Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 1596

To be separated by death is one of the cruelest pains in the world. After all, the dead can't be brought back. Once they're gone, they're gone forever, a world apart, a final farewell. No matter how much you miss them later, you can never see them again. With immense sorrow, everyone looked at Bernard. The goodbyes had already been said. After a moment of silent prayer, they filed out of the room, leaving the last moments for him and Evan, for a grandfather and grandson to say their final farewell. Bernard’s eyes were red as he gently stroked Evan’s head, whispering his name. "Evan…" Evan lay on his chest, sobbing violently. "I don't want you to leave! I don't! " "You spoils me the most… Whatever I ask… you always says yes. I'm begging you, don't leave me. I can't live without Bernard…" "You promised me you’d live to see me grow up and have a family of my own! You promised you’d be there forever!" "You… you also said you’d watch me get married and come to my wedding…" "You told me you were invincible! You said you’d never leave me!" "You can't go back on your word! It’s not right to break a promise…" Bernard choked back his own tears. "Bernard will become a star, the sun, and the moon… I’ll become everything in the world, and I’ll always, always be with Evan…" Evan shook his head, shaking it hard. "I don't want that! I don't want great-grandpa to change! I just want my Bernard! I don't want you to be a star or the moon, I just want my great-grandpa!" Bernard’s heart ached. He took a moment to catch his breath before speaking. "Evan, Bernard doesn't want to leave you either. I love you so much. I wish I could live a few more years. My Evan is still so little and needs someone by his side…" "Evan, I really want to watch you grow up, to see you become a fine young man, full of spirit, conquering the world, and climbing to the very top!" "I want to see you get married and have kids, to become a man who can stand tall and proud!" "Evan can't bear for me to leave, and I can't bear to leave my Evan…" "But… Bernard is old. My life has reached its end…" "We can’t control when we get old, get sick, and die. There’s nothing I can do…" Evan cried out, "I… I’m still young! I have a long life ahead of me! I'll share it with Bernard… I'll give my life to Bernard…" Bernard managed a small smile, tears rolling down his cheeks as he did. "Silly boy. You can't share a life. And even if you could, Bernard wouldn't take it. I want my Evan to live to be a hundred." Evan shook his head. "I don't want to live to be a hundred! I just want Great-grandpa! If he dies, I'll die too! I want to be with he…" Hearing this, Bernard’s brow furrowed instantly. The emotional surge brought on a coughing fit. Evan quickly sat up. "Bernard!" Bernard calmed himself, his expression turning serious. "Evan, do you remember the one thing I always told you when I was teaching you martial arts?" Evan nodded, his lower lip trembling. "I remember… No… no matter what, staying alive is the top priority!" Bernard’s voice was stern. "If you remember that, then was it right to say you wanted to die just now?" Evan shook his head. "No." "If it was wrong, then take it back!" "I… I take it back. I won’t die. And Bernard isn’t allowed to die either!" Bernard let out a long sigh, his expression softening slightly. "I am dying because heaven is taking my life, not because I want to. Evan, you must remember this: we must respect life, cherish life. No matter what happens, you are never allowed to even think about taking your own life. Remember that!"