"But I didn't," he said. "I ended up costing you your life."

"No, you can't think that way. You have to go on with your life, live it for me. You'll have a family to raise."

"Never," he shook his head. "There won't be anyone else for me. You were my life, my one true love. I won't ever have a family."

"You'll have Mera," she said, softly. "The sitter's number is in my phone log at home, you have to get her.  She's going to need somebody, and I know you'll do your best to make sure you are that somebody."

"I'll always remember you."

"And I you," She suddenly glanced toward the room. "I have to go, Pacey. But thank you for everything you've ever given me. Thank you."

"Let me hold you one last time," he said, as she fell into his arms, resting her face against his chest.  He kissed her one last time, and then he held her at arm's length. "I love you, McPhee. Don't you ever forget that."

"I won't, and I love you too. For always." She turned and walked back down the hallway.

Pacey sat back down on the chair, resuming his position of head in hands. He tried to take a mental snapshot of Andie just now � young, wonderful, and so in love.

He picked himself up off the chair, and started down the hall. He needed to call Mera's sitter and let her know what had happened.  And he needed to start being a proper father to the now motherless child. He had to continue, if not for his sake, for Mera's.

As he passed the room, he heard the erratic beeping of a machine, then the steady hum of a flatline.  His Andie was gone.  He let himself cry.

I have seen the winter's son
Become one
Set my pace
Isn't that what we wanted
All along
Freedom like a stone
Maybe we were wrong
But I can say goodbye
Now that the passion's died
Still it comes so slow
The letting go.

Piece by piece I take apart
This complicated heart
And I hope to find
Something I can prove is real
I can feel is truth
I can say is mine
That's all I ever wanted
To be
The closer that I got
The further I could see
But when lovers change
And the night feels strange
We choose our road
The letting go.

I came here to let you know
The letting go
Has taken place.

End Note: I urge you to track down a copy of Melissa Etheridge's "Never Enough" album, and listen to "The Letting Go". Reading the lyrics does minimal justice to it, as it's a beautiful song.

Thank You: To the wonderful songs that were my inspiration in writing this piece: "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine" and "I Don't Know You Anymore" by Savage Garden. Thanks guys ?

Okay, that's it. I'm done babbling now. I hope you actually sat through all this yakking and made it to the end.

� Kimber Katie, 2000.
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1