Chapter: 1619

Jonathan began, "Bethany, "Stop right there. I already know what you're going to say." Bethany didn't need to hear the words that would only deepen the wound. It wasn't his confession she feared-it was the bitter taste of her own defeat. "Just get your clothes. No need to make this more uncomfortable than it already is."

Jonathan didn't really need any clothes.

What he longed for was time-more of it. A few precious moments to let Bethany's face etch deeper into his memory, to feel the warmth of this place before the future's looming shadows stole it all away.

Even with his sharp mind, the road ahead was shrouded in mist. What lay beyond? He didn't know. The one thing he was sure of was that Bethany would remain safe and sound. Not like his mother, wheeled out of the ER, too late for miracles.

Eventually, Jonathan's last excuse to Linger evaporated.