Before We Say Goodbye

CHAPTER 12: The Photograph

On their third day, Daniel brought a camera.

Emma immediately recognized it.

"Please don't."

"Why?"

"Your photography is still terrible."

He laughed.

"You haven't even seen it."

"I remember."

He raised the camera.

"Smile."

She did.

Click.

Daniel looked at the photograph.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Let me see."

"No."

"Daniel."

"I want to keep it."

Emma smiled.

"Why?"

He looked at her.

"Because I don't want to lose another photograph of us."

Her heart tightened.

"You're keeping this one?"

"Always."

She looked at the camera.

Then at him.

"Do you still have the old one?"

"The photograph from the roof?"

"Yes."

Daniel nodded.

"Always."

Emma looked away.

Eight years.

And he had kept it.

Maybe some people never really left.

Maybe they simply waited.

The final night came too quickly.

They returned to the roof.

The city lights stretched below them.

Daniel sat beside Emma.

"I don't want tomorrow."

"Neither do I."

"My flight is at noon."

"I know."

"I can change it."

Emma turned toward him.

"You can't keep running away from your life."

"I'm not running."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Trying to figure out where I belong."

Emma looked at him.

"And?"

"You already know."

She smiled.

"I want to hear you say it."

Daniel reached for her hand.

"I belong with you."

Emma's eyes filled with tears.

"I love you."

"I know."

"How?"

"Because I love you too."

He kissed her.

This time, Emma didn't pull away.

The kiss was gentle.

Careful.

Almost like they were afraid the moment would disappear if they moved too quickly.

When they separated, Daniel rested his forehead against hers.

"I wish we had more time."

"We'll make more."

"How?"

"I don't know."

He smiled.

"That's the Emma I remember."

"What?"

"The one who always believes there's a way."

She smiled.

"There has to be."