Death's Exception

Chapter Thirty

"Can you walk okay?" I say, my hand on Titus' chest to stabilize him. His arm is laying on my shoulders, and he gives me a confident smirk.

"I can walk fine. I just like it when you touch me," I know he is lying, but I laugh anyway. I find stability in his words, more than my shoulders could ever give him. His constant sense of humor, boyish fascination, and flirty words give me something to fight for. Because it doesn't really matter if I do not know who I am, as long as he stays who he is. I move my hand to his face, and kiss his forehead.

"I love you." He raises one of his thick eyebrows.

"Whatever I just did, remind me to do that more often." I shake my head, and lead him towards the door, where Dr. Thorn is standing, holding some keys. Titus straightens when we get close to Dr. Thorn, knowing that this would be goodbye.

"Dr. Thorn, my dear man, you have given me so much. From a home in my childhood, to the freedom of my love. I will be eternally indebted to you, and hope to one day repay that debt." Titus bows, holding tightly to me to make sure he doesn't fall down. Dr. Thorn holds out his hand, and TItus shakes it firmly.

"Titus, child, you owe me nothing but perhaps a cup of tea and a nice long conversation. Come visit me. There is not a day that passes that I do not miss you and your lovely sister. Kate feels the same. She wanted me assure you that if her baby is to be a boy, he shall be named Titus, and if it is a girl, Lilly. Do you remember what Titus means?"

"Title of great honor." He responds, beaming. Dr. Finley smiles.

"Here are some car keys to the van out front." I take them, tears welling in my eyes as I realize the bitter goodbye that is ahead of me. It is likely that I will never see him again. I look at the ground, and shift my weight, causing Titus to lean on me harder.

"Dr. Thorn, I cannot thank you enough for being my angel in a world of my demons. You see something greater in me, and for that I am so grateful for that." I choke up, and stare at the stone ceiling to keep my tears from falling. Dr. Thorn's rough hand rests on my cheek. Titus leans against the wall and lets go of me. I rush into Dr. Thorn's arms.

"You must always remember that you are the dawn. Rising from the darkness, despite so many things willing you to stay back. The dawn always emerges from the night, no matter what happens. That is what you are, and that is what you must stay. I believe in you, my dear. And I will never forget you." I purse my lips together, and close my eyes tightly. Not wanting to leave Dr. Thorn and his thoughts of me behind. Unwilling, almost, to declare that we should leave at all. Titus rests a hand on my shoulder, and I back away from him. "Before you leave. There is someone else who would like to tell you both goodbye." Molly steps into the room, wearing a new little blue dress, and a lovely smile. She looks beautiful. Like a little princess.

"Oh, Molly." I fall to my knees, and hug her tightly. Her little arms wrap around my neck. She is laughing, which makes me so happy. I lift her, and bring her over to Titus, where he wraps his arms around both of us.

"I love you both. Thank you, Titus and Rory. You are my best friends." Titus kisses her cheek.

"We will come visit you, Molly Trout. We couldn't bare not to see our best friend ever again!" She pulls away from us, and looks me straight in the eye, her face written with seriousness.

"Promise." I smile, and Titus laughs loudly.

"I promise." Titus bellows. I look at him, mesmerized once again at how handsome he is. The love for this little girl dances around in his brown eyes, and his grin almost jumps from his face it is so huge.

"Now you." Molly looks at me, still bearing a grave face. I try to hold back a giggle, as I, too, bellow, "I promise." She looks at us both satisfied, and hugs us again. I set her down, and she runs to Dr. Thorn. He opens the door for us, and hangs his head in respect. I place my hand back on Titus' chest, and he puts his arm around me.

We walk out of the door, and out of the building. We see a silver van gleaming in the moonlight, and I open the passenger door for Titus. He looks at me questioningly.

"Can you even drive?" I look down at the car keys in my hand.

"I- I think I can, actually." Titus sits up in his chair and grabs my face between his hands.

"YOU ARE REMEMBERING MORE! God, I am brilliant. I was write about the passion thing!" I roll my eyes, and jump into the van. I start to drive with ease, remembering how to do everything. I drive out of the town, and follow a road to the highway.

"Where are we going?" Titus asks. I stop the car abruptly.

"I don't know." Titus shrugs and leans back.

"Okay. We should start with a hotel for the night. Then we can figure out from there. Sound good?" I nod, and start to drive again.

"Sounds amazing. There is a town thirteen miles from here. Surely they have somewhere to stay. Do you still have all of my money?" Titus pulls out his tablet, and taps a button. The screen blinks, "14,000 Pecuniae".

"Who is your brilliantly handsome boyfriend? I forgot." I shove him.

"Pecuniae?" He sits up excitedly.

"OH YEAH! That is how money works now! It is called Pecuniae, and it is all digital. Every family receives 3,000 pecuniae to start. If they blow it, that is their fault. If they use it carefully, and wisely, it is very useful." I watch Titus out of the corner of my eye with smile. I love watching him talk about something that makes him excited. "Really we owe it to your ex-boyfriend! It was his idea!" I shoot him a glare.

"Don't call the president that." Titus smiles, and puts his hand on my knee.

"I only mean it as a compliment! It is very impressive that MY girlfriend dated the president! I wonder if you two kissed..."

"I don't know, but all I really care about is the boyfriend sitting next to me. Who looks very dashing in the moonlight, I must say." Titus blushes visably.

"You and I have almost got the hold of this flirting thing! I am very proud of our progress." He puts his hand on my arm awkwardly, imitating our first attempt at flirting. I laugh the loudest I ever have, and he just stares at me.

There may be a side of the demons, and a side of the angels, yes, but love makes them both human.