“Can I eat all of them?” Thomas’ eyes lit up at the thought of it.
“They’re to share with your classmates,” I said.
“Oh.” He stuck out his bottom lip and pouted.
Theo looked at me and then down at Thomas. “How about if we go upstairs, get you dressed, fix this mess on your head, and clean your teeth like a big boy, then maybe you can have one with your breakfast.”
Thomas’ grin grew and he nodded, taking off for the stairs.
Theo grabbed his cup of coffee and started to follow behind him before turning around and making his way back to me. “Did I tell you I love you today?”
“You did.” I laughed. Every morning when I’d wake up, he’d always say “I love you” before he’d speak any other words to me. Each time my heart would flutter as if it was the first time he was ever saying it to me.
He inched closer, pressing his forehead to mine. “Well, I’m saying it again because every day you make me happier and happier.”
“That’s funny because I was going to say the same thing about you.”
Our lips meshed together and quickly came apart when we heard Thomas calling from up the stairs. “Uncle Tee! I can’t reach my toothbrush!” We both looked at one another and chuckled. Theo planted one last kiss on my cheek before heading up the stairs to help Thomas.
I finished with the last cupcake, then poured myself a cup of coffee. A pinkish tint lit up the sky as I peered out the kitchen window as the early morning sunshine overtook the rain from just a short while ago. Slipping on my raincoat hanging by the back door, I took my cup of coffee and headed out to watch Mother Nature’s display. Stopping when I reached the garden area, I wiped off the damp bench with my hand as best as I could before taking a seat.
I closed my eyes, savoring the first sip of coffee sliding down my throat. As I opened them once again, I gasped, not believing what I was witnessing—the most vibrant rainbow I had ever seen. It was Kate. I knew it. She was here to visit her little boy on his birthday. Tilting my head to the sky, I began to speak. “Hi, Kate. How are things on your side of the rainbow? I hope Theo and I are making you proud with how we’re raising Thomas. He’s such a little sweetheart, and I love him so much. I promise to always watch over him. Thank you so much for allowing me to open my heart to things I never imagined. I love your son and your brother with everything I have, and I can’t thank you enough for bringing them into my life. I’ll be sure to give Thomas a magical birthday kiss from his mommy and tell him to treasure it always.” As the rainbow faded away, my tears began to fall. “I miss you, my friend.” I reached into my raincoat pocket, hoping to find a tissue, and instead pulled out an envelope. An envelope containing a piece of paper that I normally kept tucked away in a safe place but must’ve accidently left in this pocket the last time I read it several months ago.
Dear Jillian,
By the time you read this, I’ll be gone from this earth, but hopefully not gone from your heart. I know the end is coming soon, and I’m not scared because I know the three people I care about the most will be in good hands—each other’s. I’m so glad that you and Theo are together. He’s a different person when he’s around you. His face lights up at the mention of your name, and I hear that tinge of happiness in his voice when he talks to you or about you. It’s music to my ears because I feel as if he hasn’t been happy in a very long time—if ever.
He’s always been forced to bear the burden of a life he inherited. Taking on the role of the man of the house for my mother and me when my father left. Then being my protector and rock after my mother passed away. You two are so good for each other, and I hope someday you will become my “sister.” Outside of Thomas, your friendship has been one of my greatest gifts. I just wished it could’ve lasted longer. But I know now that the greatest journeys are measured by the emotions they evoke, not the length of time they’ve lasted. Our short journey together has been filled with the gamut of every emotion possible, but I hope that love and forgiveness is the one you remember the most from our time together. I’m so sorry for the pain I caused you, and I hope that you really can forgive me. I’m hoping that you will be part of Thomas’ life and teach him all the lessons we have learned together. Please make sure he never forgets me. Always remind him of how much I love him and tell him whenever he sees a rainbow, I’ll be right on the other side.
Love Always~
Kate
I carefully folded up the letter and placed it back in the envelope. In the end it was Kate who had given me the greatest gift I could’ve asked for—a second chance at happiness. A happiness I didn’t think was possible, or one I even deserved. It took me a while, but I’d finally come to the realization that I was worthy of this beautiful life I had been given. Through Kate, Evan, Theo, and even myself, I had come to terms with no one is perfect in this life, no matter how much we want to believe they are. We all make mistakes, some bigger ones than others, but forgiveness is the key to letting go. Forgiveness and love would always be the two things I held on to the most because they had both set me free,
