Never The End

Chapter 41 - Final Outcome

I nodded and forced a smile as a tear trickled down my face. "I love you to." My voice came out as no more than a whisper but Jason's face relaxed and a grin formed slowly. I was worried that every time he moved, he would take his last breath.

"I'm sorry."

My heart broke that very moment. I heard the desperation and pity in his voice and I knew he was different. His bad boy image wasn't there, he was just Jason - the boy I'd fallen in love with the moment I first saw him. That was the real Jason. "Don't Jason.... please?"

He leant up, wincing and kissed my forehead. "I never meant for any of this to happen. It isn't fair that I dragged you into this. Please forget me, I don't want to drag you down further."

"Don't say that. I chose to come here with you. This isn't your fault Jason, ok? You didn't plan this and I don't blame you at all.... I promise." For the first time since this started, I felt a huge weight being lifted off my chest and I felt calm; it was like I was being forgiven - like we both were - and it felt so good. "This is just as much my fault as it is mine."

Jason suddenly started wheezing heavily. His breaths growing shorter and more frantic. He grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently. "Olivia, listen to me. I need to tell you something..."

"No. You're not leaving me again!"

"Please, just... I just want you to have this." His trembling fingers reached into his pocket and wrapped around a small box. He reached his shaking hand up slowly to me. "You mean the world to me and if I'm going to die any time, I'm glad it's now; here with you." A small package was placed into my hand. The black velvet was soft against my skin. A small, gold clasp held the box shut. I flicked it open.

A ring.

It was beautiful: a small golden band with three diamonds encrusted in the amber metal. The light reflected off it into my eyes. On the inside, there was a message engraved into it, "Olivia, you are my one and only."