Grayson

Chapter Fifty Five

I included the music I wrote the chapter to. Feel free the play it as you read or ignore it completely

Grayson~

They stood there for what felt like hours, but was probably minutes. Emma's breaths were shaky and every time she moved her chest or head, Grayson found himself bracing, holding Emma tightly in his arms.

"I'm sorry I can't fix this Em." Grayson said against her hair.

"I'm sorry I ever came here." Her voice cracked when she said the words.

"You're a good person Emma. I'm so proud to call you mine. Don't ever be sorry for trying to do the right thing."

Tears rolled down her cheeks and soaked through Grayson's sleeve, making warm wet patches on the fabric.

"This can't be it for us. You promised that you wouldn't let anyone hurt me. That our story wouldn't end in this jungle. It can't..." Emma started to cry and Grayson sniffed hard as tears stung his eyes.

"Listen here. I don't make promises that I can't keep." Grayson said, trying to give Emma some reassurance, but knowing they had different interpretations of that promise.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, lifting her head off his chest so that he could see her eyes.

"With everything I have." She responded immediately.

Her words slammed into his chest and he hugged her tightly, hoping and praying for the teams to arrive...for a miracle. In those quiet moments, Grayson held Emma and closed his eyes. He wanted to burn this moment into his brain for eternity. The feeling of her skin against his, the thumping of her pulse, the way her delicate arms clung to him, her soft breaths and sweet voice.

"I love you so much." Grayson whispered, unable to keep his emotions in check.

"I love you too."

They were so still and it was so quiet that it was almost peaceful, but the tranquil moment was interrupted when a cloud of dust appeared in the distance down the dirt road that curved around the tree line.

Without saying a word, Grayson watched over the top of Emma's head as a line of rebel humvees started moving toward them. Each vehicle held 5-6 men and Grayson counted at least 4.

This is it.

Sure he could have picked up his rifle and engaged them in a fire fight, but that meant he'd have to leave Emma standing on that mine, vulnerable and scared...and he had a promise to keep.

He tensed every muscle in his body at the sight of the small militia heading their way, a motion that caught Emma's attention immediately. She pulled her head up and carefully looked over her shoulder, seeing the same terrifying sight.

"No." She whispered under her breath. The air left her lungs in one defeated gust and a look of utter anguish washed over her beautiful face.

"Look at me Em."

She did as he asked instantly with big tears building in her eyes.

"I promised you that our story wouldn't end in this jungle..."

The popping of gunfire was approaching as the militia fired into the air, heading right toward them.

"So let's live it right now. Tell me every detail you have planned for our story, baby. I need to hear it."

It finally registered with Emma that they weren't going to walk away from this. That if they had any hope of a life together they'd have to live it right then and there.