Forever

twenty-eight.

One Week Later
Orlando, Florida

Aurora walked hand in hand with Jameer to her brother's resting place and stood solemnly as she reached it. Five long years without her brother. Someone she swore would live forever. If there was any day she hated the most in a year, it was always today. The memories of that night were always so vivid to her and she hated every bit of it.

Jameer let go of her hand to adjust his beanie and wrap an arm around her shoulder. As he had been feeling all day, he was honored to be here right now and felt that this was a very big step in their relationship. He had been right by Aurora's side every single day of the past week and was vital in the stability of her mental health. She felt forever indebted to him for that.

"Keemie, it's been five years. Our last FaceTime is playing on a loop in my head right now and all I can remember is that golden smile you always had on your face. You're so missed. We all miss every single thing about you." she spoke, already having to wipe a few tears.

"When this year started, I told you how much I needed you and how it was going to be just like the last. I had no idea how wrong I would be. Today, I brought the man who changed everything for me. He changed me as a person. Everything he is as a person is reflected on me and I'm so grateful for him. You would've given him a hard time no matter what but I know without a doubt, you would love him for me. Keemie, this is Jameer. Jameer, this is Hakeem."

Jameer smiled at her as she moved to let him stand in front and address her brother. Aurora watched as Jameer knelt on one knee and began to speak. Her heart was racing due to the magnitude of what this meant to her and their relationship.

"As I told Aurora the entire week leading up to this, I'm truly thankful she allowed me to have this moment. Since we've been together, she's talked so highly and respectfully of you that I want to show you that same respect. Your sister is one of the most loving people I've ever met and that's a testament to how she was raised. She never forgets to tell me how instrumental you were in raising her, along with your parents and I think that's one of the most admirable things she's told me about you. I'm sure you were a great man and your sister truly misses you." he spoke.

Aurora brought a hand to her face to clear her face of any tears when she felt Jameer tap her thigh. She looked down to see him holding his hand out for her to hold to which she happily obliged.

"Your sister brings me happiness like no other and I'm always honored I get to be the one who she loves. I made a promise to myself and to Aurora that I will always do right by her so it's only fair that I make that same promise to you. I promise to respect, honor and love Aurora to my fullest ability." he finished, lightly squeezing her hand.

"I love you." she whispered. Jameer stood back up to leave a kiss on her cheek.

"I love you too."

Aurora leaned her head to rest on his upper arm as she let out a content sigh. There were a few things that she wanted to tell her brother privately but for now, she wanted to rest in this moment with Jameer.

"I just wanna say a few things and I'll be ready to go." she told him after a few minutes of silence.

"Okay, I'll go start the car." he replied, kissing her forehead before walking off to the rental car.

Aurora sat crisscrossed in front of Hakeem's tombstone and reached out to trace her fingers over his name.

"Keemie, the man who killed you is gone. The man who took you away from us is gone and I don't feel anything like what I thought I'd feel. I felt like he got exactly what he deserved for what he did to you but you're still not here. You're never coming back and him dying doesn't change anything." she blew out a breath.