Bey woke up with a start, her heart racing, her face wet with tears. Her chest ached, still haunted by the vividness of her nightmare. She'd seen herself broken, left hollow after Jay was gone-so shattered that her body had simply given up, unable to keep going. She could almost feel the sorrow that had weighed her down in the dream, the way it felt like her very life had seeped away because of the loss. She'd watched her family, her friends, and their kids going through old videos and pictures, holding back sobs, trying to cling to memories because there was nothing else left.
As she lay there, trembling, the early morning light started to creep into the room, softly illuminating the familiar sight of Jay beside her. It was 7 a.m., and he was peacefully asleep, his breaths steady, his face calm. The mere sight of him grounded her, but her chest still hurt with the weight of the dream. She quietly climbed over him, gently pressing her weight against him, letting herself sink into his warmth, as if he could absorb every ounce of her lingering fear. She buried her face into his shoulder, and soon, the tears came again, slowly at first, then with deep, aching sobs.
Jay stirred, woken by the warmth of her body and the quiet sound of her sniffles. He opened his eyes, slightly dazed, until he realized something was wrong. "Bey, what's going on?" he murmured, rubbing his hand along her back.
Through her tears, she managed to whisper, "I... I had this terrible dream." She took a shaky breath and tried to explain, her words breaking with emotion as she recounted the nightmare. Every word made the terror feel real again, and she couldn't help but press closer to him, her heart still racing. "Jay, I was so lost. It was like... without you, I just couldn't go on."
He almost laughed, but seeing her face, he stopped himself, a softness in his eyes instead. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer as she clung to him. "Hey, it was just a dream," he whispered, stroking her hair as she nestled her head into the crook of his neck, warm tears falling onto his skin. "I'm here now, baby. You don't have to cry."
She sniffed, her voice barely a whisper as she said, "I don't know what I'd do without you. You're my best friend, my soulmate... you're everything to me, Jay And and I love you so much. I can't even imagine it. The thought of losing you-" She choked on her words, the tears intensifying as she held him tighter, refusing to let go. Jay rubbed her back slowly, comforting her as her sobs softened against his chest.
Jay chuckled softly, his hand brushing her cheek as he lifted her face to look at him. "Bey, you know the smallest things make you cry," he murmured, a gentle smile crossing his face. "That's why I always protect you so much. But look-I'm right here. You don't have to cry, okay?" He leaned down, brushing away her tears with his thumb and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You're alright, mama. I'm not going anywhere."
She nodded, still emotional but soothed by his words, her heart slowly beginning to steady. He kissed her softly, holding her close as the morning settled around them.
For the rest of the day, Bey found herself drawn to him, watching him, admiring the quiet strength and calm he brought into her life. She didn't leave his side, clinging to him with a new sense of appreciation and vulnerability. The thought of losing him still lingered, but his presence anchored her, and she took comfort in the knowledge that, for now, they were together. And that was enough.
