My only shot at love- Book 3 (From Second chance at love)

Epilogue

The days following Constancia's passing were filled with an outpouring of love and support from friends and family. Messages of condolences and words of comfort flooded in, but many were too painful for Marcus and Cali to read or respond to. Relatives offered hugs and kind words, but the loss left a deep void in their hearts.

Cali found herself not only grieving for Constancia but also deeply concerned about Marcus. The pain of losing his beloved grandmother was evident in his every action. He became withdrawn, shutting out even the closest family members. The once vibrant and strong man was now a shadow of himself, overwhelmed by the weight of his grief.

One evening, as Cali sat by Marcus, her heart ached to see him in such pain. His eyes were red and swollen from tears, his face a mask of sorrow. He was lost in his thoughts, distant and unreachable. Cali's parents approached her gently, their concern palpable.

"How is Marcus holding up?" her mother asked softly, glancing towards him with worry.

Cali sighed, her own eyes brimming with tears. "He's struggling. He can't talk about what happened. He's too shocked and heartbroken. Our relatives have tried to approach him, but he shuts everyone out."

Her father nodded, understanding the depth of Marcus's grief. "Grief affects everyone differently. We need to give him time and space, but also let him know we're here for him."

Cali nodded, feeling the weight of her responsibility to be there for Marcus, even as she dealt with her own grief. She knew that the love and support of family were essential, but right now, Marcus needed to process his emotions in his own way.

That night, as the rain continued to fall softly outside, Cali sat beside Marcus, taking his hand in hers. She didn't say anything, knowing that words couldn't heal the pain he was feeling. Instead, she simply held his hand, offering her silent support and unwavering love.

After what felt like an eternity, Marcus finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I miss her so much, Cali. I don't know how to move forward without her."

Cali squeezed his hand gently. "I miss her too, Marcus. But we have each other, and we will get through this together. She wouldn't want us to fall apart. We'll keep her memory alive in our hearts and find strength in each other."

"You have lost a grandmother, and it was painful to watch and even see you like that," Cali continued, her voice trembling. "But I need my husband right now. I cannot bear to lose him too."

Marcus nodded, tears streaming down his face. He pulled Cali into a tight embrace, holding on to her as if she were his lifeline. In that moment, amidst the grief and sorrow, they found a glimmer of hope and the beginning of healing.

Days turned into weeks, and slowly, with the support of their loved ones and each other, Marcus began to open up. He started talking about his grandmother, sharing stories and memories that brought both tears and smiles. The healing process was slow, but with each passing day, they found strength in their love and the legacy Constancia had left behind.

As the weeks passed, the heavy clouds of grief slowly began to lift. Marcus and Cali, though still mourning the loss of Constancia, found solace in the memories they cherished and in the love they shared. The support from family and friends continued to be a source of comfort, but it was their bond that truly helped them heal.

One evening, as they sat together in the garden, Cali took a deep breath and decided it was time for them to focus on moving forward. "Marcus," she began softly, "I know it's been hard, and we will always miss her. But we have so much to live for, so many beautiful moments ahead of us. Let's honor her by living fully and loving deeply."

Marcus nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "You're right, Cali. She would want us to be happy, to cherish each other and our family. Let's make the most of every day."

With a renewed sense of purpose, Marcus and Cali started to rebuild their lives. They threw themselves into creating a nurturing and loving environment for their children, making sure to balance the demands of daily life with moments of joy and togetherness.

They began to engage more with their relatives, opening up about their feelings and allowing their loved ones to share in their healing process. The shared stories and collective memories of Constancia brought laughter and tears, but also a sense of unity and strength.

Cali suggested they start a new family tradition in honor of Constancia. Every year on her birthday, they would gather to celebrate her life with a special dinner, sharing stories and memories, keeping her spirit alive in their hearts. Marcus agreed, feeling it was a beautiful way to keep her legacy alive.

As they embraced this new chapter, Marcus found himself reconnecting with his passion for photography. He spent hours capturing moments of their life, finding beauty in the everyday scenes that reminded him of Constancia's teachings about the importance of family and love.

Cali, too, found solace in her work and her children. She made sure to carve out moments for herself and Marcus, knowing that their relationship was the cornerstone of their family's strength.

One sunny afternoon, as they watched their children play in the garden, Marcus turned to Cali with a smile. "You know, despite everything, I feel incredibly lucky. We have each other, our family, and so many wonderful memories. I think Constancia would be proud of us."

Cali leaned in, resting her head on his shoulder. "I believe she is. And as long as we have each other, we can face anything."

With the passing of time, their hearts slowly mended. The pain of losing Constancia never fully disappeared, but it became a part of them, a reminder of the love they shared and the strength they found in each other.

Marcus and Cali continued to honor her memory, living their lives with the same grace, resilience, and deep love that she had taught them. Together, they embraced the future, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, their bond would carry them through.

And so, with each new day, they created a life filled with love, laughter, and the enduring legacy of a remarkable woman who had touched their lives forever.

P.S.: In real life, Marcus (not the real name) is mourning for the loss of her grandmother. 

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