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For the first time in my life, I'm happy and settled in a way I've never felt before.
It's still early days, but I'm hopeful that things will only get better from here. In this town, Lexie won't be hampered by her designation in the same way she would be somewhere else. Here, she'll have more choices.
My book club with Ryder and Hendrix is still going and still fun and I've even had a few fascinating conversations with Aurora about her work. She's always at the library, either helping out Oliver or just tucked into a corner with a stack of books and her computer.
Before I know it, we've lived here for two months and I've built the start of a support system.
The regrets and pain from my past haven't disappeared, but I'm finally able to find some distance from it, where it's not so constantly on my mind, haunting me. The worries and fears chasing me, keeping me on the move are beginning to fade and the future doesn't seem so dim or difficult.
It seems full of hope and light.
Sundays have become our favorite day, spent at book club and then on to the library to get more books. Thankfully, there are story-times on Sundays too, not just Saturdays, so I'm still able to keep the shop open on Saturdays since it's the most popular day for people to schedule parties or bring their kids in to get creative and play with different art.
My heart is light as I walk to the school from the studio after deciding to just close for the rest of the day so I can take Lexie out for a surprise dinner before she heads to basketball practice.
The days are getting shorter and air cooler, but right now the sun is bright and warm, cutting some of the chill, making it a lovely day for a walk.
Neverwhere is such a walkable town, at least in the more historic areas, leaving it easier to travel as a pedestrian than bother taking out the car. I smile and nod, returning greetings to the people on the street I'm already getting to know and recognize.
Living here is like something out of a TV show, something I once believed pure fiction, not something found in real life.
The assistant at the front desk buzzes me in, smiling at me. "Hey there, Moira."
I smile back. “Hey, Jake. How are you doing this afternoon?"
He shakes his head with a heavy sigh. “Ready for Friday."
My brows jump and my lip curls in a wry smirk. “It's only Tuesday."
He huffs. “It's been that kind of week."
"Kids running you ragged?” I ask, grimacing at him sympathetically.
Jake snorts. “Nope. The principal."
"Ah. Right."
That fucker.
The principal is actually the one fly in the ointment of this town. He's the stereotypical alpha, ruling over his little kingdom of teachers and children. Ryder has spilled the tea on some of it and the guy definitely isn't meant for this job.
It's so bad even Jake isn't afraid to let his real feelings for the situation show.
It's the only school in town too, so it's not like I could move Lexie out of there.
Frankly, I think Ryder would make an excellent principal and should go for the job next year once he's no longer teaching Lexie. He's got the dominant personality without it becoming overpowering like it is with an alpha. And if he can wrangle five-year-olds with a perfect mixture of patience and firmness, along with their very opinionated parents, he can easily handle running the entire school.
"Hopefully the rest of the week goes by fast for you."
Jake sighs again. “Me too. I have fun plans to finally make it out to your studio this weekend so I have something to look forward to."
"Oh great! Do you know what you want to do?"
I’m always so excited to hear from people planning to come in.
He runs a hand through his blonde hair. “I want to glaze a couple coffee mugs. I have some holidays and birthdays I need gifts for, so I thought that would be perfect."
"Our mugs are a great gift. Thanks for wanting to come out and support the studio."
