80. Chapter Eighty
Chapter Eighty
T he key is stiff in the lock, as if it remembers the days when I hardly used it at all. This place doesn’t feel like mine anymore, and I know why. The past few days have shifted everything, and I see it now in the morning light—the hollow where my heart used to be when I lived alone. This emptiness should be alarming, but it isn’t. I smile softly as I water my plants, a last, affectionate ritual before packing. The windows are half open, letting in the sweet scent of a town that is more home to me now than this space.
Looking around I took a deep breath looking around one more time as I set down the watering can before I make my way into my bedroom. The sheets are tucked neat and tight; no hint of urgency or abandon remains here. I start pulling open drawers, laying clothes and books and trinkets on the bed. I picture the room I will share with them, the way my scent and theirs will mingle in the corners. Lucian, Elias, Finn, and Soren. Their names flutter through me, rearranging everything I thought I knew about the life I wanted. This was never going to be enough. They know me more intimately than anyone has ever tried, more than I've ever allowed.
I start packing the boxes, a strange mixture of sadness and hopefulness making my movements slow. Taping shut one life and opening another. When I lift the boxes, I imagine their weight as a kind of ballast—enough to keep me steady as I step into something new.
The apartment was furnished when I moved in, so only my personal belongings needed to go with me. That will make the moving process easier at least. Most of what I own is art supplies, which would take a whole box or two.
I quickly made work of going through my things, and before I know it, it had been hours. As I took a break, I glanced at the clock and saw it was about noon, which would be around when Avery had her lunch break at work.
I dig out the phone, a small smile on my face at the thought of telling her how things have progressed. I scrolled down and clicked her name, and held the phone to my ear as the phone started to ring.
My heart beats a little faster as I listen to the phone ring once, twice, three times. Just when I think it might go to voicemail, there's a click and Avery's breathless voice comes through.
"Lydia? Oh my god, I was just thinking about you! Tell me everything—wait, are you okay? You haven't called in days, and your shop's been closed, and I was starting to get worried."
I can't help but smile at the rush of words. This is why I've always loved Avery—her immediate, unfiltered concern wrapped in enthusiastic curiosity.
"I'm fine," I say, settling onto the edge of my bed. "More than fine, actually. A lot has happened." I quickly went through what had happened to me since I last talked to her, and when I was done the other side of the phone was quiet.
“Avery?” I called out, not knowing why she was so silent before I heard her sigh on the other end of the phone.
“Are you sure? Really sure?” She asked, and I knew she meant about going through with the marking and moving in with them.
I gave a small laugh, “Yes. I am more sure than I have been in a long time.” I was too, I knew those four men would be the center of my world from now on.
"Well then," Avery says, and I can hear the smile in her voice, "I'm happy for you. I mean, it sounds fast, but also... not? If that makes sense."
I laugh softly. "It makes perfect sense. It feels like I've been waiting my whole life for this, even when I didn't know what I was waiting for."
There's a pause, and I can almost see her processing, weighing her words carefully. "And the marking? That's a big step, Lydia. Permanent."
"I know." My hand drifts to my neck unconsciously, tracing the unmarked skin. "But I want it. I want them."
“As long as you are sure and happy, then that is all I can ask for.” I could hear the sincerity in her voice, making me smile more. I always could count on her and knew that she would be on my side no matter what choice I made.
"So when's it happening?" Avery asks, her voice dropping to an excited whisper. "The marking, I mean."
I feel warmth rise to my face. "Soon. After I finish packing up here. We're... taking some time, just the five of us." The thought sends a pleasant shiver through me.
"Ohhh," Avery draws out the word meaningfully. "Taking some time, huh? Like a honeymoon but with four hot guys instead of one?"
"Avery!" I laugh, grateful she can't see my blush. "It's not—well, it is, but—"
"Girl, please. I've seen them all. If I were in your position..." She trails off suggestively. "Anyway, I'm thrilled for you. Truly. I've never heard you sound so... certain about anything."
“Thank you…”I paused almost feeling like that isn’t enough to say to her for all the help she has done for me this last year alone, “I am glad we found this town and you convinced me to open my shop. If you didn’t I probably would never have met them.”
Avery laughed on the other side of the phone, “From the sounds of it, you five may have found each other eventually.” I didn’t have the same faith as her, but I would leave it.
“If you say so.” I said, not going to argue about fate and destiny that she seems to believe in. I didn’t have that same belief but I would respect her beliefs. We talked for another hour before we hung up, me telling her I would call her after settle in my new home.
The rest of the day drags by after the call with Avery. I pack the boxes meticulously. Glancing at the clock, it was late afternoon and I knew Lucian will want to know how it’s going. I send him a text: Nothing fragile about me, just the things I’m packing.
I set the phone aside and look around, already a little less lonely. The place empties with each new box, and I find myself enjoying the barrenness of it, the clear spaces I used to fill with too much doubt and caution.
I reach for the phone again. There is only one message sent, but it’s not from the one I expect:
SOREN: Wow, a text from Lydia. That was fast.
I laugh, seeing the teasing in his words. Soren always finds a way to catch me off guard.
I quickly type back: Wasn't texting you. But hi anyway.
His response comes almost immediately: SOREN: I know. You were texting Lucian. But he's driving, so I'm the designated texter. Want me to pass something along? Maybe something scandalous?
I shake my head, smiling despite myself.
ME: Just tell him I'm making progress with the packing. Should be ready when you all come by later.
SOREN: Boring. I'll add some spice to that message.
ME: Don't you dare!
SOREN: Fine, fine. How about this - "Lydia says she's almost packed and can't wait to see you. She misses your face specifically."
I smile at Soren's message, my thumbs hovering over the screen. Before I can reply, a message arrives into the group chat.
SOREN: Lydia says she is close to being done with packing. Meaning she probably needs more things when she moves it. So shopping is in the future.
I laugh out loud at Soren's message. Trust him to turn my simple update into a shopping expedition. I'm about to type a response when another text appears.
ELIAS: I've already got a list started of things she might need. Bedding, bathroom stuff, maybe some new kitchen things?
FINN: Let her settle in first before you redecorate the whole house around her.
I smile at Finn's practical voice coming through the text. I can almost hear his steady tone, the way he balances Elias's enthusiasm.
I smile at Soren's message, my thumbs hovering over the screen. Before I can reply, three more messages arrive in quick succession:
FINN: Do you need help with the packing?
ELIAS: We can bring dinner if you're still working.
SOREN: Do you need or want anything. Help or just company?
The warmth that spreads through my chest is becoming familiar, but no less overwhelming. Four men, all checking in, all ready to drop everything for me. I've never been the center of anyone's world before.
I type a reply to their group chat: Almost done with the first round. Just clothes and essentials.
I sat the phone down and resumed packing. I just had a few more things to do and I would be good to go except for last minute things I would need in the morning.
I finish taping up the last box, a dull ache rising in my arms, the spaces between them fever-warm. A flash of warmth rises to meet me, the sudden flush of it leaving me unsteady. I looked around the room and flipped the light off as I crawled into the bed, not even bothering to change. I was exhausted, more so than I had expected to be. My body started to feel heavy, and my body flushed. I was internally hoping I was getting sick, but with everything that happened the last week, I wouldn't be surprised if I was getting a stress fever.
Curling up in the blankets around me, I closed my eyes not even bothering to plug my phone in or send a goodnight text to the others as exhaustion won out and darkness claimed me.