“I just wanted to let you know that I have been in a meeting with the lawyer all morning…” My chest tightens. “And the gang members have taken the plea deals. It means they will be in for twenty years at least… the leader, Christopher got life without the possibility of parole, and the same for the members that shot your uncle, Stix and your father. So did the man who kidnapped Chloe. It also means that we don’t need to face a court case. No need to testify.”
“Oh my God.” That knot loosens. “Are you serious? So, it’s over?”
“Justice has been served.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “So, yes, it’s over. You might not have said anything to me about it. But I know you well enough to know you guys were worried about that.”
I have to admit the idea of standing up in a court room and re living everything has been killer. I’ve been attempting to gear myself up for it. But now it seems like I can finally relax.
“Mom, that’s the best news.” My pulse is racing. So much good news today. I’ve needed a day like this me. “Now me and Chloe can focus on us.”
We’ve been trying to, wanting to put the past behind us, but it’s been impossible to do with this shadow hanging over our heads.
“So, maybe you can start thinking about your future, huh?” I can hear the teasing in Mom’s tone. “Like locking that girl down at long last…”
“I’m just waiting for the right moment to propose…” As soon as those words leave my mouth, I realize that there doesn’t need to be a perfect moment. Nothing about the way that me and Chloe have ended up together has been perfect, and that’s okay. But actually, are we going to get a better day than today? “Actually, I might just do that tonight…”
“That’s incredible!” The relief is obvious in Mom’s voice. I can tell that this is what she has always wanted for me. “I’m so happy for you. As I have always said to you, you aren’t going to get a better girl than Chloe Smith.”
I let out a little laugh. “Oh, I know that, Mom. I tell myself that every single day.”
“And video call me after the proposal?”
“Of course.” She knows that Chloe’s mom is in town at the moment, so I can understand why she doesn’t want to be left out. Not that I would ever want her to feel that way.
I mean, we wouldn’t be here today without her, but we choose not to talk about that so much now. But we will be grateful every day for the rest of our lives.
Me and Mom talk for a little while longer before it’s time for me to go back to work, and all through the afternoon I feel like I’m flying higher than air. The smile on my face is genuine now and wider than it has been all morning. People probably think that it’s just because of my grades, but they don’t know the future I am planning with the woman I plan to ask to marry me tonight.
I want it all. Marriage, kids, growing old together, the whole thing. But now it’s more realistic because I finally have my life in order. Thank God. Of course, six months isn’t enough time to turn everything around, I still have a lot of work to do, but I have a great support system and I am very lucky. And I will be even luckier tonight when Chloe says yes…
Chapter 29 – Chloe
“It’s so awesome having you here, Mom,” I gush as I hug her for what feels like the millionth time. “I didn’t know how much I missed you until now. But my God, it’s going to be hard to see you going back to England.”
“I’m not leaving for another week!” Mom laughs quietly. “So, you don’t need to worry about me leaving you yet. But I wish I could have been here for you when you got out of the hospital.”
“Mom, I’m fine now.”
“I’m always going to worry, that’s my job! It makes me want to move back here…” She trails off because she knows that she won’t. The life she has in England is too good for her to move, but that’s fine. I want her to be happy and I don’t need her to be here with me. “Anyway, I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“I’m more than fine,” I reassure her. “Honestly, it’s in the past now…”
Although I am aware that a court case may call for us to testify, but I’m trying my hardest not to worry about that until the time comes.
“Anyway, I have had the best day off with you guys.” I beam, smiling at Mom and Aaron. “And I’m so glad that you guys are coming over for dinner tonight. Although it does feel weird to have you over for dinner when it used to be your house, and you spent so many years cooking for me within those walls.”