The next morning Della brings me some breakfast. "Are you sure you don't need anything at all?" She asks. "I'm already going to Atlantis."
"I might need an imparter. And a few outfits, but if you're anything like the Della I knew, I'll need to set a hard limit of 12 gowns." Asking for things still felt wrong, but I really did need them, and I trusted Della.
"I only just met you, and you already know me so well." She says. I know it wasn't meant to be mean, but to me, it was just another reminder that I was a stranger to my best friends. "I'll get all that and bring it to you."
"Thanks." I responded. Now I face an afternoon of pain looking through Dex's bag. But I must admit, I'm curious to see what he thought was worth bringing to another universe. I open the satchel and am not surprised when a wave of half finished gadgets fall into my lap. Dex could never focus on one thing at a time. I'm also not surprised at the cascade of small parts I don't understand underneath those. But what I can't wait for is at the bottom of his bag. The things he thought to pack first. I see his tomple stuffed animal who he called McFluff. I thought it was the cutest name ever. I find his panic switch, Sucker Punch, and charm bracelet. Stuffed in the very bottom, I find something that makes me cry. A handwritten note from him.
Dear Lori,
If you're reading this, I'm probably dead. First of all, I'm sure I'm sorry for leaving you on your own in a new universe, unless I sacrificed myself to let you live, in which case, it was my choice. Second, I will always love you. I regret not getting to tell you that every day of your life. You deserve that. Which brings me to my third point. You are NOT to get stuck on me. Wherever you end up, find someone who can keep you safe if you need to be kept safe, and find someone to love you. That's the best thing you could do for me. Be happy. But don't feel like you need to rush into a relationship. Take however long you need.
I'll love you forever,
Dex
I let out a sob. The short note really showed how well he knew me. I would have done everything he told me not to do. I spend the next few hours giving into the tears