One and Only

Chapter Twenty Two - Life

I could not recall a time in my life when I had felt more rapturous joy than I did in that moment. Every part of my being suddenly enfused itself with joy that my frame could hardly contain. Every breath was like a miracle. Every passing minute was like a thousand years of happiness.

On my bed, I offered a whispered prayer of gratitude and joy. I could not begin to conceive the boundless wonders of the miracle I was now feeling. Shaun was alive. And he remembered that he loved me.

He sent a second message just seconds after the first. He told me he was home and asked if I would come to visit him. And that he loved me for never giving up on him, or God.

For a while I wept tears of joy, and all the way to Shaun's home, I could not wipe the blissful smile from my face. Suddenly everything was perfect. Everything was beautiful.

And Shaun was alive.

It was dad who drove me to Shaun's house. Matt greeted us at the door and told me that he was going out to get some food. Dad offered to come with him so I would have some time alone with Shaun. I thanked them both and stepped inside the unfamiliar house.

I removed my shoes in the small entrance and listened to the silence.

"Hello?" I called. "Sweetheart?"

I wandered further in and came into the living room. Photos of Shaun were everywhere. I stood in the centre of the room and looked around for any signs of my sweetheart.

"Ruby?"

When I turned around, I saw him. He emerged from the hallway with a fresh bandage tied around his head. His eyes were glittering and his smile was brilliant. My heart raced.

"Shaun," I beamed. He rushed into my arms and swept me off my feet, twirling me. I was crushed against him. Never had anyone held me so tight, as though it would mean death itself to let go. As if I was the thing keeping him alive.

I could not tell how long we held each other, but when we let go I felt empty, like half of me was missing.

"You are an angel," he whispered. His face was so close to mine and his eyes were smiling. He looked so proud to be with me that I felt humbled.

"I could never give up on you, Shaun," I told him.

He crushed me to him again. I could feel his strong arms around me. "I'll never leave you," he whispered. "Never."

I touched his bandage gently. "Are you in pain? Do you want to sit down?"

"No," he smiled with pure joy. "I want to stay here with you."

I kissed his cheek. "I love you."

His hand stroked my face. "And I love you."

Suddenly I felt dizzy and lost for breath. "I think I'm going to faint."

"Here, sweetheart," he whispered and helped me lay down on the carpet. "Would you like a drink of water?"

"No," I smiled, reaching for his hand. His fingers grasped mine. "I want to just sit here with you forever. You're alive."

He lay down so his head and mine were side by side, but his body lay the other way. I listened to him breathing and fought back the urge to cry again. Was he really here, lying beside me, fully conscious?

"Do you feel alright?" I asked him.

"I have a headache, but you're here. I couldn't be better, I promise you."

"You have no idea how much I love you Shaun."

He rolled over so his face was above mine and his elbows propped him up. "Well if its some infinite, inconceivable amount... I think I do have some idea."

Slowly, he leaned down. His lips met with the corner of my mouth, and he kissed me ever so softly, as though I were as delicate as a butterfly. Our first kiss. It was like a dream. I closed my eyes, knowing I'd never been happier before in my whole life. His lips moved squarely over mine and he kissed me deeply.

Between his kisses, he whispered beautiful things I would never repeat to anyone, simply because they were so special, and I would always hold them close to my heart.

When he stroked my cheek he kissed me once more and said, "I will love you long after the day I die. I will love you eternally."