I thudded up the stairs of the skyscraper, tears running down my face. The only words that raced through my mind as I ran up those stairs were, ‘Don’t do it Aadin, please don’t do it, don’t jump.’ My legs ached with pain as I ran up the stairs, I wanted to stop, but I knew I couldn’t, I had to push on, and so I did.
I reached the door to the roof, and I slammed it open. Aadin was standing at the edge of the roof, and looking up at the night sky. I breathed in when I saw him. His arms were disfigured with large gashes, and many of them were still bleeding. His hands dripped with blood, and his pants were a dirty mess.
Aadin looked back down at the ground, and then lifted his foot. I watched in horror, as he placed it in mid-air, ready to take a step. I quickly ran over, and then just as he went to fall forward, I reached out and grabbed his wrist pulling him back. My arms went around his waist, and I pulled him against me. I pressed my head into his back, and then sobbed.
“No, you’re not allowed to. Don’t even think about. I won’t let you!”
Aadin turned in my arms, and looked down at me. “Quxxin?” He whispered.
I looked up at him, and nodded. “Yes babe?” I asked, through my tears.
Aadin quickly broke down, and dropped to his knees in front of me, tears streamed down his face. I looked down at him, tears welling up in my own eyes. Aadin wrapped his arms around my legs, and pressed his face against them.
“I’m so sorry, so so sorry.” He sobbed.
I bent down, and hugged him. “It’s ok.” I said.
I kissed his forehead before picking him up, and starting to carry him back to the door. He leaned his head against my chest, and closed his eyes. I looked down at him, and smiled before pulling the door open. I walked slowly down the stairs, will I reached the ground floor. By this time Aadin had fallen asleep in my arms. I exited the building, and Jillian, John, and his mother came running over.
“Oh my god! Is he ok?” They all asked at once.
“He is.” I whispered, and then took him over to one of the ambulances.
I handed him to the paramedics, and told them that I would be the one going with him. The paramedics nodded, and then put Aadin onto a stretcher, and into the ambulance. As the Medics began working on Aadin’s hands, and arms, I hopped in.
I looked to Jillian, John, and Bailey (Aadin’s mother.) “I’ll see you guys at the hospital.”
The doors of the ambulance closed, and drove off. After the doctors dealt with Aadin, I was able to sit beside his bed holding onto his bandaged hand.
***************************************
*Years later* I stood there at the end of the aisle of the church, and stared at the door. I breathed in, as music began playing. The doors opened, and I saw Aadin at the end of the aisle. I smiled, and tears welled up in my eyes.
So much had happened in the last few years. Miranda was caught, and put into jail along with her boyfriend who was beating on Aadin’s daughter. Terra, Aadin’s daughter stood beside me, and bounced up, and down happily.
Terra pointed at Aadin. “Daddy!” She said.
Everybody sitting in the pews laughed, and then stood up turning to see Aadin. I watched with tears, as Aadin began walking down the aisle. Upon reaching me, Aadin looked at my face, and wiped the tears from my face. I smiled, and took his hands in mine ignoring the scars on his hands.
We turned to the priest, and I nodded. He nodded back, and then opened up his book.
“Everybody, we are gathered here today, to celebrate the joining of Quxxin Dean, and Aadin Malory.”
I smiled, and looked at Aadin, who had the hugest grin I had ever seen on his face. Terra must’ve seen something on the floor, because she knelt below right below our hands. Aadin looked down at her, and his grin grew a little more bigger. New tears spilt down over my face, as I looked at his beaming face. This was the happiest he’s ever been.
We went about our vows, and then the priest looked at me.
“Do you, Quxxin Dean, take Aadin Malory’s hand in marriage, and promise to take care in sickness and in health, for better and worse?”
I looked up at Aadin’s face, and breathed in. “I do.”
