Chapter 42
Sadie
T he fact Sadie has hours, not days, left in the Cove was starting to fully sink in. She had forced herself to keep it together as her parents threw her a party to celebrate her forthcoming college experience. Sadie made it a point to thank everyone—mostly Mackenzies and Dylan—for coming and for the well wishes. They’d all enjoyed hamburgers grilled by Charlie and Mason on Charlie’s new Blackstone, and Sadie truly hated to see the night end.
Especially since she knew what was coming.
Saying goodbye to Ellie was something Sadie absolutely did not want to do. She had no idea how to convey to Ellie that she loved her and was going to miss her so much. Telling her that felt cheesy and inadequate, but Sadie didn’t know how else to say it.
Delaney, Isla, and Vera had agreed to let Ellie spend the night the night before, and Sadie was beyond thankful. She needed those last few precious moments with Ellie before she left for college. Because as it currently stood, she wouldn’t see Ellie again until fall break in October . That was two very long months that seemed unbearable to even think about.
At least we have one more night.
Sadie was glad both her and Ellie’s parents understood their need to be together one last night. And it wasn’t just about sex. Although she’d told Delaney and Charlie about that the morning after. Her mom looked like she was going to throw up, but she kept a level head. She was proud of Delaney for that.
Both Delaney and Charlie checked in with her over the next few days to make sure she was okay. They reiterated that they were always there for her and would never judge her. Sadie was beyond thankful for that.
And for the fact Delaney had told her they’d leave her and Ellie alone for the night. Sadie knew how lucky she was to have parents like hers, but it was also why she’d never do anything to purposefully hurt them or make them mad. Especially not after all they’d done for her over the years.
But Sadie was glad she got to have one more night with Ellie. Although they were still figuring out what they both liked, Sadie felt they were getting the hang of it. Slowly but surely. She’d fallen asleep in Ellie’s arms as Ellie played with her hair. Sadie could have stayed there forever if the damn wake-up brigade of Delaney and Charlie hadn’t woken them up.
Charlie had made breakfast and after they ate, Ellie helped them pack the Mustang and the rental car before helping them decorate for the party. Now, with the party winding down, Sadie needed to turn back time so she didn’t have to face the music. And not the Sabrina Carpenter song playing on the speakers on the back patio.
Most of the Mackenzie’s had left except for Ellie, Mason, and Chase. They were toasting marshmallows over the fire pit with Delaney, as Sadie sat on the patio couch a few feet away. Dylan plopped down beside her, putting an arm on the back of the couch.
“Great party.”
“Thanks.”
“Amazing hamburgers.”
“Mama loves her Blackstone.”
“I think I’m going to invite myself over here anytime they cook out.” Dylan laughed, as did Sadie.
“I’m sure they’d love to have you.”
They sat in silence for a few moments as Ellie and Mason jokingly argued about the proper amount of time to keep the marshmallow over the fire. Mason wanted it burned, while Ellie just wanted it slightly toasted. Seeing them together made Sadie wish again that she had a sibling she could tease with.
“I’ll take care of her while you’re gone.” Dylan’s comment pulled Sadie’s mind off Ellie for a moment as she furrowed her brow at Dylan. “Not like that . Ew. No. We’re cousins.”
“Ew, gross. I know. I wasn’t even thinking that until you said it.” Sadie pretended to shiver as they laughed.
“I just meant I’ll make sure she’s okay and she doesn’t hole up in her room pining away for you.”
“That’s very sweet of you.”
“We gotta take care of our Eleanor.” Dylan smiled as she looked at Ellie. “She’s one of the good ones. She’s the best of both Isla and Vera. I’m fairly sure my uncle contributed very little DNA to that kid. She’s all Mackenzie.”
“A hundred percent.”
Sadie watched as Ellie put a marshmallow on a graham cracker Chase was holding for her. She added a few pieces of a Hershey’s chocolate bar to it before sandwiching it with another graham cracker. As she took a bite, the marshmallow melted all over her lips as Sadie laughed.
“That’s your woman.”
“She’s great, isn’t she?”
Standing, Sadie walked over to Ellie. She put her hand around her waist as she pulled her close for a messy kiss. Ellie giggled as they kissed, driving Sadie wild in the best way. Ellie wiped the marshmallow off Sadie’s lips.
“I can make you your own if you’d like one.”
“I like eating yours.”
“That’s what she said,” Mason snickered as Chase seemed to reluctantly laugh as well. Charlie rolled her eyes as she sat in one of the chairs around the fire pit.
“Mace, don’t,” Ellie laughed, rolling her eyes at her sister.
“Hey, I gotta get in my jabs before Sadie leaves. It’s just how she gets initiated into our family.”
“I thought that was when your mom caught us making out in my car?”
“Several times,” Ellie added.
“In one day.”
Mason laughed. “I’m impressed.”
“Wow,” Sadie looked at Ellie and smiled, “we’ve impressed the master.”
Ellie groaned as she laughed. Mason, however, looked insanely happy. “Don’t say that.”
“Yeah, dude,” Chase groaned, “why did you say that?”
Mason pumped her fists in the air as she dramatically leaped onto a small concrete retaining wall that doubled as a place where Delaney planted flowers.
“I am the master! Mackenzie Master. Master Mackenzie. Master Mason Mackenzie.”
“See what you did?” Chase smiled as she sat in a chair and pretended to look annoyed. But Sadie could clearly see the love for her wife radiating from her.
“Dude, get down.” Ellie sounded more like Isla than Sadie had noticed. “You’re going to be a mother soon. Act like it.”
“My wife says I have full permission to goof off as Master Mason Mackenzie until the stick turns blue. Right, baby?”
“Like that’ll change anything.” Chase rolled her eyes with a laugh. “Give it time. She’ll soon be going by Master Mother Mason Mackenzie.”
Sadie was thankful for the silly conversation around the fire pit. It kept mind off the inevitable: that she’d had to kiss Ellie goodbye all too soon.
It was another hour before Mason and Chase headed home and Dylan left. Charlie and Delaney left them alone to have their goodbyes as they went to bed. Sadie and Ellie found their way up to her room and out the bedroom window onto the roof.
“It seems fitting we say goodbye here.” Ellie had her knees pulled up to her chest, with her chin resting on them. Even in the moonlight, Sadie could see tears in her eyes. “This is where things first changed for us.”
“The night of the prom.”
“Yeah.”
Sadie scooted closer to Ellie until their hips were touching. As Ellie wrapped an arm around her shoulder, she kissed her cheek.
“I’m really glad you came over that night.”
“I knew you were upset and I couldn’t stand the thought of you being alone. I had to be here for you.” Ellie kissed her cheek again and Sadie heard her sniffle. “I’ll always be here for you, Sadie.”
“I’ll always be here for you, too, Ellie.”
Tenderly, Ellie put her hand under Sadie’s chin and lifted it to her lips. Sadie melted like butter on a warm roll. How would she make it until October without kissing Ellie?
Ugh.
“I’m going to miss this,” Sadie whispered against Ellie’s cheek.
“We can make it until October. Because then we have fall break, Thanksgiving break, and winter break all back to back to back.”
“Very true.” Sadie kissed her again. “Thank you for coming over that night. It changed my summer and life for the better.”
“Damn, babe,” Ellie’s eyes sparkled in the dim glow from the bedroom window, “that was smooth.”
“Just have to make sure you know how much I love you and how much you mean to me.”
“I do know.”
“Good.”
“Sadie?”
“Hmm?”
“You changed my summer and life, too.” Ellie smirked. “I could so make a Wicked reference right now.”
“You’re such a theater kid.”
“Yeah, but you love me.”
“I do.”
They kissed again, this time with their hands going into each other’s hair. Having never really kissed anyone before, Sadie was glad she could learn with Ellie. Learning what Ellie liked, what she responded to, had been part of the fun of being with Ellie. She learned something new about her every day it seemed, and Sadie loved that.
“I really hate to say this…”
“Then don’t.” Sadie pressed her forehead against Ellie’s. “Because I know you need to leave because I know I need to get some sleep before tomorrow. But I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
“It’s just a see you later, not a goodbye.” Tenderly, Ellie tucked Sadie’s hair behind her ear as she framed her cheeks with her hands. “I’m so proud of you, Sadie. I can’t wait to see everything you’re going to accomplish at UT. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Ellie. And I can’t wait to see what you do. It’s gonna be so fun to watch.”
“And the best part?”
“What’s that?”
“We’ll get to love and support each other through it all. No matter what.”
“No matter what.”
Sadie kissed Ellie again until, reluctantly, she let Ellie lead her into the bedroom window and down the stairs. There was no point in holding back the tears; the floodgates had burst open for both of them. She held tight onto Ellie as they each hurried their heads in the other’s shoulder.
“I’m going to miss you so much.”
“We’re going to text and FaceTime all the time.” Ellie pulled herself out of Sadie’s embrace slightly. “I love you, Sadie.”
“I love you too, Ellie.”
“Learn a lot of stuff.”
“I will,” Sadie giggled.
“And don’t forget me.”
“I couldn’t if I tried.”
“Good,” Ellie smiled. They kissed once more before Ellie opened the door to leave.
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
“No.”
Sadie furrowed her brow. “Why not?”
“Because,” Ellie seemed to swallow the lump in her throat, “I know as soon as I walk out that door I’m going to lose it, and I won’t want to leave. But I know I have to.”
Sadie wanted to protest; insist that she had to walk Ellie to her car so they had a few more moments together. But Ellie was right. They were both on the verge of complete meltdowns as it was. So Sadie understood.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
One more kiss, and Ellie opened the door. She blew a kiss at Sadie as she slowly closed the door behind her. It was barely two seconds later when Delaney came up and wrapped her arms around Sadie. Sadie turned into her mother’s embrace as she cried.
“Oh, baby, I know. But it’s going to be okay, I promise.” Delaney kissed the top of her head, and Sadie felt Charlie join in on the hug.
“And you got a good one there. Ellie’s a Mackenzie. They’re the best.”
“She really is.” Sadie nodded against Delaney’s chest. She let Delaney wipe the tears from her eyes as they all walked over to the couch.
Sadie happily snuggled in between them as they let her process her emotions by talking or crying. She felt validated by them, which was what she desperately needed in that moment. Because her whirlwind summer of love with Ellie had ended. And in its place loomed a new adventure that Sadie hoped she was ready to undertake.
“I hope UT is great, because otherwise this freakin’ sucks.”
Delaney, Charlie, and Sadie all laughed as Charlie hugged her.
“It’s going to be great. I can feel it.”
“I agree. You’ve worked hard to get here and deserve it.”
“And I have a feeling you and Ellie will work just as hard to make long distance work.”
“We will.” Sadie nodded, finally starting to feel her tears dry up after an hour of crying. “It’s all going to work out.”
And for the first time, Sadie truly believed that with her whole heart.