"I know baby. I'm so sorry, I'll miss her too." I whisper against her hair, trying my damndest to be strong for her.

I don't know how long we sit there, the world passing us by. No one stops their lives to notice another’s is falling apart. Humans are selfish by nature, caring for themselves before another. I see the people being rushed through the ER doors, their lives hanging by a thread and I feel sympathy for their families; for what they have to endure if their loved ones leave this earth. Death is never easy, it’s never kind. It hits you when you least expect it; reminding you that it's always in control. Your life is a gift to never be taken for granted like so many of us do. For the life I have lived, I've learned the hardest of life's lessons, and now it's time to make it right. No matter what the future holds, I'll hold my sweet girl through it all. I'll show her I can be the man she needs me to be. Fuck, it won't be easy, it won’t even feel good sometimes, but she will know that I'm trying and that I’ll never leave her side again.

Ember

The next few days pass by me in a blur. Nan left a last will and testament, complete with letters for Hale and I to be read in private. Her funeral was taken care of, thankfully, because I'm not sure if my heart would've been able to take planning it. Hale hasn't left my side in three days except to use the bathroom and shower, and even then he leaves the door open. Like he's worried I may fall apart at his feet. Everyone is tiptoeing around me like I'm a china doll made of porcelain waiting to explode at first touch. I loved Nan with everything inside of me and she was like my mother. She held me when I was sad, doctored my boo-boo’s when I was hurt, and she taught me about all the important things about life that I hadn't experienced yet. She taught me to be strong, brave, and to always fight for what I believe in. To never give up on what's mine. I'll miss her terribly, and every day I'll hold on to the wisdom she's given me.

This morning is the funeral. I woke up before the sun streamed through the windows. My body still lethargic from the tears I've been crying the past few days. I reach my hand out, feeling for Hale, thinking maybe he crawled in the bed with me, but all I feel is cool sheets against my hand. He may have not left my side, but he's still keeping to himself. I feel him there, but not truly here. I know he's tiptoeing around me like everyone else, but I don't need to be handled like fine china. I need him to hold me and show me it'll be alright, the best way that he knows how.

Rising from my bed, I glance towards the old alarm clock that sits on the nightstand and see it’s only three in the morning. Shit, it's early and I'm freezing. Walking into the hallway, I quickly find the thermostat and turn the heat on. Nan's house is like an icebox and I feel the shivers run down my spine. Walking quietly down the hallway I find the guest room. I see Hale laying on his stomach, arms holding the pillow, his body moving with light snores. His back is a canvas, telling it's own story. The scars run from his neck down his back, and I feel the tears burn behind my eyes. I bite my lip and bring my hand to my mouth, barely holding the sob back. This poor beautiful man. What has he had to endure in his life? My chest aches for all the loss and heartache that surround us. This is the first time I've seen him without clothes on in years. His body showcases so many stories, each tattoo its own work of art. The moonlight streams through the window casting light around the room. Walking over to the bed, I lightly pull back the covers and before I can blink Hale is out the bed, his eyes wide with panic and frenzy. He's reaching for his gun, cocking and aiming it at me before I can even take a breath.

"Hale, baby it's me. It's Ember. Put that down," I tell him, my voice strained with panic. My hands are raised in front of me to show him I'm empty handed. I didn’t know things were this bad. I should've known.

"Ember?" He says, my name sounds like a question he's asking himself. He shakes his head as if to clear it.

Slowly, he lowers his gun, setting it back next to the bed. He runs his hands through his hair, dragging them over his face. "God, baby I'm so sorry... Shit. I have these nightmares, and It's hard to sleep-" Walking up to him, I pull him towards me and wrap my arms around him, feeling his body tense next to mine. Instead of pulling away, I hold on tighter and pull him closer. I feel his entire body go lax, his muscles releasing the hold they have on his body.

"I'm here Hale. I know what you've been through is unimaginable and I know I’ll never understand, but I will be here. All we have is each other now. You're all I have left." I whisper as the tears run down my cheeks onto his skin. I feel him wrap his arms around me, his head going to the crook of my neck. This strong, selfless man sobs into me. His body begging to find solace in my arms.

"I love you. I'll say it a hundred times a day until you believe me, Hale. I'll be here and I won't leave you." My lips against his ear, I whisper it over and over.

Finally, I pull back the covers and crawl into the bed. The sheets are still warm from his body. He comes around, lifting the covers and sliding in. I feel his hand at my hip, sliding around to my stomach, pulling me tight to his body. I close my eyes and enjoy the feel of his body against mine. How long has it been since I've felt peace in his arms? As if he hears my thoughts, he tightens his arms around my middle. I feel his lips against my hair, traveling towards my neck.

"I love you, Ember. We'll do this together, somehow. I won't leave you again. I pinky swear." Those words he's spoken so many times in the past make my heart beat faster. I don't want empty promises. The past few days have left me weak with heartache, the finality of it all takes a toll on my body and I finally succumb to sleep. The last thing I hear before drifting off is Hale's whispers of love in my ear.

I wake to the smell of coffee and the sound of pots from the kitchen. Stretching my arms above my head, my muscles groan at the relief. My entire body feels stiff and sore. I look next to me towards Hale’s side and see it vacant. I throw my legs over the side and follow the smell radiating from the kitchen. Bacon and eggs? My stomach growls at the thought.

I walk into the room and find Hale naked from the waist up at the stove, pushing the scrambled eggs around the skillet with a spatula. I take a moment to admire his body before he notices my arrival. Full of hard lines and muscles, his body is truly a work of art. Tattoos cover his arms and chest. I got a glimpse at them last night, but in the morning light I’m truly able to appreciate them. On his arm, my name sits. My body flushes with heat at the sight of him. My nipples harden against my cotton nightshirt that hangs to my knees.

Like he senses me there, he turns towards me, the grin on his lips making him look like the boy I once knew.

“Morning Em. Thought I would make breakfast, we have a long day ahead of us.” He says as he scoops the eggs on to the plates he has set out next to the stove.

Normal people probably wouldn’t be thinking about sex the day of their grandmother's funeral, but I want him. I miss feeling his skin on mine, his eyes full of hunger, and his hands running down my body.

Turning back towards me his eyes drop to my chest and down the length of my body.

"Let's eat Em, we have to be at the funeral home by 8." Gathering both of our plates, he walks to the dining table and sets them down. My cheeks warm at the dismissal; so much for the kitchen table fantasy. Rolling my eyes, I take a seat at the table. I eat the eggs in a hurry, and take my plate to the sink and rinse it. It seems so strange to sit at the table with the love of your life and not say a word. It just goes to show how things can change, how people can change.