A Thousand Boy Kisses(97)

Rune’s lip hooked up in the corner, as I stared at him with hard eyes. He ran his finger down my face. “Okay, Poppymin. I will.”

I smiled at his amusement, but then said, in all seriousness, “You have so much to offer the world, Rune. You’re the boy who gave me kisses, made real my last wishes. That boy doesn’t stop because he suffers loss. Instead, he rises, just as sure as the sun rises each new day.” I sighed. “Weather the storm, Rune. Then remember one thing.”

“What?” he asked.

Losing my frustration, I smiled and said, “Moonbeam hearts and sunshine smiles.”

Unsuccessfully holding back his laughter, Rune set it free … and it was beautiful. I closed my eyes as the rich baritone washed over me. “I know, Poppymin. I know.”

“Good,” I said triumphantly and leaned back against him. My heart clenched when I saw the dawn beginning to flare on the horizon. Reaching down, I silently took hold of Rune’s hand and held it in mine.

This sunrise needed no narration. I had told Rune everything I had to say. I loved him. I wanted him to live. And I knew I would see him again.

My peace was made.

I was ready to let go.

As if sensing the completion in my soul, Rune held me so impossibly tight, as the crest of the sun broke over the blue waters, chasing the stars away.

My eyelids began to become heavy as I sat so contentedly in Rune’s arms.

“Poppymin?”

“Mm?”

“Have I been enough for you too?” The gruff tone of Rune’s voice caused my heart to break, but I nodded softly.

“More than anything,” I confirmed and, with a smile, added just for him, “You’ve been as special as special can be.”

Rune sucked in a breath at my response.

As the sun rose to her place, to watch protectively over the sky, I said, “Rune, I’m ready to go home.”

Rune squeezed me one last time, then moved to get to his feet. As he moved, I weakly lifted my hand and held onto his wrist. Rune looked down at me, and blinked back his tears. “I mean … I’m ready to go home.”

Rune’s eyes closed for a moment. He crouched down and cradled my face in his hands. When his eyes opened, he nodded. “I know, baby. I felt it the moment you decided.”

I smiled. I took one last glance at the panoramic view.

It was time.

Rune gently lifted me into his arms, and I watched his beautiful face as he walked back over the sand. He held my gaze.

Turning one more time to face the sun, my eyes dropped to the golden sand. And then my heart filled with such impossible light when I whispered, “Look, Rune. Look at your footprints in the sand.”

Rune’s eyes left mine to observe the beach. His breath caught and his gaze came back to me. Lip quivering, I whispered, “You carried me. In my hardest times, when I couldn’t walk … you carried me through.”

“Always,” Rune managed to reply hoarsely. “Forever always.”

Taking a deep breath, I laid my head against his chest and hushed out, “Take me home, baby.”

As Rune drove, chasing the day, I didn’t move my eyes from him once.

I wanted to remember him just like this.

Always.

Until he was back in my arms for good.





Rune



It was two days later.

Two days of lying beside Poppy in bed, committing her every feature to memory. Holding her, kissing her—reaching our nine hundred and ninety-ninth kiss.

When we returned from the beach, Poppy’s bed had been pulled to the window, just like in the hospital. With each hour, she weakened, but, just like Poppy, with each passing minute she was filled with happiness. Her smiles reassuring us all that she was okay.

I was so damn proud of her.

As I stood at the back of the room, I watched as each of her family members kissed her goodbye. I listened, as her sisters and DeeDee told her they would see her again. I stayed strong as her parents held their tears for their girl.

When her mama stepped aside, I saw Poppy’s hand reach out. She was reaching out for me. Inhaling deeply, I forced my leaden feet to push forward to her bed.

She still took my breath away with how beautiful she was. “Hei, Poppymin,” I said and sat on the edge of her bed.

“Hey, baby,” she replied, her voice now barely above a whisper. I brought my hand to hers and pressed a kiss to her mouth.

Poppy smiled and melted my heart. A loud gust of wind blew past the window, whistling against the glass. Poppy inhaled sharply. I turned to see what she was seeing.

A mass of blossom petals went sailing in the wind.

“They’re leaving…,” she said.

I closed my eyes briefly. It was apt that Poppy left the same day that the cherry blossoms lost their petals too.

They were guiding her soul home.

Poppy’s breathing hollowed and I leaned forward, knowing this was it. I pressed my forehead to hers, just one last time. Poppy lifted her soft hand to my hair. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too, Poppymin.”

As I pulled back, Poppy looked into my eyes and said, “I’ll see you in your dreams.”

Trying to hold back my emotions, I rasped back, “I’ll see you in my dreams.”

Poppy sighed, a peaceful smile gracing her face. Then Poppy closed her eyes, tilting her chin up for her final kiss, her hand squeezing mine.