Page 122 of A Win-Win Situation
"You haven’t said a word since we left the funeral. Please say something, anything. What can I do?" Leora's voice pierces through the heavy silence that's settled between us.
The funeral was a testament to the impact my uncle had on people’s lives. Friends from all corners of the world had come to pay their respect. The church echoed with stories of his adventure, the laughter he’d brought to people and their shared memories.
Not an eye was dry. It was a beautiful goodbye, a celebration of a life well-lived, and a reminder that he’ll always be with us. As empty as I feel right now, at least I know I’ve been loved by him my whole life, and it will continue with Leora.
The dim, cold lighting of the parking garage casts eerie shadows on our faces. I turn my gaze to her, and her red, puffy eyes mirror the grief that weighs down on my chest like a leaden anchor. All I want to do is console her, hug her, and tell her that everything will be alright but there’s no energy in me to do anything.
"Having you by my side is enough," I manage to choke out, my voice trembling with the weight of sorrow.
It’s true.
She’s everything. Having her by my side is the greatest comfort I can find in this overwhelming darkness. She’s the most precious gift my uncle could have ever left me, a gift I didn’t appreciate when he first introduced us.
I reach into my suit pocket and take out the letter that was handed to me by our lawyer after the funeral. Both Liam and I got one. He read his on the spot and broke down. I wasn't ready then—I didn’t want to break down in front of him. But now, for some reason, sitting in the car with Leora, I am ready to face whatever is inside this letter.
Leora reaches out and places her hand over mine. "You can do it. I’m with you, all the way."
With trembling fingers, I carefully open the envelope. My heart races as I begin to read, every word a poignant reminder of the man who’s no longer with us.
My Dearest Lucas,
My pride and joy, as I sit down to write these words, my heart is heavy with the knowledge that this might be the last time I get to express my feelings to you in this way. Life is a fragile and beautiful thing, my son, and it's in moments like these that we truly appreciate its fleeting nature.
I want you to know, Lucas, how much you mean to me and how immensely proud I am of the man you've become. You've grown into an amazing individual, a person of remarkable character and unwavering strength. I've always known the potential you held within you, even if I didn't alwaysexpress it in the gentlest of ways. I pushed you because I believed in you, and I knew that you had the capacity to achieve greatness. You've exceeded even my highest expectations.
Your parents, may their souls rest in peace, would be bursting with pride if they could see you and your brother now. You have your mother's eyes, Lucas, and every time I look into them, I see a reflection of her warmth and kindness. I see her spirit living on in you. When I look at Liam’s determination, I see your father. You two are the living legacy of the love your parents had for each other.
Before I met Leora, I must confess, I was worried about you. I was afraid that you would continue to bear the weight of the world on your shoulders and that you wouldn't allow anyone to share your burdens or your joys. But then, when Leora came into your life, I witnessed a transformation. She fit with you in a way that was truly remarkable. I saw how she helped you carry the world, how she eased the burdens that you've carried for so long. Most importantly, she showed you how to accept love. You, my dear son, have always been a giver. Your heart is boundless, andyour capacity for love knows no bounds. However, I understand that receiving love has often been a challenge for you. It takes a special kind of person to break down those barriers, and Leora is that person. She has shown you that it's not just about giving love, it's about allowing yourself to be loved in return.
As I write these final words, please understand that my love for you is eternal. I've loved you all your life. Don't think that just because I'm gone, I'll stop loving you. I'll be watching over you, my dear Lucas, guiding you from above.
With all my love,
Ammo Antoine
PS: Lucas, ya ebni, don't delay in giving Leora the gift you've been wanting to give her. Life is too short to wait, and she deserves all the love and happiness in the world. Make every moment count, and let your love for each other shine brightly.
"Lucas . . ." Leora's voice falters, and when I look into her eyes, I can't see her clearly. Everything blurs into a haze of grief and loss. Something warm runs down my cheek, then another and another. Before I know it, Leora grabs me. Her hand envelops my head as she hugs me to her chest, and I feel a strange mix of vulnerability and strength. Vulnerability because I'm allowing myself to break down, to admit that I need comfort,and strength because her love is the buoy that keeps me from completely drowning.
I allow myself to truly mourn. I sob for the man who has been not only my guardian, but also my guiding light. His unconditional love has shaped me into the person I've become, and his absence leaves an irreplaceable void.
Leora holds me through it all, her arms a sanctuary of solace and understanding. She whispers soothing words, the gentle cadence of her voice a balm to my broken soul. Her fingers stroke my hair with tenderness, and in her embrace, amidst the torrents of my grief, I realize something. It's a truth I've known for a while, deep in my heart, but now, in this moment I find the courage to voice it.
"I love you. I’minlove with you," I whisper, the words escaping my lips like a secret finally revealed. "I’ve loved you for a long time. I should have told you sooner."
Leora's grip on me tightens, and I feel her heart beating in sync with mine. She doesn't say anything for a moment. Then, she lifts my head gently with her hands while her fingers wipe away the tears that fall. Her eyes are filled with tenderness, and she says those three words that bring warmth to my heart.
"I love you, too," she says softly, her voice carrying the weight of her own emotions. I lean in and capture Leora's lips with mine. Our kiss is a gentle dance of emotions, a silent confession of the love that has silently blossomed between us. We went from being two selfish people bound by an agreement to becoming something much more. Something I never in a million years thought I would find. We’ve become what I always saw between my parents. I finally found it.
As our kiss deepens, the world around us fades into the background, its significance diminishing. The weight of grief is momentarily lifted, replaced by the sweet, comforting embrace of her.
In this kiss, we find strength, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
In this kiss, I know that whatever mountain life wants to throw at me, I can climb it together with Leora.
EPILOGUE
LEORA
