just want you to know that I’m glad it was you.
I’m glad that I walked into The Setlist that night. I nearly walked past, but something pulled me in.
Different choices. Different lives.
You and I didn’t get the ending in this one, Em. And that’s okay. It wasn’t meant to be.
But knowing that you will is enough for me.
Be happy. Be brave, and dance in the rain.
Whoever is lucky enough to be your choice, I hope they treat you well. I hope they’re kind, and fun, and they make you laugh.
