He lays me down and removes each piece of clothing until I’m naked. He touches me, caressing every centimeter of my body. When he looks up, he tries to blink away the pain in his eyes, but I seeit.
My heart melts when he says playfully, “You remember how this goes, right? You’re not allowed to touch me? Let me dothis.”
Our first time together, when he knew it was me, plays in my mind, and I smile. I can’t believe we’ve come thisfar.
He covers me with his warmth. When his lips touch mine, I’m totally taken back to that night, when I thought my life was complete and nothing would ever getbetter.
Boy, was Iwrong.
And it’s all because of him. He’s made my life complete in more ways than one. He’s showed me what love truly is and gave me the most amazing gift ofall.
A fire I haven’t felt in ages blazes through me, and suddenly I don’t feel sick and I’m not tired. I just feel alive. I never want this feeling to end. Clutching the sheets, my lips never leave his as he pushes insideme.
Slowing his pace, he lifts me. “Open your eyes, Mackenzie,” hewhispers.
I wasn’t even aware I’d closed them. His smile is luminous. I’m so in love with this man, and every day that love grows more andmore.
His forehead touches mine as he slowly thrusts, kissing me gently and whispering how much he loves me. It’s beyond anything I’ve everimagined.
It’sperfect.
After I fall apart in his arms, I wrap mine around him, holding on tight. When he finds his release, he buries himself in my neck and we cry ourselves to sleep, never lettinggo.
32
Connor
This last monthhas been extremely hard. Mackenzie went on the steroids, which have helped with her pain and some of the symptoms, but as the doctor predicted, her time is runningout.
Her speech slurs more, and she stares off into space, seemingly in her own world. All I can do is watch my wife slowly fadeaway.
I get glimpses of her here and there, moments when she talks to me normally. She gets to hold Mia occasionally, but those moments are more and morerare.
The hospital set me up with hospice care, and they have been here for a few days now. Her mother has been helpful, taking over care of Mia for a while, then switching to sit with Mackenzie so I get abreak.
I thank the Lord every day for giving us Mia. For the happiness she brought Mackenzie and the healing she’s giving menow.
Mia’s pulling on my face, giving me kisses, when Jean walks out of our bedroom. Her eyes are red. “She’s awake and wants to talk toyou.”
Her hands reach out to grab Mia and she instantly pulls her in for a bighug.
I brace myself and go to our room, trying not to get my hopes up about just how awake she is. I touch her hand after I sit down next to her. Our eyes meet, and I see my girl, the Mackenzie I fell in lovewith.
“Hi, baby,” I whisper, leaning over to kissher.
“I love you,” is all shesays.
I caress her hair. “I love youtoo.”
“I’m so sorry I put you through this,” she says, barelyaudible.
“Stop it. I don’t want to hear you talk likethat.”
“I want you to know I’m ready. I’m at peace, and I owe it all to you. I wish I could have given you the same happy lifetime you’ve givenme.”
“But you have,” I insist, getting even closer to her. “You gave me Mia. She’s my forever with you, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough forher.”
“You’ve made me so happy. I couldn’t have asked for a better life than the one I’ve shared with you,” Mackenziesays.
