"And to what do I owe this surprise!" Mom exclaimed as I made my way into her room. I couldn't help but smile, rolling my eyes.

"You act like I never see you." I laughed, plopping down in the chair next to her. I really wish they would invest in softer chairs. That, or she could just get better so I wouldn't have to spend so much time in them.

"It's always a surprise when you come." She said. "You're twenty-one years old, I can't expect you to just wait around for me all the time, I'm sure you're plenty busy with your new boyfriend now." My stomach dropped. She instantly noticed my change in demeanor.

"Is everything okay with Josh?" She asked, now sitting up in her bed. I shrugged, eventually shaking my head, foolishly thinking that I had more time before this got brought up.

"We broke up." I finally blurted out, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. I remember the night I said 'yes,' how happy I was, so never did I think I'd ever be saying that about us.

"Oh.." She sighed. "Honey, I'm.. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I'm okay." I said softly, now avoiding her eyes, slouching in my chair. "I.. I broke up with him." She nodded, staying quiet as she held her stare on me, no doubt picking her words carefully now.

"Well, that doesn't make it any easier. Can I ask why?"

"You can ask." I smirked, feeling my face get hot.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"I'll tell you when even I understand it."

"Okay." She said simply. "But.. you're okay?"

"I'm okay."

I think I was trying to convince myself more than anything.

"Mom.. h-how did you know that Dad was.. the one?" I finally asked. Her face relaxed, her lips curling into a gentle smile.

"Ah.. I've been waiting to have this conversation." She said, now patting the spot next to her on her bed. I didn't hesitate to crawl up, cuddling close to her as she wrapped her arm around me, gently stroking my hair.

"Jaime, your father was.. so special. There was just.. something about him. It was.. indescribable. I couldn't stop smiling when I was around him. I wanted to spend every minute with him, and every second that I was away, was a second wasted." I nodded, knowing that feeling all too well.

"And when he passed, well.. it felt like I lost a part of myself too. But I see so much of him in you, that it makes it a little easier."

"Like what?"

"You have his eyes, his kind eyes. And his heart, so big, with so much love to give." I couldn't help but smile, leaning my head on her shoulder.

"Have you ever felt like that about someone?" She asked reluctantly. I nodded.

"I think so."

"Was it Josh?" I hesitated before subtly shaking my head. She was quiet again.

"Someone else?" I peeked up at her, feeling my cheeks burn.

"Can I ask why.. the two of you.. never tried?"

"Because.." I muttered. "He hurt me."

She let out a deep sigh, gently stroking my hair again.

"People make mistakes, Jaime. But.. if it's worth keeping them in your life, then sometimes it's worth it to forgive them. Especially if they're.. trying to make it up to you." I knew that she was right, and all I wanted to do was put all of that behind us. And ever since that night in his room, it felt.. different.

"Are we.. talking about Jake?" She pried, I nodded again, unable to contain my smile.

"Yes." I finally said. "But.. with Josh, I just.. I thought with everything, it should have been perfect. He does everything right, and.. I know that he would never hurt me, I just.. I don't understand why it doesn't-"

"Can I give you some advice?" I sat back up to face her.

"Please."

"You don't get to pick who you fall in love with, Jaime. Even though, it would be so much easier if you could, right? Because then.. you'd be right. Maybe Josh is perfect, but it's one of life's greatest tragedies when those people don't fit into our idea of love. And then on the other hand, there are some people that are just.. made for us. And when that happens, it's best to just embrace them.. completely. Josh is so good to you, I know, I've seen it, and he is an amazing friend, but.. I would hate for you to go through life and never get to experience the kind of love that makes you feel.. alive. Cause you deserve to live, Jaime. I've seen the way you look at Jake, I've seen it your entire life, and every time it brought me back to those years with your father, and if I could give you anything, it would be the ability to let yourself have the love that you've always dreamed of."

I wrapped my arm around her, cuddling close, trying my best to avoid the wires that still connected her to all of the machines surrounding us. And even still, for those few moments, I was brought back to my old childhood bed, where the both of them would tuck me in and kiss me goodnight before quietly making their way back downstairs.

What they didn't know is sometimes I'd sneak down and hide on the bottom of the steps, just watching them cuddle together on the couch, their legs intertwined, bodies practically tangled together, searching for any way to be as close as possible, talking and laughing like they were falling in love all over again.

"I guess I'm just scared." I said softly, knowing that being hurt by him again would kill me. She gently brushed the hair out of my face again, leaning her head against mine.

"I understand. It's scary, and unfortunately there's always a chance of things ending badly, but I can tell you that the good so far outweighs the bad that it's incomparable. It is so much better to have experienced that love, even for just a moment, than to have never had it at all. And.. I can see it. He brings out something in you, the same way your father did for me. So just.. please hold onto this feeling, Jaime, for as long as you possibly can, because when you finally have it, it is so magical. And.. life is so short. You never know when one day.. they'll be gone, so take every moment while they're here."

I hugged her tighter, staying quiet, knowing there was nothing else to say. She was right, and I knew once they left to go on tour, I was going to feel even more empty than I did right now, but if I was lucky, maybe I could at least have a few more memories to hold me over until he came back home again.

"Now.. I'm so happy you came to see me. But.. if you have something you want to do, or someone else you want to see, I won't mind if you head out for the night." She laughed, gently kissing the top of my head. I nodded.

"Thank you." I sighed, climbing out of her bed.

"Tell him I said hi."

"Okay." I muttered, biting down on my lip to contain my smile.

"And.. feel free to bring him next time. I'd love to see him again." I nodded, feeling my face get hot.

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you, have a good night."

I could barely focus the entire drive home, playing the day over and over in my mind, between Josh and my mom and then as I pulled into the driveway, my heart started beating faster as I saw the light on in Jake's room.

I wondered if he had spoken to Josh today about what had happened. I really didn't want to talk about it, especially with him, but I'm sure it was inevitable.

I finally forced myself to get out of the car, leaning up against the hood as I pulled out my phone, my heart pounding as I stared at his contact again before finally forcing myself to press call.

He answered on the first ring.

"There you are." He sighed. A smile instantly spread across my lips, my cheeks burning.

"Have you been waiting?"

"Of course I have." He laughed. "So, where are you? Your light is out."

"You've been watching?" I asked. He was quiet for a moment.

"Where are you, Jaime?" He giggled.

"Look out your window." It didn't take long to see his shadow behind his curtain get closer, eventually pushing it open, flashing me a beaming smile. I gave him a gentle wave.

"Are you busy right now?" I asked. He shook his head.

"I am never too busy for you."

"Because I have this guitar pick, and.. well, someone promised they'd make me a necklace out of it and-"

"I'll be right down."