"My love, never doubt..my love."
A hand brushed away a tear. A completely unconscious act. She sat beside him on the bed. Daylight poured out of the open windows into the room. The hand moved back to his. Closeness beyond closeness.
What words could she say? How could she express completeness, understanding, rightness?
A memory: the truth. Lying, one cold night, together, alone. Not a space was between them. Not a word was spoken. She gazed at him, and he at her, his arms tightly around her, disbelief holding the moment. Her hand was against his cheek. She could feel the warmth; this was real; he was real. The soft glow of a lamp was the only other thing she remembered.
A squirrel screamed. The light was blinding. She looked at him again, even though it pained her to see those weary eyes. She wanted to comfort him. She always did. He was her most precious treasure. More delicate than a snowflake. More needed than the sun.
How could sickness take him away from her?
"I love you." Her heart ached. "For all that you are, with all that I am. There is no one but you."
Tears continued to flow. Once again in each other's arms. One more time, before he would leave forever, before their lives had even begun.