Tears were trickling down his cheeks dropping onto her upturned face. His heart clenched, she was not strong; he knew that. Every day she lost a little more energy.
“Amy, it’s always been only you for me, there’s been no other.”
Her eyelids now closed were akin to tiny pink shells bordered by lashes fanning out like delicate daisy petals on pale cheeks. He sat for a while at peace just for being with her, totally enthralled, his gaze never leaving her face.
Opening her eyes, suddenly she met his scrutiny head on.
“Alex, of course I forgive you and I’ve finally forgiven myself. At last, I can rest easy and you’re here with me and that’s all that matters.”
She slept then and very carefully so as not to waken her he lifted her, carried her to her little bedroom at the end of the hall and laid her on the soft down floral eiderdown. How ashen she was but how infinitely beautiful as she lay amongst the flowers she loved so much displayed all over her bedding. He sat for a long time by her side cherishing every precious moment.
Finally in his own bed, his sleep was fitful and he repeatedly checked on Amy, always pausing for a few minutes to marvel again at her exquisite little form. She looked like an angel, so tranquil, as she reposed in sleep. How lucky they’d been to have had these years together in peace and happiness.
The next morning he moved slowly into the day. He thought he’d go downstairs and make a special breakfast for himself and Amy.
There she was on the kitchen floor. He stood transfixed, twelve years old again and engulfed in that deadly freezing cold so familiar to him, remembering another time when these same feelings had enveloped him totally and completely. Stooping and cradling her head in his lap, he remained for a long time and prayed as he had for his mother.
Full circle, I’ve gone full circle, he thought. Gently laying her head down, he stood heartbroken, gazing down at her the love of his life. Grief absorbed his whole being but he felt a strange calmness. He was at peace with himself as she was.
The next few days were a haze of people, arrangements and the cremation which Amy had wanted. Fiona was wonderful and at his side throughout. Amy had left the house to him. She knew he loved it as much as she did; it would be in good hands and life would remain much the same for old Willow.
Fiona was coming tomorrow. She was bringing the new man in her life; it seemed that he might be the one; they obviously had deep feelings for each other. A smile came to his lips, he remembered when he had first brought Amy to meet dear old Frank a life-time ago and yet it seemed like yesterday.
He sat listening to the rain pattering on the window, sounding like the delicate chinking of glasses and imagined them again toasting each other by the firelight as they had done so often these past years. He could hear her laughter as they both looked down at the old dog, always in between them relishing every moment. Amy never tired of saying, “Take a look at that old dog gazing up at us; just look at the love in her eyes.”
Dear Amy, his precious Amy gone, body taken from him but she was with him still, her spirit lingering in this house, their home. He raised his glass to his lips.
“To you, my sweet love.”
And the old dog looked up at him with love in her eyes.
Epilogue
Occasionally, a window in life opens allowing the light of ever-enduring love to shine in; a brilliant all-encompassing love.
As with all windows, it must eventually close and the conscious and physical love are no more, only to evolve into an energy force of unimaginable magnitude, merging two soulmates to travel as one throughout eternity.
Many never experience a love such as this but those that do are indeed blessed.
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