Epilogue
Bloomington, IN
Six months later
Continuing to fulfill their graduation promise to each other, Lianna and her three best friends were back in Bloomington for their annual girls’ weekend. The foursome snagged the perfect patio table at Kilroy’s Bar, the late afternoon sun warming Lianna’s back. They had only missed one year, the first spring after Scott passed. The girls came to her instead that time, her perpetual rocks.
There was nothing quite like spring in the Midwest. The trees were full, the flowers in bloom, and the temperature bordered on perfect. The air smelled like fresh cut grass and the promise of summertime. Lianna took a deep sip from her drink, feeling a level of contentment she hadn’t in a long time. If only she could bottle this feeling.
The instant they had jumped into Sammie’s car at the airport, the girls made her spill the whole story of that awful first day of November. Up until now, they had gotten the diluted version. Although she tried not to dredge up those memories, she owed them an update. It was only fair as they provided her the emotional support she needed during the aftermath.
Diane had suffered several broken bones from her fall, not to mention a serious head injury. She had been released from the hospital more than a month after the incident into an advanced care facility. She was receiving the help she needed, both physically and mentally. She was being charged with manslaughter for the death of Justine Starks. Unsurprisingly, the cybercrime unit had confirmed that Diane was behind the spoofing of Lianna’s cell number. She had paid off a colleague at her telecom company to assist her in the undertaking.
While Lianna was furious that manslaughter was the only charge against the woman, she understood that it was easier for the victim’s family to get a conviction for a charge that would stick. Diane would hopefully never see the light of day outside of a correctional or psychiatric facility. Tim had put their house up for sale. Lianna hadn’t seen him since the incident on the stairs.
Now, as they sat sipping drinks in the sunshine, her girlfriends were eager for a more personal update.
“I don’t understand why you don’t just marry him?” Sammie asked, lazily tracing a finger around the top of her cup.
Lianna laughed her response.
“Seriously, though, he’s so hot and sweet.” Sammie pouted as she spoke. “When are we going to meet him in person?”
The girls had only seen pictures of the man who made Lianna’s world go around. Occasionally, he would hop into the background of her weekly girls’ night chats. That always went over well.
In the months since they had finally admitted their feelings for each other, Gabe had bloomed like the flowers surrounding the women now. He could still be reserved and at times gruff, but that was rare. Gabe charmed her daily with his disarming humor. Turns out he had a silly side.
“If you all are serious about coming to visit this summer then you can meet him then.” Lianna shrugged. “A little incentive to get your butts to the west coast.”
“If it counts for anything, I think he’s right.” Isabela spoke up. She had been abnormally quiet the entire flight there. Lianna had joined up with her friend in Seattle to make the four-hour trek.
“You guys should look at houses together,” she said. “Kind of an end to the past and a beginning of your new lives together. Also, it may be good for the kids?”
“For the kids?” Lianna clarified.
“I mean, they’re getting older, they’re going to figure out that Gabe’s not just ‘Jacob’s dad who likes to sleep over.’ It will help provide structure. Personally, I think it would be nice for them to move on, too, to start a new future. Not to mention logistically easier for you and Gabe.”
All three heads turned to look at Isabela after her insightful comment.
“But, hey, what do I know about relationships?”
Then Isabela put an exclamation point on her words by swallowing down the rest of her drink like a shot. But her message resonated. While she and Gabe were very discreet, spending weeknights at their own homes, her friend had a point.
“Thanks for the advice. Apparently, you do know a thing or two about relationships.” Lianna winked before continuing, “Gabe is super serious about finding a family home for the five of us.”
“Then let him put a ring on it!” Maisy said cheerfully, smiling flirtatiously at the guys seated one table over. They were probably undergrads.
“He may ask twice a day, but I’ve never seen a ring, so he’s probably joking.”
“Or he’s feeling you out,” Isabela said, her head on a swivel looking for the waiter.
“I never really thought about it that way before.” Lianna smiled warmly at her friend, then asked, “Are you okay, Izzy? You seem so distracted.”
Izzy tucked a wavy strand of dark brown hair behind her ear.
“Work’s been … stressful. But this is girls’ weekend, so it doesn’t matter. Speaking of … excuse me.” She spoke to the waiter she finally managed to flag down. “Could we have another round, please?”
Lianna looked at her own drink, which was still more than half full and shrugged. It was girls’ weekend after all. Then her lap vibrated. Reading the display, she stood.
“It’s Gabe and I’m nervous something is up with the kids. I’ll be right back.”
Lianna excused herself, ignoring her girlfriends’ teasing. Exiting the bar’s patio, she walked a few paces down for privacy before answering.
“Hey, everything okay?”
“No. I’m lonely,” Gabe said in a husky voice.
“Yeah, yeah, I miss you, too. How were the kids today?”
“They were great, actually much easier than I thought it would be.” A hint of arrogance tinged his voice.
“Perfect. Maybe I should start going away more often.”
“Hell, no! I miss you way too much, woman.”
A laugh burst out of her.
“Never mind, that’s selfish. You can go away more, it’s fine.”
Lianna’s heart swelled. She never had this before, this easygoing, but all-consuming love. Love that was open and honest. Gathering her courage, she decided to take the leap.
“So, um, I was thinking maybe you should call your co-worker’s wife, the realtor.”
There was silence on the other end.
“I mean if you still wanted to. If not, it’s totally fine. I know we haven’t talked about it for a few weeks so if you’ve changed your mind…”
“Changed my mind?” Gabe didn’t bother hiding the disbelief in his voice. “No, I’m calling her after we hang up before you have time to change yours.”
Lianna released a nervous breath.
“Not that I needed their permission, but the girls thought it was a good idea too. They’re kind of like my sounding board,” she explained.
“I like these girls. When do I get to meet them?”
“Well, they were all asking me the same today. We’re trying to plan a get together in Vancouver this summer. Maybe we’ll have our new place by then.”
“I really like the sound of that—our place.”
“Me, too.” Lianna sighed. “Sorry, honey, but I really should get back before they come looking for me.”
As she spoke the words, Lianna was inundated with a series of chimes coming from her phone.
“Geez, I just got a bunch of emails. Hopefully, nothing’s come up at work.”
“That was me. I’m sending you links to all the houses I’ve been scoping out. I can’t wait to know what you think. The first one is my favorite.”
And Lianna ceased being amazed. Her happily ever after had finally arrived.
The End