“Are there any other secret rooms in this place?” I asked.
“Yes, there are two others. I don’t think I’ll tell you where they are, though. One is for Shana when she’s ready for it. The other one is for you both, eventually. You’ll find it when the timing is right.”
“This is so weird,” I tittered.
“You need to tell her everything, Charlie. It’s time,” Mareile said before she turned, walking through the wall. I stared for long moments. I hoped that I would meet her someday, but I never thought it would be like this.
I scrubbed my face, trying to come to terms with the fact that my nearly two-decade long obsession with this house was likely partially due tomagic. I had no idea how I was going to have this conversation with Shana without her running, but I had a Goddess and a ghost telling me that I needed to trust the process.
I stood up, grabbed the letter off the desk, and went to find my love.
CHAPTER 10: SHANA
I stepped out onto the porch, snorting at Beau’s antics as he played in the snow. Taking a drag off my cigarette, I contemplated how much to tell Charlie. The truth was, I found my wings when I was traveling. I found myself, and the confidence that Charlie gave me when I was younger taught me how to be resilient in the competitive photography atmosphere. I didn’t think that we would’ve lasted had she not cut contact all those years ago.
“Hey,” she said as she closed the door behind her.
“Hi,gioia,” I replied, and she took the cigarette out of my hand to take a puff.
“I haven’t had one of these in years,” she said as she exhaled.
“I don’t smoke often anymore. It seemed like something to do while Beau was doing his business.”
“Yeah, you’re going to be out here for a minute. Thanks for taking him.” Wrapping an arm around me, she pulled me close.
We shared the remainder of the cig in silence, and as Beau made his way back up to the porch, Charlie opened the door and let him in. She grabbed my hand before I could follow him in and closed the door.
I scrunched my brows, and she kissed my temple before leading me down into the snow. I shrieked as it got in my boot, and she laughed before bending down to give me a piggyback ride.
I hopped on, unsure where we were going. She led me into the glen behind the house. The snow was already several inches deep, and I feared we were going to slide down the hill. It would be fun tomorrow to go sledding since there wasn’t a chance we were leaving, but tonight, I wasn’t prepared.
“Why are we here?” I asked as she sat me down.
Her breath came out in a plume as she sighed. “It’s time I tell you what happened all those years ago.”
“Okay,” I drew out, stiffening. I wasn’t sure why she was choosing now. I knew this would change everything.
“Eighteen years ago, I was attacked right where we’re standing. I came here to set up a surprise for you, but—" She choked back a sob, locking her hands behind her head as she let the snow fall directly on her face, trying to compose herself. She was beautiful, even in her grief.
I wanted to go to her, to wrap her up in my arms. There was a single lamppost a couple hundred feet back, so all I could make out was her silhouette. Instead, I stayed where I was, remaining quiet to give her a chance to gather her thoughts.
“I thought I’d been left for dead. At the time, there was no cell service up here, and no one knew I was here. I thought I was never going to see you again.”
“Oh my god, Charlie.” I took a step forward, but she put her hand out, keeping me where I was.
“We were supposed to meet so I could take you to the airport. I was going to bring you here first for a small wedding ceremony, just you and me. So you’d know that I meant it when I said I supported your dreams,” she almost whispered into the quiet the snow provided.
“Instead, I woke up days later in an unfamiliar place, ravenous. I was told that I wasn’t safe to be around. I spent many years trying to recover and relearn how to live.”
“Why wasn’t I made aware of this?” I asked. “I would have come home. You left me out of the loop. I grieved you, Charlie.”
Even with the low lighting, I saw her flinch. “This is where I need you to understand that what I’m about to tell you is going to sound like I’m telling stories.” she sighed.
“Telling—what?” I was so confused.
“Before I finish this story, I need you to know that I never stopped loving you. I bought this house because I needed to be close to the memory of you. I don’t want you to say anything yet. I never wanted to leave. I hoped if I bought this place, you’d just come home. I didn’t expect it, but I hoped it,” she took a breath. “I want this. Us.”
“I want that too,” I said under my breath. I wanted to go to her, but I stayed where I was.
