Once I get back to my suite, I call my sister. It ends up ringing six times. Where the heck is she?
“Hello.”
“What took you so long?”
“Oh nothing, just keeping up with an active 18-month-old and trying to get her in the tub.”
My niece certainly keeps her parents, Eve and Erick, on their toes. She’s got a lively personality and an inquisitive nature that I adore. However, her parents could definitely do without her constant running and climbing. With her adorable face and chubby cheeks, it’s hard to stay upset with her for very long.
“Is now a good time?”
Please say yes!I have so much to update her on I might explode. This day has been a dream come true, and I’m looking forward to the next couple of days with Faith. I’m assumingshe’ll want to hang out, too. I better clarify that when I see her later. There’s still the sunset cruise tomorrow night. I want her to be my date for the night.
“Yeah, I have a few minutes. What’s up?”
“Well, long story short, Faith is on the resort, and we’ve been spending time together.”
“Wait, did I hear you right? You said Faith? Your Faith is at the resort you work at all the time?” There is a pause, and then she says, “Okay, I might be in shock. You haven’t seen her in like, twelve years.”
Eve saw me going through each stage of grief and saw the constant reminders of Faith in my life. She was there when I got my latest tattoo over my heart. I told her about the abortion, and she was shocked I hadn’t mentioned it years ago. It had been too painful to talk about. Not long after that, I showed her the letter I wrote when Maya was born. It’s the same letter that remains in my pocket. I’ve decided I’m going to give it to Faith later.
I tell her all the details and the plans for later and tomorrow. The sunset cruise will be breathtaking. It’s a perfect date, and we can enjoy each other’s company while also hanging out with our friends.
“No shit. Seeing her again has blown my mind. She wants to spend time together to see where it leads. I know we are moving fast, but everything is falling into place. It’s hard not to think fate has something to do with all of this.” A wide smile spreads across my face as I talk about it.
I will continue to show her how much she means to me. My heart beats steadily, each thump reminding me of the countless memories we’ve shared. I lift the lid, revealing the delicate silver bracelet nestled inside. It is a promise that I will never give up on her—on us. She is my soulmate, and this is my way of showing her how much she means to me.
The bracelet reminds me of her promise ring that sits in a box at home in my nightstand drawer. I pulled it out the day Maya was born. I wished I had it here to give to her. The matching one that I wear is in my luggage. I packed my ring so I can wear it at the wedding, but now I think I’ll put it on tomorrow night for the sunset cruise.
“Jude, you’re a good guy. Everything happens for a reason. Mom told me about the letters you had her email. I can now assume they were for Faith. Have you given them to her yet?”
“The first one, yes. And she cried. Well, we both cried and comforted each other. It was raw.” I replay the moment we shared; it was heart-wrenching but holding her helped me through it all.
“It might be a lot for her, so don’t overdo it. I know you want her to know everything, but you’ve waited over a decade to talk to her. Maybe just let things happen organically.”
My sister’s advice is full of truth, and I appreciate it. She is one person who won’t beat around the bush. She tells me like it is, even if I don’t want to hear it.
“Thanks, Eve. Oh, and I’m moving back home…for real this time. Reconnecting with Faith confirms it’s time to move back home and be close to family and to her—if she lets me. Either way, I’m moving back. I can’t wait to start fresh back home. I’m hoping it will be with Faith in my arms.”
“Well, it’s about time. And it will all work out the way it’s supposed to.”
My mom and sister have been pushing me to move back home for the last couple of years. Now, with my niece growing quickly, it makes sense. I already have a realtor lined up because I’ve been talking on and off with my realtor buddy for almost two years now. It’ll take very little effort to get my house on the market. All I have to do is pack up the rest of my stuff, getmovers, and head home. Home—where she is. She was my home for so long.
“Yeah, I know. I’ll talk to you in a couple of days with all the updates.”
We hang up, and I close the jewelry box and set it back down on the table. I’m going to give her this tomorrow night. It’s just a little something to remember that I’m here for her. We’ve had a memorable time together so far, and I’m hoping we can make more memories during the next few days together before she leaves and goes home.
TWENTY-EIGHT
FAITH
Dinner with the girls never disappoints. Apparently, it’s interrogation time…
“What happened?” Kendall asks.
“We spent most of the day together, and he handed me a letter that opened my heart to him even more.” Right now, my heart is beating rapidly in my chest as I talk about the letter Jude wrote to me.
I end up giving the girls the details of the day and everything that had unfolded since we saw each other yesterday.
