Love you forever

“Hmmm” Damien groaned.

Something light was tickling his nose, but he couldn’t be bothered to check what it was. He turned his head to dig deeper into his pillow. Suddenly, something hard jabbed him in the ribs.

“Oh-” 

He jolted awake. Right, he wasn’t in bed, he was just sleeping in Hope’s lap on the train. Hope giggled. Her slight smile and the way the setting sun reflected off her auburn hair almost distracted him from the brutal assault she had just undertaken on his ribcage.

“What was that for? You nearly killed me!”

“If only.” She teased, sticking her tongue out at him. 

She continued.

“You were sleeping in my lap and started turning your head. It was about to get real awkward so I woke you up. Besides, we’re nearly there and my legs are asleep. I need to get some blood back in them.”

“Great, then you won’t be able to escape when I put my head back.” He said with a grin.

“No, but I can stick my finger somewhere else.” She raised her finger and squinted her eyes, feigning annoyance.

“Fine, you win.”

“Yay!” She stretched her legs a little and laid her head on his shoulder.

Damien laid his head on hers gently. The smooth scent of her lavender shampoo made its way to his nose. He breathed it in subtly so she wouldn’t notice. Feeling her so close and smelling her scent gave him butterflies in his stomach, though he tried to be lowkey about it. They may be newly-weds but there was only so much mushy gushy love talk he could do in public before getting embarrassed. Unfortunately for him, Hope always saw right through him, even with her eyes closed.

“Were you just sniffing me?”

She turned her head and raised an eyebrow. Her light violet eyes held in a mocking gaze.

“What? A man can’t even think his own wife smells good anymore?”

Damien shook his head and let out a performative sigh. She blushed and nuzzled his chest, letting out a little squeal.

“I love when you call me that.”

“What? Wife?”

“Yes! It’s only been a few days, so I’m not used to it yet. It makes my heart jump out of my chest every time.”

Damien smiled. If there was a perfect life, he was pretty sure he had it. A cute wife who loved him, a job he loved, a honeymoon in Italy… He couldn’t have asked for anything better.

“Make sure you let me know next time it jumps out, I’ll catch it so I can keep it forever.”

“But you already have me forever.”

“Even when I’m in the bathroom?”

“Don’t ruin the moment, idiot.”

She puffed her cheeks and flicked his nose. He chuckled with pride at his stupid comment but didn’t press it further. The last thing he wanted was for her to move away from him right now. Hope grabbed his hand and began to play with his ring as she broke the silence.

“So… What did you have planned for us tonight, husband?”

She looked up at him expectantly, still blushing from his earlier comment.

“Well, wife. We had a big day today, so I thought we could have a relaxing romantic night with just the two of us. I’d go get a bottle of wine-”

“Just one bottle?”

“Right, I meant three bottles.”

“Much better.” She replied between fits of laughter. Damien continued.

“Then we’d order a nice wood oven baked pizza from a local pizzeria, and we’d eat and drink our fill under the stars as we watch the waves in our beachfront room at the hotel.”

“You really know what to say to a woman.”

“Not really, I just know what to say to you.”

He bent down and kissed her forehead. However, the nice moment between them was interrupted when the train suddenly shook and made Hope slam her head into his chin.

“Ow! Sorry Damien, the train just shook so suddenly!”

“It’s alright, I’m more concerned about you, that must have hurt.”

He gave her head a pat and felt around for a bump while he looked out the window. Something was wrong… Had the train always been going this fast? Just as the thought crossed his mind, the train reached a bend and the speed proved to be too much. The train started leaning to the side. He quickly grabbed onto Hope and held her tightly.

“Hold on!” He yelled, as Hope panicked and clung to his neck.

Damien begged and prayed for the train to right itself, but it didn’t. It tipped onto the side and began skidding down the slope of the mountain that the tracks were on. The train swung and rolled as it seemed to gain speed in its tumble. The other passengers held on as well, but many didn’t fare as well. Some flew out the windows earlier in the fall, and some slammed their heads early on and passed out. As bad as that seemed, it was likely preferable to what awaited them just moments later.

The train suddenly caught itself on a rock outcropping, but the momentum of the fall and the sudden stop sent Damien and Hope crashing through a window behind them, and plummeting down a sheer drop. They landed together with a thud.

Damien could hear Hope wheezing and gasping for air, but the impact of the fall left his thoughts scrambled and confused. He turned to his side, fighting through the pain to get a look at her. It was bad. Blood pooled beneath her breathing was getting fast and shallow. He reflexively tried to get up and run to her side, but his legs gave out beneath him with a crack. He let out a blood curdling scream.

“D- Da- Damien!” Hope said, her attempts interrupted by her wheezing.

“I’m coming!”

He dragged himself as fast as he could to her side. He did his best to ignore the pain of the rocks and dirt entering his open wounds, all that mattered right now was her. He collapsed by her side and looked into her eyes. He was fading in and out of consciousness, doing his best to stay there for her.

“I wish we had more time.” she struggled to say with tears streaming down her face.

“Whatever comes next, I will always find you. I promise.” Damien managed to choke out the words before his consciousness failed him. Hope’s final words echoed in the darkness of his mind.

“I’ll love you forever”.