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CHAPTER 33
Annie
LOVE YOU GOODBYE
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<>The Lights by; Brian Tyler

        MY WHOLE BODY FEELS LIKE FIRE. I ’m okay, I repeat over and over again in my head. My head hurts but I’m okay. I can feel the ventilator in my throat. And then I remember…
      Julian. 
     I open my eyes for a split second and stare at the ceiling, everything coming into focus. I try to look around but I’m too weak. I close my eyes again. I just need to rest. I think to myself. Suddenly the door opens. I remain quiet and I keep my eyes closed still. I hear a sigh escape the person’s mouth and I feel a warm familiar hand hold mine. Julian.
      “I don’t know if you can hear me.” He says in his deep british accent.
     I can hear you.
     “You gave me quite the scare back there, Annie Grace. I thought I lost you.” He chuckles softly, kissing my hand tenderly.
     I’m here, I’m here. 
     “I thought that was it, you were gone. And in that moment, nothing else mattered to me. Except you. Now I have to go.” 
     What? No, don't go. Stay with me.
     “I don't want to go. I don't. But I need you to be safe. From me.” He takes two shaky breaths. And that’s when I realize he’s crying.
     “You’re my home Annie, you’ve always been.” He says, in between sobs. “I can’t have you tied to me, I’m no good.”
     Don’t say that. Please.
     “But I want you to know that I ’m going to love you. I’m going to love you in your weakest moments to your strongest ones. I’m going to love you when you’re happy and I’m still going to love you the most when you’re sad. Do you understand? I’m here, I’ll always be here and I’m not going anywhere.”
     Then Stay.
     “I want to love you, each and every piece of you. I want you with your imperfections as much as I want you for you. And I’m always going to want you, I’m always going to be here loving you with everything.”
     Then it gets quiet and I hear Julian's soft voice.
      “I love you. So much.”Julian says as he gives my head a longing kiss and then I feel his presence leave the room and I open my tear-filled eyes. 
     He's just gone.