"I'll be back, by the time the last leaf falls."

I remember that day. That promise. He kissed my forehead, my nose, my cheeks, and finally my lips. He leaned his head on mine and our noses touched. We both smiled and I held in the tears I knew I'd cry on the days I would miss him later. Now was not a time for tears.

We had spent the years together, and in that time we had fallen in love. I now carried a creation of that love, unknowingly of course as she had only just been conceived.

He held me close and kissed me again, whispering about how much he loved me, how he would never stop loving me for the world. I had then held his face with my hands and smiled, and I told him that I'd be watching him with the stars. If only I had known he would be the one watching me.

"I'll be back, by the time the last leaf falls," he said as he left. Going on a journey of great danger to save the world, to a place only those of his kind could reach. The dragons...

I had waited, anxiously. He was constantly in danger, and I knew if something happened he would protect his friends over himself. I worried, but I knew he was strong. I had faith that he would do what was necessary and then return home to me.

Soon though, I found out he would not just be returning to me. Discovering my child was the greatest joy I had experienced since the day he proposed. I watched as the leaves on that tree grew. I had days where all I would do was ache for his arms, his voice, his smell, his smile. The season began to pass, and time marched on. The leaves started to turn and I began to count the days, waiting for his return.

I gave birth to a pink haired girl, and named her Summer, hoping the name would give her the same spirit her father had. And together we watched the leaves, waiting for him. Counting them as they fell from the tree.

Twenty.

Fifteen.

Ten.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

The last leaf clung to the branch. I remember the day it fell. His comrades he had left with came back beaten and broken, barely walking. They looked half alive, worn and tired. I watched as the last leaf spun and floated to the ground.

"I'll be back, by the time the last leaf falls."

But, he wasn't.