"This is a nice little place" Valentina told me as we sat on the porch together drinking coffee

"If you had asked me where I would see myself 6 months ago.." I shook my head "This would not have been it"

She smiled warmly "It's amazing how things can change, isn't it?"

I nodded "Definitely, but it's good, it feels right you know?"

"If it feels right, don't let it go" She sighed, placing her mug down, her hand reaching inside her peacoat pocket "So I came here to give you something.." She began, twisting so she was facing me

I did as she had, placing my mug down and turning to her direction, unsure

"I want you to have this, you're part of my family Jasmine, you were a part of our family the moment Dawson confessed his feeling for you to me" Her lips twitched slightly as her fingers toyed with something small, gold

"I know that it has meaning to you, I know you have memories there with him and I want you to be able to go there whenever you feel you need to reconnect with those memories, I want it to help you to recover, to remember all the good moments you had.." She told me, holding her hand out, a key in between her fingers "It's a master key, it fits every door there, and the alarm code is engraved on the neck" She showed me, running her fingertips against the 5 digit numbers

My heart hammered, my hands sweating. The gesture had meant more to me than she had known. I hadn't even realised I had been crying until she wiped a tear from my cheek

"Thank you" I mumbled, the key now pressed between my palms, her hands covering mine "Really.. thank you"

"Thank you for giving my son the love he felt before he was taken from us" She smiled, standing.

My world had been forever changed, and it could have been twisted into something very dark in the way of how I chose to handle it, to react. But I couldn't. Camille, Valentina, Isaia, they were a large reason as to what kept me going, they were friends who pushed me into being brave, into being strong enough to move forward. But I couldn't, I wouldn't lose sight of what urged me to put one foot in front of the next the most, Dawson, Dawson James.

When Valentina had left, I sat in the quiet for what could have been hours, staring at the key between my palms, preparing myself for that first visit. I was excited to return, I was eager to relive the happy memories again.

By late afternoon, I had dressed in warm clothing as the sun became overshadowed by lingering clouds. Entering my car, I began the short drive towards the James' vacation home, keeping a strong control on my rapid heart rate and my hitching breathing. I could and would do this, no matter how sickly I felt deep down inside my stomach.

Stepping out into the air, the home staring down at me, I felt emotions that I couldn't quite have put into words. I smiled as I stood on the driveway, remembering Dawson and I running through the rain to the porch. As I stood on the porch, I remembered the moments Dawson and I had shared on the outdoor couch, his fingers on my leg after he'd provided me with medical attention. A shiver ran through me, and then I entered the home using my key.

Room by room, my mind flashed over with the images, images of beautiful memories I had gratefully had the opportunity to share with such an amazing man. I remembered his laugh, his arms safe and warm, his voice, so soft and kind. Allowing my emotions to release, I didn't even attempt to control the tears that escaped, and instead of them being painful, I realised that they were tears of happiness, happiness for having been fortunate to have felt in my short time with Dawson.

After using the bathroom, I headed to the dock. My hands were shoved deeply into my jacket pockets, the wind cold as the clouds grumbled above me.

Reaching the end of the wooden platform, I sat down, crossing my legs. It was quiet, so beautifully quiet. The water was still, like a mirror reflecting the dark grey clouds in the sky creating an alternate universe. As thunder growled, I gave a small sigh, relaxing my shoulders.

I should have been nervous, I should have been worried, but I wasn't. I was content, I was mentally prepared. I couldn't understand how I was handling the idea so well, but I was grateful that I hadn't felt the need to panic.

Closure was a hard thing to find, it took time, most of the time, years, but it had been a short while when I finally began to feel stable again. My mind was clear, my grief ongoing, yet a process in which I had accepted and welcomed. I wouldn't ever forget Dawson, I wouldn't ever forget the valuable moments I had been fortunate enough to share with him. He had changed me, in the most unexpected of ways, he would continue to change me. He was my hero, he had taken a bullet meant for me, he had made the ultimate sacrifice for me, and I would never allow that to go unnoticed, forgotten. I was proud of who Dawson was, I would carry on his legacy as long as I was alive, until we met again.

As light rain began to fall, my right hand adjusted inside my pocket, fumbling with the piece of plastic inside. My heart sped up, skipping a beat as I slowly pulled the object from my jacket, twisting it between my fingers, my eyes ahead on the water.

Whatever the outcome, I was ready. I was prepared to begin my new life, tackle it head on with a new found bravery Dawson had given me.

Unable to put it off any longer, I peered down at the white and pink pregnancy test, my fingers lightly trembling.

My breathing hitched, a lump forming in my throat, my emotions overcoming me. With a hand over my mouth catching the sobs, I couldn't resist the small smile forming on my lips, at peace with the result.