The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller (34 page)

His eyes shine as he finishes his proposal. “And I guess what I’m asking is now that you’ve found your way
home
” he gives me a crooked smile, “would you like to continue this journey through life together, as my wife?”

He flips open the box and I cover my mouth.

Inside is a perfectly cut, round, canary diamond. It’s outlined with a single crescent shape filled with tiny clear diamonds of its own. I smile to myself, and my heart leaps at the thought of wearing a constant reminder of Kaeleb’s love.

I remain mesmerized by the sight as he says, “You have always been and will always be, my sunshine.”

“The sun and the moon,” I whisper in response, my eyes still trained on the ring.

“Naturally,” he responds, as murmurs and gasps fill the crowd around us.

My eyes land on his just as someone from the surrounding horde yells, “ANSWER HIM!”

A smile breaks across my face as I nod vigorously. “Yes!”

Rising up off his knee, Kaeleb whisks the ring out of the box. He takes my hand into his, leaning forward and brushing his lips against mine. “I love you, Bree.”

“I love you too, Kaeleb.” He pulls back and holds the ring in my direct line of sight, tilting it so I can see the inscription on the inside of the band.

Shine bright. Shine always.

I release a sob and once again face Kaeleb. My eyes latch onto his as I whisper back, “Always.”

He nods and slides the ring onto my finger before placing another kiss on my lips. The crowd hoots and hollers around us, causing us to break apart. My face reddens as I hurriedly take my seat across from Quinn. Kaeleb, however, bows to the crowd, eliciting an eruption of more cheers.

Quinn bounds off her seat, clapping. “You guys are getting married! I told you! I
knew
it!”

I roll my eyes and shake my head, then grin.

Yep.

That boy is all mine.

For the rest of our lives.

Thirty minutes later, after we’ve finished lunch, we all grab our backpacks and head to the parking lot. Passing through another horde gathered for some student function, Quinn leads the way as Kaeleb and I walk hand-in-hand behind her. I glance up to him, smiling widely. He grins back and leans into me, brushing his lips against my forehead.

We’re so lost in our bubble of love that we run right into the back of Quinn, who has stopped unexpectedly. “Quinn!” I laugh. “What’s wrong with you?”

Pulling Kaeleb behind me, I step beside her as a nasty, evil, malicious snicker rises above the murmurs of the crowd around us.

My eyes break away from Quinn, and I turn to see Sabrina standing there with a contorted leer on her face, eyeing us like she just stepped in dog shit. I narrow my eyes at her and can feel Kaeleb’s seething anger beating against the back of my neck.

“Oh. My. Gawd,” she begins, thrusting her huge purse over her shoulder while smacking her gum. “Look. It’s the
freak
and the
freak
lover, getting married,” she scoffs as her eyes land on my hand. “I can’t wait to see the monstrosities you spit out of your body,
Raven
. I’m sure you’ll have a household of freaks at your disposal.”

“It’s Aubrey,” I reply calmly. Kaeleb’s body tenses against the back of mine, so I reach behind me to keep him still.

“Whatever,
Aubrey
. A tiger can’t change its stripes, no matter how much dye it uses to cover them up. Once a freak, always a freak.”

And for the second time today, we find ourselves surrounded by a mass of curious people, most likely drawn by Sabrina’s threatening tone.

Quinn steps directly in front of us, placing her tiny body protectively in front of mine and Kaeleb’s. I try really hard not to smile, but I find it damn near impossible. Kaeleb doesn’t even bother as the warmth of his laughter hits the shell of my ear.

“Get the fuck out of here, Sabrina. No one wants to hear the hateful shit that comes out of your mouth,” Quinn spits. And just as Sabrina opens said mouth, Quinn’s voice strengthens and she yells, “Do you?” She gestures to the people around us. “Does ANYONE want to hear ANYTHING that she has to say?”

There’s a collective “no” amongst the herd. Someone adds, “Yeah, you’re a bitch!” while another person throws in, “Go away, Sabrina!” just before a squeaky, timid voice from the back somewhere shouts, “You’re an awful person!”

That one makes me smile.

Quinn looks around and a grin crosses her face in appreciation for the comments. Sabrina, however, winces with each one as her face blushes beet red.

But Quinn’s not done yet.

“Where’s Josh? Oooooh! That’s right. He’s with Candace now. They’re engaged, yes?” Quinn asks as her face falls serious. “Sucks, doesn’t it? That explains why you no longer have any friends.” She glances back at me and Kaeleb. “Well, I
do
. I’ve been waiting
four
long years for this day and I refuse to let you ruin it for me.” She pauses. “Or for
them
. Sorry guys.” She throws over her shoulder in a low, apologetic tone.

“It’s okay,” I yell-whisper back to her.

She looks back to Sabrina. “So, go. Get out of here. No one wants you here,” Quinn adds, shooing her away with her hands. The crowd erupts with clapping and cheering when Sabrina hesitantly turns away, clearly embarrassed as she trudges her way down the sidewalk.

The smile finally breaks free from my reins as I relax my body into Kaeleb’s. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, his body shaking with laughter. “Damn. Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better.”

“Right?” I respond as his lips find my ear.

Quinn turns around with a beaming smile, clapping as she bounces up and down. “That was so
awesome
!”

I laugh. “Hell yeah, it was!”

I extend my arms and she rushes into them. Kaeleb releases me and steps to my side, ruffling her hair. “Damn, girl. Remind me not to piss you off.”

She giggles in my arms and I release her, tightening my gaze in confusion. “How did you know all of that stuff about Josh and Candace?”

She answers with a shrug of her shoulders. “My therapist told me I needed to work on letting go of what happened. So one day I called Josh and he apologized. Like, a
sincere
apology. I could tell.” She lifts her eyebrows and nods her head as though trying to convince me, but I have no doubt it was.

Sabrina is a virus, feeding off of people and infecting them with her evil as she manipulates their minds in the process. Not that I will ever condone what happened with Josh, but if his apology was enough for Quinn, it’s enough for me.

“It only took a week or so after what happened at the club for her to turn that maliciousness on to both him and Candace. I guess with me out of the picture, she had to find some other people to attack.” She sighs. “He broke it off with her shortly after, and even tried to get in contact with me to tell me how sorry he was. He’s not a bad person, and evidently, neither is Candace.”

She shrugs her shoulders and releases a long breath. “It’s no surprise to me that Sabrina bullied them into doing things that weren’t really indicative of who they are as people. Because a bully is all she is. All she ever will be. It’s sad really, when you think about it,” Quinn states sincerely with a sad smile on her face.

Leave it to Quinn to be able to forgive like that. Another reason why she is an amazing person.

“I let go of that a long time ago. But there was no way I was going to let her ruin today. For
any
of us,” she adds with a giggle before glancing down at my hand and reaching for it. “Speaking of which…let me see that ring again!”

I lift my hand and she
oohs
and
aahs
appropriately. My eyes land on Kaeleb, and his sexy, confident half-smile makes my chest flutter like crazy.

As soon as my heart takes flight, the clouds break and the first appearance of the sun in over a week can be felt as the heat of its rays bounce off my back.

Coincidence? I think not.

I turn away from him and shield my eyes, looking up into the single beam as it covers us. Absorbing its warmth, I feel the love of Linda as she sends me her message of approval. I allow her essence to flood me, knowing she’s happy now and that she will always remain ever-present as she guides me through this life.

Kaeleb gives me credit for pulling my way out of the darkness, but as I feel her permeate my being, I know she was always right behind me, in both life and death, pushing with all her might until I found my way.

Until I navigated my way right to this very moment.

And as I drop my hand from my face, I give her a silent
thank you
before twisting my body to face Kaeleb. With his eyes gentle, full of adoration and caring, I know without a doubt that she’s helped steer me right where I need to be.

Home.

Palmer: So, you gearing up for graduation?

Me: (Nods) I’m on track for May.

Palmer: Only a month left then?

Me: (Smiles) Yeah.

Palmer: And Kaeleb? He’s ready as well?

Me: Yep.

Palmer: (Grins) I hear you two are getting married. Congratulations, Aubrey. I’m very happy for both of you.

Me: (Laughs) And to think it all started with the Elements of Trust. Who knew you had mad match-making skills?

Palmer: (Chuckles and strokes his beard) I’m multi-talented, what can I say?

Me: You’re more than that, Doc. You’re a miracle worker.

Me: (Brows furrow) Why did you quit? Practicing I mean.

Palmer: (Laughs) It would seem that I never really did, wouldn’t you say? (Sighs) I do enjoy the teaching aspect, helping people learn to break through whatever issues they have with trusting others. But sometimes I guess there are just certain individuals who silently call to me for my guidance such as you and Kaeleb. I don’t need to get paid for it. I just do it because that’s what I feel that I’ve been put on Earth to do.

Me: (Nods) I understand completely. That’s why I’m going to med school, I think. To use my experiences to better others.

Palmer: That’s very admirable, Aubrey. I have no doubt that you will find yourself very satisfied with your chosen profession. That passion is unyielding and when you witness a complete transformation, such as I did with you, there is truly no greater reward.

Me: (Leans forward) I don’t think I could ever possibly convey how much you did for me, Doc. If it hadn’t been for you, I’m not sure I would be sitting here.

Palmer: You would be. I have no doubt. The strength that you possess can’t be taught. It’s inherent. As I’ve said before, you did all the work. With or without me, you would have found your way eventually.

Me: Well, I’m not so sure about that. (Laughs) But thank you.

Me: (Rises from couch) I guess that’s it, Doc. I just wanted to stop by and say thank you again, for everything. See you at graduation?

Palmer: Of course. (Stands) It’s been the utmost privilege to watch you grow over the last four years. Thank
you
for allowing me to be a part of it. I hope that you will keep in touch in the future. I will…miss our chats.

Me: (Swallows back tears and punches him in the arm) Oh, Doc. You can’t get rid of me that easy. I’ve got your number, remember?

Palmer: (Laughs and opens door) Well then, I look forward to hearing from you. (Face falls serious) I’m very proud of you, Aubrey. You have overcome so much over our time together and I have no doubt that you will make a profound impact on your patients, no matter what area you choose to specialize in.

Me: (Jerks head back) Did I not tell you?

Palmer: I don’t think you mentioned it, no. I would have remembered.

Me: Oh. (Exhales) Well, since I had such an
excellent
mentor, I will obviously be pursuing Psychiatry. Working with children and adolescents specifically.

Palmer: (Grins Widely) I think that is an excellent choice.

Me: I thought you would. (Laughs) So you will most definitely be chatting with me a great deal in the future.

Palmer: (Dips his head) I can’t imagine a greater honor. Thank you, Aubrey.

Me: (Steps out of his office and turns with smile on face) No. Thank
you
, Doc

.