The guy behind the counter scratches his neck. “Are you being serious?” Her face is stoic. “Absolutely. I never kid about teddy bears.

Sometimes the best things are the ones that aren’t planned, the decisions made while living in the moment.

I love you, Ella May," I whisper, kissing her cheek. "And one day I want to be doing this exact same thing at our wedding.

Once a blooming red rose, full of streaming life in its veins. Now a wilting black petal rupturing with death and pain.

Actually I'm taking her for a ride," I say slyly, inching my hand up the back of Ella's leg and she slaps the back of my head playfully. "I'm taking you for a ride in my car. And you think I'm the pervert.

I love you, Ella May and nothing will ever change that. You can push me away -run away – and I will still love you.

I walk out the door with a heavy feeling in my heart as another secret falls on top of it.