“I’ll marry you,” he said then. “When we’re older and everything settles down.” Taking my hands in his, he placed them around his neck and leaned in close. “Just stand by me,” he said in a voice thick with emotion. “Stay with me.” His hand squeezed mine. “And I’ll make you proud. I’ll do right by you.” My breath came out in a pained rush. “Johnny…” “We’ll have a family,” he continued to say. “One of our own, and I’ll stand by you right back. In whatever you choose to do. No matter what.” “This won’t break us,” I croaked, touching my brow to his. “Nothing can break us,” he whispered. “I
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