“She’s tough.Strong.The best damn thing that ever happened to me, and I feel like I lost her.”
“Then win her back.”
“How?”
“Marry her, not because of pity, but because you love her.Plain and simple.”
The words sat like lead in my chest, and not because they scared me.It was the opposite.They felt right.
I wasted ten years thinking I was protecting Rose from disappointment, from heartbreak, from becoming my parents.
Sitting here in my childhood home, the ghosts of the past breathing down my neck, I finally saw the truth.
I wasn’t afraid of marriage.
I was afraid of losing her if I did it wrong.And for the first time, the idea of Rose in a white dress, rings, flowers, standing in front of our family and friends, declaring our love… The idea of forever didn’t feel like a ticking time bomb to disaster.
It felt like something I needed to fight for.
Five days had come and gone since Wyatt flew to his mother’s house.He called me when he landed as he promised, but he was getting into an Uber and couldn’t chat.He’d texted me every day to check on me and make sure I was doing all the things the doctor recommended, but whenever I tried to probe, he’d tell me he was in the middle of something, and he’d talk to me later.
He had called Laurent, though, to let him know he’d be back in the office on Monday, so at least I knew when he’d be in town.I just didn’t know if he’d come home or if he’d be at Ben’s place.
I sat in the chair Char brought for me and glanced around the parade route.We had snagged front row along Main Street in front ofEspresso Yourself.The smell of coffee kept drifting out every time someone opened the door.With the anti-nausea meds, changing my diet, and making sure to stay hydrated, I wasn’t puking nearly as much.I even managed a whole day without running to the nearest bathroom.
Char had gone to look for Brady, who had brought his dad to march with the other vets.Char had been a bag of nerves, afraid Brady’s dad would wander off and get lost or lash out at someone.While his meds were slowing down the progression of his Alzheimer's, damage had already been done, and Char didn’t know if he was having a good day or a bad day.
She didn’t want to leave me, but honestly, I couldn’t get her to go fast enough.
“Hey, kid,” Laurent said, resting his hand on my shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.He sat down on the curb beside my chair.“How you holding up?”
“I’m holding.”
“You know if you need anything…”
“I know.”Laurent wasn’t just my big brother; he had always been my protector, the one I could go to for anything, and he was going to be a fantastic uncle to my child.“What are you doing here, anyway?I can’t remember the last time I’d seen you at the Labor Day parade or any parade for that matter.”
“Phoebe is in charge of the float for the resort.I’m here for moral support.”
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.”
I smiled, grateful he and Phoebe had found their way back to each other.It was nice to see Laurent happy.
“Have you heard from Wy?”he asked, his tone shifting even more serious.
I shook my head.“I mean.He texted this morning to make sure I took my medication and to make sure I’m hydrating.Other than that.No.”
“He’ll come around.He just needs time.”
“This is all my fault.”
“Don’t be ridiculous; it’s not.”
“It is.I got caught up in the glitz and glam of marriage, and I was too blinded by what everyone else had to see what I already had.Wyatt is a good guy.”
“He’s a bit awkward and gangly, but yeah, he’s good.Great, actually.”
