When she reaches me, Jay gives Aundrea a quick kiss on the cheek and releases her with a short sob. I shake his hand before I take hers, both of us still grinning.

“Hi,” I whisper.

“Hey there, handsome,” she whispers back.

She squeezes my hand, the light pinch letting me know that I’m not dreaming. That she’s here. That we’re here and we’re becoming one.

I don’t even notice the pastor has begun the ceremony until she says my name a couple of times. “Parker, are you ready for your vows?”

“Yes, yes, I am,” I say, dazed.

We decided to write our own vows. There are no words but our own—and I’m still not sure they’re enough—to describe the love we share.

I watch Aundrea’s chest rise and fall slowly. She flushes and her eyes fill with tears before I even open my mouth.

I don’t release her hands, as I begin. “Aundrea, today I stand before you to make a promise. A promise to make you smile every day, to stand beside you and make memories with you, to love you, protect you, respect and support you, and honor you. You inspire me to be a better man and to be stronger. Your love is the reason I exist, and I will cherish it with all of my being and for all infinity, as time doesn’t end with us.”

Aundrea wipes at her tears, getting herself under control. I brush a few away with my thumb.

She clears her throat and swallows down the last of her tears before speaking. “You never backed down when it came to us. You fought for us, for our love and a life together. You are my love, my life, and my friend. You are my home. I make a promise to live for you, make a lifetime of dreams with you, and, more than anything, I promise to love you from here through eternity, for death will not separate us.”

No “until death do us part” for us.

When we’re announced Mr. and Mrs. Parker Jackson, Aundrea flashes me the same smile she did when she took her first step toward me down the aisle. I’ve waited to hear those words since I asked her to marry me and don’t wait even a second to kiss her. I scoop her into my arms and bring my mouth down on hers. Our lips move effortlessly, uniting us as one.

Forever.

This is the woman I will move heaven and earth for. I believe everyone is destined for one soul. My soul was destined to meet Aundrea’s. Our love was made for each other.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, the realization of where I am comes back to me. I throw my door open and run through the emergency doors. I don’t even know if I parked in an actual parking spot, but I couldn’t care less at this point. I don’t even bother closing my door or shutting the car off.

The only thing that matters is getting to my wife.

When I see the emergency lobby I run to the desk.

“My wife, Aundrea Jackson. She was brought here.”

“Ok, sir, keep calm and I’ll look.”

Keep calm?! I scan the waiting room for Donna, Jay, or Genna, but don’t see anyone.

“Please! Can you hurry up! She was brought here a while ago. I need to see her! I need to be with her!” I yell at the poor woman and she presses buttons faster.

“I’m checking, sir, please calm down. I don’t want to call security.”

“Call them!” I threaten.

I know she’s doing her best, but I don’t know what’s going on and every second counts. “Please,” I urge.

“What did you say her name was?”

“Aundrea Jackson. March fourteenth—”

“Parker?”

I turn around to see Donna standing there.

“Donna!” I rush to her. “Where is she? What’s going on?” She doesn’t speak. “Donna!”

She flinches. “I don’t know.” She barely gets the words out. “They won’t tell us anything.”

I fall back and Jay comes out of nowhere, catching me.

“What happened?”

Donna pulls herself together. I can see the pain in her face, but she forces her words out. “She came home from Mayo after learning … hearing about …”

“Spit it out!” I’m not trying to be a prick, but need to know what’s going on with my wife. “What happened?”

Genna speaks up. “Amy died and Aundrea came over, hysterical. I think she had a heart attack?”

“What?” This can’t be happening. This isn’t real.

Jay steps forward. “The doctor on call paged Dr. James to come in. That’s all we know right now. They did an EKG in the ambulance, but wouldn’t tell me anything, no matter how much I pressed. As soon as we got here they whisked her away.”

Donna breaks into tears and Jay goes to comfort her. His own eyes are swollen.

“Nurse!” I yell, going back to the desk. “I need to speak with the doctor immediately.”

“Sir, if you take a seat I’ll let him know you’d like to speak with him.”

“What is it with this place? I don’t have any idea what’s going on with my wife—if she’s okay, or even where she is! I need some answers!”

“Excuse me, sir.” It’s a security guard.

Before I can speak a loud announcement comes over the intercom, “Code blue, ER room 3312. Code blue, ER room 3312. Anesthesia is needed to room 3312.” The loud voice repeats the code again and I turn around, looking for a door. A door to get me to the exam rooms.

When I see one, I run over to it, bypassing the security guard.