“I need her too,” Riley said. “And she’s lovely.”
“Well, I’m glad you like my mom and that you found something you’re passionate about. Just don’t work too hard.”
“I won’t.” Riley nuzzled Quinn and kissed her, and Quinn let out a long sigh of contentment.
As the day drew to an end, a tranquil stillness settled over the grounds, only broken up by the faint chirping of crickets and the distant call of a lone bird. The world seemed to hold its breath, caught between day and night, and as the last embers of daylight slipped away, the color purple slowly faded with the dying light. The show was over, but only for today.
74
RILEY
“Miss Moore…” Dr. Norwich’s voice was calm and upbeat, which somewhat reassured Riley. He looked like he hadn’t slept much with his messy hair and the heavy bags under his eyes, or maybe he’d just jumped out of bed. His stethoscope was hanging low on one side, almost dropping off his shoulder, and although Riley and he hadn’t had that much interaction last time she was here since the nurses and junior doctors did most of the communication, she felt connected to him, and she trusted him. He had saved her life, after all; he was the reason she was still here. She’d been fine yesterday, but this morning she’d woken up slightly anxious, with numerous what-ifs running through her mind. What if she needed surgery? What if they’d found underlying issues? Other faults with her heart? They were all viable scenarios, she’d been told.
“Yes?” Riley braced herself, leaning into Quinn, who was squeezing her hand hard. Although she tried her best to hide it, Riley could tell Quinn was even more on edge than she was; she’d been fidgety since they’d arrived.
As her cardiologist was running late, she and Quinn had been sitting in the waiting area, worried something might be wrong. The waiting was the worst, speculating about reasons for the delay in nervous anticipation.
There was no sign of bad news in Dr. Norwich’s expression, though. He simply excused himself and told them he was very busy.
He glanced down at her medical file before he met Riley’s eyes again. “I’ve reviewed today’s test results, and I’m pleased to inform you that everything seems to be stable. Your recent blood works were positive too. I’ll go over everything with you in detail later. I just wanted to give you the good news before delving into facts. Your medication is effective, and I am optimistic that, in combination with a healthy lifestyle, regular monitoring, and good communication with our healthcare team, you will be able to live a normal life providing you keep your stress levels to a minimum. You’re required to attend your scheduled checkups, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you experience any concerning symptoms or changes in your condition. Anything, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. We’re here to help you every step of the way.”
“Thank you.” Riley let out the breath she’d been holding, and she felt Quinn’s tense body relax against her.
“Needless to say,” he continued, “you’ll need to keep a close eye on the list of over-the-counter medication you’re supposed to stay away from. No exceptions.” He arched a brow at her. “And no more than one coffee a day and avoid any type of energy drinks. That includes herbal energy teas to be on the safe side.”
“Of course.” Riley nodded. “I’ll be careful from now on.”
“According to my notes, this is exactly what you were told the last two times you were dismissed from NYU Langone in New York,” he said matter-of-factly. The underlying message in his words was clear: she hadn’t listened before, and he wasn’t convinced she was taking his advice seriously now. “You’ve been very lucky three times, but your luck won’t keep you going forever.”
“I hear you, and you’re right,” Riley said. “I wasn’t focused on myself back then, but things have changed.” She wasn’t sure how she could explain to Dr. Norwich that her life felt more valuable this time around. That she didn’t just have herself and her business to live for. Her autopilot existence was a thing of the past, and now she cherished each moment and each breath because she had love, a home, a family, and a community. She even had little new pleasures such as fresh bread in the mornings, barbecue nights with loved ones, long walks along the river, animal friends who demanded her attention, mood boards that would soon manifest into beautiful spaces, and a field of asters right on her doorstep. She had magic in her life, and she had time; lots of time to be enjoyed in a slow, mindful pace.
“I’ll be careful. I have to be.” She smiled as tears stung the corners of her eyes. The weight that had been pressing on her shoulders was gone, and she felt a serenity only relief could bring. “I want to live. I really do.” As she said it, Quinn squeezed her so tightly she could barely breathe, and she wrapped her arms around Quinn in return and met her eyes that were loaded with emotion.
“You’re going to be fine, babe,” Quinn said, then turned to Dr. Norwich. “I’ll watch her like a hawk, I promise.”
“Good. I have a feeling you might be the first to talk some sense into Miss Moore,” Dr. Norwich joked. He observed their exchange with fondness, then beckoned them to follow him as he walked ahead through the long corridors of the hospital that seemed far less daunting now.
Riley took Quinn’s hand and realized that, for the first time, she felt stronger with someone else by her side; much stronger than when she was alone. She’d always thought she was invincible, but she needed the support. Quinn was her rock, and Riley would be Quinn’s support in return, in whichever way she could be. It was a beautiful feeling, knowing she wouldn’t have to face her struggles alone. They were allies in a world that would throw them curveballs, but their love would be an unwavering beacon in the darkest of times. With Quinn, her burdens seemed lighter and her challenges more conquerable. Everything was easier, and, most of all, better with love.
EPILOGUE
QUINN - 1 YEAR LATER
“This is it. The house is yours too now.” Riley took Quinn’s hand and looked up at Aster House. “How does it feel?”
“Surreal,” Quinn said, following Riley’s gaze. It was a very special day, and she was hoping it would become even more memorable. They’d just returned from their lawyer’s office to add her name to the deed. She’d bought herself into Aster house and they were now joint owners. It was still hard to grasp that her childhood home was back in her family. “But it feels right,” she continued. “Not just the house, of course. It feels right to do this with you, to build a future together.”
“If our future looks like this, then it couldn’t get any better,” Riley said sweetly, leaning into her. “I love our home, and I love you.”
August was warm and broody and Mystic was bustling with happy tourists and events. It had always been Quinn’s favourite month; the month that the asters thrived, covering the front yard in a sea of purple. It was a spectacular sight, and she cherished it each day she left the house in the morning. She and Riley usually had coffee together on the front steps, and in the past weeks, they’d watched the patches of purple spread until every inch of the yard was in bloom, only leaving the network of stone paths free to cross the lawn.
“I love you too.” Quinn wrapped her arms around her and pulled her in. “Are you ready for our first guests?”
“As ready as I can be.” Riley chuckled. “I have no idea what I’m doing but the rooms look beautiful, and the yard is perfect. Other than welcoming them with a big smile, I don’t think there’s much else I can do.”
“It will be fine, I’m sure. And we’ve only taken bookings until late September. If you don’t enjoy hosting, you’ll never have to do it again,” Quinn said. The bathrooms and the office – that was now a communal chill-out space for their guests – were ready, and they’d be renting out four rooms and Quinn’s barge in the coming six weeks to see if it would be something Riley would like to pursue going forward. Now fully booked, they’d been surprised at the overwhelming interest, even for the barge. There was still a lot of work to do on the house but there would be plenty of time over winter to build a bar in the basement and a pool in the back yard. As they were standing there, holding each other and embracing the special moment, the image of her great-grandparents in front of Aster House on the day they moved in, crossed her mind. It was taken on the same date, eighty years ago. Quinn had enlarged the photograph and it was proudly hanging in the hallway, alongside other pictures of her grandparents, her mother, and herself while they lived there. She’d specifically chosen today to sign the deed as the date felt symbolic. “I want to take a picture of us,” she said, pulling her phone out of her back pocket.
“Okay. A selfie?”
