Hold On I Still Need You

-A Moment To Remember-

*Song: "Moments We Live For" In Paradise

Sophie's POV: 

The morning sun pours through the windows, casting a soft glow over everything. It's a perfect day. The kind that feels too gentle to be real, like the world is holding its breath in quiet anticipation. I can hear the bustle of everyone downstairs—friends and family preparing for the celebration later. But here, up on the balcony, it's just Keefe and me.

His hands are steady as he helps me get dressed, his touch warm and comforting. It's strange to think how much things have changed. Just a few weeks ago, I couldn't imagine a day like this, one where I'm not trapped by pain or fear. Now, I'm here. Alive, healthy, and wrapped in a cocoon of care and love.

Keefe hands me a mug of hot chocolate, the warmth of it soothing my fingers as I take a sip. I let my eyes drift to the sky, watching the birds glide across the blue. Everything feels... easy. Peaceful.

Keefe leans back against the railing beside me, his smile soft and reassuring. "This," he says, his voice quiet but certain, "is as important as any celebration."

I glance at him, a lump forming in my throat. I know what he means. The grand gestures, the crowds—they don't matter as much as this moment. The stillness between us, the quiet understanding, the unspoken promise that we've made it through, together.

He takes my hand, squeezing it gently. "We've come a long way, Foster."

I nod, the words catching in my chest. This moment—just us—is enough.

We sit there for a while, letting the silence settle around us, just watching the world go by. But as the minutes pass, the weight of everything we've been through starts to settle in, like a tide rising slowly in my chest.

Keefe's hand is still holding mine, steady and strong. I glance at him, trying to find the right words, but everything feels a little too big to say all at once. So instead, I take a deep breath and start with the truth.

"You know, there were times when I honestly didn't think I'd make it. I thought..." I trail off, swallowing hard. "I thought I'd lose you. That I wouldn't be able to keep going, that I wouldn't be able to... save myself."

Keefe's thumb rubs small circles on my hand, his eyes softening as he listens. He doesn't interrupt, doesn't rush to fill the space with words. But I can feel the weight of what I've said settle between us. He knows how hard it was. How close I came to giving up.

"You never did," he says quietly, a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You kept fighting. Even when it felt like everything was falling apart, you fought."

I shake my head, glancing down at our intertwined fingers. "I wouldn't have been able to without you. I was so scared of losing you, Keefe. Of not being strong enough. But every time I thought I couldn't do it anymore, you were there. I don't think I've ever felt more scared of anything in my life than the thought of you leaving."

He squeezes my hand, his voice thick with emotion. "I know the feeling, Sophie. It was hard for me too, seeing you struggle. There were times when I didn't know if I could keep watching you fight, if I could keep holding it together. But you never gave up on yourself, and I couldn't give up on you."

I smile, blinking back the sting of tears. "You didn't. You never did."

He looks at me then, his expression serious and soft. "It was love, Sophie. That's what kept me going. The love I have for you. It was never a question. No matter how dark it got, I knew you were worth it. You always have been."

The words settle into my chest like a warm embrace. I wish I could express how much that means to me, how his love has been a lifeline for me when everything felt so fragile.