Nobody in our group has lived a perfect life. Curveballs were thrown our way; tears flew down our faces faster than rain. We had to keep climbing up hills that turned into mountains.
But that’s the thing about living perfectly imperfect lives: the peace and happiness at the end is so much sweeter.
“Just one puzzle piece is missing,” Levi declares, settling behind where Amelia sits. He cuddles forward into her body.
We all pause.
Looking over my shoulder to see what he’s looking at, I find nothing.
When I turn forward, he stares intensely at me. “It’s you.”
“Levi, I love you like a brother, but that could quickly become hate if you’re going after my girl,” Elijah says, being anything but serious.
Dumbfounded, he gapes at my boyfriend before cringing. “Who let him come out here? Okay, okay,” he pleads whenAmelia jabs her elbow into his ribs. “As I was trying to say before I got interrupted, when the tour is over, that leaves Stella without a teacher.”
My breathing halts.
“Unfortunately, she can never attend traditional in-person school, but she did have an amazing teacher this past year. Someone she’s very sad to part ways with.”
“What are you saying?” Elijah says on my behalf, speaking words I can’t find at the moment.
“Stella and I would love it if you continued to teach her for the foreseeable future. You went beyond my expectations, and seeing how patient you were and how safe she felt with you is rare. I would be an idiot to let an amazing teacher like you go.”
All the air that was knocked out of my lungs the day I got fired is blasted up my nose and down into the rest of my body.
Hallelujah.
“Do you really mean that?” My voice cracks. Swallowing tightly, I glance over at the little girl who resembles more of the golden sunset happening in front of us than a human.
The gap in her giddy smile makes my heart clench. Dropping her supplies, she sprints to me, sending sand all over her brother before landing on my lap. I let out anoofbut welcome the pain in my ribs, and then I spot a small tear trickling down Amelia’s face.
“I’m dead serious,” Levi declares.
Stella leans up with her face only inches away from my own, and a small, bubbly laugh escapes me.
“Of course! It would be my honor!”
Throwing her little arms in the air, she launches her body at me and holds on so tight that I won’t even care if she never lets go. “Thank you, Miss Papas!”
“Thank you,” I reply but direct it toward her big brother.
Casually but with intent, he motions to his sister. “Don’t thank me. We are the ones that have the thanking to do.”
The familiar scent of Elijah envelops me.
Holding me in his arms from behind, he plants a gentle kiss on my temple. “You can breathe now.”
“So can you, Mr. It’s All My Fault,” I tease, looking over my shoulder and brushing a lingering kiss on his awaiting lips.
“You know what this means?” he whispers with his eyes closed.
I ask against his mouth, “What?”
“You’re officially stuck with all of us.” The smirk in his voice makes me chuckle.
“I was already stuck with you,” I point out, and the only response I get back is his eyes dilating.
Pouring our favorite sparkling lemon juice into plastic glasses, we clink our cups. The cheers feel somewhat sad—like an era is closing, and soon, nothing will be left to hang on to.
