Chapter 415 Un-invited

"I know," he said, his voice cracking for just a second. He kissed the top of her head, the taste of salt on his lips from his own tears that threatened to spill. He pressed his cheek to her hair, rocking her gently back and forth like she was a child again. "I know, Sunshine… I know…"

Hannah clutched him tighter. "I don't want her to be gone…"

Liam's arms tightened around her as if he could pull the pain out of her body just by holding her close enough. "She isn't gone, Hannah… she's here… in you… in all those memories, every word she wrote for you, every time she called you her sunshine… That never leaves. It's yours forever."

Hannah shook her head, her tears falling faster. Her knees gave out, but Liam sank to the floor with her, never letting her go. He stayed there, kneeling on the cold floor, his arms wrapped around the girl who had become his whole world.

"It's not fair," she whispered against his chest, her voice so small it tore at his heart.