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Maddox jumped up from our spot behind the couch and yelled, “Congratalations!”
Rex yowled as if trying to harmonize, then started running around.
“Congratulations,” Savannah corrected. “Congratulations,” she said more slowly.
Maddox nodded, his expression solemn as he tried to soak in every syllable. Elle would be home any moment, and we’d been planning this surprise for a while. Well, Savannah and I had. We hadn’t told Maddox until about thirty minutes ago because he was terrible at keeping secrets.
I glanced around the living room at the decorations. There were colorful streamers and matching balloons. Plus, a handmade sign colored by the kids. I hoped Elle would like it.
Rex trotted toward the back door, and I heard the click of a key in a lock. “Everybody hide,” I whispered, ushering the kids back into position.
The door opened and I heard the rustle of a paper bag, and then a moment later, I nodded and mouthed, “Go!”
“Congratulations!” we cheered, jumping out from behind the couch.
Elle took a step back and held a hand to her chest, her smile widening as the shock wore off. “What’s all this?”
She kicked off her shoes, shoving her phone into the back pocket of her shorts. Denim. Distressed. Short. I imagined stripping her out of them. Tugging down the thin straps of her tank top much like I had last night.
And the night before. And every chance I got.
I was ravenous when it came to Elle. Reckless, even. Leaving work in the middle of the day to have sex with her while the kids were at camp. Sneaking around after they went to bed. Touching each other every chance we got.
Maddox hopped over to her. “We heard you gradumated.”
I coughed to hide my laugh at Maddox’s latest iteration of graduated. Elle glanced at me over his head, biting back her own laugh. Her purple hair was in two space buns, as I’d learned they were called. And her violet eyes sparkled along with her purple eye shadow.
Savannah sighed. “Graduated. And congratulations, Auntie Ellie!”
“Thanks!” Elle beamed. “I love the banner. Did you help with that?”
Savannah puffed up her chest, and then Maddox jumped up and down. “Me too. Me too.”
I laughed at their antics, and Elle laughed alongside me. I ached to place my hand on her back. My lips on her cheek. It was hard to resist touching her when she was so close. Especially when I knew there would soon be 5,500 miles between us.
5,500 miles. Holy shit.
But that had been the plan all along. She’d live here while she finished her degree and got the final approval to join the JET Program.
And yet, now that she’d graduated, it was starting to feel more real. If anything, time seemed to be speeding up, not slowing down.
I was happy for Elle and so incredibly proud of her. I knew how much the JET Program meant to her. I’d seen how hard she’d worked to graduate and proceed with the program despite the obstacles she’d faced.
But I wasn’t ready for her to go. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready.
Since she’d been here, so much had changed. The house was filled with light and joy again. The children laughed. I was laughing more.
The garden was blooming. The kids were flourishing. And I was no longer surviving, but thriving. All thanks to Elle.
Maddox came over to me, whispering so loudly the neighbors two streets away probably heard. “Can Ellie open her present now?”
I grinned and nodded, and he ran over to the table to grab the package. “Here, Ellie,” he said, handing it to her.
“What’s this?” She smiled at the gift, excited just as I’d hoped. Elle loved surprises, and I delighted in surprising her—both in and out of the bedroom.
She removed the tissue paper and smiled when she discovered the small box.
“Aren’t you so excited?” Savannah asked, bouncing on her toes.
