18
I couldn't stop thinking about that night after we made up. It was my dream come true. Edward, in my arms once again, where he belonged.
That night, when we made love was like a reunion of the souls. It was the two pieces of the puzzle finally being untied after being torn apart. Never, not since our first time, had we had a more passionate session. My body had missed his, and I wanted him never to forget who he belonged to.
I wanted to own him, to possess him, to make him feel like he was deserved, loved, cherished, wanted, adored. I gave him everything he wanted that evening, all the kisses in all the right places; touching him, caressing him, making him mine.
We were dripping in sweat, or perspiration, as Edward liked to say.
When it was all over, our sheets soaked with our love, we slept heavy wrapped in each other’s arms. Together again, just the way it was supposed to be. I had my man back in my life, and I was never going to let him go.
~~~
The next day I purposefully woke up early enough so that I could make him breakfast in bed. I vowed to myself that I was going to start treating him like the prince he was and although it wasn’t anything grand, it was a start. But when I reached out to his side of the bed, he was gone.
I panicked, my heart flip-flopping. Had he changed his mind?
"Edward?!" I called for him.
I found him in the bathroom minutes later, and I had to remind myself that he was back and wasn’t going anywhere.
On the phone, his tone hushed as he spoke into the mouthpiece. I tapped on the door and stuck my head in as he hung up.
"You all right?" I cracked a smile. "Heartburn, acid indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea—Pepto Bismol anyone?"
"I can't stay here," he said flatly. My smile faded as quickly as it had come.
"Did I do something wrong?" I asked.
He sighed. "No, I… it's my grandma."
"What about her?"
"I've got to go," he said.
"What happened?" I asked, kneeling down by him. It may sound selfish, but I was just glad that it wasn’t about me this time.
He turned to me, his lips quivering, his eyes watering and hugged me tightly. I pulled him into my embrace.
"Baby, what happened?"
He pulled away only long enough to answer me, "She's in the hospital. She had an accident at home. Broke her leg."
"This—you're not joking, right?" I asked.
"I wish. I'm the only one who can take care of her. I have to leave tonight. I've got some money in savings I can—"
"I'll pay for it."
"You don't have..."
"Don't worry; I said, 'I'll pay for it.' We'll get you on a plane right away, and I'll send you more money as soon as I get it. Don't worry."
"Thank you," he said.
"I got you, babe."
~~~
Putting him on the plane was the hardest thing I ever did. When he came back into my life, I vowed that I would never let him go again. And yet here I was, doing just that, not knowing if he was ever coming back.
He promised me he'd return, that this was only a temporary setback, but there was an aching feeling inside me that this may be the last time I'd see him.
The last thing he said to me was, "Promise me you won't give up your music—no matter what."
"Okay."
"You have to say it."
"I promise."
"And a promise—" he started to say.
"— Is a promise," I said, finishing his sentence.
It was a tense moment for both of us. I could tell he was fighting the tears, as was I. One of us had to remain strong for the other, I only wondered which one was doing that.
"Focus on your dream, no matter what. Okay? I'm coming back to you, and we're going to live on more than just Ramen noodles."
"Okay, baby." I raised his hand to my lips, knowing that I would miss the way they felt, the way they smelled. He needed my support right then, and if that meant a temporary setback, I'd do it.
"I don't know when I'm coming back, but I will."
"What if you fall out of love with me? What if it takes too long?" I couldn't help the words from tumbling out of my mouth.
"You said it yourself, 'true love never ends'."
I nodded, kissing him one last time before I let him go, hoping it wouldn't be the last time.
"Cody?"
"Yeah, babe."
"Can I have my wedding ring back?"
"I thought you'd never ask." Still dangling around my neck, I took the ring from the piece of string as I dropped down to one knee. "Edward Curtis Lohan—"
"Yes, baby. A thousand times, yes."
And that was when I knew that this was final. I slipped the ring on Edward's finger, and we kissed one last time. It’s a kiss I will never forget.
"Remember your promise and when you sing, sing to me," he called back before stepping away, before stepping out of my life and into the unknown. "Remember to feed Sasha! He needs all the attention he can get!"