Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.E.
This is a song-fic with the song I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton (Or Whitney Houston)
Chapter 2: I Will Always Love You
I make my way to Rangeman and use my key fob one last time to make my way up to the penthouse apartment on 7. It's late and all the lights are out but I am able to make my way through the apartment to the bedroom. Ranger is on the bed sleeping, or he was. He turns towards me and even though I can't see them clearly I know his eyes are now open. I make my way over to the bed and I can see he is smiling. He speaks one word but it's enough. "Babe." I quickly strip and join him. This is my last night with him, and I pour out all my love for him in my actions.
If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you ev'ry step of the way.
When I wake up it's nearly 9 a.m. Ranger and I made love countless times the night before. I woke when he slipped from bed this morning and he'd told to go back to sleep. He kissed me deeply before heading downstairs for his workout. I woke again when he came back to shower after his workout. I'd joined him in the shower which led to another lovemaking session. I fell asleep while he went in to shower again before going down to his office.
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.
I went in and showered and shampooed my hair. After toweling dry I dressed in a pair of blue jeans, navy blue t-shirt, and sneakers. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and added some makeup. I went through the apartment and made sure I took everything that was mine. I sadly left behind the clothes with Rangeman stitched on them. Those belonged to Ranger, not me...at least not anymore.
Bittersweet memories
that is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.
I sat at the kitchen table and composed the letter. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Harder even than the letter I'd left for Joe. Because for everything Joe and I had in the past, there was nothing left of those feelings anymore. But for Ranger, my love for him consumed me. It was breaking my heart in two to leave him. I knew I'd never be a whole person again.
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I set the envelope on the counter where Ranger would put his keys when he came in tonight. I left the key fob for his apartment as well. I closed my eyes and tried to keep the sob from escaping. I took a deep breath but it didn't help. I took one last look around and left the apartment for the last time. I made my way to the elevator and rode it down to the lobby. I didn't go down to the garage because I wasn't taking one of Ranger's cars when I left here. I'd already called my dad to pick me up. As the elevator reached the lobby I put a smile on my face and forced myself to walk out of the building without breaking down. My dad was waiting in his cab when I reached the street. I slipped into the cab and told him I was ready. He drove me to the Amtrak Station. I purchased a ticket that would take me to Chicago, Illinois and from there I would continue on to Seattle, Washington. I gave my dad a big hug and let him know I'd contact them when I knew where I'd be staying. He promised not to tell anyone.
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.
I took the two bags from my dad and made my way to the station platform. This was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I felt I had no choice. If I stayed I knew I'd continue to keep going to Ranger. I loved him with my whole heart. But that's not what he wanted. He didn't want a relationship or emotional ties. I had to honor his choices. After all, if I loved him as I professed, I wouldn't want to change him. So if this is what he wanted I had to accept it.
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.
I boarded the train and found a seat. I sat staring out the window seeing nothing as tears poured down my face. When we pulled into Union Station in Chicago, Illinois I changed trains and continued to stare out the window at nothing. When I got off the train in Seattle, I wasn't sure what my next move should be. I'd never been so totally on my own before. I started walking and just kept going.
You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you.
As I walked, my thoughts turned inward. I wondered how I was going to survive without him.