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“Gorgeous, I’m pretty damn sure I’ve loved you since I met you,” I say.
A shy smile slowly creeps onto her beautiful face, causing her freckles to wrinkle.
Without any hesitation, I kiss her. I kiss the woman I love and I don’t stop for a really long time.
Epilogue - Aubrey- The First Day of Summer
SayinggoodbyetoTaylorwas harder than I thought it would be. I’ve never had real friends before. I’ve had the people I grew up with from church, but I think even from a young age I knew they weren’t really my friends. I knew they wouldn’t be in my life for long. The friends I have now, Taylor included, are what true friends are. They’re the kind of people I’ll share all of my biggest moments with. That’s why, even though I know Taylor will only be gone for the summer, it was hard to say goodbye.
I think part of it has to do with losing Bea. Bea was my first friend. My first lifeline outside the church and my parents. She went away on a trip and never made it back. I can’t even remember the last thing I said to her. I never once thought that not seeing her for a week would turn into not ever seeing her again.
We all saw Taylor off at the airport. She didn’t want us making a big fuss, but we did anyway. Jesse was the last to hug her goodbye and when he tucked a folded up piece of paper into her back pocket and whispered in her ear, she let one single tear drop down her face. In perfect, strong Taylor fashion, she swatted it away quickly before smiling broadly and heading toward her boarding gate.
We all went our separate ways after the airport. Now, Emmett and I are headed to the hospital. He’s getting the results of his latest scans. I’ve been a nervous wreck all week waiting for his results. I’ve tried to be a supportive and reassuring girlfriend. Reminding him that even if he doesn’t get the good news we’re hoping for, nothing changes.
Plus, I remind him he has me with him this time.
Emmett squeezes my hand as the doctor comes into the room and I squeeze back.
“Emmett, congratulations. You’re cancer free,” he says before even sitting down.
That’s it. There it is.
The big news we’ve been hoping and wishing for is really here. I can’t control my reaction. Tears start gently rolling down my cheeks.
“Fuck yeah,” Emmett practically shouts and I swat him with the back of my hand. “Sorry, gorgeous. Heck yeah!”
I’ve gotten used to things that are considered normal outside of the life I grew up in, like cursing, but the F word is still one that elicits a reaction from me.
“You know what?” I say, turning to Emmett, “You’re right. Fuck yeah.”
Emmett smiles and pulls my face closer, kissing me. The kiss goes on too long and Doctor Anderson clears his throat.
“Sorry, Doc,” Emmett says sheepishly but winks at me.
Doctor Anderson goes over all the details of his scans. Emmett is currently cancer free but that doesn’t mean his cancer journey is over. He’ll still have to deal with regular check ups to make sure the bastard doesn’t return. We leave the hospital smiling, laughing, and celebrating.
“What are the chances Taylor will let us visit her in Europe this summer?” I ask on the drive home.
Emmett doesn’t answer and gives me a solemn look.
“What? What is it? She’s coming back, right?” I say in a panic.
“Yes. At least, I think she is.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“You have to promise not to say anything to anyone, but Taylor and I had a kinda weird conversation the other day,” Emmett says, glancing briefly between the road and me.
“Weird how?”
He’s making me nervous. Taylor and I have gotten pretty close so I’m a little surprised she’d talk to Emmett about something important and not me.
“She said some things about not being happy and I’m a little worried she might love it over there and not want to come back.”
I mull this idea over. Taylor traveled a lot when she was younger because of her dad’s job, so maybe she’s just been in one place for too long. Maybe the summer away will be enough and she’ll be happy to come back when school starts in the fall.
“Has Jesse said anything?” I ask.
