Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
It took quite a bit of time to load Kane, first from the bed to the chair, and then the chair to the car. Robert had to reach over and strap his father in with the seat belt. Kane was exhausted and winded just getting himself inside the car. Robert fought his need to drive straight to the hospital, but he wanted to honor this last wish before getting his father the help he needed. The ride to the cemetery was quick, but Kane seemed to weaken by the minute.
Robert pulled the car as close as he could to his dad's grave. He put it in park, got out, then pulled the wheelchair from the trunk. He hoisted his father into the chair because he was too weak to lift himself. His father's eyes focused on Avery's tombstone, and nothing more seemed to exist for him.
"Daddy, we aren't staying long," Robert said as he began to wheel Kane forward. Kane's only response was more coughing. Robert parked Kane close to the headstone, locked the wheels in place, and made sure Kane was completely covered before he left him to go back to the car to make plans with the hospital for Kane's arrival. He paced beside the car, making phone calls, keeping a watchful eye on Kane. He'd give him fifteen minutes, and then they were gone. After he set all the wheels in motion, his last phone call was to Autumn, letting her know to meet them at the hospital as soon as possible.
Chapter 36
Kane struggled for air, taking shallow breaths as he kept his eyes focused on Avery's tombstone. The words he wanted to speak wouldn't come; his mind was so muddled, he couldn't think. It was all he could do to hold himself upright in the chair. Could Avery know what he was thinking? He needed to say the words out loud, wanted them to be heard. Needed to tell Avery how much he loved him. He was so afraid of losing the bond he'd felt here, so close to his soul mate. The connection was all he had left of Avery.
Closing his eyes, he tried to open his heart and mind. He didn't think about his struggles for breath, he ignored the vise-like pain gripping his chest and held on to his thoughts of Avery, knowing Robert wouldn't let him stay long. He had to do this, had to tell Avery. After a moment, he felt the first stirs of Avery. His Avery. The cool air faded away. In its place was warmth that caressed his soul. He felt Avery's presence there with him, this time stronger than any time before. He could feel Avery missing him as he missed Avery, and he smiled.
"I love you," Kane said as the weight of his body slumped forward. His voice somehow seemed richer than before. In an odd sensation, Kane felt lighter and Avery's presence grew stronger. His chest no longer hurt, his vision was clearer than it had been in years as he floated weightlessly, experiencing a comforting peace he'd never known before.
In the distance, he could see a brilliant white light. Something wasn't right. Movement below him caught his attention, drawing his focus away from the peacefulness of the light. He watched Robert running, but not from the ground where he'd been earlier, but from where he now hovered above. That confused him. Almost like watching a movie playing before him.
His gaze followed as Robert ran toward the toppled wheelchair. Robert yelled as he grabbed the frail body, flipping it over. The realization dawned on him that he looked down at himself, but he wasn't afraid or frightened. He felt…serene, as if he'd been wrapped in a blanket of tranquility. Kane watched curiously as Robert began CPR on his old lifeless body, which caused a sharp tug to pull at him, drawing him back down toward the empty shell Robert so frantically worked on. Kane resisted. He felt no connection there, but the pull was too strong. No…No…No! He slowly floated back down, away from the warmth of the light until there was nothing but darkness.
"Babe, open your eyes." Kane swore he heard Avery's voice, stronger than ever, and he tightened his eyes, keeping them closed, trying to hold on to that precious sound. "I'm right here, Kane. Open your eyes. Reach out and touch me."
Kane inhaled deeply and held the breath inside his body, trying to keep Avery's scent with him. He had to be dreaming, but this was the best dream he'd had since Avery died. He braced himself for the expected discomfort at the thought of Avery's death, but the pain didn't slice across his heart or wake him up sobbing in grief. Kane gave a diminutive smile in relief. "I miss you."
"Oh hell, Kane, open your eyes. I'm not allowed to touch you until you look around, but you're killing me. I need my hands on you, I need to touch you," Avery barked. Kane sensed him close to his face, felt his breath caress his skin, and he fought the tears. This was the way Avery had always woken him in the mornings, right up in his face. Slowly, he cracked his lids. That same intense bright light he remembered from earlier blinded him and had him shutting his eyes tightly again.
"Try again, Kane. I'm here," Avery coaxed. A dark shadow passed over his face and Kane cautiously opened his lids again to see Avery grinning down at him, only inches from his face. It wasn't the Avery he regularly dreamed about, the one he'd grown old with. Instead, he was young. All Kane could do was stare. His Avery was such a beautiful man. Kane reached up and pushed that stray piece of hair off Avery's forehead just like he'd done thousands of times over their lives together.
"I don't want to wake up from this one." Avery gripped his arms tightly and leaned all the way in to kiss him. Kane parted his lips for Avery's and was rewarded when his beloved's tongue slid across the tip of his before Avery's soft lips pressed firmly against him in a tender kiss. Just as Kane relaxed into the kiss, Avery pulled away.