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“Your life gave you the ultimate test and you passed,” she explained. “We’ll still have to meet biannually to discuss your medication. But you don’t need to see me every week.”
“I’ll miss you,” I said seriously. Mrs. Tupp had cared for me back when no one did.
“Well now that you’re not my patient, you’ll have to come over for Sunday dinners,” Mrs. Tupp said with a wink.
“Lydia would love that. And so would I.” I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Even becoming CEO did not compare to the feeling of graduating therapy.
I stood up and started heading out. “See you at the Christmas party,” I said.
“See you Taylor. Go and be happy,” she said. It was cheesy, but I had to leave quickly to wipe the growing tears in the corner of my eyes.
***
I got home and locked the door behind me and took off my shoes. Soon Lydia arrived, throwing her arms around me in a deep hug. I breathed her in, she always smelled a little like honey.She pressed her face to my chest.
“How was it?” She asked, looking up at me slightly.
“I graduated.” As soon as I said it her eyes went wide.
“Really?” She pulled away and spun me around, I let her because I felt the joy too.
“I’m done.” I confirmed.
She stopped spinning us. “How do you feel about it?”
“Happy.” It was the honest truth. “How’ve you been today?”
“I’ve been setting up decorations. But I’m glad you’re back to help me.” She frowned and patted her stomach. “I’m starting to get a little queasy.”
“That’ll be the pregnancy.” I smiled.
“So, I’m going to take a seat and watch your big strong arms hang up the wreaths,” she said playfully.
“Do you want me to do it shirtless?” I asked, teasing back.
“Don’t tempt me,” She got closer. She moved back and brightened up. “Come on, I’ll show you what I’ve done.”
She pulled me into the other room, and I followed behind with an easy smile on my face.
Two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I would ever get to this point. I never thought I could finish therapy. I never thought I could stand up to Hana. I never thought I’d find someone who would love me after knowing how deeply I was hurt. I never thought I’d ever have a happy family.
“Your dad called,” Lydia said looking back at me. “He wants to know how much wine he should bring?”
“As much as he wants,” I said.
I also never thought my dad would ever be in my life again. It was because of Lydia. Lydia was the spark. She helped unbury all the feelings and desires inside of me. She heard my pain and instead of leaving or being disgusted, she helped me find solutions. I would never be able to fully repay her for what she’d done for me. I would just have to spend the rest of my life loving her.
Chapter 19
Lydia
When I first stepped into Taylor Hirano’s Victorian style manor, I noticed immediately how empty it was by the way my every footstep echoed around me. I wouldn’t have recognized the place back then if I walked into it now. The large windows each had a wreath hanging from it filling the air with the smell of pine that mixed deliciously with the smell of the gingerbread Taylor had spent the whole morning baking. I stole one off the still hot tray earlier and it tasted amazing. It was worth it, even though Taylor had playfully scolded me for having some before the party. I settled for tasting the gingerbread off of his mouth while he worked.
In the largest room, where we planned to hold most of the party, was what I was most proud of. In the center was the Christmas tree. I insisted on a real one. I hadn’t had a real Christmas tree since I was a kid, but it was tradition for the Maxwell’s. The tree Taylor and I picked out towered over the room. We had to use a ladder to spin the tinsel around it and get the star on top. The white string lights added a subtle glow to the whole tree. We didn’t have a lot of ornaments yet, but I hoped to collect more during the many Christmases to come.
As I did my last-minute check to make sure everything looked right, an instinct I’d gotten from countless fashion shows. I noticed the box Taylor had set under the tree yesterday. Both of our gifts for our friends we wrapped together but this one I had never seen before. It was addressed to me and I longed to open it up. My gift to Taylor was coming later that night, once everyone had gone home and the lights were low. I blushed at my thoughts. I had given him his real gift a few days earlier; it was another suit that he was wearing to the party that night. I couldn’t help but give it to him early.
My thoughts of what he got me disappeared once I heard the doorbell ring. I ran to the front door and opened it wide.
