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Charlotte felt full to the edges of herself. Because after all, there was a soul meant for her all along.

Smudged make-up blended with the freckles she’d grown to adore. Something gentle and certain settled within her. Forever was in her arms…

“What is it?” Ali asked, gaze full of adoration.

Charlotte breathed it all in, letting herself sink into coffee eyes.

“It’s just…”

Her thumbs caressed Ali’s cheeks, tracing over the dimples just peeking out. Charlotte closed what little distance remained, capturing Ali’s lips in a lingering kiss, pulling back once again to meet Ali’s curious stare. Blue eyes glittered with warmth as her smile turned dazzling.

“Welcome home, Lina.”

EPILOGUE

Three months, eight days, and seventeen hours. That was how much time passed since she left Boston.

Not that Ali counted or anything.

Try as she might, she couldn’t remember ever being this excited to return to a place. She waited (impatiently) as the older couple in front of her moseyed down the tunnel to the terminal. The second there was enough space, she squeezed past them and took off toward baggage claim, her backpack swinging and thudding against her back, sneakers squeaking against the floor.

Charlotte had flown with her to London, where they spent a few blissful days exploring the city before Ali locked herself away in her new temporary studio. There had been a very excited FaceTime call where Ali showed everyone the space that was to be hers for the next few months, larger than any space she’d gotten to call her own. Of course, Charlotte wanted to visit, but the residency rules were strict, and the only time Charlotte was allowed to see her was at the show.

The entire family flew in as a surprise to celebrate and support her. Ali had been too nervous to ask if anyone was coming, and surprisingly, no one spilled the beans. Ten minutes past the start time, when there still wasn’t a single familiar face in the crowd, she’d swallowed her disappointment and told herself it was fine, she’d see them when she got back.

Then, one by one, they all walked through the front doors, reducing her to tears.

Those three months had felt like an eternity. Alone again, even surrounded by people, the only place Ali wanted to be was back in Boston, with Charlotte and all the other people she cared about.

She and Charlotte were hardly able to say more than five words to each other as London’s art crowd demanded her attention. It wasn’t until they shared a cab to the hotel that Ali was finally able to bask in Charlotte’s presence. Truthfully, there hadn’t been much talking. After a few drinks with the family, Charlotte stole her away to her suite upstairs. The suite was lovely, though neither of them could claim they made much use of it beyond the foyer table, the arm of the sofa, the massive bed, the shower, and, in the morning, the balcony before Ali had to sneak back to her studio.

Seeing Charlotte after so long was a temporary balm to the ache of homesickness. A new feeling, one Ali was still learning to name. Charlotte and Boston were her home, and she couldn’t wait to be back.

According to the incoming texts lighting up her phone, the flight had been two minutes behind schedule. Ali sprinted, worried Charlotte might feel compelled to lecture flight control on the immorality of keeping her girlfriend from her for even one moment longer than necessary.

Her phone vibrated again, and she checked it while weaving through foot traffic.

My Moon

Today 11:37AM

It’s unacceptable.

Not to mention cruel.

Ali ducked into a restroom with a laugh, using the facilities, and making sure she looked presentable in record time. Her phone buzzed again.

There will be a reckoning if this isn’t rectified.

She spotted Charlotte the moment the baggage claim came into view. So tall with her silky hair spilling down her back. Ali called her name, and Charlotte craned her neck just in time to catch sight of a familiar splash of red hair weaving through the crowd.

A grin bloomed across Charlotte’s face as she opened her arms wide. Ali all but launched herself into them, knocking the breath from their lungs as Charlotte used her momentum to spin in a small, dizzying circle. Ali peppered kisses along her neck, her jaw, her cheeks, until she was caught between two hands and their mouths found each other.

Then came the hug. Long and tight, grounding Ali in the moment as they nestled together like two puzzle pieces finally whole again.

“You’re here,” Charlotte breathed.

Ali snuggled closer, breathing her in, soaking up the warmth she’d missed more than she could articulate. “I’m so glad to be back.”