”I understand why you want me to do this, Lauren, but are you sure? I mean, really sure?” I felt panic set in, my words falling out faster. ”I am not ready to let you go, but I know that you suffer every day and I can’t do anything to help you.”

I hoped she would pause, or show any sign of doubt, but there was none. She nodded back immediately, doing her best to be strong in the moment.

”But there is something you can do,” her voice cracked. ”Yes, I’m sure that this is what I want. I will go knowing that part of me will always be with you, a part of you.”

”I hope you know, that you will always be with me right here.” I took her hand and pressed it to my heart, letting her feel the pounding in my chest. ”This only beats for you, Lauren. It will only ever be for you and no one else.”

I pulled her tight against me and felt her weakened arms hold onto me with all she had. This was her goodbye, I felt it deep down. There was no going back, no tomorrow. I couldn’t say how long we were like that, but it would never, ever be long enough. I pulled back and looked into Lauren’s warm brown eyes, the one thing that had never changed over the years.

”Are you ready then?”

She swallowed hard and found her voice. ”Yes,” she rasped.

I unbuttoned my blouse slowly and then reached for Lauren’s, wanting to feel her skin on mine one last time. She kept her gaze on my every move. Her hands came up to help me like it was our first time. I smiled up at her, then planted soft kisses on her belly and worked my way up. I leaned in, pressing my chest to hers. I could feel the faint flutter of her frail heart against my own and I loved that even after all this time I still had that effect on her. I tasted the salt of my own tears on Lauren’s chest as I nibbled my way up to her neck. Lauren sobbed lightly between soft moans of pleasure. When I reached her mouth, I placed a deep, loving kiss upon her lips. She melted into me, our mouths moved together in a kiss that was longing, desperate and sad as I slowly started to pull her Chi into me. Lauren groaned slightly at the feel of her life force leaving her body and it brought me to my senses. I pushed myself off of her, my body shaking as I cried hysterically. It was like an out of body experience. I had no control, everything was in slow motion.