His father’s resistance isn’t due to the technology. It’s because he wants Anders to stop messing around with trivial stuff like making games and come home to take over the family legacy. It’s hard for patriarchs to let go and allow a younger generation to find a way of their own, especially if it’s vastly different to the one they chose.
I’m sure Anders will face the same problem as he ages and his children start to forge their own paths. What if none of them want Cerium? I make a mental note for myself because, yes, I’m thinking of a future with him. I’m thinking of our home and our happiness, and our children.
“He’ll come around,” I say. He’ll have to, because Anders’s life is elsewhere.
I no longer doubt Anders will come back to us, that I’m not enough to hold him, not enough for him to love. Because he chose me.
I thought that initial proposal was trite, a whim. I didn’t understand then what I do now. Anders meant every word. He had legitimately considered every single person in the world, with both his headandhis heart, and picked me.
That’s an incredible gift.
“Yeah, but he’ll fight every millimetre.”
“Listen to you, getting all British,” I tease. “Now go and get some sleep.”
“One more thing. Mom wants to know if you and Effie can come for Thanksgiving?”
Anders told his parents about us a couple of days after Effie caught him sneaking out. They’re obviously keen to meet us.“Probably not,” I tell him. Effie is in school and it isn’t a holiday in England. “But don’t worry about all that. Focus on this: it’s been a good day.”
“It’s been agreatday,” he corrects me. “And we wouldn’t have been here without you.”
He could say that about everyone in Cerium but I let it slide. “Sleep,” I reiterate.
“Tell Effie I miss her. I’ll call later to wish her a happy birthday. Goodnight, Cora.”
Then he signs off as he always does. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
END
