A smile spread across my face, the sun rose across the landscape. As I stood on the ruins of the enemy's base I felt satisfied. It was over, we could be safe now, no need to worry anymore. I turned around to see his beautiful face smiling at me, his ocean eyes full of life staring back. My eyes traveled to him making sure no wounds were noticeable, he was okay. The breath I was holding suddenly realized and I started walking towards him. He set his gun down and walked over. He was only five feet away when the shot rang out, his eyes widened and dropped to his knees. The enemy shooter drew his last breath and smiled as he died. I raced over to him and cradled his head in my lap.

He struggled to breathe, "I think it went through my lung."

"Hey, just hold my hand okay, you'll be fine," I say as tears fill my eyes.

I squeeze his hand as he coughs up blood, I pull his hand to my head and start crying, "I'm so sorry, I can't help you, you'll die all because of me!"

"Hey, don't cry, I hate it when you do."

But I couldn't stop, I know I should and be strong for him but it hurts so much.

"Elizabeth, just look at me and breathe," he says with a shaky voice.

I looked into his eyes, those poor oceans dulling to a slow gray, but I still took a deep breath and gave him a small smile. He tries to return it but it's weak. I pull him closer as he starts coughing again, the blood dripping down his mouth. I wipe the tears away and hold them in.

"I'm okay now, you can relax, okay?

He slowly nods and takes a ragged breath, "I...thought it was...over you know?"

"Me too, me too."

His voice starts to stutter and speaking becomes harder.

"I was...hoping to spend the rest...of our...lives....together."

A tear slips out and I kiss his forehead, "We will, in another life. I promise."

"You pinky promise?"

I give a small laugh as he slowly raises a shaky hand with a pinky out stretched. I raise my pinky and connect it with his, "I pinky promise."

"Ha, now I....have you forever," he says with a shaky laugh.

I nod

"Hey El, can you keep this for...me, I....was going...to give...this to you...after all...of this...but," he says with ragged breath.

He pulled a chain out that a very beautiful diamond ring hung on, the breath caught in my throat and gently grabbed the ring from his hand, "It's beautiful."

He gave me the fullest smile he could muster and nodded his head, I leaned down and kissed his lips, "Thank you my love."

I feel his last breath against my lips and his chest grow still. My tears dripped onto his face, my forehead against his.

"I hope wherever you are, that you are smiling with life in those beautiful blue eyes."

I close his eyes and stand up, "I pinky promise," I say as the tears spill and I put the necklace on.

I walk away from him with the sadness of a thousand souls.

16 Years later...

I stood on the edge of the cliff, watching the ocean clash against the rocks below. My hair slowly blew behind me, my scarf mixing with it. The ring pressing into skin, I held it tightly in my hand.

"This view reminds me of your eyes. It never fails to make my heart ache."

I give a small smile and stick my pinky through the ring, "I pinky promise, I really do. I just can't leave yet."

I heard footsteps behind me and my smile grew even more.

"what are you doing?"

I turn around and smile at the young man behind me, his ocean eyes full with questions, blonde hair swaying in front of them.

"I was talking to your father. You see I made a promise to him 16 years ago and I was just reassuring him I still remember."

He walks closer and stands next to me, "But how do you know he is listening?"

Look back over the ocean and I shrug, "I guess I just believe he is."

I feel him look over at me, "Mom, can I ask you something?"

I nod

"Why when the war ended did you choose to live by the ocean? Why not in the city full of opportunity?"

My mouth opens then closes again, I feel a small tear fall on my cheek.

"Mom, please don't cry," he says while hugging me.

I hug him back and kiss his head, "I wanted to live near the ocean because it reminds me of your father. His eyes always seemed to hold the whole ocean in them. Just like yours hold my entire world."