I sniffle again, as he speaks, as he kisses my forehead. His words wash over me, and I cling to them. As I cling to him.

"You can't command me not to die with you when the time comes." I state, as firmly as I can. "Because there isn't life in me without you. I'll die beside you and meet you as children again in our next life together."

It's a bold statement. A final one. A forever one.

"But I won't mention it again, not until the time comes." I kiss him, not deeply, but firmly.

I let go of him finally, so that I can shimmy back a bit on the bed. I gesture for him to join me, because I need him to stay close to me. Because I think he needs to be close to me.

Because I want to feel his heartbeat as strongly as I did back on that holiday he mentioned.