The silence sat between them, broken only by the crackle of the fire, which gave no heat. A mix of emotions ran through him, emotions he only understood because of her. She’d taught him to see and feel through her words.
He thought their deal would change her. Instead, he was the one transformed.
She was right. She had done her job.
“Do you regret saying yes to me all those years ago?” Death asked.
She turned to face him. “I did. A few days ago, I wished I had accepted my death and gone on to the next life, never having done any of it. But someone helped me see—helped remind me of what I believed back then—helped me to remember how I feel today. I can’t regret the past. If I hadn’t said yes, I wouldn’t have had this life, and I wouldn’t have had my friendship with you.”
He nodded, primarily to himself. He mattered to her nearly as much as she mattered to him, and that truth allowed him to expand.
She was right, and she’d done what he’d thought impossible.
She’d made him care. She’d made him see. She’d made him love. She was the most redeemable of them all. She’d won.
“I suppose it’s done.” The fire crackled in the silence, the logs settling, marking the end of their time together.
“I don’t mean to be rude,” she said after a beat, “but what does thatmean?”
Death chuckled. Her spirit was as bright as ever. “I suppose it means I agree to your revised terms.”
She leaned forward. “Care to elaborate?”
“Our deal is complete. You can live your life. Your final lifetime. You’ve earned it and done me a great service.”
“All of it? Without interference?” she said to be sure. He liked the sound of hope in her voice.
He supposed he deserved that. “Yes, without interference. Live, love, do whatever you wish with your life, for it is yours.”
“Children?”
He shrugged. “If you still want them. I find them loud.”
At the sight of her, joy shining, a new sensation crept in. From Nella’s words, he knew the sensation must be happiness. It was odd, so hard and bright in his chest, as if he’d swallowed sunshine.
She stood, wrapping her arms around him, the sensation leaving him warm and feeling complete. “Thank you.”
He hugged her back and shared the truth he’d been carrying with him.
“I suppose a part of me knew it would come to this. I left each of our meetings a bit more than before, but also a bit less. Less sure thatallhumans were beyond redemption. More aware of what they were capable of. All those stories you brought me showed the best of what humans could bein spiteof their nature and propensity for greed. Your love, losses, and pain gave it all meaning. I finally understand what you meant in that small cabin all those years ago. In truth, I should have released you from our deal long ago, but that would have meant losing you.”
She nodded. “You didn’t want to be alone.”
“You know how bad it is.” Death stood, glad for the resolution, though sad for her loss. She’d have no more reason to meet with him. “I suppose you’ll get all those things you wanted.”
He gathered the papers and moved to the door. It was time for another collection, as always.
“Where’re you going?” she called out.
Death frowned, confused.
She smiled. “Our meetings are not quite done. I still have a long life of dinners with my old friend.”
He could feel his own smile as it spread across his face, and he settled back in his seat. “How about a story?”
“Let me tell you about my final love.” She beamed, her smile bright enough to light the cabin as she happily complied.
Thirty-Six
