Chapter 47
Lizzy
“Come on, angel. We’re almost there.” Bash’s encouragement hasn’t ceased this entire race.
It’s something I didn’t realize I longed for until now, when I have it. Every race I’ve run before this has been on my own. No one by my side. Only relying on the cheers from strangers to get me to the finish line.
But this is my first marathon, and I have my loving boyfriend by my side, matching me stride for stride. Even when I’ve had to slow down or walk, he does the same, never making me feel bad about it.
Katerina and Dom ran the half marathon. They texted us a couple of hours ago that they finished which was cool of them. In the picture they sent, he looks more exhausted than she did. I wanted to laugh but can’t because I’m in the same condition as Dom was or maybe even worse.
They say mile eighteen is the hardest, and that may be the case, but mile twenty-four is unbearable.
We’re so close that I can hear the cheering from others ahead, but my legs are cramping.
My thighs are chafing and probably bleeding with all the cream having been sweated off.
My toes are numb, and I know at least two toenails are no longer attached.
But I’ve never felt stronger.
With each heavy footfall pounding the pavement, I’m reinvigorated. With each pull of air into my frigid lungs, I’m made whole. The adrenaline and endorphins bring me to a high I’ve never felt before.
“Do you see that?” Bash’s winded voice brings me back to reality.
He’s pointing ahead at the pink, inflatable arch in the distance. The finish line. I’ve never wanted something so badly. Picking up my feet, I quicken my pace, ready to cross that line.
“Come on. Let’s do this,” I tell him excitedly.
He matches my strides once more, even pushing me a little harder. This is the fastest we’ve run all race, having saved the last of our energy for this moment. I want to leave it all on the course.
Spectators cheer from the sidelines holding signs I can’t make out at this pace. Their excitement only spurs me forward. I can’t make sense of them until I hear what I swear is my name. Then Bash’s.
“GO LIZZY!” a frail, elderly voice that I know all too well shouts.
A strong, feminine voice breaks through the cheers. “KICK UP YOUR FEET, LIZZY, AND BEAT HIS ASS!”
That one makes me laugh, but I don’t obey. We started this together years ago, and now, we’re finishing side by side.
“RUN, BASH, RUN,” another voice yells.
As we approach the end, our loved ones continue cheering us on. I had no idea they’d be here, but it means so much to me. When we cross, I turn off my timer on my watch and allow the volunteer to place a medal around my neck. By the time I turn to face my partner, tears brim in my eyes.
“Sweet angel, we did it,” Bash murmurs as he cups my cheeks. Then he leans down and presses a deep kiss against my lips. I wrap myself around him, not minding our dampness. A loud wolf whistle has us separating, and we turn to see our group gathered by the barricades.
I pull Bash towards them, staring in awe at Tom and Betty, Mrs. Evelyn and Mr. Damien, and Dom and Katerina. I’m surprised the latter two stayed after their race for us but appreciate it.
“I wasn’t expecting you guys to be here!
” I exclaim, still euphoric from my runner’s high.
They beam at us, and that’s when I notice the signs the two older couples are holding.
Seeing them together is surreal. Having our families meet.
What’s even weirder is that they seem to have made introductions before we arrived.
“Of course we’re here! Our girl is running her first marathon.” Betty’s words fill me with warmth as she hands her sign to her husband and pulls me in for a hug, not even caring about the state I’m in.
As soon as Betty is out of the way, Evelyn’s embracing me. She pulls me in close, and I notice the tears in her eyes. “I’m just so proud of you. Both of you.”
“You two looked great out there,” Katerina says, earning Bash a glare from Dom.
Tom and Damien both chime in with their congratulations. The feeling of accomplishment that courses through me at finishing the race is amplified by having a family who cares so much. It’s surreal.
“Here’s some electrolytes.” Katerina offers me a bottled sports drink. It’s not the flavor I prefer, but I still reach for it.
However, Bash gets it first, his muscles bulging as he unscrews the lid. I watch, mesmerized, as his throat bobs when he swallows it. Then, he’s handing me the bottle.
“Drink up,” Bash murmurs huskily in my ear when I accept the drink. I don’t turn to look at him, but his hand on my shoulder slides to the back of my neck in a promise of something sinful.
I take a few gulps, forcing myself to swallow despite the lust thundering through me. When I focus back on the group, Katerina is smirking in my direction and winks at me, clearly having noticed our interaction. I’m already impossibly red, sparing me from further embarrassment by blushing.
Bash leads us to the post-race festivities. We wait in line for vegan chili, which Dom and Tom refuse to eat. They leave us to grab burgers from another vendor, returning with several extra. I end up snagging one, famished from the twenty-six miles I ran.
As we eat our picnic in the field, conversation flows. Evelyn and Damien converse with Betty and Tom as though they’ve known each other for a lifetime. They even make plans for later in the week. When Bash suggests combining family dinners next week, Betty and Evelyn are ecstatic.
I never had family like this. I’ve never experienced this sort of love and comfort.
Betty and Tom took me in years ago as though I were their own, but the Montclairs have accepted me just as much.
Even Dom and Katerina signed up for this race because they knew we were running.
And if Margot, Matthias, Roman, and Cecilia weren’t busy with their kids, I know they also would be here.
Because of Bash, I have not only grandparents, but parents and siblings.
Even nieces and a nephew as well. I couldn’t be more grateful.
“How do you feel?” Bash whispers the question in my ear softly, so only I can hear.
I lean my head against his shoulder and breathe in the fresh air.
Watching the ones who love us and came out to support us laugh together brings a smile to my lips.
And having this man, my protector, next to me every step of the way is unimaginable.
A life I never expected. Never could have conceived.
“Happier than I ever knew possible.”