The Gift

Chapter Fourteen

 

No matter how hard we fought it, dawn came.  Miles untangled himself from me and pulled on some clothes.  Reluctantly, I rose from our bed and started packing things I knew he’d need for the journey ahead.  We made quick work of it and when we finished I pulled on some clothes as well.  I wanted to say something to keep him safe and here with me.  But deep down I knew that was a battle I was destined to lose.  So I bit my lip and fought back the tears.  He needed me to be strong now.  It wasn’t like me to fall apart.  Miles had taught me so much.  I’d be just fine while he was away.  And he’d be back soon, I told myself.  Really soon.  Is it a crime to lie to yourself?  Truth or lie, I needed to believe it.  So I would.  I lifted my head up and put on a brave face.  No need to make this more difficult on Miles.  I could take the day off and cry in bed all day clutching his pillow.  But not now.  Now I was all business. 

“They should be here by now,” I said.  Miles just nodded.  It seemed he was waging his own internal battle.  We made our way down the stairs of the grand hotel and into the tavern.  The rag-tag group was indeed there and Charlie looked positively eager to get going.  Be brave, be brave, I chanted to myself.  Miles is counting on you.  If only that Charlie wasn’t so eager to pull Miles away from me….  But I could empathize.  If Miles had been taken by the militia I’d be beating down doors right now.  So I cut the girl some slack and turned back to Miles.  “Have a safe journey, love.  I don’t have to tell you not to trust anyone, you’re the one that taught me that.  Just…take care of each other.”  I said as I looked over the group.  They nodded their agreement.  Miles was all business, in soldier mode.  Slowly, they made their way to the door.  I didn’t think he was going to look back.  That’s not his style.  But he surprised me.  After everyone filed out the door he turned around and mouthed the words, “I love you” then he turned and left.  As soon as the door closed I was running back upstairs to our suite, crying all the way.  Bravery be damned.  My Miles was gone.