|Linoleum Roses Z.M.|

Final Act of Linoleum Roses

They got married on June 7th, 2016. Serena and Zayn wasted no time. For the remainder of his lifetime, Zayn traveled the world with his daughter, son and wife.

Zayn Javadd Malik died on May 5th, 2020 at 3:15 PM. He left behind a beautiful wife and three young children-a boy and two girls.

Serena sat on the floor of her bedroom, staring aimlessly at the walls filled with pictures. Hot tears streamed down her face as she hiccuped and gasped desperately trying to attain air. She stared at the pictures hung on the wall. Zayn and Serena had taken exactly one million pictures before his death.

She laughs loudly, glancing at the picture of them at their wedding.

"Before I met you, everything was bleak. My life was horrid. I was in a loveless relationship, my mother had died. Then I met you. You were goofy and you..cared. I don't know why you cared but you did. When I thought you just couldn't get better, you did. You had a son. I thought I couldn't fall in love with anyone more than you but I did. I love you more than..life and I'm so glad I had found you."

"I had cancer. Everything hurt. Everything still hurts. But you numb the pain. You're smile makes me feel so happy. Somehow, I'm glad I have cancer because if I didn't I wouldn't have met you. You are my pride, hope, and joy. You are my everything and I love you so much, Serena. I promise to love you, not only in this lifetime but in every."

She turns her head to another picture. It was right after Zayn found out Serena was pregnant with Hope-their third child. The picture was taken exactly ten months prior to his death. He had picked her up and spun her around, teary eyed. In another they were kissing, covered in paint with a tiny Danny in between them. Serena closed her eyes, leaning back on the cold ground beneath her.

In the next picture, Zayn was carrying Hope-his last offspring. Danny and Rose sat beside him, watching their little sister with light in their eyes.

In the next Zayn had finally confessed. He was on one knee, a glass rose in his hand. He was the one who gave her all the glassed roses. The last rose he gave said,

"This Rose is a symbol of our love. Infinite and beautiful. Just as I said on our wedding day, just as I've always known, I love you Serena. More than anyone. I love you until the day this rise wilts and dies. Get it?"

Serena only laughed at his corny, cheesy "bullshit" and hugged him. She pressed her lips against his softly, tears falling down her face. His hair was officially gone and he had lost 30 pounds. Death was among him. It was inevitable but it didn't seem to bother neither of them. They were soulmates, they knew this.

"I love you Zayn. And I'll find you and we'll be together and happy. In this lifetime or the next..I promise."

Twenty years later Serena had fallen. She left behind a grown son named Danny and two beautiful daughters named Rose and Hope-the Malik legacy. They lived beautiful lives. Rose had grown to find the cure to cancer and Danny was as happy as can be. His stutter had faded and he produced three grandchildren for Zayn and Serena. Hope grew to be an author. She captured beauty in her books. Her most famous book-entitled Linoleum Roses- was about her beloved parents. It was published in the year 2035-ten years after her beloved father's death.

In Serena's final hour she finally found peace. She died a peaceful death-an aneurism- surrounded by the people she adored most.

Serena was buried right beside Zayn, in St. Margret's cemetery, twelve linoleum roses in her coffin.

She saw a light-she saw heaven. She saw God. She also saw Zayn. Her husband was on the other side, patiently waiting for her arrival with open arms. She ran to him, enjoying the safety his arms provided, and he spun her around. Serena closed the gap between their lips. And.. At last they were reunited-with no force, such as cancer, between them.

In loving memory of Tia Valentina