Indie
MARCH
“What was that bird you called me?”
My mouth curves into a smile as I’m instantly transported back to that day in September. Both of us in this same little café, our fourteenth not-date that we were absolutely counting as such.
It was one of the best days of my life. The first time Teddy showed me his art, the first time we kissed, the first time we said I love you.
It’s strange thinking back to that version of myself, because I loved him then. I adored him then. But sitting here now, across from this Teddy, I realize I love this version of him even more.
Not because he was weak then. I don’t think Teddy was ever truly weak; I think he was just scared of so many things.
He’s not scared in that same way any longer. There is a steadiness to him now that wasn’t there before, a strength he earned by doing the hard thing again and again, even when it hurt.
Now he’s allowed to be Teddy—my Teddy bear—and that’s good enough.
“An albatross,” I chuckle, sipping my half-iced tea, half-lemonade.
Like last time, I mixed the drinks together in our cups, Arnold Palmer style. When I passed Teddy his, his eyes went soft and fond, both of us falling into the same memory.
“Your mind has always fascinated me,” Teddy says, smiling as he slides his hand across the small table.
I place mine in his and squeeze, loving the feel of his callused artist’s hands around mine.
He was thankfully able to take some time off from school, and his teachers were very understanding when he explained why he needed the week.
His illustration teacher, Mr. Monty, even said that as long as Teddy keeps sketching throughout the week and brings everything back to show him, he’ll count it as a grade.
“You know something else about albatrosses?”
Teddy’s eyes light up, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand.
“Tell me, baby.”
I bite my lip. “They mate for life.”
Teddy smiles so widely at that.
“Well,” he murmurs, “maybe I am an albatross.”
“No…” My eyes trail over every inch of his face, lingering on the butterfly stitches near his temple. “You’re my Teddy bear. You’ll always be that to me.”
Teddy stares at me for a long moment, his face so tender and loving that it almost hurts to look at.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned is that to be loved is to be seen and understood. Teddy sees me. Teddy understands me better than anyone else ever could.
He has seen me sharp and scared and defensive. He has seen me overwhelmed, furious, petty, stubborn, and exhausted.
And he is still here.
I have seen him at his worst too.
But more importantly, I have seen him choose to become better. That is what I hold onto.
The way he lets himself want the life he was once too afraid to reach for. The way he apologized without demanding forgiveness. The way he chased me through Europe, this ridiculous, wonderful bear of a man, and somehow made the vacation of my dreams even better.
I’m so proud of him.
But most of all, I can tell he is proud of himself.
We’re not perfect. We’re still going to stumble, make mistakes, and possibly even hurt each other because that’s just life. But I have no more fear that Teddy will allow me to be mistreated again. Not by his mother, himself, or anyone.
And I will keep him safe. I will always respect his boundaries and do everything I can to help him continue to heal. I will always choose Teddy.
And I know he will always choose me.
As Ellie said, that’s what truly matters in love.
Teddy lifts my hand to his mouth and presses a kiss to my hand. “Thank you, Indie,” he murmurs.
“For what?”
“For everything,” he says, shrugging like there is too much to name. “Too much, honestly. But mostly, I’m just thankful for you.”
“You deserve it, Teddy.”
Teddy’s smile softens and he presses another kiss to my knuckles, his thumb brushing over the ring finger of my left hand.
“You’re my dream girl. I’m just so happy to finally be the man you deserve.”
My eyes sting and I smile through it.
“Are you happy, Teddy?”
Teddy holds my gaze steadily.
“I’m so happy, Indie. Happiest man on earth, if we’re being honest…” his eyes search mine. “Are you, honey?”
I nod without hesitation.
“I honestly can’t remember the last time I was scared of the floor dropping out from under me.”
Happiness used to feel so fleeting. Like I should not get myself too excited because it’ll just be taken away eventually.
“Even if…” I swallow hard, and Teddy reaches out to cradle my cheek, his thumb brushing over my cheekbone. “Even if they take it away, I will be okay. I’ll adapt. It’s what I’m good at. We will be okay.”
“They’re not going to take it away,” Teddy says, shaking his head.
“You’re very confident.”
“I am,” Teddy nods. “You are the most brilliant doctor. They would be morons to take you away from the patients who need you.”
My mouth curves at his words, letting the warmth that accompanies them settle in my chest.
But then I reach out to Teddy and cup his bearded cheek. My eyes trail over the cuts on his face, and the warmth grows hotter, sharpens into anger.
After the scene outside the conference room, after what Teddy told me happened last night, after hearing that Dawn threw a fucking bottle at his head, it is taking every ounce of self-control I possess not to hunt that woman down and give her an injury that actually requires my medical expertise.
“Teddy…”
He sighs deeply at my look, like he’s reading my mind.
“That was validating,” he admits. “She was always so careful to keep up appearances, but… that’s who she is. I just wish I had seen it sooner.”
“Please don’t linger there,” I whisper, shaking my head. “You saw it. That’s the important part. You saw it, and you stood up for yourself. She can’t leash you anymore.”
Teddy smiles faintly and kisses my palm.
“Do you remember when I showed you The Witches?”
“Yes.” Teddy makes a face and shudders. “You showed me that movie before we went to bed, and it gave me nightmares for a week.”
I smile. “But do you remember how they all took their faces off and revealed their true selves? The disguises were glamorous women, but underneath…”
“Horrifying?” Teddy offers, smiling.
“Yes. I like to think of your mother like that.”
“It was very close to that last night,” Teddy says, shaking his head before pausing for a long moment. His smile fades into something quieter. “I’m proud of myself. For standing up to her. For saying it all out loud.”
“Do you feel closure?”
“I’ll feel closure when the restraining order is filed,” he says. “But for now, I feel satisfied. You’re safer.”
“And so are you.”
“And so am I.” His eyes darken slightly. “She’ll never have that kind of hold over me again. And she’ll never get that close to you again, Indie.”
“I believe you,” I whisper.
And I do.
I believe him so deeply, it’s like a fact of life—the sky is blue, the grass is green, and Teddy will always keep me safe.
Teddy holds up his phone to show me the time. My heart jumps when I see it’s approaching four, the time they said they would reach a final decision. “We should head back.”
I nod, standing from the table and immediately reaching for Teddy’s outstretched hand.
As we walk out of the café, probably for the last time, I let the fresh air soothe my nerves. Teddy wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple.
Then I feel another hand on my shoulder, and I smile when I think I hear someone humming softly in my ear—ABBA, of course.
Pressing my fingers to the chain under my shirt, where Pop’s ring rests against my skin, I breathe a little easier.
I walk into this conference room prepared to lose everything.
My brain had already started arranging Plans B, C, D, and E because that is what my brain does.
Glancing at Lorraine, I briefly consider asking her for a letter of recommendation for law school—maybe I could be a lawyer.
It wouldn’t take long. Three years if I went straight through, four if I had to work around everything else.
Financially, Teddy and I would be secure.
He would support me through it. I would survive. I always survive.
Then Dr. Vale starts delivering their judgment and every plan goes silent.
I don’t know how I’m feeling as I walk out.
Lorraine holds my elbow and has to practically guide me out after we’re dismissed. I’m still processing, feeling as though I’m out of my body, watching from above.
My breath saws in and out of my lungs, my heart pounds against my ribcage, and adrenaline makes my entire body shake.
As soon as the door opens, I see Teddy pacing, but he stops in his tracks when he sees us. His eyes soften into concern when he sees the look on my face, and he immediately takes me into his arms.
And I break.
“It’s dismissed,” I gasp, clutching his shoulders. “It’s dismissed. It’s done.”
Teddy’s entire body goes still. Then he pulls back and holds my face in his hands.
“Say that again.”
A laugh bursts out of me unbidden. “It’s dismissed.”
Teddy presses a long, deep kiss to my lips. He picks me up around my waist and spins me around, not pulling his lips from mine. I let the joy bubble up in my chest, feeling buzzy all over my skin as I relish the celebration and relief.
It’s done.
I’m still a physician.
They’re not taking it away from me.
She’s not taking it away from me.
“No finding of misconduct,” Lorraine says, tapping a few times on her cellphone. “No evidence of elder abuse, undue influence, or financial exploitation. No recommendation for discipline. Dr. Vale said she’ll call your chief directly this afternoon to inform them of the preliminary decision.”
Teddy pulls back enough to look at me, his grin wide enough to crack his face.
“And who are you still?”
“Dr. Miller,” I laugh wetly, feeling a few tears spill over. “I’m Dr. Miller.”
“Damn right,” Teddy says, voice rough as he pulls me back into him. “I’m so fucking proud of you, honey.”
“I’m proud of you,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down until our lips brush again.
Lorraine pointedly clears her throat, making us pull back and chuckle sheepishly.