Indie #2
“And I’m proud of both of you,” Lorraine says, gesturing to her watch. “But I have a dinner date to get to. Dr. Miller, Mr. Williams, it was a pleasure.”
“Thank you, Lorraine,” I say, shaking her hand. Teddy does the same after.
“You’re welcome,” she says, smiling before giving us a look. “Go celebrate, kids. Have fun.”
Lorraine heads down the hallway to the exit while I send Phoebe a quick text to let her know how everything has gone.
Teddy texts his sisters to let them know. I chuckle, thinking about the texts Teddy showed me from them after he told them their mother had been arrested.
Danielle
Stephanie
AND NO ONE WAS RECORDING?!?!
We could have gone viral again!
That’s when it finally sinks in for me.
It’s over.
Like closing a very terrible book that you are so happy to return to the library because it pissed you off that much.
The storm cloud that is Dawn Williams can no longer hover over every good thing Teddy and I build.
There will still be legal steps. Teddy will file for the restraining order.
Officer Dash already explained that we can head back to Jersey as soon as we’re ready and we can call in for virtual court when it’s time.
Teddy looks down at me now, his expression soft.
“You ready to go home, baby?”
Sighing and feeling the last bit of tension fall from my body, I close my eyes and think of home. Then open them when I realize that I already am home.
But our house—our beautiful Cape May house—is calling me.
“Yes, please.”
Teddy places a soft kiss on my lips before wrapping an arm around my waist and guiding us out of the cancer center. For the last time.
Our hotel is a bit of a walk, but I think we both need it to bleed out some of this adrenaline. And it’s a beautiful, very early spring night. The air feels cool on my heated cheeks, and I can feel the anxiety falling away from me with each step.
“You want to stop and get food, or do you want to order room service?”
“Ooh, I want those French fries again,” I chirp, already picturing them. Even when my stomach was twisting yesterday, I could appreciate how good they were. Now I can actually enjoy them without feeling like I might vomit from anxiety.
“You and french fries,” Teddy teases, fingers wiggling into my waist and making me laugh. “One day, you’re going to turn into a french fry.”
“Hey, I can’t have pasta, so let me enjoy my deep-fried potatoes. They’re all I have,” I lean my head against his shoulder. “Did you know potatoes were the first vegetables grown in space?”
“I did not know that,” Teddy says, smiling into my hair. “What else have you read about potatoes, my brilliant girl?”
“That mashed potatoes should be a food group in itself,” I hum, making Teddy chuckle. “Especially Nana’s.”
“I think Stephanie has her recipe box in Arizona.”
My eyes widen. “Please tell me she’ll share.”
“With you?” Teddy grins, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Definitely.”
Cuddling into his side, I take a deep breath and slowly let it out.
“I can’t believe it’s over.”
Teddy hums. “I like to think it’s just a new beginning.”
“That’s a very Ellie thing to say,” I observe, smiling at him.
“I had thirty years with her,” he says, shrugging before winking at me. “Picked up a few things along the way.”
I can’t help but smile when I picture Teddy and Ellie through all the stages of his life. How she and Pop were the only positive guiding forces he had.
“I really miss her,” I say, my voice quiet.
Teddy’s arm tightens around my shoulders.
“Me too,” he whispers. “Do you want to visit her grave before we head to the airport tomorrow?”
I consider it as we keep walking. The last time I was there was the funeral, and for a second, I imagine bringing flowers to hers and Pop’s gravestones. Saying thank you and goodbye again.
Then I hear it.
And my head whips around to find the source of the very familiar laugh—completely carefree, unrestrained with the volume because joy should never be smothered.
Then, following it, a deep, throaty chuckle. I’ve never heard that laugh before, not in life, but somehow my chest warms like I already know who it belongs to.
Beside me, Teddy has gone still, his brow furrowing as he looks around too.
“I thought—”
“Did you—”
Teddy and I both stop when we realize we’re talking over each other and smile. He steps closer to me, pulling me back into his arms.
“No, I don’t need to,” I smile, shaking my head. “She’s not there anyway.”
“She’s here,” Teddy says, dipping his finger under the collar of my sweater and pulling out the chain that holds Pop’s ring.
I beam, doing the same to him and pulling his Nana’s ring out. “And here.”
“Always,” Teddy kisses my forehead. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides us back to the hotel. He pats the ring against his chest. “You know… this ring will look nice on your pretty finger one day.”
My heart stutters, and then my stomach flips in the best way.
I look up at him and smile. “Ditto.”
“Come on, honey, let me feed you,” Teddy grins ferally and leans closer to me, his voice dropping to a rumble. “And then I’ll eat.”
Giggling, I start pulling him with urgency back toward the hotel.
I’ve been pretty good at knowing when to leave. But I think I am even better at knowing when to stay.
I’m going to stay with my Teddy.
For the rest of our lives.
And ever after.