The sound of his voice washes over her and the laugh dies in her throat. She shakes her head, no, not that. Never that.

She knows what it's like to lose the one you love, and she never, ever wants him to have to live through that.

She opens her eyes, her body already in motion. There are only a few steps between them but it's enough for her to build up enough momentum to crash into him.

Her arms encircle his neck and she kisses him fiercely.