My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Then, mustering all her courage, she flung the heavy urn as far into the horizon as she could, through tears and sobs.

"I promised to love you... only until it's time to say goodbye. And that moment has come. Today, I say goodbye. Today, I let you go, Grandpa... You're free now. Go be with Grandma, go be with my mom. Rest. And when the time comes, I'll join you. Maybe then you'll meet my husband-a wonderful man, a man..."noveldrama

"A man who'll always be there when you need him most..." Marcus said, wrapping his arms around his wife and filling her with the warmth, peace, and calm that only he could give her.

Valerie clung to her husband's embrace and cried quietly for a few minutes. In her heart, she promised this would be the last time she cried for her family-for her mother, her grandmother, and above all, her grandfather.

That grandfather who started a whole new chapter of her life just before she turned eighteen. That grandfather who, in an effort to protect her, took her to see another world, meet other people-and who, without knowing it, led her straight to the love of her life.

"Marcus..."

"Yes, my love..."

"I want to make you that same promise... I promise to love you, to honor and cherish you, until the day I have to say goodbye... And I hope that's many, many years from now-and that you're the one who goes first..."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I don't like imagining you alone. I don't like the idea of you being left behind if I go first. No... I want to be the one to live with that loneliness. I want to be the one to wait for the end so I can see you again when the time is right."

"Valerie..."

She turned to him, her face soaked in tears, pulled him close, and kissed him... It was a sad kiss, but a necessary one-a seal to a silent vow. A promise to share life for as long as time allowed.

After a moment, Marcus smiled and said, "I think it's time to head back to the shore. The tide's rising, and we don't want to worry the kids..."

"You're right."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes... This was something I needed to do," Valerie said, wiping her eyes.

"I love you, Valerie Hunter-or Mary Preston, whichever name you prefer. I love you, and that love will never fade.

*I thank life for giving me the chance to find you and Serenity again. You two were my lifeline—what kept me from dying inside-and since then, life has been amazing.

"I really hope we grow old together. And if it brings you any peace, I'm ninety-nine percent sure I'll die before you..."

"Marcus..."

"That's one of your worries, so you can relax, my love. With our age gap, chances are I'll kick the bucket first..."

"Marcus!"

"Come on, let's go to the kids."

Back at the shore, Serenity hugged her tightly, and John joined in. Their hugs filled Valerie with love, made her feel better, reminded her of the present and how beautifully she was living it. She had nothing to fear. She had a wonderful husband, loving children, a beautiful granddaughter, and an amazing son-in-law-there was nothing else she could ask for in life.

Valerie walked hand in hand with Marcus, who pushed the stroller with the twins. She was thankful to life-for holding Marcus's hand, and for holding John's with the other. Her baby, who wasn't such a baby anymore.

Ahead of them walked Serenity, Alden, Ethan, and Isabelle... She thought back to

her past, and never-not even in her wildest dreams-had she imagined a moment like this.

Now she understood that Solaria

isn't a place you walk through-it's a place you feel, you breathe, you love. You love it beside the people you love. You love it with every picture it gives you. It wasn't the place it was the people by your side who made your life whole.