The Season of Falling

30. Chapter 30

Chapter thirty

Kasey

I stared at Dean with my mouth slightly open for what felt like hours but was surely only a couple of seconds. It was like my brain had short circuited. Did he just say what I think he just said? Were all my dreams coming true right now?

I cleared my throat. “Can you, that is, would you say that last part again?” My heart was beating so fast I was sure it would fly out of my chest at any moment.

The smile Dean gave me was so tender I swooned on the spot.

“I’m in love with you, Kasey Whiting. Without even realizing it, I’ve been falling for you since day one. And all it took was some amnesia and a fake relationship for me to figure out that you’re my person.”

He reached over and grabbed my hand, shooting tingles of awareness all over me. He moved slowly like he was afraid I would pull away, but I had no intention of keeping my distance ever again. I slid closer and thought I heard a little sigh escape him.

Before I could say anything he continued. “You make me happy in a way that no one else ever can. You asked me if we could just forget the past month, but I don’t want to. The dates we went on are some of my new favorite memories. Not to mention that cave.” He smiled mischievously, and I laughed, trying to ignore the way my face heated at the memory.

“I wouldn’t mind a repeat of that,” I said, smiling sweetly and tipping my chin up in invitation. Dean released my hand to trail his fingers all the way up my arm and to my face. He created a path of warmth that I could have mapped out perfectly. Cupping my cheek in his hand, he gently ran his thumb across my skin. It was me that the sigh escaped this time, and Dean grinned, bringing his face down closer to mine.

“I was scared for so long of ruining what we had that I never stopped to consider what more we could have. But you and Sarah, and even Kendra, helped me overcome that fear and realize that love is worth it. You are worth it, Kasey.”

A huge smile spread across my face at hearing the words I’d been longing for the last four years. An answering grin tugged on his lips, but he didn’t give me time to properly admire it before he was gently guiding my mouth to his. I melted against him, and he pulled me impossibly closer. I let my hands wander up his chest and across his shoulders, coming to rest at the back of his neck, my fingers threading through his hair.

We’d kissed many times since the Dating Debacle began, but none of them were quite like this kiss. It was sweet and tender and filled with years of wanting. There were no lies between us anymore, no misunderstandings. And that knowledge made this kiss the best one we’d shared.

Dean had just started trailing kisses along my jaw when my phone buzzed. I pulled away to fish it out of my pocket, but Dean groaned a little and tried to pull me back. I laughed and pressed one last kiss to his lips before sitting back checking the text.

Kendra : Everything alright with you and Dean?

It was like a bucket of cold water had been dumped on my head. How could I be out here kissing Dean like I didn’t have a problem in the world when my grandpa was upstairs dying? I felt a surge of guilt that I tried to force down. He told me to find Dean and make up with him. I wasn’t sure if he had intended for the makeout part, but I could admit to myself that he probably would have been more disappointed if the kissing hadn’t happened.

“Okay, I just witnessed an entire movie of emotions cross your face,” Dean said with a wrinkled brow. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Well, no, Grandpa is dying so everything is not okay. But I’m okay right now. I was feeling guilty about being out here with you, but then I remembered that Grandpa told me to come and find you to make up and apologize. Honestly, my emotions have been pretty confused the last little while.”

“I think our emotions would get along in that regard,” Dean said with a little chuckle, but then his eyes softened and filled with concern. “But you should get back in there with him.”

I nodded and got to my feet, grabbing Dean’s hand in the process. “Come with me?” I asked.

He smiled and nodded, following me back inside and up to Grandpa’s room. With everything made right between us, I felt much more ready to face the hours and days ahead.

The next day, Kendra, Dad, and I stood gathered around Grandpa’s bed. It was close now. He was struggling more and more to hold his head up, to stay awake, even to breathe. I clutched Kendra’s hand and swiped at a hot tear that tracked down my cheek, unable and unwilling to stop the tide of emotion flowing through me.

Grandpa had always been a sure and steady presence in my life. He’d always been there to listen, give advice, and make me laugh. When things hadn’t been great with Dad, Grandpa had been there for me and helped me figure out my way through.

His weak cough brought my attention back to him. “You don’t need to cry for me, girls.” I looked over and saw the tears sliding down Kendra’s face as well. “I’ve had a good life.” He coughed again before continuing. “Don’t make my funeral some depressing thing, you hear? Remember the good times and make sure there’s lots of laughing.” He attempted to wink, but he was so slow and tired that he couldn't quite manage it.

“Save your strength, Dad,” my dad said, reaching out to lay a hand on Grandpa’s arm.

“For what? We’re all just waiting for me to die, might as well spend it talking and laughing with the people I love most.” He smiled, and we all did our best to smile back.

I moved closer and grabbed his hand in mine. “I love you, Grandpa. Thank you for everything.” He slowly moved his other hand to cover mine and patted it gently.

“I love you too, dear.”

We each took a turn saying our goodbyes and giving as many hugs and kisses as we could. But before long, he was too tired to continue. We helped him to lay back on his pillows, and he smiled at each of us one last time before he peacefully closed his eyes.