Be My Forever [COMPLETE]

Chapter 120

We visited Daniel one last time in the hospital. As he laid on the hospital bed, Toby took a deep breath.

"You okay?" I whispered. My job for an undetermined amount of time is to make sure he's alright. When we were engaged and he thought his father died the first time, he left for three days without a trace. I was terrified he had done something awful.

I hoped he wouldn't do that again. Not when we have two girls. Not when we all need each other.

"I'll be fine." Toby insisted. Toby has gotten stronger. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. He's learned to accept his father's upcoming death.

-:-

Daniel Cavanaugh died at 11:32 AM the next morning. Toby wept for a bit, but remained stable.

The funeral was the following day, and Toby and I had to travel back to Rosewood, as that was were Daniel wanted to be buried. I hadn't stepped foot in Rosewood in six years.

It was different, yet exactly the same. The buildings were just as I remembered, but the people changed. They seemed nicer. More community-based. I watched as a woman offered a complete stranger a coffee, because she misplaced her credit card. I watched a teenage boy talk to an elderly woman, and he seemed genuinely interested with what she was saying. I watched a teenage girl assist a middle-aged teacher with helping kindergarteners cross the street.

Why wasn't it like this when I lived here?

I reconnected with my old colleagues, and a few of my former students, who are all grown up now. Some of them were attending Hollis College, others came back to Rosewood for the funeral as well. Most people knew Daniel as Marion Cavanaugh's husband. He was a big help in the community, especially with the children.

I remained at Toby's side, in case he needed me. Valerie and Claire avoided asking any questions. They may be really young, but they're old enough to understand what makes their father upset.

"Mommy, when are me and Claire going back to school?" Valerie asked after the service, tugging on my arm. The girls had missed school for the last few days due to us being out of town.

"As soon as we can." I said. I was glad Valerie was so accepting, but I couldn't say the same for Claire.

"I don't want to go back," Claire had whined, "I want to stay here!"

I didn't know what suddenly changed with Claire, but I assumed it was just a phase.

After I put the girls to bed and kissed them goodnight, I joined Toby in the living room. We had been staying in his old house. If nobody buys it within the next month, they're destroying it.

Toby was going through a box of his father's things, and I began to massage his shoulders.

"How are you holding up?" I asked.

"Better now. I'm just stressed out. I've been trying to get someone to buy the house so they won't destroy it. I'd rather have complete strangers living here than have it be gone forever."

"Hey, if it does get torn down, you'll still have memories. Your dad would want you to move on." I said. He kissed me and told me he loved me.

Even though he was hurting, Toby didn't give up on us. And I couldn't thank him enough.