It was late as I swung my bag through the open window and crawled in after it. I’d dusted five vamps and I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was sleep.

I hid my bag in the bottom of my trunk, tucked my hair behind my ears and then turned to go to my dresser. What I saw made me stop dead.

A huge bouquet of red and purple/black roses lay on the centre of my bed. Next to them was an unlabeled CD. I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding and made my way over to take a closer look.

Tentatively I removed the card from the cellophane and undid the envelope.

‘Buffy

I realise that I don’t tell you nearly often enough what knowing you and being with you means to me, so I’m taking a step to put that right.

I hope you like the flowers, although beside you they have no beauty.

Please listen to the CD. I know the lyrics are not strictly correct (you’ll understand what I mean) but they say everything I’m trying to (and failing miserably!).

Forever

Angel’

I swallowed and then picked up the CD. Putting it in the stereo I pressed play. Notes played on an acoustic guitar filtered their way into the room, closely followed by a man’s voice.

‘I take each breath as if it is my first
I hold it there so deep inside me, until I’m ‘bout to burst
I speak each word as if it is your name
I move my lips, I taste the moment and still it feels the same
Your hand moves, and so does mine
Our hearts beat, our bodies keeping time

You are my oxygen
I breathe you in, I breathe you out
You are my oxygen
You are my love, you are what life’s about...’

I knew that I had tears running down my face but I didn’t care. This was so beautiful. I’d never felt this loved before. The song continued.

‘I take each breath as if it is my last
You never know what came so slow could leave us oh so fast
I take each step as if it is to you
I hear your voice, I feel your presence in everything I do
My body sleeps, your lips revive
Our eyes meet, and I know I’m alive...’

I was crying out loud now, but they were tears of happiness. This was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. I was so glad Mom was out of town.

‘I’m nobody without you
If you were not here what would I do...'

"Hey, what’s with the tears?"

I propelled myself into his arms and smothered him with kisses.

"I love you. I love you. I love you."

‘You are my oxygen
I breathe you in, I breathe you out
You are my oxygen
You are my love, you are what life’s about’