Be the Death of Me

Olivia’s POV:

I suppose I should’ve expected for him to walk back into my life again, it was only a matter of time after all. But what I think surprised me most was how he chose to do so: with flare and dramatics. He is Ashley Purdy after all, so I shouldn’t be too shocked by his actions. Mostly just the fact that even after all these years, he still cares, and still remembered. I didn’t even know he was listening when I told him in the first place, yet here he is, watching me, as if nothing ever changed, and nothing did though, did it?

“Are you sure you don’t want me to fly down? You know I can, babe,” he assures me for the millionth time as I drive to the old cemetery.

I sigh and shake my head, peering at the signs lining the near deserted street. “It’s alright Mark, I understand you need to work. Besides, it’s probably better I do this myself anyways. I love you.”

He echoes back the phrase perfectly and precisely right before we both hang up. Coincidentally, the dark, looming gates bordering the cemetery come into view as I park my car along the edge of the road, hesitating briefly before stepping out of the sanctuary of my car. I reach for the small, elegant bundle of white peonies - her favourite flower, and I begin the short walk towards my baby sister’s grave.

Dead flowers litter the grass surrounding the pastel grey rock that acts as her tombstone, the short inscription entirely common and bland like my mother wanted. Jessie’s death was so pungent in her life that I think putting a meaningful inscription would just break her; the effort of having to think up a phrase to describe my sister’s life when she was not breathing.

I gently lower myself to the ground nearest the stone, placing the small bouquet at the base before I lean in and press my lips softly to the cool marble, resting my forehead against it as well.

I do not cry this time, not yet anyways. They usually come later, after I’m long gone, like I was the day she died. Too absorbed in my own inner turmoil to even see the fact that my sister was suffering so profusely to end her own life. And that is a burden that I will forever carry until I join her in the earth.

“Little early today, aren’t you?” A new voice calmly inquires, and he comes into view.

I spin around, my hair whipping against my hallow cheeks as my eyes find him again.

He looks good, I’ll admit that. Dressed immaculately in a crisp black suit complete with black tie and a pressed white shirt; he looks incredibly handsome, and my heart aches at the thought. His suit jacket is casually open, his tie swaying softly in the gentle breeze.

“What’re you doing here?” I ask, turning my gaze away from him as tears finally well in my eyes, tears that I try my hardest to fight off.

He chuckles, “always one for quick answers, huh Liv?”

“You don’t get to call me that anymore,” I state, rising to my feet and finally facing him.

His eyes rake up and down my body unashamedly and he whistles, “you look good.”

I bristle, “you do too, I guess.”

He laughs fully this time, and for a brief unguarded second, I allow for it to wrap around me like he used to. “What are you doing here?”

“I was here to simply pay my respects. I never knew Jessica, but I did meet her, plus I knew you would eventually show up, only I expected for you to arrive a little bit later.”

“I got an earlier flight,” I explain coldly, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

He nods in understanding, walking towards me with his hands in his pant pockets, “you know I went to New York? Searched high and low for you, but couldn’t find you. Strange, isn’t it?”

“I moved. To Cambridge. I study at Harvard now in Law School. Perhaps that is why you couldn’t find me?” I offer.

“Mmm, maybe. I figure you’d be living with your boyfriend by now, but it appears that I’m wrong. Still unmarried though, so I suppose that’s good.”

I gape at him, my stiff stance wavering, “excuse me?”

“In case you haven’t guessed by now with that smart brain of yours, I want you back. I haven’t given up on you yet, on us.” He says, looking down at me with those gorgeous brown eyes that I had once loved so much.

I scowl, “well you’re little bit late, sorry Ash.”

“Uh, uh, uh, I distinctly remember you saying that we were going to simply be taking a break, and don’t you think five years is enough now Livvy?”

I stiffen and attempt to move away from him when he catches an arm around my waist and brings his lips to meet my own.

And in that moment, I know that I am home.

The end.

Notes

Welp folks, that's a wrap! Just the epilogue is the final thing to come for this story and then we are finished!!

I will do my thanks and such whenever I get around to posting the epiloge (and there will NOT be a sequel)