The Two of Us

by Taylor Torres

Blowing out a weary breath, I lean into him. “I think we might love each other.” He pulls me into his chest and chuckles softly, planting a kiss on my forehead. “I think you might be right.”

I lean into him. “I think we might love each other.” He pulls me into his chest and chuckles softly, planting a kiss on my forehead. “I think you might be right.”

“You’ve given me the best thing a father could ask for.” I lean back, searching his face. “What?” “You gave me a daughter who loved me.”

“Because I love you, Mara.” My eyes fly to his and his smile is sad and hopeful all at once. “Don’t look so surprised.” “Still?” “Always.” He pushes the hair from my face. “I’ve loved you since the day you knocked on my front door with that godforsaken cat in your arms.”

“I’ve loved you since that kiss outside of Old Maple and I’ve loved you since we both lost the person we loved the most. I loved you then and I love you now. And if you’ll have me… I’ll love you until my last breath.” My tears fall freely now. “You’re the love of my life, Mara, but you’re my best friend too. I like you as much as I love you. I could have a million lifetimes with you and it still wouldn’t be enough. So, take your time.”

He is the best person 😭💞

I realize that sometimes you have to love people more than you want to change them.

Maybe that’s how we are supposed to honor those who are no longer with us. Maybe we’re supposed to keep living for them.

“Healing isn’t linear, Mara,” Mitsu says. “Some days it’s five steps forward and other days it’s seven steps back. There’s no finish line. The goal is just to keep stepping.”

“It’s the art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold,” she says. “The idea behind it is that even when something’s broken, we can always put it back together. And when we put it back together and embrace those cracks of imperfection, it’s even stronger and more beautiful than before.”

“Because the changed version of me still loves the changed version of you. I’m in love with you, Ambrose.“

“I’ve loved you since the moment I knocked on your door with that godforsaken cat in my arms.” My eyes water as I repeat his words. “I loved you then and I love you now.”

There’s nothing like it, being in the arms of the one you’re meant for. It’s like a gentle caress from the universe. A pause in the fabric of time and space as two people who are and will always be, throw their hands up and stop fighting the inevitable. Because that’s what Ambrose and I are. We’re inevitable. We have the kind of love people write about.

“Will you come somewhere with me?” I fold his hand into mine. “Anywhere.”

I love them 💘💘

“So?” he asks. “Where do you want to go next?” My fingers tighten around his. “Let’s go home.”

“Cookies! Cookies!” she chants. “I love you, Mommy.” She’s generous with her I love yous when food is involved, and I can’t help but laugh. “I love you too, Gilly.”

The ending they deserved 💘