ANDY'S POV

I stand in the graveyard, towering over the headstone, clutching a bouquet of roses.

There's three other bouquets already placed around the grave, indicating that CC, Jinxx, and Jake have all been here already to pay their respects.

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since our lives were ripped apart.

Even though our group lost a member, we still see each other regularly.

I'm still working on the ward, trying to find some normalcy.

CC graduated and is now working as a head chef at an upscale restaurant downtown.

Jinxx is still working on the ward as an orderly, but is close to completing his physician assistant degree.

Jake wrote a play and put it on at the university. The media picked it up and he's had amazing success as a playwright.

I stare down at the grey stone, my eyes reading the name over and over again.

How many times have I visited, standing right where I do now. I have the inscription memorized.

I sigh heavily. I can't bring myself to place the flowers down. My hands are death gripping them, the stems creaking under my pressure.

A hand lands on my shoulder gently. I recognize the touch, as I've come to rely on it heavily for comfort and strength during the last year.

I turn my head, meeting Ashley's gaze as he takes his place next to me.

"She was a hero." He reminds me. I nod numbly. Emberly would want me to be strong.

She never even made it off the operating table. Juliet's plan worked, and Emberly succumbed to her wounds. When we had to break the news to Ashley, he was beside himself and had to be restrained and sedated.

Eventually, he recovered and is now back to working on the ward with me and Jinxx.

We haven't healed from the loss of Emberly, and maybe we never will, but we're leaning on each other for support. We're moving forward one day at a time.

Ashley gently takes the flowers from me and places them, along with the ones he brought, against the headstone.

He stands and gently takes my arm.

"It's time to go." He reminds me kindly. I nod numbly, letting him start walking back to the car without me. I gaze at the inscription one more time before turning to follow Ash.

Even though it's no longer in my line of sight, I can still picture the words clearly.

'It is not length of life, but depth of life.'

The quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and was one of Em's favorites. I felt it was fitting.

I hurry to catch up to Ashley before he reaches the parking lot. We're going to meet up with the others for the anniversary.

Juliet was given life without the possibility of parole. I made sure to testify against her. I finally feel safe from her. I just wish Em could experience the feeling of freedom and safety, too.

I stare out the window as the city speeds by. I feel dazed as we walk into the restaurant, the others are all already there.

We exchange smiles and order a round of drinks once Ash and I are settled at the booth with them.

A few drinks in and we're all talking and laughing, sharing memories of Emberly.

That's when it hits me:

Emberly will live on in us.

In our hearts. In our memories. In our lives.

As long as we continue to try to live lives with depth, she will always be there with us.

And for the first time in a year, I start to smile again.

I smile because I know she's with me. I smile because I'm not alone.

THE END