Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 130275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
I raised one eyebrow to Cael in question. “Let’s go,” he said and walked with us to the next food cabin. It felt like Christmas again here in this Norwegian square. Like a stolen scene from a movie, a slice of magic on a crisp winter’s day.
It was perfect.
We all went back to our respective rooms after a couple of hours exploring the square, full and sleepy. We were only in Oslo for a single night. Norway was going to be different from the Lake District. We weren’t staying in a single place. Instead, we were moving north. We didn’t know what we were doing or what we were going to see, but I already liked it here. It felt different from what I was used to. That could only be a good thing these days.
In my own room for the night, I sat in the window seat and watched the square begin to quieten. Opening the notebook in my lap—the one from Poppy—I decided it was time to read another page. It only felt right to hear from my sister in the home country of the love of her life.
Savannah,
Just seeing my name in her script swelled my heart so big I thought it might burst from my chest.
I’ve been thinking of how to help you.
I smiled, imagining her with the end of the pen in her mouth, lost in thought.
It made me reflect on what has helped me through these past couple of years. Right up to now, when I have mere weeks left to live.
That line was a punch in my stomach. I hated thinking of Poppy in those final weeks. When she was weak and unable to walk without help. But she’d found strength to write to me. That’s how much she loved me. My breathing shuddered when I took a long inhale.
Friends. People. Family. Without you and Ida. Without Mama and Daddy, the Kristiansens, Aunt DeeDee and Jorie, I wouldn’t have been able to keep strong. Without the love from my Rune, I wouldn’t be able to face my fate with dignity and graciousness.
With the understanding that it’s my time to go home.
So that is my task to you, Savannah. To allow people in. To allow your beautifully pure heart to be seen by others outside of our family. I know you find it hard to open up. I know you find being in large crowds of people uncomfortable. But we need love, Savannah. When we are hurting and the world feels like it is caving in on us, we need people around us to hold us up.
Love, Savannah. I have realized that my biggest wish for you is love. In whatever shape that might come in. But having you all around me right now, when my days are numbered and my last breath grows near, your love gives me strength to face it. Lets me know I’m not alone.
Death is easier to face with company.
When I’m gone, I don’t want you to feel alone either. You will need people to help carry you through. And if I had one dream for you, Savannah, it would be for you to find your Rune.
My stomach somersaulted in fear. Finding a love like Poppy and Rune’s terrified me. Not because it wasn’t welcome. But what would happen to me if I loved so hard, found my other half, my twin flame, only to have them leave in the same way Rune lost Poppy? Watching them fade, day by day, knowing that soon, their light would be snuffed out from your heart, never to be lit again.
I wouldn’t be able to survive.
I choked on a watery sob when I read I know that thought will terrify you. As you read this, you will know what my passing has done to Rune. A tear fell from my eyes when I saw the ink penning Rune’s name was smudged. And that just ripped me wide open. Because as strong as Poppy was, that thought of leaving Rune must have made her cry. Rune was her reason for lasting as long as she had. She had fought harder for more days to spend in her soulmate’s arms.
I pray that he can find peace. That he can find happiness after I’m gone. That he can find meaning in my loss. And I hope that for you too, Savannah. That you don’t let my death consume you. Keep your heart open and let love in when it should present itself. Because you are so lovable, my beautiful sister. I should know, because I love you so impossibly hard.
We are nothing without love. So please … just … let it in.
I adore you,
Poppy
Silent tears fell onto my chest as I shut the notebook. I closed my eyes and thought of Rune. In the aftermath of Poppy’s death, he was completely broken. But gradually, day by day, he’d begun to find his way back to life again. Find meaning in why he was left behind.