Final Chapter: Ashes

Avis woke up to her husband holding her tight, her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat. They were both still naked and the room smelled like sex. She smiled as the memories of the previous night came back to her.

"Good morning" Avis whispered against his cheek while she gave him a kiss.

"Mmhh, good morning my love-," Ace muttered sleepily.

"Did you sleep well?" Avis looked him in the eyes. He looked tired, maybe even exhausted. Well, no wonder!

"I haven't slept like that in over 10 years!" she answered his question.

"You look tired, darling. Maybe you should get some more sleep?" Avis suggested. A slight nod told her that he agreed.

"I'll tell Gertie to bring you your breakfast later… No, I'll bring it to you myself!" she said, jumping up from the bed to put on her robe.

Little did she know…

She went around the bed to give Ace a quick kiss on his lips. When she was about to go, he held her by her hand.

"Avis, I want you to know I love you. I always have and always will, regardless of what happened and what may happen. I've done a lot of stupid things. I hurt you to the core and I'm so sorry. You never deserved to be hurt like that! I want you to know that I'm sorry. Sorry for all the tears you've shed, sorry for all the anger you've had inside you, sorry I took your smile away. I'm so so sorry for all the pain I've caused you." Ace spoke softly, trying to cover up the tears that were slowly falling.

Avis herself was choked up,

"I know, darling, and I forgive you-," she said while holding his hand, rubbing it. "We still have so much time, and we'll make up for those lost years." She gave her husband a passionate kiss before she went to the door. She quickly turned in Ace's direction,

"Maybe we can continue where we left off last night after breakfast." Avis whispered so Ace could hear her, a dirty grin on her face. He just nodded.

Little did she know…

After a proper breakfast prepared by Gertie, Avis carried the tray with Ace's breakfast up to their bedroom.

As she entered the room, she saw that her husband was still peacefully laying in bed.

"Ace, I have your breakfast." She smilingly said while putting the tray onto the bed. "Ace…-" she said his name while going around to the other side where he was laying, "I have something sweet for you." Avis continued in a seductive voice.

She stopped abruptly when she saw her husband's face. He was pale and slightly blue. His eyes were half closed, and there was no sign of an expanding chest as was normal when one breathes. She got closer to him and took his limp wrist to check what she already knew…

She couldn't feel anything. No pulse.

Avis felt a sudden wave of nausea roll over her as she clutched her stomach with her left hand. Once the feeling faded, she gently stroked Ace's hand and arm with her other hand, trying to suppress her tears and cries by biting her inner cheek until she was able to taste blood.

She couldn't think anymore. It was as if someone switched off her brain and ripped out her heart all at once! She brought his hand up to her lips to kiss it before she leaned down to give him one last kiss on his mouth.

Both thought they still had time.

Little did they know…