I don’t know whether it was to time, to people, or to herself.  All I knew was that I was losing her and I didn’t want to. As her body continued to tremble in my arms, I bid my limbs to clench tighter around this elusive shell, threatening to slip away. 

“Stay with me?” she whispered desperately.

“Of course” an empty promise.

But even as I said those words, her trembling was subsiding and she was transforming before my very eyes.  Her body stiffened and grew warm with confidence.  Even her posture seemed to change as her shoulders drew back. And when she looked up and I saw no glimmer of recognition in her eyes, I knew she was gone. The time for farewells and apologies had passed. My girl was dead, defeated by the flame of a stronger woman. And as much as I knew I would miss that innocent frailty, I had decided that I would never look back.  I would protect her in whatever form she chose to be, and in the end, she had chosen to be strong.

“Welcome” I say.  ”I’ve been waiting”.