My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

It was the first time everyone saw this side of him. He had always been the strong, serious son. Finding Amanda had softened him. Losing her had shattered him.noveldrama

"No, don't think that way," Maximus said. "She came into your life and gave you the greatest gift life has to offer your daughter. She'll always be a living reminder that Amanda existed, that she lived in your heart, and that you learned to love."

"You'll never be alone. We gave you space, but you're not alone. You have us. You have Angela, Anthony, and Valentina."

"You'll never be alone, and whether it's me or anyone else here, we'll always be there to listen. I know right now nothing we say makes sense, but I believe that as the days, months, or years go by, you'll begin to understand all this. Today you had to say goodbye, but I promise you-one day, you'll see her again."

"Dad..."

"One day at a time, Lucius. One day at a time. For now, focus on each milestone in your daughter's life. Focus on loving her, caring for her, and protecting her. Everything else will come in time. I can promise you this-over the years, peace will slowly return.

"And stop thinking you didn't deserve Amanda. She came into your life, she loved you, you loved her. You made promises to each other. But now, it was time to say goodbye... Was it sudden? Yes. But none of us know how much time we've been given. With time, you'll understand. I love you, son. And I'm here for you and for my granddaughter."

"Brother..." said Maurice carefully.

Lucius turned to look at little-but-wise Maurice, almost 11 years old, looking shy and awkward.

"Here... This will protect you and my niece. Diana told me it's for guarding the people you love," Maurice said, handing him a small charm with a guardian angel on it.

Lucius knelt down to his brother's level, moved by the gesture. Looking at that boy —with the innocence of his age-offering something so heartfelt, made him choke up.

"It was mine, but now I want you two to have it," the boy added confidently.

"Well then, Evans family, I suppose you're staying for lunch?" came Anthony Moriarty's voice from the hallway.

Everyone turned toward him, and the man, unfazed, stretched out his arms and said, "Come on now-hand me my beautiful girl. Where is she? How's my little one doing?"

Laura, seeing the man approach, was stunned. The commanding gentleman in a suit, always so poised and powerful, was completely at the mercy of tiny Amanda, now three months old.

"Let someone else hold the baby-you've got all day with her," Angela said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, but I just need to recharge," he replied, unfazed, and picked up the baby. Everyone watched him, saying nothing, until Lucius finally spoke.

"That's the real Moriarty nobody ever sees..." he said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"That's more like it! That's the Lucius I know!" Moriarty said, gently rocking Amanda in his arms.

That day, the Evans and Moriarty families spent time together with the young man who had felt alone-who had felt like he didn't have the strength to go on.

After a few hours of bonding with Lucius and the baby, the family headed out, with promises to return-and Lucius promising to visit them, too.

That night, Lucius bathed the baby. Then they went to bed together. He wrapped his arms around her,

breathing in the scent of her tiny net

head. It was a unique, sweet smell that now filled his bed, his sheets, his room... and his heart.

Even though she was just a baby, little Amanda, smiled in her sleep. Sometimes she even let out little giggles, as if something made her happy Lucius didn't know what it was, but he liked to believe that maybe, just maybe... Amanda came to visit her in dreams.