“Cherijo.” He glanced down and then froze as he saw Marel.
“It’s me, Daddy.” Our daughter reached up, and he lifted her into his arms. “I’m still here. I’m still me.”
He kissed her brow and tucked her head under his chin, closing his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, his lashes were wet, but his expression was filled with astonishment and joy. And then I knew no matter what happened now or in the future, or even when time came to an end, I would be safe. In that moment I had been given all I could ever want, all I would ever need. Eternal life might be a gift or a curse, but it would never touch the truth of what I knew now.
Love is the only thing that lives forever.