Chapter 39
In her
sister's car, outside the dilapidated building that was once her home, Katarina sobbed on Billie's shoulder, never having felt
such a devastating loss in her life. "I lost him Billie...I lost
him!"
"I'm so
sorry Rina," her sister replied shakily and
hugged her tightly, "I wish there was something I could do."
But they both
knew that no one could do anything to change destiny.
It was destiny
that caused Nick to have his accident.
It was destiny
that brought Nick and Rina together.
And it was
destiny that took him away again.
For good.
Katarina would never forget the sound of the building crashing to the ground in
a heap of flames, with the knowledge that somewhere in that devastation was the
only man she'd ever loved.
The only man
she could ever love.
She could
still hear Brian screaming for the loss of his best friend while Leighanne
gripped his hand.
She could
still see Sarah holding A.J as he sobbed in her arms and Kevin collapsing to
the ground in a heap of tears with Kristin by his side, comforting him as best
she could.
She could
still feel Howie's tears on her shoulder...
Now what were
they supposed to do?
How could any
of them move on after witnessing something so traumatic?
How was she
ever going to live without him?
The familiar
music that quietly drifted from the radio into her ears, caused her eyes to
overflow with tears as memories of being held in Nick's arms pierced her heart
relentlessly.
"Sayin'
I love you
is not the words I want to hear from you.
It's not that I want you
not to say it but if you only knew
how easy it would be to show me how you feel.
More
than words is all you have to do to make it real.
Then you wouldn't have to say that you love me
'cuz I'd already know...
I never
even got to tell him that I loved him...and now he'll never know. I
didn't get to show him...
Suddenly
Billie stiffened. "Rina."
"...What?"
"Look at
this."
Katarina lifted her head and stared at her sister, puzzled.
"What?"
"Just
look," she replied without looking at her.
With tired
eyes she looked toward the direction that Billie was so interested in and
instantly her eyes widened. In the distance she could see a figure
staggering toward them...a familiar figure that Katarina
knew like that palm of her hand. Not quite believing it, she rubbed her
eyes and peered in the same direction.
"Dear
God," Billie gasped, "it's him!"
Katarina jumped out of the car and raced toward him, nearly knocking down
anyone who was in her path. "Nick! Nick!!"
He lifted his
head. "Rina!"
Elation swept
through her as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. "Oh
God Nick!" She buried her face into his neck. "I thought I lost
you!"
"R...Rina..."
He suddenly
felt so heavy and Katarina realized that he was
collapsing. "Nick?!" She came down with him and when she
peered into his face she held back an urge to bawl. "Oh
Nick..."
His eyes
locked with hers. "...It's...bad...isn't it?"
She brushed
his bangs off his forehead. "It doesn't matter Nicky. As long
as you're here...with me."
Despite his
failing health, he managed a smile. "...L...Love you Rina."
Katarina returned his beautiful smile with her own and just before the
paramedics came to the rescue, she leaned forward and kissed him tenderly on
his warm lips.
"I love
you too Nicky."
***