Page 218 of True Blue

Lorraine heads down the hallway to the exit while I send Phoebe a quick text to let her know how everything has gone.

Teddy texts his sisters to let them know. I chuckle, thinking about the texts Teddy showed me from them after he told them their mother had been arrested.

Danielle

Stephanie

AND NO ONE WAS RECORDING?!?!

We could have gone viral again!

That’s when it finally sinks in for me.

It’s over.

Like closing a very terrible book that you are so happy to return to the library because it pissed you off that much.

The storm cloud that is Dawn Williams can no longer hover over every good thing Teddy and I build. There will still be legal steps. Teddy will file for the restraining order. Officer Dash already explained that we can head back to Jersey as soon as we’re ready and we can call in for virtual court when it’s time.

Teddy looks down at me now, his expression soft.

“You ready to go home, baby?”

Sighing and feeling the last bit of tension fall from my body, I close my eyes and think of home. Then open them when I realize that I already am home.

But our house—our beautiful Cape May house—is calling me.

“Yes, please.”

Teddy places a soft kiss on my lips before wrapping an arm around my waist and guiding us out of the cancer center. For the last time.

Our hotel is a bit of a walk, but I think we both need it to bleed out some of this adrenaline. And it’s a beautiful, very early spring night. The air feels cool on my heated cheeks, and I can feel the anxiety falling away from me with each step.

“You want to stop and get food, or do you want to order room service?”

“Ooh, I want those French fries again,” I chirp, already picturing them. Even when my stomach was twisting yesterday, I could appreciate how good they were. Now I can actually enjoy them without feeling like I might vomit from anxiety.

“You and french fries,” Teddy teases, fingers wiggling into my waist and making me laugh. “One day, you’re going to turn into a french fry.”

“Hey, I can’t have pasta, so let me enjoy my deep-fried potatoes. They’re all I have,” I lean my head against his shoulder. “Did you know potatoes were the first vegetables grown in space?”

“I did not know that,” Teddy says, smiling into my hair. “What else have you read about potatoes, my brilliant girl?”

“That mashed potatoes should be a food group in itself,” I hum, making Teddy chuckle. “Especially Nana’s.”

“I think Stephanie has her recipe box in Arizona.”

My eyes widen. “Please tell me she’ll share.”

“With you?” Teddy grins, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Definitely.”

Cuddling into his side, I take a deep breath and slowly let it out.

“I can’t believe it’s over.”

Teddy hums. “I like to think it’s just a new beginning.”

“That’s a very Ellie thing to say,” I observe, smiling at him.