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She grins at me every step she takes, doing a small spin to show off her dress. The grass beneath her feet is so green, and the flowers in the field behind her dance in the breeze.
She continues to move toward me until, finally, she reaches where I stand. “Looking good, Mr. Hale. Looking good.”
Putting my hands on hers, I pull her toward me and kiss her lips. “I’ve missed you,” I say, gazing down into her eyes.
“I’ve been right here.” She smiles up at me. “I’ll always be here, Hudson.”
“I hope so.” I press my lips to hers again and move one hand to her cheek. She’s always had the softest skin. “Where is everyone?” I nod my head toward where people should be sitting.
Her eyes dance with something, narrowing slightly as she gives me a crooked grin. “I just wanted to see you, baby. That’s all.”
I frown, confused by her answer but happy nonetheless because it was me who just wanted to elope and not have an actual wedding. I don’t need anything fancy as long as I have her.
Suddenly, there’s a tiny giggle, and our heads move to look where it came from. Out from behind a huge apple blossom tree peeks a little girl. She can’t be more than five or six years old. She wears a light-blue dress, and her curly brown hair is pulled into a ponytail.
“She’s been waiting for you.” Cami’s eyes stay on the little girl as she runs toward us. “We both have.”
“Who is she?” I ask, watching the little girl as she gets closer. When she’s close enough for me to get a better look at her face, I can’t believe how much she looks like Cami.
“She’s ours,” Cami whispers, placing her hand on my biceps and giving it a slight squeeze. “Yours and mine. All wrapped up in one perfect little angel.”
My eyes fly to hers, and everything comes back to me.
The wedding.
The pregnancy.
The accident.
“Am I—” I start to say, but the little girl tugs at my hand.
“Hi, Daddy,” she whispers.
I gaze from her to my wife, my heart racing and my lips trembling.
Kneeling, I put my hand on her face to see if she’s real. If I really could have made something so perfect.
“Hi,” I say, tears filling my eyes as I take in the world’s most beautiful little girl. “I can’t believe I finally get to meet you.”
“Don’t cry, Daddy.” She takes her tiny hand and brushes it against my face. “Mama was right. You are handsome.”
A butterfly floats by, catching her attention, and a smile spreads across her face before she takes off to chase it. When I push myself to my feet, Cami stands beside me, looping her arm around mine.
“She’s … amazing,” I say, staring at her as she runs into the field after the butterfly.
“She is,” she answers before releasing my arm and coming to stand in front of me. “You can’t stay, Hudson. Even if I wish that you could.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My eyes narrow, and I shake my head. “What do you mean, I can’t stay? I’m dead, aren’t I?” I grab her hands. “I want to stay here. I need to stay here.”
Her eyes are sad, and her smile begins to fade. “We’re okay, Hudson, I promise.” Her eyes gloss over, and a tear streams down her soft cheek. “You need to go back. Your story isn’t over yet.”
My fingers brush the wetness under her eyes, and my eyes dance between hers. “My story is here. With you. And our daughter.”
Bringing my hand to her lips, she presses a small kiss to it. “We are just a part of your story, Hudson Hale. But there’s so much more to it back there.”
“No,” I say angrily. “I won’t go back.”
Her head tilts to the side. “Oh, baby. Don’t you understand? She needs you.”
