Chapter 7

Jennifer

I'm not sure what is happening.

I know that I am dreaming but something feels really weird about this dream. It feels like almost something too real, making me feel really weird about what is going on at this moment. I feel a bit weird about it, making my stomach churn because I couldn't be certain about what is going to come from it. I'm slightly worried about something bad happening and I couldn't be certain about it at all. I have been thinking that something bad might happen but as I walk through the forest, I can't help but feel like it is very familiar.

I look around, trying to figure out precisely where I am when I see him. I go incredibly still, feeling like my heart had just leapt to my throat. My lips part with surprise and I stare straight towards him, thinking that something more is about to happen. I don't know what it is, but I can't help but feel a little sick to my stomach when I thought that maybe something more was going to happen.

"Troy?" I call out, seeing how he looks up.

I recognized those beautiful blue eyes and his gorgeous smile, making my heartbeat even faster because I almost couldn't believe who it is. I stare at him, seeing how he rises to his feet. I notice them how he does kind of look like Vulkan, but he is ultimately smaller and obviously not a warrior. He walks closer to me, his scent enveloping me, and it makes me want to cry because I almost didn't want to believe who it is.

"Troy, how are you here?" I whisper in a hoarse voice, already knowing that I'm dreaming because he can't be here, "Why are you here? You must know…"

"I know you are seeing Vulkan." He murmurs, pulling me into his embrace and making my heart skip a beat, "Although it does sadden me because I do wish that it was me by your side, I'm not going to be upset about it at all. I just want you to be happy, Jennifer. I don't want you to be lonely or sad. Okay?"

I don't know what to think about it because why would he be okay with that? Tears slip down my cheeks as he cups my face, lightly brushing away my tears as he stares down at me with that loving gaze that he used to give me before. I didn't know what to deal with it, feeling a bit weird because I couldn't be certain about what to do about it. It makes me wonder what to do about it because I couldn't be certain about what is going to happen.

"I don't you to be sad anymore." He murmurs, hugging me gently, "I know that Vulkan can make you happy even if it isn't with me. I'm okay with that because I just want you to do what you need to do. I want you to live your life, start a family, and be happy. Promise me that you will at least try to."

"I don't know how I can do it without you." I admit to him, staring at him now and hoping that maybe I can figure out precisely why he is talking to me like this, "I don't know why you're pushing me into another man's arms. I thought…"

"I can't give you anything anymore." He explains to me, a soft smile on his face, "I want to be able to, but we won't see each other again for many, many years and I don't want you to be lonely during that time. I want you to be happy and I want you to live your life. Remember me, but don't let me hold you back. Don't use me as an excuse to not be happy. Please, do something for yourself and if it is with Vulkan, then I can live with it."

I almost couldn't believe what he is saying to me, staring at him like he is lying but I couldn't be certain about it at all. He is making my stomach churn, slightly afraid of what might end up happening between us, but I know he is right. I wrap my arms around him, and I hug him, holding on tight like I will never see him again. It is making me feel a bit weird because I know what I want and I know what I need, but I also know that there is no way that I can hold back any longer.

"I love you." I promise him, resting my head on his chest, "Although I don't know what is going to happen, you will forever have a piece of my heart. I hope you know it."

"And that's okay." He assures me, giving me another gentle look, "Just do what you want, Jennifer, and don't let anyone hold you back. That is what I'm going to ask of you."

I couldn't be certain what would come next, but I did know that there was no way that I was going to let anything stand in my way. I just wanted to be happy and even if this is a dream, I kind of know that Troy would say this precisely. I guess I'm going to have to figure out what to do with it a hundred percent because there's no way that I'm going to hold back any longer.

When I open my eyes, I'm back in my bedroom and I feel a little loss. I thought that I would have forgotten my dream, but it is still fresh in my mind. Vulkan isn't by my side like he was when I went to bed last night, and I know that I need to find him…

I need to tell him…