I woke in the morning to the sound of Tony getting breakfast ready. Even though I should have slept in the lab, he'd let me sleep on the couch. As if I needed one last night to feel normal. Like a family. It was early enough that Bernie wasn't up yet. I told him I wanted to go before he woke so he didn't question everything. He'd fallen asleep in my arms the night before, and he'd wake up in the morning with me gone. Eventually, he'd forget me too.
Tony and I had breakfast together. Well, he ate, and I watched since I was fasting in prep. He told me his plans for what he called my "best-case scenario" cabin. We talked about what it would look like. What we'd use it for. It felt nice to pretend for a moment that I'd wake up, and everything would be fine. But even if I did, there would be a hole where people were supposed to be. We only finished our conversation when Liv arrived to oversee everything and make sure I didn't slip into a lethal coma. Then, we headed down to the lab.
I was anxious. To the point of feeling ill. I watched them work and prep. I changed when they told me to change. Sat when they told me to sit. Held out my arms when they told me they needed them. But then it was time. And I knew it was time because Tony decided to go and be sentimental. He gathered me up in his arms and rested his chin on the top of my head. Tony wasn't a hugger. And neither was I usually. But we hugged each other then. As if we knew somehow that it would be the last time we ever saw each other.
"I'm gonna miss you, Kid," he said. I took a deep breath. In the memory, I'd simply told him that I'd miss him too. But I knew better now. I knew he'd be gone before I woke up. I'd never get to see him again. Never get a goodbye.
"I'll miss you more, I promise," I told him. "But rest well. Know that you succeeded. You brought them all back. Made the world a better place for your son. You'll find your peace." He patted my back, not hearing the words I spoke from three years in the future.
"I'll be here when you wake up."
"Promise?"
"You know it." He let me go and led me to the chamber. "It'll be fast. We'll put you to sleep first so you won't know what's happening. You'll be out before you even have a chance to panic about drowning."
"Cool. Not ominous at all." He smiled.
"You'll be fine." I took a deep, calming breath.
"Just do me a favor, will you?" I asked.
"Whatever you need."
"Make sure Bernie knows about me. Make sure he knows I love him."
"Of course I will."
"And remember that—I love you too."
"That's disgusting, Hayes." But he smiled.
"Shut up."
"I love you too."
"I'll see you on the other side."
"Goodbye, Jo. I hope you find the rest you're looking for."