Hold On I Still Need You

-His Angels Last Wish-

Keefe's POV:

I stand alone in the quiet room, the space that Sophie once filled with her laughter, her warmth. Now, it feels too still, too empty. The weight of her absence presses on my chest, but today—today is different. I can't afford to crumble; I promised her I wouldn't.

I clutch the letter she wrote to me, the one I've read a thousand times, but each word still cuts through me like it's the first. She asked me to live, to love, to cherish the moments with the people who matter. And to keep fighting, even when she's gone.

Her voice echoes in my mind, reminding me of the strength she always saw in me. She believed I could still find my way, find purpose, even without her. I take a steadying breath, my heart heavy but determined. It's time. Time to honor her promise, to move forward.

The room is filled with the soft murmur of voices, the quiet hum of memories being shared. I've organized this small memorial, bringing together the people who mattered most to Sophie—and to me. Biana, Fitz, Dex, Marella, Tam, and Linh, all of them here to honor her, to remember the light she brought into our lives.

They stand beside me, offering their own stories. Biana talks about Sophie's sense of humor, how she could always find a way to make everyone laugh, even on the hardest days. Fitz recalls the quiet moments they shared, the ones when Sophie's wisdom shone through, a calm presence in the midst of chaos. Dex's memory brings a smile, how Sophie had the ability to see past his eccentricities and remind him of his worth when he doubted himself. Marella, in her gentle way, speaks of Sophie's kindness, of how she always put others before herself. Tam and Linh, too, share their memories—moments of bravery, of friendship, of love. Each one is a testament to the person Sophie was.

It's my turn, but the lump in my throat makes it hard to speak. I swallow, forcing the words past the ache in my chest.

"Sophie was more than I could ever put into words," I begin, my voice unsteady at first. "She had this incredible courage—she never let fear stop her from doing what was right. And her heart... it was bigger than anything I ever could've imagined. She believed in the goodness of the world, in people—no matter how broken we were."

I pause, my gaze drifting over the faces of those who loved her.

"Her legacy isn't just in the memories we share," I continue, "but in how she inspired us to live—truly live. To find joy in the little things, to fight for what's worth fighting for, and to never stop believing in the possibility of tomorrow."

As I finish, I glance around the room, seeing the same pain reflected in everyone's eyes. But I also see something else—hope. And that's what I take with me today. By remembering Sophie, we're doing what she wanted. We're living.

Sophie's last wish echoes in my mind, her voice filled with so much emotion. "Promise me... promise me you'll live... make the most of every moment... even if you have to do it alone." The weight of those words crushes me, but I know I have to honor them. Sophie had always been the one to encourage others to chase their dreams, to give everything they had to make the world a better place. Now, it's my turn to carry that flame.

"Follow your passions, love fiercely... stay true to who you are. Don't let my absence turn you into someone you're not." Those were the final words she left me with. I couldn't let them go. She wanted me to live—truly live—not just exist in the aftermath of her loss. So, with the support of the people who loved her, I decided to start a foundation in her name, a way to give back in the way Sophie would have.

We organized a fundraising event focused on the causes Sophie had cared so deeply about: raising money for medical research into rare illnesses and providing opportunities for young people to reach their full potential. It was exactly what she would have wanted—an opportunity to make a real, lasting impact.