September 2000
More than a year ago, she had stood on the Pont Des Arts with him. Now, she was alone. He wasn't with her, and he wouldn't ever be with her. She'd cling to the memories of them in Marseilles, Paris, and all the other cities where their love had grown. A gentle breeze blew around her as she drew in a shaky breath; looking up to the cloudy night sky illuminated by the Eiffel Tower. Jenny rested her elbows on the railing of the lover's bridge and let her thoughts wander as she watched the twinkling lights of the tower. Her thoughts drifted to him, but it was over. The redhead brushed her bangs away from her eyes and slid her hands into the pockets of her coat. She shivered, remembering the reason for her journey. With quivering hands, she opened her bag and her fingertips touched the cold metal. She bit her bottom lip hard to keep the tears from flowing freely. Her eyes stung as she removed the small urn. The urn was cast in a soft heart shape and hand engraved with bands of leaves along the outer edges – simple and fine looking. "I have to move on," she whispered, turning the urn over in her hands and twisting the opening on the back. "I love you," Jenny murmured faintly and looked below to the Seine. With a heavy heart, she let the wind carry the ashes away and into the river's lazy current. As Jenny wiped a tear from her green eyes, a lock on the bridge caught her eye. Weathered and worn, the sturdy lock still had the initials perfectly inscribed – J+J.
He wouldn't ever love her again, but their love would remain on a lock on a bridge in Paris.