Kate's POV

My eyes opened up as I felt a strong pain in my head. I wondered why I was having such a bad headache first thing in the morning but once I realized how cold I was in comparison to normal, not wrapped around my lover I remembered yesterday. I felt a strong pain in my heart as my head throbbed, making me grunt and grit my teeth. When it finally passed I turned over to what used to be Rick's side of the bed. It was empty… and lonely. I brushed my hand across the empty sheets, whimpering as I felt my eyes water.

I lifted my head up out of my pillow to lean over and push my nose against his, inhaling deeply to catch his scent. It was still there. I felt my lips quiver as a tear rolled down my cheek. I whimpered again, this time louder and then cringed as another pain crossed my head. I grunted again, shutting my eyes tight and gritting my teeth as I grabbed my head. God damn this headache.

I sat up and got out of bed. Walking out in my oversized T-shirt and panties which wasn't a big deal for two reasons. It was only my family around, and my T-shirt reached over my panties anyway… Rick always thought this type of get up was cute on me… I missed him so much, and it had barely been a day. I wanted him back more than anything.

I reached the bathroom, first taking two pills for my headache before looking in the mirror. I looked horrible… like I used to before me and Rick… he would say that I looked pretty no matter what. He always loved the messy look on me, but loved me either way…I sighed shakily and turned the sink on as I began to brush my teeth. After that it was only a matter of my morning piss before I walked out and back to my room. It would be awhile before my headache would start to fade so maybe I should lay back down.

I shut the blinds and curtains, making it darker in my room before crawling back into bed. I pulled the covers back up to my neck and tried to relax, but it was only heartache as I remembered this and that. Every memory that came to me just… I wasn't sure how long I could live like this. I exhaled, my breaths sounded so unstable as my eyes shut and I tried to think of anything else, but even my happy place that I had created was no cure. Because he was always right there with me. I felt myself begin to sob lightly as I felt the memories come flooding back. Thanksgiving, Christmas, the day we played airsoft, the first time we made love, our first kiss, him saving me and never leaving my side, the way he took care of me after… It was like a fairy tale. No guy was that perfect… but he was, and he did it all out of love… and now he was gone… how could that have happened? Why did bad things happen to such good people? And furthermore, who could do such a thing? What even happened?... wait… who could do such a thing?... Who did it? Who took him from me?

I opened my eyes and sat up instantly. Who hurt such a perfect, and innocent guy? And who took that guy, that joy, that love that every girl needs, who took him from me? I began to feel angry. I looked over at my phone, grabbing it and opening it up. My expression softened though once I saw my background. Me and him… on the Ferris wheel that night just before we… I was gonna find out who did this. Immediately I dialed Humphrey's number and put the phone to my ear. It rang four times before he answered. He sounded tired as he spoke. He must have been sleeping. It was pretty early after all.

"Hey Kate, you doing alright?" he asked.

"Humphrey, I need a favor from you. Can you help me out?" I asked. I sounded desperate as I spoke, but I felt eager as the urge within me grew to find out who did what they did, and why.

"Of course Kate. anything you need. What's up?" Humphrey asked. He sounded like he had pity on me as he spoke, like he really wanted to help me. I didn't need pity though, I needed help… I needed Rick back.

"I need you to take me where it happened. Can you do that?" I asked. There was a pause before Humphrey spoke again, sounding confused.

"You want me… to take you where…" he started but I could tell he didn't want to finish. He didn't want to talk about what he saw that day. Honestly I hadn't even thought about it. I hadn't thought about Rick's final moments before he passed. What happened? Was he scared? Did he call for me? Was he in pain? All things I didn't want to think about but now that it was in my head I couldn't help it. It made me sick to my stomach.

"Where Rick was killed" I said, finishing his sentence.

"Kate… I don't think that's a good idea" Humphrey said.

"Humphrey please… I just have to go there, maybe we can find something" I begged.

"Like what? What are you hoping to find? There isn't anything over there" Humphrey explained, but I was too stubborn for my own good.

"Humphrey please" I repeated. There was another pause before I heard him sigh.

"Alright, but my car is still broken. Want me to catch an uber?" Humphrey asked.

"No, I'll come get you. Just give me like twenty minutes okay?" I asked.

"Sure thing Kate. I'll be here" he said.

"Thanks" I replied before another moment of silence ensued. I hung up the phone and then got out of bed again. I changed but not into much, blue skinny jeans and a white shirt which as always, sleeves were rolled up. I didn't bother to fix my hair, I just needed to get there and this wasn't about looking good. I just wanted to see if I could find something. I put some shoes on and then went downstairs. As I opened the door I stopped as I noticed Rick's truck in the driveway. I forgot that Humphrey drove it here, but how did he get home?

I walked over to it and brushed my hand against it lightly. What were we even gonna do with this? I closed my eyes and composed myself before walking over to my own car and hopping in. I made my way to Humphrey's house, finding it hard to concentrate on the road as I drove but I needed to get there. I tried to think about something else, but even if I managed to, I feel guilty for not taking time to remember the love of my life. Somehow though, I managed to make it to Humphrey's house.

I pulled into the driveway and thought about getting out to go and knock on the door, but as I did Humphrey stepped out, shutting the door behind him and locking it before coming over to get in. He opened the door and sat down, buckling his seatbelt and then turning to me.

"Hey Kate… how are ya?" he asked. I kept my hands on the steering wheel as my eyes darted over to him and sighed.

"Been better… I just… you know" I said. Humphrey nodded.

"Yeah… I know… it was a rough night for me" He replied. I turned to him fully to see that his fur and hair was a mess, just like mine. But he also had marks under his eyes which showed that he had been crying, perhaps even longer than me.

"Oh Humphrey… I'm sorry, I know you two were really close too. It must have been so hard to see him like that… I'm glad I didn't" I explained as I avoided eye contact, looking to my lower left.

"He… he was my brother… when it was Angel that was hard enough but… I cant believe that both of them are…" Humphrey started. I felt a wave of pain in my heart as I took a moment to contemplate everything. Nothing came of it though so I put the car in reverse and back out of the driveway, stopping again once I pulled out onto the main road. "How have you been?" Humphrey asked again as I pulled off.

"I've… I've been in pain, last night I felt so cold and alone, I've just been in constant pain and… I don't know how Rick did it with Angel… give me directions?" I asked as I came to the end of the road.

"Oh yeah, go left," Humphrey instructed. I turned and made my way down the road before he spoke again. "He did it for you ya know… went through everything, gave up the house… but like I said yesterday, he's with Angel now. I know you dont wanna hear that but it's true"

"No… I… I was wrong, sorry I just… I wasn't in a good spot yesterday" I explained.

"No one expected you to be, we still don't… you're still clearly hurt, it will be awhile before you get back on your feet. Take a right" Humphrey said. I did as was told and turned.

"How did you get home yesterday? I saw Rick's truck in the driveway and… I didn't see you leave" I explained.

"You're mom took me home. She talked with me a bit after she helped me clean my hands and then… she drove me home. I told mom everything, she broke down and… It's been really hard" Humphrey explained. I nodded as I kept my eyes on the road, feeling another heartache. "No one though Kate… is in as much pain as you I promise you that. When he was about to go the last thing he worried about was that locket of his… the one that connects you guys" he added. I turned to him briefly as I felt another heartache.

"He… did?" I asked shakily.

"Yeah… gas stations on the corner here" Humphrey said. Already I saw it and pulled in, parking in front of the mini mart. I unbuckled my seatbelt but Humphrey stopped me. "We can still leave," he said. I paused, sitting back down.

"No… I have to do this, if there's anything that can help me find who did it" I said.

"I can't think of anyone, with Garth gone I-"

"Wait, you heard about that?" I asked. Humphrey nodded.

"Yeah, it was all over the news," he answered. I looked down at my chest, grabbing my locket and flipping it open. I studied the picture inside, making me feel even more heartache than I already did.

"He… he wanted his locket?" I asked. Humphrey nodded.

"Yeah… it's all he cared about was seeing you. You were the last thing he wanted to see" Humphrey explained. My lip quivered as I felt myself begin to cry again.

"What… What were his last words?" I asked in between tears,

"He didn't have any," Humphrey answered. I looked over to him, signaling to him that he needed to explain further. "He… he was too badly damaged, he couldn't talk in the end" he added, making me feel sick. I felt myself exhale again, but in a sick way as I tried not to throw up. Who hurt him so badly? I opened the car door and stepped out. Humphrey mirrored me and got out as well. I shut my door and then locked it, looking around for anything.

"Over here" Humphrey said, leading me over to a fence. I followed him until we reached the end of the small parking lot where only a bare sidewalk laid. There was nothing, no blood, no crime scene, nothing. "I guess… I guess they cleaned it up" Humphrey said.

"They… they cleaned it… it's like it never happened" I said, looking around, already I could tell that there was nothing to find.

"Kate I'm… I'm so sorry" Humphrey said, pain in his eyes. I felt a wave of emotion coming as I spoke.

"How did it happen? W-what h-happened?" I asked. Humphrey sighed.

"I don't know, when I came out I found him on the ground gutted" he explained. I began to sob right then and there. Gutted. Out of all the ways to go. Even still he just wanted to see me.

"You know it… it doesn't matter what we do… or what we choose… a-and there nothing we can do about it… there is a-always gonna be something or someone that… and now he's gone… the love of my life is gone and… w-what am I gonna do without him I'm just…" Now I started to fully breakdown once again as my hands were held to my ears and I began crying hysterically. "I'M BROKEN" I said so loud that it almost sounded like I was yelling.

"C'mere Kate," Humphrey said, pulling me into a hug. I hugged him tightly and cried into him as he held me. My wails were muffled as my muzzle was buried into his shirt. "Shhh" Humphrey coed as he held me, rocking me side to side. I tried to stop crying but I couldn't. All this pain, all this hard fucking pain. I wanted to know who hurt him and why they did it. He didn't deserve this. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair God damn it, it wasn't fair. And even after all the pain he went through physically and in his dying moment… he still just wanted me. He loved me so much that he wanted me… Humphrey held me as I cried, getting everything out for what must have been ten minutes before I finally started to calm down a bit. My wails becoming sniffs and shaky sobs. "Come on, let's get you home" he said as he walked me to my car.

I sat silent as Humphrey drove me home, sniffing as I tried again and again not to cry. I didn't want to be a bother to anyone or make someone think that I wanted their pity. I just wanted my boyfriend back. He was so much more to me than a boyfriend though. Boyfriends and girlfriends… they don't feel the things we feel, they don't do the things that we did, not on such a deep level. I felt so… lost. And broken. Before I felt like I was at square one. But I wasn't, I was even further than that. Before I was just miserable and felt alone because I felt like nobody loved me, like no one out there actually cared to give me the love that I needed, both emotionally and as a young woman. But now I felt alone because the person that I wanted and had finally found was gone, and he didn't just leave, he was ripped from me. Robbed from what could have been a perfect existence.

"Kate?" Humphrey called softly. I turned to him to see him gesture with his head in front of him. I turned to see that we had made it to my place. I sighed and turned to him.

"I'm so sorry Humphrey… I shouldn't have called you" I said.

"It's okay Kate, just… go in and get some rest okay? Or if you want me to stay then we can talk" he offered.

"No… it's okay, I want to be alone right now… what about you? How are you gonna get home?" I asked. Humphrey sighed.

"I don't know… maybe Lilly can take me if you're okay with her borrowing your car" Humphrey suggested. I nodded.

"Alright… that's okay" I said, unbuckling my seatbelt and then stepping out. Humphrey followed me up to the house where I unlocked the door and stepped inside. When I walked in mom was at the table sipping her morning coffee. She turned to us and lowered it from her mouth.

"Oh… hey guys. Kate I didn't know you left, where did you two go?" she asked.

"I… I don't wanna talk about it" I said as I walked over to the stairs. Not that I needed to talk about it because as I walked up I heard Humphrey start to explain everything. I made it to my room and then closed the door once I was inside. I changed back into what I was wearing earlier and crawled on top of my bed, not bothering to get under the covers like earlier. Instead just repeating what I did yesterday, and everything before I started seeing Rick. I didn't miss this lifestyle, I missed being happy. If it wasn't for Rick I would still be there. I never would have began dating, I never would have started our family, I never would have had a sex life, I never would have experienced true happiness, and thanks to Rick… I did, even if it was for a short while. And from what Humphrey said it was the happiest either one of us had ever been, and now it was the happiest we were ever going to be.

I laid there for a few hours, thinking about everything, dealing with the constant waves of heart aches. I heard Humphrey as he came upstairs and went into Lilly's room. I believed they talked a bit but I didn't hear him leave. It wasn't until around three o'clock when I heard a knock at my bedroom door. I didn't say anything as I was too upset to speak. I felt sick, after hearing everything I just felt nauseous on top of everything else.

"Kate? Can I come in?" I heard my mom ask.

"Y-... yeah" I said. I sounded very weak, like all my energy had been drained. My mom came in, opening the door and causing me to turn my head slightly over to her. She stood in my doorway with a plate of food and a water bottle. My stomach turned at the sight of food and I groaned. "Mom please… no" I whined.

"Come on sweetie, you have to eat something. Rick wouldn't want you to starve yourself. Please? It's not much" mom explained as she came over and sat down on the edge of the bed. Again I looked over but this time at the plate. It was a simple sandwich with chips. In there I could see ham and lettuce, no doubt some type of cheese as well. I felt bad turning it away, especially since she had taken the time to make it just for me but…

"I'm sorry mom… I just can't" I said weakly. I just couldn't help but feel sick at the sight of food right now.

"Well I'm not going anywhere until you eat at least something" mom said sternly. I felt myself grow angry, but I knew she was only doing it because she loved me. Just do it Kate, get it over with. Besides, it's good for you. She's right. Rick would want you to eat. I sat up, leaning to my side causing mom to scoot over a bit. I took the plate and looked down at the food, feeling my stomach turn again. This was too much. I looked up at mom with pleading eyes, but she said nothing, standing her ground. Shakily I picked up the sandwich and raised it to my mouth. I was shaking hard as I forced myself to take a single bite. When I did though I hit my breaking point, feeling extremely sick and only got halfway through the bite before I quickly took the sandwich away and threw up onto the plate. Mom acted quickly, taking the plate away from me once I was done as I began crying.

"Okay okay okay" mom said repeatedly as she stood up, feeling bad after making me take a bite. I cried and coughed as I tried not to throw up again, putting a hand in front of my mouth.

"I told you I didn't wanna eat" I cried.

"I know baby I'm sorry it's just… I was…" she began but gave up as I kept on sobbing. She sighed and took the sandwich from my hand. "It's okay… you don't have to eat right now" she said softly. She then stood up and walked out, taking the plate with her but leaving the water bottle. I felt extremely weak as I kept on crying, crashing back on the bed as I sobbed. about five minutes later, mom came back into my room, taking a seat back on the edge and brushing her hand gently over my side.

"I'm sorry sweetie," she said. I tried speaking but my words choked, and I instead hyperventilated as I tried desperately to calm myself.

"I-i-it's fine… I know you…" I didn't finish as I broke down again. Mom rubbed my side still, trying to calm me.

"Shhh. it's okay… it's okay" mom cooed. Tears kept on coming however as I cried and cried and cried. Eventually mom broke down herself. "Kate I'm just… I'm so sorry this happened to you, no one should ever have to go through this, and at such a young age… you deserve the world and more, and that's why… that's why I wanted you and Rick together, and he gave you that… and I'm so sorry you lost him… we all did, we all lost him, and I know you want him back, and I wish that I could, believe me, I hated seeing you like you were back then, and now that you're here again, and you're even worse… I'm just so sorry" mom explained, now crying herself. Finally I had composed myself enough to look at her with simple sniffs. I wanted to say something to her but found no words.

"He was such a good kid… him and his sister, I know how much love he had for you, even though he never told me before, I could just tell… and I knew what kind of guy he was, and I knew that he would keep his promise to take care of you and that's why I wanted it to happen so bad… and when it did I was so happy, not only to see it finally happen, but to see you finally happy as well… that's all I want is to see you and your sister happy… but when his sister passed and I lost my friends I was destroyed by it… I thought that would be the hardest loss you or your sister would ever have to take until me and your father. I prayed that it would be… and the funeral… I wanted to accept him here, after all this time I always thought of Rick as a son of mine, so when I found out he would be my son in law… I gave him my blessing Kate… me and your father… he was gonna propose to you… I don't know when he would have done it but I know that he would have. The day before the big snow storm… we gave him our blessing and I'm so sorry that you lost that" mom cried.

I thought of everything for a moment. I knew he loved me but… marriage. We were gonna get married. And they had already given him their blessing. I looked down at my necklace again, remembering what he said when he gave it to me. I promise you Kate that one day there will be a ring in there. He was telling the truth… he had everything planned out… for me. I felt yet another heartache as my mother continued.

"That day I saw you two on our bed I… you were just like me and your dad when we were young… it brought back so many memories which just… it made my heart melt… I know you two would have grown old together happily, probably even happier than me and your father… I've never seen a more happy couple than you two… you would have had kids… given me grand pups… beautiful… innocent grand pups… I always wanted to be a grandmother… spend time with them… spoil them… I know they would have been the happiest kids in the world because of how much love you two had for each other… they would have been conceived with love… and because you two made them you would love them and be the best parents… and I'm so sorry that was taken from you… I'm sorry I just… excuse me" mom said, leaving the room as she covered her muzzle. I heard her run down the hall and shut her bedroom door. I didn't know that she cared for Rick so much. After everything she explained though… It was true. We would have been such a happy family. Everything I dreamed of. But the whole thing about us reminding them of themselves… I knew exactly what she remembered.

Rick was ready to take me out on a date and had just pulled up to the house. It was after new years day so he wanted to use his gift card that Angel had gotten him. He knocked on the door and I ran happily to answer it. He stood dressed in his usual black jeans and white T-shirt with that brown jacket that he loved. He stood in the doorway smiling as I smiled back.

"Hey Kate" he greeted.

"Hey, I'm almost done, I just need to grab something real quick. Wanna come in?" I asked.

"Sure, it's freezing out here" Rick said as he stepped inside. I shut the door as he rubbed his hands together, trying to warm them up. Given how I was only wearing blue jeans and a pink t-shirt, I really felt the cold once I opened the door. As warm and thick as Rick said my fur was, to me it was no match for the winter air outside.

"I just gotta grab my phone and I'll be right back down" I said. Rick chuckled.

"Alright. Where's Lilly?" he asked.

"Humphrey's why?" I asked. He shrugged.

"Just wanted to say hi" he answered. I giggled and wrapped my arms around him, giving his lips a long smooch. He hugged my lower back and brought me in, kissing me back as we both closed our eyes. We broke the kiss with a light smack as I smiled and looked up at him. "You really know how to warm me up," he said. I giggled and kissed him again, placing my hands on both his cheeks. We broke our embrace and then we walked over to the living room.

"Hey Rick" mom smiled as we walked in. Rick smiled back at her happily and raised his hand to wave subtly.

"Hey guys. How's everything?" he asked. At the time mom and dad had been watching their usual TV show. I was watching it with them as I waited for Rick to come. Well I say watching but really I was laying on the other couch on my phone.

"Oh you know. Work, bills, repeat" mom answered. Dad chuckled, making mom look over to him. I picked my phone up and slid it into my pocket. "Oh Kate, could you go get mine?" mom asked. I turned to her confused.

"Your phone?" I asked.

"Yeah, I left it on my nightstand to charge," she explained.

"Sure" I replied, turning to Rick again. I expected him to stay and talk with my parents until I got back, but instead he followed me down the hall and up the steps. Once we got to the top I stopped, looking into my room and then turning around. "Are Your parents done early tonight?" I asked.

"I don't know why?" Rick asked back. I walked over and gave him a light peck on the lips while also pressing my chest against his.

"Because… I was hoping maybe we could…" I began but stopped, instead letting my eyes finish the question as they looked up at his. Rick chuckled and gave me another smooch.

"We'll see how it goes love" he said. I giggled and continued walking over to my parents room. Rick followed me inside but wandered to the foot of the bed as I walked over and unhooked mom's phone off of the charger. I turned around to see Rick looking in the corner of the room. "No way, who plays?" he asked, walking over to the corner where a guitar sat behind a chair. I giggled.

"My dad apparently used to play for my mom and that's how he got her to fall in love with him" I explained. As I did I looked at the nightstand again and saw a picture of my dad playing guitar as my mom leaned happily on his shoulder. They looked so young in this picture. I picked it up and held it up. Rick looked over from across the room and smiled. He then leaned over and picked up the guitar. All of a sudden I connected the dots.

"You don't play do you?" I asked. Rick chuckled again, sitting on the foot of the bed as he got the instrument into position. I felt myself grow excited as my tail wagged slightly. I sat on the bed next to him as he strummed it. It sounded lovely. "I didn't know you could play. Are you in band?" I asked.

"Oh no. I Had an old friend who taught me a few years back. Her name was Stephanie… she isn't around anymore" Rick explained. I caught the sadness in his voice and felt my ears lower.

"Is she…" I started.

"No, she moved… haven't talked to her since… but we were really close and…" Rick explained before shrugging. He then turned to me with an adorable smile.

"Well… you can't just tell me you play and then not play" I said. Rick laughed.

"I'm nervous," he said. I giggled and leaned over to give his lips a quick peck, cupping his cheek and closing my eyes. He closed his as well even though it was over quickly. I sat back down and waited, gesturing with my eyes for him to play something.

"Come on" I urged. Rick sat for another moment and then chuckled. He strummed the guitar again, playing a tune that sounded familiar but I Couldn't put my finger on it. Where had I heard it before? I knew I had but… it was only when he started to sing to me that I knew the song, and I felt my heart melt as he sang. I had no idea that he had it in him, he never came off as the type but… he was putting his heart into it as he sang and I was all ears.

"Tell me somethin, girl… are you happy in this modern world? Or do you need more? Is there somethin else you're searchin for? I'm fallin… in all the good times I find myself longing for change… and in the bad times, I fear myself…" he sang, and it was the most beautiful, heartfelt voice I had ever heard. My heart sank however when he kept playing the heavenly tune and then motioned with his eyes to me, keeping the same smile I loved to see.

"Me? No" I said.

"Come on Kate, your parts coming up," Rick replied. I felt nervous, shaking my head until Rick spoke again, comforting me as he always did. "We're in this together right?" he said. I giggled as he continued the tune and finally I had began to sing as well.

"Tell me something, boy… aren't you tired tryna fill that void? Or do you need more? Aint it hard keepin it so hardcore? I'm falling… in all the good times I find myself longing for change… and in the bad times, I fear myself…" I looked up at Rick and he nodded excitedly. I smiled and raised my voice a bit as I hit a high note. Not too loud though. "I'm off the deep end, watch as I dive in. I'll never meet the ground… crash through the surface where they can't hurt us, we're far from the shallow now" I sang. I smiled at Rick as he smiled back knowing what part was next. And it was the part that I now realized that I had been looking forward to this whole time… so we both sang together and our voices were beautiful together.

"In the sha-ha sha-la-low… in the sha-sha la-la-la-low… in the sha-ha sha-ha-ha-low… we're far from the shallow now" we both sang as Rick finished strumming, and both of us had leaned forward, resting our heads on one another, or noses nearly touching as we smiled.

"I love you Kate," Rick said. The warmth in my heart stayed as I replied.

"I love you too," I said. Rick took his forehead off of mine to give it a kiss and then stood up.

"Alright, we better get going. Don't wanna be out too late" he explained as he put the guitar back. I smiled and reached for his hand. He took it and together we began walking out of the room but stopped once we saw both my mom and dad on the steps, looking at us. My mom had tears in her eyes as she stared, her mouth covered as my dad stood amazed. They saw and heard everything. I guess they heard us and wanted to see if it really was us. I felt embarrassed, looking away as Rick laughed nervously. "Sorry I just…" he started but my mom walked over to us.

"No no it's fine… Kate… Rick… you two were beautiful… I… I don't know what to say…" mom said. Slowly I turned back to her. Dad still stood on the steps speechless. "You… you have something really special the two of you" mom said… and she was right… She was right.

A tear rolled down my face as I closed my eyes again, living the memory again and again. Everything he sang that night… I could tell it was love… and when we both sang it… I felt like I was in my own fantasy world. I never would have imagined such a scene in my life… but thanks to Rick it happened.

"I… I need you Rick" I whimpered as I began crying again. It wasn't long before I had cried myself to sleep. As I did however, I could have swore that I heard my phone ring just before I was out.