"You know, time is just a concept devolved by mankind. So, considering we're the last people left, we don't have to abide by it." Ariel said, chin rested in her palm.

I set her birthday cake in front of her. "Be that as it may... You're still turning fifty today."

She rolled her eyes. "Stop saying that, I'm gonna be young forever."

I kissed the top of her head. "You wish, now blow out the candles."

She begrudgingly did so.

I sat in front of her, setting a small, wrapped box on the table. "Happy birthday."

She looked from the box to me, a smile pulling at her lips. "You didn't have to get me anything."

I took her hand in mine. "Trust me, you're gonna like it."

She thanked me before tearing open the box, her mouth falling open when she saw what was inside. "Are you serious..?"

"It's been a long time coming." I replied.

She pulled a ring from the box, inspecting it in her hands. "It's so beautiful..."

I took the ring from her hand. "Ariel... Will you marry me?"

She looked to me, a few tears welling in her eyes. "It won't be official, you know?"

I shrugged. "I don't care..."

She smiled a little, nodding quickly. "Then, yes."

With a smile back, I slid the ring onto her finger. "I love you, Ariel."

She wiped at her eyes. "I love you to, Zo...

—————

   I laid on our bed, watching Ariel hang up her latest painting. She had started painting the flowers in her garden a couple years back and I must say, she would've made a hell of an artist.

   "What do you think about here?" She asked.

   I shrugged. "We're running out of wall space as it is, use it up."

   She flashed me a smile. "I like you."

   I chuckled, walking up behind her, holding the frame for her. "Just try to get the nail right the first time."

   She rolled her eyes, holding up the hammer. "It'd be quick and no one would ever know."

   I kicked her lightly in the butt. "That's not even funny."

   She started to laugh, hammering the nail into the wall. "C'mon, it's hilarious..."

—————

I walked behind Ariel. How she had so much energy was beyond me. My knees were already sore.

"C'mon, grandma, I don't wanna miss it." She called, marching backwards.

I shook my head, laughing. "How do you have so much energy?"

"I actually do stuff. You just sit in front of that projector all day." She replied.

I gave her a playful nudge once I finally caught up to her. "That's still doing something."

She sat down in the sand. "Barely."

I groaned as I sat down next to her. "Fine... You're helping me back up."

She smiled, leaning her head on my shoulder, her gray hair blowing in the light breeze. "Deal."

We looked up at the setting sun over the ocean. The sky was a beautiful shade of orange, the water's surface reflecting it.

"At least we can enjoy sunsets in peace." I said.

She took my hand in hers. "There's no one else I'd rather enjoy it with..."

—————

Months turned to years and years turned to decades. In that time, I never could find an answer to her question. Honestly, I don't think it mattered at this point. All that mattered was her. The time we had together. The love we shared.

It wasn't a life either of us sought out, but we were lucky to have each other. She was my light in the darkness. The only reason I'm still here.

I loved her...

I sat on a bench in the backyard, watching Ariel in the garden. She loved that garden, almost as much as she loved me.

"Care to give me a hand?" She asked.

I smiled. "I'd love to, but my knees are killing me today."

She returned my smile as she approached me, pressing a kiss to my lips before sitting next to me. "That's because you're getting old."

"What's your excuse?" I joked.

She laughed. "I'll be young forever."

If only she were right. I was forty years old when I woke up that faithful afternoon... That was thirty-five years ago...

I stood over the stove, making dinner. Ariel sat at the table, working on another painting.

"You're pushing seventy, one would imagine you'd have outgrown grilled cheese by now." I said, causing her to laugh.

My joy turned to concern, though, when she started coughing.

"Ariel?" I asked, concern over taking me.

She raised her hand, some droplets of blood leaking down it. "I'm ok..."

Unfortunately, in the following months, she grew weaker. Thinner. The coughing getting worse. She became bedridden. Unable to stand on her own anymore.

It broke my heart to see her like that. She was always so full of life. So energetic.

As much as it pained me, I refused to leave her side. I wouldn't let her die alone...

   She took my hand in hers. "This is a real bummer..."

   I smiled despite the situation. "At least you haven't lost your sense of humor."

   She looked up at me. "That's the last thing I'll lose."

   Her coughs interrupted our conversation.

   I squeezed her hand. "Breathe, Ariel..."

   She closed her eyes, her breathing becoming shallow. "I'm sorry, Zo... I'm sorry I have to leave you alone..."

   I rested my head on her shoulder, tears in my eyes. "Don't be sorry, you've given me so much in these last thirty years... I'll never be able to repay you for that..."

   She lifted my chin, looking into my eyes. "I love you, so much..."

   I kissed her, one last time. Seeing our time together flash behind my eyes.

   She passed later that night...

—————

I buried her among the flowers she loved so much.

I'd sit on that bench for hours, just staring at her grave... Until it was my time to go.

When I look back on it now, I see a life well lived. A bizarre occurrence took place that day. One I couldn't begin to explain. But, it led me to her.

My savior. My love. My life...

The End