Page 44

Lux

M y hand ran slowly up and down Bella’s back as we stared down at my sister’s grave.

It was only the second time we’d come back here since the accident, and I wasn’t sure how she would react, but I had been ecstatic when she’d agreed to come on the anniversary of their death.

“You can say a few words if you want,” Juliette said, the bouquet of flowers she brought coming into view as she handed them to Bella.

“I… don’t know what to say.” I could sense a bit of embarrassment in her words. I turned to Juliette for encouragement. She was already looking at me, the message clear on her face.

But even still, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

“I miss you guys,” Bella whispered. “I think about you every day.” She looked at Juliette for confirmation, and she nodded. Her hand came to squeeze her shoulder.

“It’s okay.”

Bella took a deep, shaky breath.

“I’m doing fine,” she said. “I shower by myself. I got an A on my last math test, even though Juliette helped?—”

“Hey, I did too,” I complained. When they both looked at me, I sent them a sheepish look. “Once or twice.”

Bella shook her head and let out a light laugh.

“Juliette reads to me, Mom, and Lux got way better at braiding hair.”

My chest puffed at her compliment.

“So I’m okay. I’m okay,” she repeated. “I love being with Auntie Lux and Juliette, but I?—”

Her words stopped just as the tears started falling. I pulled her into a side hug, bringing Juliette along.

“I know,” I whispered. “I miss her too. I wish she could see how great you’ve been doing. She’d be so proud.”

“They both know,” Juliette said. “They see.”

Bella let her tears fall, her silent sobs filling the space between us.

“I miss you so much,” she said through her tears. “But don’t worry about me, okay?”

My heart broke in two. Even though she thought her mom was up there—wherever that was—worrying about her baby girl , Bella was worried about her mom.

“We have her,” Juliette said, addressing the headstone with my sister’s name carved into it. “Always.”

We stayed there a few more minutes in silence, my heart getting heavier the longer I stayed. Maybe this had been a mistake.

But as soon as the thought crossed my mind, Bella straightened.

“I’ll visit you again soon, okay?” she said. “And next time I’ll remember to buy the flowers.”

Juliette let out a small laugh. “Ready to go?”

Bella nodded and stood, but I found myself unable to leave my spot.

“Auntie Lux?”

I hadn’t realized tears had started to fall until Bella’s small hand was there wiping them away.

“I miss them too,” I explained and looked at my niece. “I’m sorry, Bella.”

Bella looked at Juliette before sitting back down on the ground in front of my sister’s headstone.

“Let’s stay for a bit longer.”

I nodded and leaned into her. Juliette joined us shortly, her arm wrapping around both of us.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For giving me a family. For changing my life in ways I could never have imagined. I promised to take care of Bella so you could rest. I intend to keep that promise for as long as I live.”

Bella’s hand found mine, and she squeezed.

“I still don’t think I’ve done enough good in this life to deserve this,” I continued. “But I won’t ever let you down. I’ll protect this gift and make sure your daughter grows up happy and healthy. Trust me, just this last time. Please.”

My throat clogged. Juliette’s hand rubbed my back.

“You’re doing great, Lux.”

“Yeah, Auntie Lux, you sucked at first, but you’re better now.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Bella’s bluntness.

“Thank you both. Just a few more minutes and we can go.”

“Just a few,” Bella mumbled and buried her head into my side, where she stayed for far longer than a few minutes.

Thank you. My sister. My other half. The only person in this world who saw me.

I turned to catch Juliette’s tearful gaze. Until her.

I think we will be just fine.