Epilogue #2
David adjusted his glasses. “When Lukas first suggested the Sandy Springs course, I was unsure. The idea of you being so far away from home and hard to reach seemed like a terrible idea.”
“But we needed to get you out of that bedroom,” Lukas insisted. “We were so worried about you.”
Diana’s hand covered hers, a simple comfort that meant the world to her.
Something she’d seen her dads do a thousand times with each other and always craved.
Molly caught the movement. Faye’s instinct was to hide the affection from her, but Molly smiled at the gesture before returning her attention to Lukas.
“You’ve come so far, Faye.” He broke into a grin. “I don’t think any of us would have believed a year ago that you’d be running a half-marathon. But I couldn’t be more proud of you. Who knows what else you’re going to achieve? The world is yours, amore. To Faye!”
Everyone clinked their glasses, chorusing her name around the table. The shared joy pulled at her heart. Having everyone here supporting her was incredible—even Molly. It made her want to run the damn thing all over again.
Then Diana raised her glass. “I would also like to make an announcement.” All eyes fell on her, the chatter quieting, and she flashed one of those heart-stopping smiles at Faye.
“First, congratulations, my love. You deserve all of this and more. I’m so proud of you.
” She kissed Faye’s cheek, and all her insides warmed, slackening to jelly.
“Second, I’ve just accepted a new job. Right here at the University of Manchester.
” Her eyes locked on Faye’s, sparkling with joy.
“I’m going to be moving up here permanently. ”
The table burst into congratulations, another round of glasses clinking.
“I can’t believe it,” Faye said, watching Diana’s expression, the news not quite sinking in. They’d discussed the possibility before, but there had always been obstacles in the way. “But what about the pay cut? Your apartment?”
Diana simply smiled. “All inconsequential.”
There was a crackle and a kerfuffle as someone switched on a microphone, drawing attention to the other side of the pub. A small TV screen flickered as a man waved his hands, greeting the crowd. Faye realised with a laugh that he was one of the Dingles from Emmerdale. He tipped his flat cap.
“Hello, winners!” He beamed. “I’d like to dedicate the first karaoke number to everyone who ran the half-marathon today. This is for you. You’re incredible. Please sing along.”
The opening notes sounded from the speakers as Tina Turner’s “The Best” started to play. Red, blue, and green lights twirled over the ceiling as people made their way towards him, bobbing their heads, with their drinks in the air.
Diana leaned in, her voice a throaty whisper. “Is this the kind of normality I can expect living in the north?”
“Absolutely.” Faye chuckled, squeezing her thigh as the man on karaoke unleashed a surprisingly in-tune opening verse on the applauding crowd.
“I was hoping…” Diana’s breath tickled her neck. “That we could look at places together. Maybe even browse the animal shelter.”
“You want me to move in with you?” Her heart squeezed, her voice turning squeaky. “And you want to get a cat?”
Diana chuckled, the sound filling her with light. “Yes and yes.”
“I’d love to. Of course I do.” She pulled back, meeting Diana’s smile with one of her own. The smile slowly fell away. “I’ll have to talk to Quin first, though.”
“It’s fine with me,” Quin jumped in. They flashed a grin. “Sorry for listening in—but Diana already spoke with me about it, and I think it’s a great idea.”
She did?
She looked back at the woman who had completely captured her heart.
“I know Quin is important to you,” Diana said, as if that explained everything.
The swirl of emotions in her chest was too much; she was going to burst. Completing the race, Molly showing her support, her dads being incredible, Diana moving up north, and the two of them moving in…it was all so perfect.
She glanced at Quin. “Are you sure you’d be alright with that? I can wait.”
They shook their head. “I’ve never lived on my own. I think it will be good for me. Plus, I’m only round the corner from David and Lukas. Just promise me we will continue our Drew Barrymore marathon, and I’ll be fine.”
She pulled them into a hug. “Of course. I’ll still see you all the time. You can’t get rid of me.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Quin squeezed her back.
As the song wound up to another chorus, the man at the microphone said, “Everybody, come on! On your feet.”
Quin pulled Faye up, then Molly—who reluctantly agreed, rolling her eyes.
Faye threaded her fingers through Diana’s, tugging her with them towards the growing crowd.
David and Lukas wrapped their arms around their mismatched, perfectly imperfect family, tilting their heads back to belt out the first line.
“You’re simply the best!”
The room echoed the man at the mic, swaying as one, Peppa Pig and Cinderella waving their arms in the air.
Faye’s face hurt from smiling. She tried to take it all in.
The mixture of sweat, beer, and furniture polish that was oddly endearing; Molly and Quin huddled a little too close to be considered friendly; the heat from Diana’s fingers in hers.
Joy radiated from everyone in the room—especially those closest to her.
She’d never imagined a reality with her stoma where she could be so happy, so free, so…
Faye. She’d gone to Sandy Springs in search of her enigma, that quality that had inspired her to be courageous and push outside her comfort zone.
She’d done that with bells and whistles—taking down a poacher, snagging the most beautiful woman she’d ever met, and running a half-marathon. She could do anything.
Diana put Faye’s fingers to her lips, planting a kiss that seared her whole body. She bathed in the happiness they shared, in their connection surging between them, the love in Diana’s eyes. This was their beginning, their future, their present.
And Faye was going to enjoy every single second.
THE END