ONE MOMENT OF TRUTH
Epilogue
Mike watched Carrie as she lay in his arms on the bed, where only a little while ago they had been entwined in the throes of passion. But all was calm now, and Carrie had finally allowed herself to drift off to sleep. They had not allowed anything physical to happen between them, and they had finally settled here together, still in their clothes. Mike was propped up against the headboard, and he cradled Carrie lovingly, relieved that she was peaceful… at least for now.
The softness of her beauty seemed to glow in the dim light, and he was so enamoured of her that he couldn’t take his eyes off her. His heart was completely captured. He delicately touched her forehead, and slowly moved his hand up to smooth her hair. Mike doubted Carrie would ever fully know the depth of his love for her. He’d been in love before, but not like this. This was different. He could feel her in every part of his being. She wasn’t just in his heart, she WAS his heart. Their souls were locked, and it seemed every breath, every move, every thought was filled with her.
Carrie turned her head toward Mike and snuggled into him. He lifted his hand up until she settled, then lightly placed it on top of her hands folded in front of her. He gently kissed the top of her head, and placed his cheek against her hair. He prayed this was not just another dream. He couldn’t bear the thought of waking up from this, finding out none of it was real. He needed to know she was really in his arms, and he leaned forward and feathered her forehead with kisses.
Carrie stirred again turning away from him, and Mike sat up a bit. He softly placed his hand on her arm, and slipped his other arm out from under her. He just looked at her for a moment before placing a light, lingering kiss on her temple. He quietly got up off the bed, stopping to look at her one more time.
Finally he turned and walked over to the balcony doors, and leaned his arm up against the frame. The snow was still falling. His mind filled with thoughts, thoughts of all the things that were about to happen, that needed to happen. No matter what, he would not let go. He’d been noble long enough. Somehow he would get Carrie through this, and he planned to be with her on the other side. They would be together. He turned away from the window and shook his head as he quietly thought out loud.
"Sorry Austin. I stood back out of respect for you brother… respect for you and your marriage. But I’m not going to stand back any longer. I love Carrie too much to ever let her go."
Everything that had happened in Mike and Carrie’s lives had brought the two of them to this moment, this one moment of truth between them that would change both of their lives forever.
