Grace's POV*


"These past ten years have been incredibly hard. The only reason why I haven't given into my grief and let this unbearable pain consume me, Bianca and Dalton are the two reasons. They lost you, their father, and I refused to let them lose me, their mother. I'm the only parent they have left, and it would be cruel of me to take their mother away from them. There have been so many days I didn't think I would survive the pain from losing you. And there have been so many days I feel you haven't left us, at least not to death. Why do I still feel you aren't dead, just living your life somewhere else?  I keep holding to those words we once spoke to each other, Prince. You and I have a rare and unbreakable love for each other and when one of us goes, the other will be able to feel it in our soul. I have never felt you leaving me in my soul, why?" I whisper as I place the white roses on his grave. 

"Gracie?" I hear Jerome from behind me. I lift myself up and turn to see Bianca and Dalton. After Jerome kisses my cheek, the kids take my hand, and we give a slight smile.

"Hi, mom," Biance says with a smile.

"Hi, sweetie."

"Mama, can I put this little purple guitar on daddy's grave?" Dalton asks.

"Yeah buddy, go ahead. Your daddy would love that guitar you made him. You kids stay right here, I need to speak to Uncle Jerome right over there by Gregory's grave. You stay here and I want to be able to see you, okay?"

"Okay, mom. Me and Dalton will tell daddy how much fun we had at the carnival yesterday."

"Grace, I already know what you're about to ask me."

"Jerome, I really don't need to hear you once again to tell me it's been ten years, I know how long it's been. Believe me, I have been living this nightmare for the past ten years now.  You are his best friend. You're more like a brother to Prince and to me. I respect your opinions, and I have always trusted your judgement. I need you to please take into consideration that there is that possibility no matter how small it may be, Prince isn't dead," I say with desperation in my voice.

"Gracie, you know how much I love Prince, you, and those kids, and if I thought there was the tiniest possibility Prince is still alive, I would walk ever single inch of the earth to find him. Sweetheart it's been nearly ten years."

Yes, Jerome, I am aware how long it's been.  I just can't seem to let go even the smallest hope."

"Grace, I have done everything I can think to do to try and find even the slightest evidence that Prince could be still alive. There isn't anything at all the leads me to believe anything other than he isn't alive. I'm so sorry."

"Mama, who is that?" I hear Dalton shout. Both Jerome and I hurry over to him.

"Who is who, Dalton?"

"That lady over their behind the big angel tombstone," he points.

"Dalton, baby, there is nobody by the angel tombstone." 

"She was standing right there, mama. Binky, you also saw her, right?"

"Um, no, Dalton. I was reading daddy my letter. Mom, I didn't see anyone over there."

"It's okay. She was probably just vising someone, that's all."

"She was staring at me and Binky, mama. She didn't look nice at all."

"Dalton, it's okay, buddy. Come on, I need to get you kids back home and start dinner." 


Short chapter. Chapter 2 will be longer.

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