“I love you too, Ashton. I’m sorry I thought you’d left me, I should have just called you but I didn’t think.”
“Shhh, it’s fine. You’re here and we’re together.”
“I think I was scared of losing you. You got under my skin, Ashton Kennedy.”
“I was so scared I’d lost you, too, Acacia. I know how scary and how painful it is. I would move heaven and earth to not lose you. My life wouldn’t have been worth going on if I’d have experienced another loss.” His thumb strokes down my cheek as he speaks.
“Maybe I had an angel looking over me?” I whisper. His thumb stops moving as he looks down at me.
“Do you think so?” Ash asks. His eyes study my face.
I nod a little cautiously and watch as his face lights up with a smile as he agrees with me, “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He leans into me for a soft kiss.
“Will you tell me about her one day?” I bite down on my lip, wondering if this is the best time to ask that question, but to my surprise, he smiles wide. “Yeah, I’ll tell you about her. I’d like that.”
We snuggle up on the bed and enjoy the peaceful silence together. We are content in our silence and sleep overtakes both of us.
One Week Later
Ash gets out of the truck and opens my door, helping me out of the truck. We walk through the gates of the cemetery hand in hand, but I stop him before we go any further.
“What’s up?” Ashton asks as he looks down at me. I gaze up at him, “Are you sure you want to do this? I don’t want to intrude.”
He cups my face in his hands and looks at me lovingly. “Acacia, you’re not intruding. I love you, and I want to introduce you to April, properly. She would love you. Come on, you ready?”
I nod as he bends slightly to kiss me. He hugs me tight before pulling away. I’ve got used to his tight hugs, I know as he hugs like that he’s telling me I’m his and he’s not letting me go; it’s comforting.
I still can’t believe how or when he became to mean so much to me?
I thought I was annoyed at him from the first moment I saw him, but before I could notice the change or how it happened, I was neck deep in his love.
I love him with all my heart, so much I think it may burst.
Ash takes my hand again and leads me to April’s resting place. We both stand there at the bottom of the grave. I look around, there are flowers and a framed picture of her sitting on the grave. She was so pretty with her dark hair.
I let out a gasp, but it soon turns into a sob, I can’t hold back my emotions. I place my hand across my mouth so he can’t hear me.
“Hey April,” Ashton says, his voice thick with pent up emotion. I watch him with tears in my eyes.
This moment is just so precious, so special. He caresses my hand before saying, “This is Acacia, I thought you should meet her. I did what you wanted me to, I moved on. I know you watched over her for me, you brought her back to me. Thank you.” he rasps, his Adam’s apple is moving as he tries to make out of the words.
Tears blur my vision, but I don’t attempt to wipe them away, knowing they won’t stop anytime soon.
“I love her April, but then you knew, didn’t you? You knew even before I could figure it out, always so smart.”
He runs his hand over the top of the gravestone, lovingly, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. “You’ll always be with me April, always in my heart,” he chokes and kisses his fingers before placing them on top of the gravestone.
Walking back towards me he wraps me in his arms. I slide my arms around his waist and rest my cheek on his chest.
“I love you with everything I have, Acacia. I’m yours, baby,” Ashton whispers with unshed tears in his eyes.
Looking at the grave, I smile with gratitude to the woman I’ve never had the chance to meet in real life.
“Bye, April. Thank you for looking after him and helping him find his way into my life.” I wipe away the tears as Ashton looks at me with a sad smile before kissing the top of my head.
I never did tell Ashton about my experience with April. I wasn’t even sure if it even happened or if it was just a dream, but deep down I knew it was real. I remember everything she said to me. That’s our secret, and it’ll stay with me for the rest of my life.
“Let’s go home.” Ashton picks me up in his arms as he takes me by surprise, causing me to squeal. I put my arms around his neck and hold on to him as he carries me the rest of the way to the car.