Times running out (a Bret Von Dehl love story)

Chapter 22:

I saw the pain flash on Bret's face, as tears began to pool in his eyes. His handsome hazel eyes were clouded with regret for all the things he never got to say to his departed brother, I could tell.

I hugged him tight, and I started crying too. His skinny but strong arms wrapped around me tight as he quietly cried into the top of my head, his shoulders heaving.

I looked up at him, and realized that right now I was watching my world cry. My whole entire world was sobbing before me, and just watching it hurt so badly.

He had just been through INTENSIVE CARE, and now this. My eyes softened as I looked at him in wonder.

He was so strong and powerful and he loved me so much. It was so magical, just that sudden realization. I had never loved Bret Von Dehl more in my life then at that moment.

I looked into those crying handsome hazel eyes, and I kissed him softly.

"Bret," I said, "I love you so much."

And then he simply broke down.

He hugged me tight, his sobs becoming audible as he kissed the top of my head multiple times.

"I love you too, Phoenix-Lynn. so so so so much." he cried.

All he needed right now was love, and now and forever I would be there to supply it.

A few minutes later we went into Alex's hospital room. As we looked at the pale figure that once held out friend I decided that the lifeless corpse laying there was not Alex.

No, rather it was his shell. Alex and his bright, wonderful consciousness were somewhere far better.

Now, Alex Foxx was the very essence of the ideas he had left behind. His spirit was in every last song he wrote, every crappy joke he told, and even in his old truck.

He had gone to wherever ideas come from, and he could grin down, knowing we wouldn't ever forget.

I held Bret's hand, and I knew he was thinking the same.

"Phoenix?" he said to me

"Yeah, Bret?" I replied.

"Lets go home."

And so, we did.

We went home and we cried and laughed and ate too much, because that was how Alex would've wanted to be celebrated.

I went to sleep that night with Bret at my side.

"Sleep tight, gorgeous." Bret whispered to me.

I hugged him tight and grumbled in response, because I was already asleep and dreaming of tomorrow.