Easton: Not good. The tumor is growing fast, and we’ve been told to prepare for the end.
Sylvia: I’m so sorry, Easton. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
Easton: Thanks.
I tuck the phone back into my pocket, then hear Nova say, “You can come in.”
Lainey scrambles off my lap and runs into the house. As I climb to my feet, my eyes lock with Nova’s.
There’s a worried expression on her face as she asks, “Do you need anything?”
“A hug,” I mutter as I walk toward her.
She meets me halfway and doesn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around my waist. Her hand brushes up and down my back, her touch soothing. I let out a heavy breath while folding my body around hers.
Holding Nova, a calmness begins to slowly settle inside me, and it feels as if she’s passing some of her strength to me. I press my mouth to her temple and keep it there, taking deep breaths of her soft floral scent.
She pulls her arms back, and just as I think I’m not ready to let go, she moves up on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around my neck. Her hand settles on the back of my head, and it feels as if she’s trying to cradle me to her. Then she kisses my jaw, and for a split second, everything feels a little brighter.
“I’m here for you,” she whispers before giving me another kiss. “I’ll always be here for you.”
I lift my head to look at her, and when our eyes lock, I swear I see love shining in her green ones.
Warmth pours into my heart from the way she’s looking at me, and it makes me want to hold onto her and never let go.
She moves her palms to the sides of my jaw and says, “You can lean on me. Okay?”
The urge to kiss her builds in me, but instead of claiming her mouth, I nod. My voice is rough from all the emotions warring in my chest. “Thanks, Nova.”
She pulls away from me and glances through the open sliding doors into the house. “Do you think I should make something to eat?”
I shake my head. “We can think about food later.”
When she heads toward the open doors, I follow her into the house.
Lainey’s lying beside Rachel, who gives us a weak smile. “I think ... she’s asleep.”
“Should I move her?” I ask.
My sister shakes her head. “I want ... to hold ... her.”
Fuck, the slur in her speech is killing me.
I move closer and sit down on the side of the coffee table. Keeping my voice soft so I don’t wake Lainey, I ask, “How’s your vision?”
“Blur . . . comes . . . and . . . goes.” She sucks in a deep breath. “I want to . . . talk . . . about my . . . funeral.”
God help me.
Nova comes to sit on the floor beside my legs and gives Rachel a loving smile. “What do you want us to do?”
“Fireworks.” Rachel lets out a soft chuckle, which makes Lainey curl deeper into her. “Cremate me ... and shoot my ... ashes ... up in fireworks. I want to go ... out ... with a ... bang.”
A sad smile tugs at the corner of my mouth as I nod. “Whatever you want.”
“I’ve made a ... video. Watch it before ... the fireworks.” She takes another breath, and when she talks again, there’s no slur, “I only want the three of you at my funeral.” Her gaze widens, and she looks at Nova. “Get the camera from my bedroom so you can record me. Hurry!”
Nova runs out of the living room, and Rachel locks eyes with me. “I want a day where I have all my lasts. Help me walk. Have Nova help me shower. I want to eat a steak you made on the grill and to drink a glass of our most expensive wine.”
