Page 53 of Saved By A God
I glance over the rest of the monitors, realizing Rosie has put together a collage of the time she spent with us, and in the background, I can hearHow Long Will I Love YoubyEllie Gouldingplaying.
At first, I drink in the sight of Rosie, starved for any kind of interaction with her.
“Hi, everyone.” Rosie clears her throat and lifts her chin. “First and foremost, I’m so incredibly sorry for the pain and inconvenience my death is causing you, but please know, I don’t regret what I did. Not for a single second. Dying while protecting all of you is my greatest honor.” Her voice cracks, and she glances down, taking deep breaths.
Hearing her voice, my body shudders so fucking hard that Mom grips my arm while Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Gianna’s grip on my hand becomes more painful, and it helps me focus on Rosie’s message.
“I know what’s going to happen next,” Rosie says. “You’re going to want revenge. Most of you are already planning how many bodies you’re going to stack on top of mine.” She shakes her head, giving us a pleading look. “Please don’t. I made my choice. Don’t waste your future trying to punish someone for it. I’m not worth losing any of you.”
Christ.
I suck in a shaky breath, and the incessant sting in my eyes increases.
“I died protecting the people I love, which means I won.” She leans forward, her beautiful face devoid of any makeup, and I devour every inch of her. “You hear me? I won. Don’t turn my victory into your tragedy.”
Fuck, I miss your voice, bella mia.
It’s been so fucking quiet without you popping up in my apartment and car. It’s like the very essence of life has been ripped out of the sky. Everything is dead without you.
“Go home,” Rosie orders. “Hold each other. Love each other. Mourn and cry all the tears, but then get up and live an epic life.” Her chin quivers, and it makes Aunt Eden sob heartbreakingly. “My life was extraordinary because of all of you. So when you think of me, don’t stand at my grave. Build a life so incredible that if there’s a way for me to see you, it will make me smile.”
What fucking grave, Rosie?
Until I see your dead body, I refuse to believe you’re dead.
“My baby,” Aunt Eden weeps, and Uncle Dario lets out an agonizing groan.
Unable to stop the tears, they escape, and I’m too fucking broken to care about wiping them away, but Mom catches them with a tissue.
“That’s how I want to be honored, not with blood and more death.” Rosie gives us a loving smile. “You have all played such a huge role in my life, but can I please have a moment alone with my parents, Gianna and Enzo?” When movement fills the pews, Rosie says, “Goodbye, my beautiful family.”
“Wait for me to come get you,” Dad whispers as he climbs to his feet. Mom presses a kiss to my cheek before also giving Gianna one on the forehead. My sister scoots closer and grips my hand again while leaning her temple against my bicep.
Rosie tilts her head. “Hi, Mom and Dad.” Her voice grows hoarse. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me for the unbearable pain I’ve caused you. That’s the last thing I wanted.” She looks up and takes a moment, then says, “You have given me such a beautiful life. Please remember all the good times we had together. I know I’m asking the impossible, but don’t let my death destroy you. Open another soup kitchen in my honor.” She tries tosmile. “Adopt puppies and pour your love into them, but please continue living.”
Uncle Dario shakes his head while holding Aunt Eden tightly.
“Gianna.” My sister jerks once, then the sobs pour from her. “God, I loved watching you find your happily ever after with Riccardo, and I’m so glad he’ll be there to help you through this. I want you to know you were like a sister to me. Grow old with Riccardo. Have babies and build a beautiful life with him. Live your life to the fullest for me.”
Rosie looks at the screen for a while, then says, “I want to be alone with Enzo.”
Gianna gives my hand a squeeze before she lets go, and I listen as they leave.
“Pause if we’re not alone,” Rosie whispers.
She looks down at something I can’t see, and when she lifts her head again, tears roll down her cheeks. A chuckle bursts from her. “Damn, no matter how many times I’ve tried, I just can’t get past this part without crying my eyes out.”
Slowly, my own tears fall as I stare at the woman I love. I kept my distance to keep her safe, and lost her anyway.
It was all for nothing.
After sucking in a shaky breath, she says, “There was nothing you could do to stop me from dying, Enzo. Don’t blame yourself. Whatever happened to make me push that button, it’s not on you. Shit just went epically wrong.”
Rosie brushes the tears from her cheeks, then sucks in a deep breath. As I stare into her eyes, she lets all her love for me show.
“You are such an incredible man. I know there were times my crush for you was annoying, but thank you for never letting me feel bad about it.”
