The end.
EPILOGUE PART ONE
THREE YEARS LATER
My arse is killing me as I shift side to side in search of comfort on this damned plastic chair. I should’ve taken Elijah up on his offer to bring me a seat cushion, but that seemed a little extra, even for him.
My scalp is sweating, the arseholes beside me pressed too close for my comfort, and my feet already ache from these strappy heels Letty insisted I wear. I continue to tap my foot, only vaguely aware of the names being called, not paying attention until they get to the nineteenth letter of the alphabet.
Our programme director, Shannon Delgado, calls the name I know should be just before mine. I stand on unsteady legs,shuffling around my peers and joining the line at the side of the stage.
This is it.I really made it here. Despite everything that stood in my way, I’ve accomplished everything I’ve set out to so far, and it feels damn good to know I have enough time to add more to the list.
“Adhira Shah,” Shannon announces. The crowd erupts in cheers as I hobble up the three small, slippery wooden steps to the centre stage. One of my professors helps me into my white coat before I make my way to Shannon, shaking her hand and collecting my diploma.
We turn towards the crowd, posing for a picture. Cameras flash in my periphery, and as I make my way down the steps, it’s Elijah who reaches out to take my hand, helping me the rest of the way down.
“You’re incredible. My favourite person,” he whispers, tugging me into his side.
“And don’t you forget it,” I reply with a wink.
“I could never,” he says. “Now, I know you don’t care to stay for the rest of this, so everyone else is already outside, ready with the getaway cars.” He chuckles.
“My hero,” I say, feigning a swoon, the back of my hand pressed to my forehead.
“You’ve got a special visitor too,” he tells me, silently pushing the back door of the auditorium open so we can slip outside.
My brow crinkles, a chill racing through me as we’re met with the full force of the autumnal night. The words resting on the tip of my tongue never make it out as I lift my gaze to a familiar face standing before me, surrounded by my friends, parents, Elijah’s sisters, Mum, and her new husband, Coach Auclair.
“Callum?” I ask, leaving Elijah’s side for the man whose face so closely resembles my old friend.
“Congratulations,” he says, his dark beard grown out, grey hairs weaving through thick brows. “Grandad left me with another letter for you. Said I had to deliver it on the day of your graduation.”
Memories of Archie flood my mind, all the times he distracted me from my own pain, made me laugh, and taught me things far beyond what I could comprehend at the time, but that have benefited me in the years since. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought of him. But where there was once sadness, there is now nothing but gratitude.
“Th-thank you for coming,” I say, at a loss for words as he hands me the bent white envelope.
“He wouldn’t have had it any other way. I assure you, if I’d tried to mail it, he’d have found some way to haunt me,” Callum says with a grin.
“Oh, definitely,” I agree.
“Open it!” Chelsea demands, her eavesdropping knowing no bounds.
“I’m getting to it,” I huff, my fingers fumbling with the edge. I find three small photos and a sheet of lined paper inside.
Dearest Lass,
You did it.
Not that I ever doubted you, but I know you were doubting yourself, which is why it’s so important to me that you know how unbelievably proud I am of you. You’re going to change the world one day with that massive heart of yours, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have known you.
Now, hand this over to the big man, Elijah. I know he’s there, lass.
Tears prick my eyes as I look up at Elijah. He’s already reading over my shoulder, one arm draped around me, holding me impossibly close. We read the last lines together, and any shred of frustration I’d been holding onto that Archie couldn’t physically be here with me melts away, those wounds finally healed over after all these years.
Elijah,
You did good. Don’t ask how I know, I just do. I know you’ve spent every day making her feel special, supported, and so very loved. I know the way you look at her could fuel her for a lifetime. And I know that when you fall asleep each night with her in your arms, it’s the most content either of you will ever be.
