“You are the most noble man I know,” she said, struggling against the grief and agony that threatened. It would do no good; it wouldn’t heal Jax. And she very much wanted this moment between them to be peaceful and loving if it was to be their last.“When I first met you, you did not have a noble bone in your body, but you have redeemed yourself.”
“Do you think so?”
“I do.”
“I am afraid that God will not think so.”
“He will,” she assured him, warmth in her expression. Then she glanced up, seeing her daughters Effington and Addington kneeling beside Jax with tears all over their faces. Julian was at his father’s hip and he reached out to take one of his bloodied hands. Kellington smiled at her children, at her husband. “Look at these fine, strong people you have raised, Jax. Glorious sons and beautiful daughters. Only a man blessed by God would have such magnificent offspring.”
Jax tried to clear his throat again but all that came out was blood. “It was you,” he muttered, speaking more slowly now. “Everything I am, everything they are… it is all you. I have loved you… from the beginning of time and I shall… love you… until the end. I want you to know that, Kelli. You’ve made my life… worth living.”
Kellington pulled him closer, kissing his forehead. “And I shall love you even longer still,” she whispered. “You are a great man, Jax de Velt. You are the greatest man I have ever known and it has been my honor and privilege to be your wife.”
“Nay, love,” he muttered thickly. “It is I who have been privileged. But for this ending, I… I am… sorry. I… had hoped to die an old man, with you… by my side. Forgive me.”
She smoothed his hair away from his face, tenderly. “For what?” she said. “We have had a wonderful life, you and I. It will not end here. I will see you again. But until I do, know that I shall miss you every hour of every day. I will miss your warmth and humor and stubbornness. I will miss everything about you. Even if we do not die together, old and gray, know I am the most fortunate woman in the world because of you.”
His eyes, which had been drooping, suddenly opened again and he looked at her. “I do not want to leave you.”
“I know.”
“Do not leave me.”
“I will not. I will stay right here.”
“Are you… you still holding me?”
“I am, Jax.”
“Hold me tighter.”
Kellington squeezed him. “Is that better, my pet?”
Jax’s eyes closed and a lone tear streamed from his right eye, down his temple. “Kelli?” he murmured.
“Aye?”
“Where are you?”
“Right here. I am with you. We are all with you.”
“Where is Julian?”
Focus shifted to Julian, who had been watching the scene with complete horror and agony. He was so choked up that he could hardly speak. “I am here, Papa,” he whispered. “I am right here.”
Jax squeezed his hand weakly. “Do not be afraid, Julian,” he muttered. “Whatever life brings you… do not be afraid.”
Julian broke down, tears streaming from his eyes. “I won’t, Papa, I promise.”
“Your… your time will come. But you must… find that greatness yourself.”
“I will try to, Papa.”
“Tell your brothers… tell them I love them,” he rasped. “Cass… he is my heart. Our last words were… in anger. Do… do not let him feel guilty because of it. And Cole… he is my soul. Tell them how proud I am of them.”
“I will, Papa.”
“Addie? Effie?”
