“One of my best friends,” he stated honestly. “Someone who helped me through the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through.”
“You were right about what everyone lost without you.”
“I hate knowing everything that happened without me.” He saw the concern flare in Gabriel’s eyes. “But I feel better to know it, Gabriel. It makes me…” He paused and looked down at his son. A slow smile crossed his face as that warmth filled his body again, the peace of knowing everything was finally right, everything and everyone was right where they belonged. “It’s corny, but I appreciate everything so much more now.”
Gabriel nodded and took a seat on the armchair, the baby sleeping soundly in his arms. “If it’s too much for you, I can make you forget. The memories will fade over time, then all you’ll have is here and now. The details of your death will be nothing more than a vague fuzzy thought once in a while.”
Josh emphatically shook his head. “No, it was a learning experience. I wouldn’t want to forget our friendship. You mean a lot to me.”
Gabriel smiled. “The feeling is mutual.” He looked at Avery lying in bed. “How is she?”
The mere mention of her made Josh smile, and he took a seat on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb her. “She’s…” He let out a deep breath. “She’s Avery. I’m just grateful she has no clue what might have been.” He twisted his wedding band around his finger. Six months since she’d put the gold band on his hand, and he was never going to take it off. “How are you, G? Busy up there?”
He nodded, carefully holding Austin out to Josh. “Got appointed to the panel. They apparently approved of the way I handled your situation.”
Josh raised an eyebrow in question as he took his son from his friend and cradled the baby close to his chest.
Gabriel actually blushed, his expression sheepish. “They hadn’t decided yet if you were to go back with him, so I sent you both myself.”
“Gabriel!” The thought that Gabriel had obviously done something outside the box had come to him a thousand times, but G had always stuck with the rules. Josh had never thought he’d go that far for him.
“Would you have wanted me to wait? I saw how much she truly hurt, how everyone suffered at the loss of Austin, and what the future could be, what it was becoming at that very moment. Returning you was the only real rational choice anyone had. She’s fine, yes?”
“She’s perfect.”
“The pregnancy?”
“Textbook, apparently.”
“And Austin?”
Josh kissed his son’s head. “Just like her, amazingly perfect.”
In a familiar gesture, Gabriel squeezed his shoulder. “Then I did no wrong.” He smiled down lovingly at the little boy. “He’s going to be a wonderful man, just like his father.” Ever so slightly, Gabriel began to fade away in front of him. “Take care of them, Josh.”
“Always, G,” Josh promised as his friend disappeared in front of him. “Always.” Josh watched, the silhouette fading away until all that was left was just a memory.
***
Author’s note:
If you’ve enjoyed IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES please leave a review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Chalmers is the author of IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES and the upcoming paranormal romance, Dark Intent. She writes an eclectic mix, but has a special place in her heart for all things that go bump in the night.
Visit Lisa online:
http://www.lisa-chalmers.com
https://www.facebook.com/LisaChalmersInk
https://twitter.com/lisaink
Sign up for Lisa’s newsletter here
If Tomorrow Never Comes Page 33