And I survived that.
They survived as well. They were shocked and hurt that I’d kept it from them. But Sterling was right, they’re my parents and they forgave me. I could see in their eyes that what worried them the most wasn’t what I told them I’d done in the past, but what I wanted to do in the future. That I want to stay in New York with Sterling. But when they hugged me goodbye they told me how seeing me happy is all they care about, and that they’re proud of me. I cried as Dad shook Sterling’s hand and told him to ‘take care of my daughter’.
That one gesture told me all I need to know.
They’ll miss me, but they know I belong in New York.
Sterling’s already asked when they can come and visit. He thinks it will help them to see where I’m living and that I’m settled. And I’ll be flying back all the time to see them. And to visit Sophie. I managed a very brief lunch full of hugs and baby bump strokes before she had to go back into court, and Sterling and I needed to fly back.
But we all survived.
Maybe my business won’t. If it doesn’t then I’ll build it again, the same way I have done once already. We’ll make it work, just like Sterling promised.
This isn’t over.
“She’s going to come by later. I think she missed you,” Sterling says as he walks into the room, his gaze tracking over me, searching for signs of a meltdown. “Hallie?”
I give him a reassuring nod. “I’m okay.”
“You’re okay?” He raises one brow, and I hold my hand out to him, trying my best to smile.
“I will be. After I’ve recorded that video you suggested, and you’ve taken me to bed.”
“In that order?” His lips curl a fraction.
“Unless you want to record both?” I bite my lip, loving the way his eyes glitter.
He walks over slowly, sliding his hand into my outstretched one. He doesn’t comment on the slight tremble in my fingers. He knows me. He knows that the adrenaline of pushing through the hoard of press downstairs is wearing off and I’m starting to process all of this.
But I’m not scared anymore. I’m so nervous that the knots in my stomach won’t stop twisting. But I’m not scared.
“Let’s go and take care of your clients.” He pulls me to my feet and presses a lingering kiss to my lips. “Then I’ll take care of you.”
I run a finger along his jaw as I draw in a calming breath. “Let’s do this.”
It doesn’t take long for me to freshen up. And then I’m sitting, staring down the camera lens on Sterling’s laptop as he sits behind it, one hand cupping his jaw as he leans forward over his thighs and nods at me.
“Ready when you are. Deep breath.”
I do as he says, pausing for a moment before I begin.
“I’m making this video to explain the news you might have seen today. I can only apologize if you didn’t hear it from me first. That was never my intention. You’ve put your faith and trust in me, and I am so grateful.”
I take another breath, and Sterling nods at me.
“There are two things I need to share with you. So I’ll start with the one that happened first. And that was five years ago when I lost my sister. She’s the reason I started Cosmic Connections. No one believed in the magic of true love and the power of the universe more than Jenny. Bringing people together has always been my way of keeping her magic alive. But around the anniversary of her passing, I made a mistake.”
I swallow hard and glance at Sterling.
It’s okay, he mouths.
“I went to a chapel in Vegas, and I got married. And I don’t remember a single second of it. I didn’t marry a man I loved. None of our friends or family were there. It was the farthest thing from magic. It wasn’t who I am or what I believe in. It was just… wrong. It was annulled immediately. And that’s when I opened up my journal and started writing. I wrote a letter to Jenny and told her how much I missed her… And I asked her to help me.”
I reach up to swipe some tears away. Sterling listens intently, his eyes full of love and support. I haven’t told him this before, but the way he’s looking at me makes me want to run into his arms and never let go.
“I asked her not to be angry at me, not that she ever would. She was the sweetest person you’d ever meet. When I went to bed that night I dreamed of her. She told me not to lose faith. And then she passed me a handful of purple skittles.” I laugh and shake my head. “The next morning I started making plans for ways I could spread love around the world like she did. It began with a neighbor in my apartment building, and a man two floors below who always held the elevator whenever he saw her coming. And then…” I slump my shoulders as I smile. “… it grew.”
I take a moment to compose myself.
