Telling Ashley Goodbye

"Are you scared?" I asked, taking hold of her fingers. She nodded, tears in her gorugous blue eyes. I wiped them away with my thumb. "It will be ok," I promised her. In a few minutes, they would take her away for surgery, a surgery that could kill her. "Caleb," She whispered. "It's ok, Ash." I crawled over the rail and lay beside her, taking her in my arms. Her tears fell on my tee shirt. I kissed the side of her head. "I'll be here when you wake up." "What if I don't wake up, Caleb?" Her voice shook. "You will," I said firmly. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. I ran my fingers through her short, blonde hair. "You're my princess, Ashley." "Maybe it's time for Cinderella to leave the ball." "Don't talk like that, you'll be fine." "I fought it, Caleb. I tried, but this is the end. I can't do this anymore. it's over." Hot tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away. "I love you, Caleb, with all my heart. you made my every wish come true." "I love you so much," I whispered softly. "It's time." A nurse came into the room. I saw Ashley's parents by the door. I held her hand as her parents hugged her and kissed her and told her they loved her. "Goodbye doesn't mean forever," Her dad said. Everyone was crying by the time it was my turn. I brushed back her hair and kissed her face. "You, my sweet Ashley, are still the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on." I walked beside her bed as they rolled her to the O.R. Her parents kissed her one more time and sat in the waiting room chairs. "Caleb, choose life," She whispered, touching the sides of my face. I took her hands. "I love you, never forget that." She nodded. "We have to go." The nurse tapped her foot. "Just wait," Ashley pleaded. She slid her necklace over her head and put it around my neck. "Goodbye doesn't mean forever," She said. "I know." I kissed her one last time. "I love you." She smiled and her fingers brushed my cheeks as she was rolled towards the OR. I grabbed her fingers and held them until she disapeered. I wanted to cry, but I knew tears would come later, when the doctors verified what I already knew. I had told Ashley goodbye for the last time.