Jamie P.O.V

Lizzy's family has come to say goodbye to her. I give them the privacy they deserve and wait outside. It's only fair that they have a goodbye in private.

One by one they all go in. First is Thomas, her husband. He most likely tells her how much he loves her and how he and all the children, who are all grown up now, are going to miss her. She was the glue of the family.

Next is Lilith, their eldest daughter. She was always the mature one, so she probably tells her that she was more than privileged to have her as a mother.

Next to last is William, her middle child. He was in business now and was always more facts than feelings. He'll probably tell her quickly how much he loves her before leaving for work.

Finally is Jamie, her youngest son. He was always the understanding one. He tells her how much he loves her and how she isn't crazy like the nurses say, she is just special. He is special too. He would never think any more or less of her if she couldn't see me. He loves her just the same and she always will.

After Jamie leaves he sees me in the hall and shares a small smile. It's a hard time to smile in, but he's managing to do it. Now it is finally my turn to tell Lizzy goodbye.

I enter the room slowly and kneel down by the side of her bed. She sees me and smiles. The nurses in the room do not, but they should be used to the fact that she does. I'm surprised that they aren't by now. I am here every day.

"Hello Jamie," she says softly.

"Hello, Lizzy. I just wanted to give you my goodbye since everyone else seems to be doing it today," I explain.

The nurses give her side looks. I wish I could make them leave, but I can't. They are in here in case Lizzy starts acting up. Her mind has gone faster than the rest of her, so she can be easily agitated or confused. For some reason, she has never forgotten who I was. Perhaps we are just too close.

"Go ahead. Everyone deserves the opportunity, you do too."

I hold her fragile hand and smile. "Lizzy, you and I have been best friends since we were just toddlers. There was an instant connection between us and we both knew it. Other people didn't, but we did. We grew up together. We raised each other to be the best we could be. There wasn't anyone else because we didn't need anyone else. Just us was enough for a lifetime of friendship. Even when we were due to be married I was willing to do it because I loved you. The only reason I called it off was that I knew that you were going to be unhappy, even if we are best friends. And when I told you of my sexuality you completely understood. I could not have ever asked for a better friend. That night when I lie on my deathbed you were there until my last dying breath, I only wish to do the same for you. I love you so much Lizzy, not even death could tear us apart."

Lizzy smiles. "That was beautiful, Jamie. I can't tell you how much it means to me," she says softly.

"I meant every word."

Right now it feels as though it is just us in our own little bubble. No one is around to ruin this time we have together. Everything else is blocked out. There is not a single sound from the hall or outside. It is silent in the room.

I stay the entire night. Very early in the morning, before the sun is awake, Lizzy takes her final breath. The machine monitoring her heart alarms, but I ignore it. I simply just hold her hand as the tears travel down my face.

'I knew this would happen. I was never going to be ready to let her go. We're too close to be apart. I wish we could live forever, but we can't.'

Nurses come rushing in and simply watch. Lizzy didn't ask to be resuscitated if she ever started slipping. She asked them to simply let her be.

They take her time of death and take her from the room to clean her up and prepare to tell her family. It is a very sad process; one that I do not care to watch.

I walk out into the hall and see standing before me, a young Lizzy. She is twenty years old, the age we both were when I died. Only now she is different. She has large white feathered wings. She is truly an angel.

I hug her and she hugs me right back. It again feels like it is just us. No one is going to ruin this moment.

"You look beautiful, Lizzy. You are an angel," I tell her softly.

She smiles and nods. "Yes, Jamie. I am your guardian angel. You spent your afterlife taking care of me, now it's time I do the same for you. It's only fair. Now is your time. You never had the chance to do what you wanted to with your life. Now you have that chance. Go out and find the one you were meant to love. I'll always be here with you, but this is your pursuit of happiness now," she explains softly, holding my shoulders.

'I was so focused on staying with Lizzy that I never even considered still trying to love. I was putting her above everything else. I never tried to look for love. I was always right by her side. Perhaps she is right. Perhaps it is time I started living again.' 

"Go on, Jamie. Now is your time."

I give Lizzy one last hug as we say our goodbyes. I'm not sure when I'll see her again, but hopefully, it will be soon. We are still best friends. And she's my guardian angel.

'Now is the start of my afterlife. It truly is a new beginning.'