The year is 2016. The world had just received news of David Bowie's death.

Upon waking up that winter morning and hearing the news, my heart shattered. Though forty-three years had passed since I last saw David, every memory I had from the summer of 1973 felt like yesterday.

I had continued on with my life like he wanted me to. I graduated high school and college, and though my dreams never took me to NASA, I made a career of working in a museum dedicated to space, giving tours and teaching kids who reminded me of myself. I also married, started a family, and was just about to turn sixty--reaching those golden years so highly regarded as the ideal American life. I had even dated Josh not long after David had left, though we both went our separate ways during college. Still, we remained good friends and occasionally called each other up or liked each other's posts on Facebook. However, despite everything I had happily filled my life with, I always kept a special place in my heart for the Starman I fell in love with.

And I liked to think he did the same with me. Whenever I saw him on a late night talk show, heard new songs on the radio, or watched music videos on MTV, I wondered if he ever thought about me. Did he remember those kids he hung out with in the '70s? Did he remember me?

I concluded I would never know for sure. Even though I had made peace with the fact we lived in completely different worlds, I couldn't help but imagine if he'd ever search for me just to tell me he kept his promise.

But after the shocking news of his death, my hopes were dashed. Along with his fans, I was heartbroken for the obvious reasons but something else plagued my mind. He never said goodbye and I never had a chance to. After learning about his final months of struggling with terminal cancer, I wondered if he ever thought to come visit. Maybe he didn't want to upset me, I reasoned. Or maybe he wanted his music to be his parting gift.

It was a chilly morning in January, about two weeks after David's death. Though the sun shined brightly outside, the grasp of winter held firmly to the air. I was home alone on this day, as my husband dared to attempt a day of golf with his friends. A day that didn't consist of rain was a breath of fresh air to all of us.

Sitting in our quiet house, I sipped my coffee at the breakfast table and opened my tablet. I tapped on my Facebook app, where I kept up to date on the kids' happenings with our tiny grandchildren. But just as the page was about to load, there was a knock at the door.

I walked over to the door and answered it, only to see no one standing there. I glanced down the street, but saw no one in sight. Rolling my eyes, I quickly assumed it was the neighbor's kids causing trouble again--but then something came to me.

Just like that summer evening in 1973, I looked down. Laying inches away from my feet was a red rose with a note tied around its stem.

"It can't be," I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. I picked up the rose, feeling its soft petals and letting the sense of my touch take me back in time. Then I quickly opened the note and read it, finding the same lyrics as before. This has to be Nancy's doing, I thought. She must remember that night, too. Feeling a little overcome with sadness, I still couldn't help but smile as it made me feel like a teenager again.

Closing the door, I carried the rose into the kitchen and placed it in a vase. I was about to call Nancy when I looked out the window facing the backyard. I gasped loudly, my heart jumping in my throat as I saw someone outside.

I stumbled to the window, attempting to sneak a better look at the person while trying to hide myself, but they had disappeared behind the trees and bushes. Proving unsuccessful and reasoning it was the neighbor's kids, I stepped outside and onto the deck.

Shielding my eyes from the sun, I decided to speak. "Excuse me?" I said, irritation in my voice.

I noticed the person was hesitant as if trying to decide if escaping was still an option. But then he stepped into view, revealing who--deep down--I had suspected. I gasped again, this time bringing my hands to my mouth, as I gazed at David standing only a few feet away.

Gone with age and time were the flamboyant outfits. Now, he was dressed in black, a printed scarf tucked underneath his coat and coordinating with the color of his hair. He stared back at me and while I wasn't surprised by how much he had aged, I realized he probably was about me. Self-consciously, I brushed my greying hair back and clasped my arms together in front of my stomach.

Finally finding my voice, I blurted out the first words in my mind. "David, but you should be--" My throat choked and I couldn't finish the dreaded sentence.

Despite my emotions, a smirk appeared on his face as he stepped forward. He looked like he was trying to think of something to say and I watched with baited breath. "It's good to see you," he said, his tone sounding conclusive and relieved simultaneously.

"It's good to see you, too," I said, breathing out a sigh. "But I don't understand." I glanced around at the neighbor's houses. "Would you like to come inside?"

He nodded and began to walk up the steps to the house. "Just like old times," he said.

Entering the house, I gestured towards the living room. "Please, sit down," I said, brushing back my hair again and wiping under my eyes. My awkward teenage feelings had returned and I didn't know what to do with myself. Following my direction, he took a seat by the fireplace and I took the chair across from him. "I still can't believe it's you," I added breathlessly.

He remained silent for a few seconds, before leaning forward and grasping my hands. "So much has happened. I've missed you."

I shook my head and let out a small laugh. "Is this even real? I thought you were gone."

He nodded. "Iman and my children are the only other ones who know."

"That you're not--?"

"Yes, and who I really am. She's known for a while--like you. I couldn't leave without saying goodbye to those I love."

"Goodbye? So you are leaving."

"Yes, every Infinite knows when he's overstayed his visit on a planet. I've accomplished what I came here to do and my life in disguise as a human is over. You remember what I told you back when?"

"Yes, everything. You wanted to bring your music to us to inspire people and be inspired. So why stop now?"

"Well, I'm getting older. Starmen live longer than humans but living in the spotlight, I can't just continue living, right? I've thought it over many times. If I were to slip away from the public, they would still find me and I couldn't put my family through a life of seclusion. I'm sure you've heard my song 'Lazarus'?"

I recalled the last single he released before his "death" and how I had cried while watching the music video. "Yes, I'm familiar with it."

"'Everybody knows me now,'" he quoted. "And pretty soon I'll be free 'just like that bluebird.' I knew I needed to send a final message before saying goodbye."

Tears had already welled up in my eyes, one finally escaping down my cheek as he spoke. "I knew there was a message in that song," I said with a small laugh.

"Don't cry, Jamie. You know I hate to see you cry." He gave my hands a squeeze and shook them gently as if to convince me that his touch was real. "This reminds me of the last time we said goodbye. I don't want to make you sad."

"I'm just so happy and overwhelmed to be seeing you again." I wiped away my remaining tears. "I thought you had forgotten about me."

"No, of course not," David said. "Don't believe for just one second I'm forgetting you. In fact, I almost wish I could spare us the pain. I'm trying to--I'm dying to."

"Where will you go now?"

He smiled warmly. "Space, of course--where all Starmen belong. I never imagined I'd stay so long on Earth but I think it has had its fill of me."

"So you're leaving for good," I stated. "I always had the comfort that you would be around but I never thought of this."

He nodded. "I suppose I didn't either. But it's time to move on--maybe through some black hole into another galaxy or whatever." He laughed through his nose. "How have you been?"

"Oh, fine," I said, but he stared expectantly for an elaborate answer. I lifted my hands from his and gestured towards our surroundings. "I mean, I've got a house, a husband, kids and grandkids. I couldn't ask for more. It's just amazing after all these years and changes that we're sitting here together again."

"Time never fails to pass away."

For the next several minutes, we sat there across from each other and talked about life--our memories of 1973, the nightly visits in the woods, the conspiracy theorists, and our love for each other that wasn't meant to be. We talked about the changes our lives had both seen since our last goodbye and how we had thought about each other often since. It felt like we were old friends again, lost in the depth of a time long forgotten.

Then David glanced at his watch. "It's time I should go. Your husband will be getting back soon anyway and I still need to visit the rest of your friends."

"Oh, Nancy will be excited to see you again. We've talk about you so much. Josh will, too--and Kyle, Lisa, Scott--they've never forgotten."

"They all still live here?"

"Yes. I don't think we've been able to leave our roots. Sure, we've gone to find our way in the world, but we've always come back to this place. I sometimes wonder if you had something to do with that. We've felt a connection to this town ever since and can't find it in ourselves to leave it behind."

"I've always felt a connection, too," he said, a shadow crossing his face as he stood up. When I copied his movement, he put on a brave face. "Don't think of this as a sad time. Just like back then--I'll always be around somewhere. Maybe not as close but I'll be around. Just think of me as a long-distance friend."

I nodded and smiled softly. "You're right. I like that--my long-distance friend."

He took my hands in his again, before pulling me into a hug and kissing me on the cheek. "For old time's sake," he said. "I'll miss you--all of you."

He stepped away and we walked back to the door he had entered. It felt like déjà vu, except it was real and the memories of our final night alone together in 1973 came flooding back. Now I was doing it all over again--but I was okay with that. David wasn't from Earth and no matter how much he made our planet his home, I knew he still belonged in space.

"Thank you for the rose," I said. "And the note. It made me feel like a teenager again."

"Love, looking at you makes me feel twenty-six again," David said with a smirk. He opened the door and stood in the frame. "Goodbye, Jamie. No, I've realized I don't like goodbyes. Let's just say farewell. It doesn't sound too harsh. Maybe we'll run into each other."

I smiled. "Maybe we will. See you later."

He stared intently at me and despite everything he had just said, he whispered a goodbye before turning away. I almost wondered if he knew we would never see each other again. So I replied and waved as he glanced back once more. Then, he walked down the porch steps and into the yard, vanishing into thin air right before my eyes.

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The following day, I gathered together with Nancy and the gang--the first time we were able to sit down together in a long time. We talked about everything that happened, discussing David's last visit in every detail just like those excited kids we used to be. And when I ran out of things to say, my mind mulled over it all again: the warm words from David, the touch of his hands one last time, that embracing hug, and that soft kiss he placed on my cheek. Though we were both married, I felt like we were old friends that needed that closure. Our love for each other was no longer just romance--it had grown into something deeper. The fact that he came to see me was all the proof I needed.

As I looked out at the stars every night since his visit, I felt a peace I realized I had been missing. After his "death," I felt a part of me leave as well. But now that I knew he was still out there alive and traveling through space like any Starman would, I felt calm. Sure, he was a long distance away from me but that was okay.

Because the world hadn't lost an inspiring musician and icon. He was just a Starman returning to where he belonged--space.

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Well here we are at the end.

I hope you enjoyed the story. It was a long process but it is finally complete. Thanks to those who stuck with it to the end despite my disappearing from Wattpad for a while.

It's also a funny coincidence - when I posted my first chapter, SpaceX had launched their Falcon Heavy rocket and sent a car (with a passenger named Starman) into space. Now I've posted the last chapter on another historic day for SpaceX as they finally sent humans into space, paving the way for more Starmans in the future ;)

Thanks for reading and hope to see you floating around Wattpad with more adventures to come...

:)