Part 5

Tanya woke up the next morning feeling a strange mix of peace and sadness as she saw Liam lying beside her. For a moment, she let herself pretend everything was normal, that this was their life—waking up together, sharing quiet mornings. But as her eyes adjusted to the soft morning light, she noticed something that tugged at her heart. The dried remains of tears on Liam's cheeks. She couldn't ignore the evidence of his pain.

Liam stirred, slowly waking up. When he opened his eyes, he saw the concern on her face.

"What's up?" he asked, his voice still groggy from sleep.

"You were crying last night," she said softly, her fingers brushing against his cheek.

"How can you tell?" he asked, instinctively wiping his face. But she was already there, gently swiping away the faint traces of salt that remained.

"I guess it's hard to hide it," he admitted, sighing. "I didn't want to upset you, so I took a little walk last night to think about things."

Tanya's eyes softened as she placed her hand on his face. "I should be strong for you," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.

"You are strong," Liam said firmly, pulling her closer. "But it's my turn to be strong for you."

She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. The weight of everything—the limited time they had left, the love they'd rekindled, and the impending goodbye—pressed down on both of them. Tanya couldn't hold back any longer. She buried her face in his chest and let the tears flow. Liam wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, whispering soothing words into her hair. He wasn't sure if they were for her or for himself.

They both knew it. Two more days. That was all they had left.

But today wasn't going to be about sadness. Liam had made up his mind. If they only had two days left, he was going to make sure they were filled with joy, with memories, with everything they hadn't yet done together.

They spent the day indulging in the little things they both loved—walking through the park, grabbing coffee at the café where they used to sit for hours as teenagers, and even heading to the arcade to play games like they had in high school. It felt like a time capsule, like they were trying to squeeze years of happiness into these last precious hours.

Later that evening, Liam had another surprise planned. While Tanya was resting, he snuck into the kitchen to prepare her favorite meal. He had spent the afternoon gathering ingredients, carefully planning every dish. He wanted everything to be perfect.

When Tanya came into the dining room, her eyes lit up in surprise. The table was set with candles, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of her favorite dishes.

"You made this?" she asked, her eyes wide with surprise and admiration.

Liam grinned. "I know it's not much, but I wanted to make tonight special."

"It's perfect," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him softly. "Thank you."

They ate together, sharing stories and laughter, doing their best to focus on the present, even though the weight of the future still lingered in the back of their minds.

After dinner, they curled up on the couch again, wrapped in the same blanket as the night before, flipping through TV channels until they settled on a light-hearted rom-com. It was simple, but it was exactly what they needed—a brief escape into a world where everything was easy and love conquered all.

Tanya rested her head against Liam's shoulder, her fingers intertwined with his. She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek, steady and reassuring. But even in this moment of peace, she knew the clock was ticking. The world outside their bubble was waiting, and soon, she would have to return to it.

But for tonight, they had each other. They didn't need to talk about tomorrow. All that mattered was now.

The following morning, Tanya and Liam woke up, the weight of the day settling heavily between them. Today was the final day she could spend with him, and they both knew it. The air felt thick with unspoken emotions, but they tried to push it aside for just a little while longer.

They got dressed in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. As Liam finished tying his shoes, he looked over at her, standing by the window, lost in her own world. He walked over, gently taking her hand in his.

"Come with me," he said softly, his eyes full of hope.

Tanya hesitated, pulling her hand back slightly. "I can't," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I have to marry him."

Liam nodded, the reality of her words cutting deep. "I know," he said, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. "But I want to take you somewhere today. You can go tomorrow, but I have you today."

Her eyes flickered with curiosity, a small light breaking through the sadness. "Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise," he said, giving her a soft smile. "Trust me."

Without another word, she nodded, her trust in him absolute. Wherever he wanted to take her, she would go. It didn't matter anymore—today was theirs, and that was enough.

They drove out of town, the familiar streets giving way to overgrown fields and quiet roads. Liam didn't say much, but his hand remained on hers the entire time. Finally, they pulled up to a place she hadn't seen in years—an old, abandoned church, its walls weathered by time and nature. The grass around it had grown wild, reclaiming the land, but the building still stood proud.

Tanya's eyes widened as memories flooded back. "This place… it brings back so many memories," she said, her voice soft and filled with nostalgia.

Liam smiled as he helped her out of the car. "It was always our secret spot," he said, taking her hand as they walked toward the church. They snuck inside, just like they had so many years ago, when they were kids escaping the world. The inside was still empty, but it was clean, untouched by time.

Once inside, Liam turned to her, his expression serious yet soft. "I have something I want to give you," he said.

"What is it?" she asked, curiosity piqued as she looked at him.

Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring box. Inside was a simple ring, adorned with two gemstones, one representing each of their birthstones. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking.

"I want you to know," he began, "that I've cherished every moment we've spent together. I'll let you go tomorrow so you can get married, because I know that's what you have to do. But with this ring, I want to make a promise to you."

Tanya's breath hitched as she stared at the ring, her eyes already glistening with tears.

"If your marriage doesn't work out," Liam continued, his voice filled with sincerity, "I'll be waiting for you. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait for you."

Tears streamed down her face, but this time, they were tears of joy. She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I don't deserve you," she whispered against his chest.

"You deserve everything," Liam whispered back, holding her close. He then placed the ring on her finger, sealing his promise to her.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, letting the weight of the moment settle around them. Eventually, Tanya pulled back slightly, her face wet with tears but her heart lighter than it had been in days.

"Let's enjoy our last day together," Liam said gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And tomorrow, I'll see you off."

Tanya smiled through her tears and nodded. "Sounds good to me," she whispered. For now, she was his, and they would make the most of the time they had left.

As they walked out of the old church hand in hand, Liam and Tanya felt the weight of their final day together. They didn't talk much, but they didn't need to. There was an unspoken understanding between them that this day was precious, and they wanted to savor every moment.

Their last day together was filled with a whirlwind of emotions and activities. They retraced the steps of their week, revisiting the beach where they had splashed in the waves, walking through the park where they had watched a wedding, stopping by the mall again, and finally returning to Liam's house. There, they flipped through the pictures once more, laughing and reminiscing over the beautiful memories they had created in such a short time. The day felt like a bittersweet farewell, a replay of all they had done together as if trying to hold on to the fleeting time.

By the evening, they found themselves at a cozy bar, sipping wine under the dim lights, the conversation flowing easily. As the wine dulled the edges of their impending goodbye, they leaned into each other for comfort. They returned to Liam's house, curled up on the couch, and let the TV play in the background, they made love one last time, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that this was their last night together.

Tanya woke up early the next morning, the room still dark. She looked over at Liam, his face peaceful in sleep, and the emotions she had been holding in finally overwhelmed her. Silent tears slipped down her cheeks as she remembered all the moments they had shared over the past week—the laughter, the memories, the love. Her heart ached with the weight of the impending separation.

Quietly, she reached for her phone and sent a text to her fiancé, asking to talk before their wedding. She needed clarity before walking down the aisle. After packing her things, she returned to Liam's house for one last goodbye.

Liam greeted her at the door, his face calm but his eyes reflecting the sadness he felt. "Are you ready?" he asked gently.

Tanya nodded, her voice soft. "I'm ready."

Liam drove her to the airport in silence, the atmosphere in the car heavy with the finality of it all. When they arrived, they waited for her plane to be called, standing close but knowing that words were hard to find. When the moment came, and her flight was announced, they turned to each other for one last goodbye.

"I guess this is it," Liam said, his voice thick with emotion. "It was brief, but I really did enjoy my time with you."

Tanya blinked back tears as she nodded, her heart breaking a little more with each second. "Yes, it was. Goodbye, Liam."

He leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek, his touch lingering for just a moment before he turned and walked away, unable to bear watching her leave. Tanya watched him for a moment, then forced herself to turn and board the plane that would take her back to her new life.

Later that evening, after Tanya's plane had disappeared into the horizon, Liam sat alone in his dimly lit living room, the silence pressing in around him. His mind swirled with memories of the week they had just shared, but there was an emptiness now that she was gone. He picked up his phone, his fingers hovering over the screen before he dialed his parents' number.

It rang a few times before his mother answered, her familiar voice a comfort in the hollow quiet of the room.

"Hi, Mom."

"Liam, sweetheart! How are you? It's been a while since we've heard from you. Is everything okay?"

Liam hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to put his tangled emotions into words. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just... I wanted to tell you something."

There was a pause on the other end. "What is it?"

He took a deep breath, his heart still heavy. "Tanya came back to town."

"Tanya?" His mother's voice brightened at the mention of her name, a wave of nostalgia washing over them both. "Oh, I remember Tanya. How is she? It's been years since we've seen her."

Liam smiled faintly, memories of their childhood flashing before his eyes. "She's doing well," he said, his voice soft. "She was here for a week. We spent some time together, catching up... just like old times."

His mother let out a small, wistful sigh. "That's wonderful, dear. I always liked Tanya. She was such a sweet girl. It's good to hear you two reconnected."

Liam's smile faltered as the next part of the conversation weighed on him. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the knot of emotions tightening in his chest. "Yeah, she's still the same Tanya. But... she's getting married."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and Liam could almost hear the shift in his mother's tone when she spoke again, softer this time. "Oh, I see. And how do you feel about that?"

Liam swallowed hard, forcing himself to keep his voice steady. "I'm happy for her. She deserves to be happy." The words felt like they were cutting him from the inside, but he knew they were true. "It was nice, you know? Spending time with her, catching up on everything. But it's over now. She's moving on with her life."

His mother's voice was gentle, understanding the pain her son was trying to hide. "It sounds like you had a special week together. I'm glad you were able to reconnect, even if it was only for a little while."

"Yeah," Liam said, his voice quieter now. "Me too."

They spoke for a little while longer, his mother sharing fond memories of Tanya from their childhood, reminding him of the laughter and joy she had always brought with her. His father chimed in at one point, remembering the times Tanya had come over for family dinners and how she always brought a spark of energy with her.

When the conversation finally came to an end, Liam sat in the quiet of his living room, the phone still in his hand. He stared at the screen for a long moment, his thoughts drifting back to Tanya and the promise he had made to her. The week they'd shared was now just a memory, and he couldn't help but wonder what the future would hold—for both of them.

With a deep sigh, he set his phone down and leaned back against the couch, his mind heavy with what could have been. Somewhere, miles away, Tanya was beginning a new chapter of her life. And though his heart ached, Liam knew he had done everything he could to give her the space to be happy—even if it wasn't with him.

Tanya sipped her wine on the plane, her mind racing. She couldn't help but think about the promise Liam had made to her with the ring. It weighed heavily on her finger, a reminder of the life she could have had, but also a lifeline—a promise that, should her marriage fail, she had somewhere to go, someone who would wait for her.

She arrived at the grand mansion hours later, where her fiancé greeted her warmly. But the smile he gave her faded when he saw the serious look on her face. Something was different, and he could feel it.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently, concern in his eyes.

Tanya took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her next words. She showed him the ring Liam had given her and confessed everything. She told him about the time she spent with Liam, the feelings they had shared, and the promise that Liam had made to her.

Her fiancé listened in stunned silence as she laid everything bare. Finally, she looked him in the eye and said, "I love you, but if you ever mistreat me, cheat on me, or make me unhappy in any way, I will not hesitate to leave and go back to my hometown. The choice is yours."

Her fiancé stared at her, the shock still settling in, but she had made her stance clear. Now, it was up to him.

Five years had passed since Tanya had returned home, leaving Liam behind with the memories of their final week together. She had built a beautiful life with her husband, and now, she was about to embark on a new chapter—motherhood.

Tanya sat on her plush living room couch, cradling her phone in her hand, a soft smile playing on her lips. She had just finished recording a video for her social media, announcing her pregnancy to the world. The camera had captured her glowing face as she shared the joyful news. The comments were already pouring in—friends, family, and fans alike sending her their congratulations and well wishes.

She exhaled, closing the app and resting her phone on her growing belly. Life had been good to her, and she was grateful. Her marriage was happy, her career steady, and now, a baby was on the way. Everything felt like it had fallen into place.

Just as she was about to get up, her phone buzzed with a new notification. Curious, Tanya picked it up and saw a link to a video—an interview with Liam.

Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't spoken to him in years, not since that emotional farewell at the airport. Though they hadn't kept in touch, Liam had always held a special place in her heart. She tapped on the link, and the video began to play.

The screen lit up with an image of Liam—older now, but still with that same boyish charm and warm smile she remembered. He looked confident, his camera slung around his neck as the interviewer introduced him as a successful photographer who had spent the last several years traveling the country, capturing moments of life through his lens. His work had been featured in galleries and magazines, and he had become something of a rising star in the photography world.

As she watched, a sense of pride filled her chest. She had always known he had talent, but seeing how far he had come made her heart swell with happiness for him.

The interview continued, and Liam spoke about his adventures, his passion for photography, and the people he had met along the way. Then, the interviewer shifted the conversation.

"So, Liam," the interviewer said, leaning forward with a knowing smile. "You've been on the road for quite a while now, focusing on your career. But I have to ask—what about your personal life? Is there someone special waiting for you at home?"

Tanya held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest.

Liam chuckled softly, his gaze dropping for a moment before he met the interviewer's eyes. "No, there's no one waiting for me at home," he said. "I haven't really had time for a relationship. I guess you could say I've been more focused on my work."

The interviewer pressed on, intrigued. "But is there anyone you've ever loved? Someone you've carried with you all these years?"

Liam hesitated, a thoughtful look crossing his face. For a long moment, he was silent, and Tanya could feel the weight of that pause even through the screen.

Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but filled with a deep, undeniable truth. "Yes," he said softly. "There is someone. I've loved her for a long time, and I always will. Even though I can't be with her, that doesn't change how I feel. She'll always have a piece of my heart, no matter where life takes us."

Tanya's breath caught in her throat, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew, without a doubt, that he was talking about her.

She blinked away the tears, her heart aching with a bittersweet mixture of love and sorrow. Liam's face on the screen was calm, resigned, but there was a tenderness in his eyes—a quiet acceptance of the way things were. He had moved on with his life, just as she had, but that love, that connection, would always remain.

The interview ended, and the screen faded to black. Tanya sat there for a long time, staring at her reflection in the darkened screen. She thought about the life she had now, the family she was building, and the happiness she had found. But there would always be that part of her that remembered Liam—the boy who had been her first love, the man who had given her one last week of magic before she moved on.

With a deep sigh, she turned off her phone and rested it on the table. Her hand moved to her belly, feeling the soft flutter of her baby's movements. She smiled softly, a tear slipping down her cheek.

"Thank you, Liam," she whispered into the quiet room. "I'll never forget you either."

And with that, she rose from the couch, ready to face the next chapter of her life—grateful for the love she had known, and the new love she was about to welcome into the world.

The End.