ONE YEAR LATER
He holds her hand as she leads them through the manicured field, stopping under a large oak tree. The breeze is gentle, a cool wind against her face, as she looks down at the graves.“I haven’t been here in years,” she murmurs, turning back to look at Erik.
He squeezes her hand in reassurance. “I’m proud of you,” he whispers.
She glances at him, his dark eyes gentle. His hair has grown out, falling almost to his shoulders, and his stubble has turned to a full beard.
He doesn’t look at all like the face they show on television.
Just like she doesn’t look like Ellie Winters.
If anyone asks, they’re Audrey and Nathan Wilson, newlyweds visiting from Canada. They live in a quiet town near the border, where Nathan works in IT and Audrey is a stay-at-home wife.
Just a normal couple, like any other.
She can sense the pride Erik has for her, proud that she’s found the courage to face her ghosts once again.
“My mom would have liked you,” she says suddenly. “But I think my sister would have tried to beat you up.”
He chuckles. “I would deserve it, no doubt.”
She quietly observes their graves, grief and longing washing over her.
This is the second phase of their trip.
The first part was stopping to see Cassandra and placing a small bouquet next to her tombstone.
Now, they do the same here; her holding one for her mother, Erik placing one down for her sister.
No one missed Ronald Dennis. They barely mentioned his death in his town’s local paper, and only referred to it as a tragic accident.
Apparently, he started a fire in his drunken state, and couldn’t make it out in time.
She’s free. None of it was pinned on her.
Yet, she chooses to live on the run with Erik, and he does his best to make it up to her.
But the ring on her finger is enough.
Being with him is enough.
Watching him place flowers at his sister’s grave is more than enough.
Only Lita knows part of the truth.
I fell in love, she told her. I’m safe. Will visit eventually.
Erik squeezes her hand, bringing her back to the present.
“I love you,” he tells her quietly. “I wish I could take this pain away from you.”
She squeezes his hand back. “You do,” she says softly. “Just by being here with me.”
He holds her tighter, her soul singing with his, as she reflects on her past.
Everything in her life has led to this moment, where she allows herself to love and be loved. She can finally face her ghosts without fear, with her mate by her side.
She’s worthy of being loved. She deserves love.
They’re two broken people, but together, they heal.
