~Take my wedding band and my engagement band and have them melted down, along with both of yours. But don’t worry, I don’t want you to be without them for long. From those, have new bands made, one for each of you. That way you will both have a part of me with you forever. After all, the three of us are stronger together, even if we aren’t all there.
~Now for the diamonds. They don’t melt, so I would like you to take the diamonds in my rings and make them into necklaces for our daughters. One for Kate, one for Avery. I want them to have a little part of me with them always. You can give them to them whenever you feel is the right time.
~For Kade, Haden, and Maddox, I’ve set aside some things that belonged to my father, things he has given me over the years. There’s an old compass that belonged to his grandfather. One of them might like that. There’s also the toolbox my Dad gave me when I first moved out on my own. Nothing fancy, but I know Kade has enjoyed helping me with projects. Also, the miniature airplane collection. I’ll let them or you decide who gets what. Hopefully there won’t be any fighting.
~As a family, I would like y’all to plant a tree for me. More than one, preferably. Yes, even now I want to help the environment. Hopefully, if this time ever comes, the kids’ll be old enough to select one they know I would’ve liked. I leave it to both of you to decide where. But if you’re having a hard time, I think a magnolia tree would look lovely in Curtis and Lorrie’s front yard.
~And last but not least, I want the two of you to get married. It’s what I’ve always wanted, although it was never an option. We did things our way, the three of us, but now it’s time for the two of you to move forward. Together.
I hope you both know that I love you with my whole heart. I am truly blessed to call you both husband. Sure, it might mean that I’ve had to complain about two pairs of socks on the floor or ask twice before someone agrees to take the trash out, but in return I’ve received twice as much love as most women get. I wouldn’t trade our life for the world, and no matter what happens, or when, you should both know that I’ve had the best life anyone could be lucky enough to have.
Love always and forever,
Kylie
Travis read the letter three times. Each time more tears streamed down his face as he heard the lovely cadence of Kylie’s voice in his head.
Beside him, he heard Gage’s breathing change, knew he was also dealing with the overwhelming emotions that came along with reading her words, knowing they would never see her again and that she had prepared for that.
He should’ve expected this. Should’ve known that their wife would think ahead, help them to deal with the worst possible scenario. That was who Kylie was. Thoughtful, generous, selfless, but most importantly, she’d loved them with her whole heart.
When Gage sobbed, Travis lowered the letter and turned, pulling him into his arms. They sat like that for the longest time, holding one another, protecting one another as the emotions won out.
And when his eyes dried, Travis read through the letter one more time, focusing on the things Kylie wished for them to do.
“We can let the kids plant the trees next weekend,” he said aloud, his voice hitching with emotion.
Gage nodded, his hand sliding into Travis’s. “Okay.”
“And the rings…?” Travis wasn’t sure what to think about that.
Gage turned his head. “I’d like to do that part if it’s all right?”
“Sure. I’ll get the stones put into settings for the girls.”
It seemed so simple. Speaking it, at least. Travis wasn’t sure how easy it would be for Gage to hand over Kylie’s wedding bands knowing they would be melted down. That seemed like the most difficult part although he understood her reasoning.
“We should have Jessie go through her stuff, too,” Gage suggested. “See if there’s anything she wants. Joe, too.”
“Yep,” Travis agreed, nodding because he didn’t know what else to do.
Then they were silent again, minutes ticking by.
“She loved us,” Gage finally whispered.
“With all that she was.”
And they had loved her the same.
Chapter Nineteen
One week later
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Travis had spent the past week focusedon his family and his business.
He went to work every day, as did Gage. But rather than mope as he had been for weeks, Travis engaged with others, checking on things himself rather than leaving it to everyone else to figure out. He even managed to have lunch with Kaleb and Sawyer, the three of them talking about surviving the snow-pocalypse.
