With Love (12 page)

Chase gave me a big hug. “I love you, Ally, and you will always be my sister.”

I heard the door shut behind him when he left. I took one more deep breath, closing my eyes. And then I turned to walk away.

Luke?
I blinked a few times. “Luke?”

“Sweetheart,” Luke whispered.

I ran to his arms and crushed myself into his chest. “What are you doing here? I’m so happy to see you!” I cried in his arms. I finally felt safe again.

Luke kissed her on top of her head. “I’ve come to take you home.”

“But…how did you find me?”

“Alyson, you live in Fluvanna, Virginia. It wasn’t hard. I literally went to the first coffee shop and asked around. Do you realize how many people in this community love you?”

“You came for me?” I said amazed that he was here with me.

“Only if I’m not too late. I would have been here sooner...” Luke paused, wiping away my tears from my face. “But I needed to deal with my mom’s death first, and I wanted to give you enough time to say goodbye.”

“Oh, Luke.” I buried my head in his chest once more, breathing in the smell of him. “I was coming back. I just needed to take care of a few things.”

“I know, sweetheart. My family and Brian talk about you all time—about how well your progress has been. That’s how I knew you were ready to see me.” Luke gave me a kiss. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Yes, I am,” I said with a smile.

Three Years Later

Luke

It has been three years since I brought my wife, Alyson, home. A lot has changed for us. I now run my dad’s company as he has retired to go fishing and spend more quality time with Ruth, his former secretary. He spends most of weekdays playing with his grandchildren out by the pond.

Julia and Kyle have two beautiful girls. Brody and Erin are one and a half. They keep Julia busy, but she’s very happy. Kyle decided last year to join McDerment Industries, and he now runs the accounting department. I think he mostly joined because he can take the girls to work with him sometimes.

After finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Kristen and Mike got married. They have been married for six months now and are expecting their son this fall.

Brian and Meg met the night of the Gala after Alyson left. They’ve been dating ever since. I keep asking Brian what is taking him so long to marry that girl. He just laughs and says, “All in good time.” Brian now runs his own grief counseling centre downtown, and Meg has decided to go back to school to become a hotel management specialist.

The biggest change I see is in my beautiful wife. When we first came back, she chose to stay at my sister’s guest cottage. I bought a beautiful home just down the road from my dad’s. It was about six months later that Alyson moved in with me. We hung up Ethan and Abby’s pictures in the living room, and she talks about them to Erin and Brody as if they will one day meet and be best of friends.

We were married seven months later out by the pond at my dad’s house. It was a small, quiet gathering with just my family, her parents, and Chase. Chase and I have become good friends, and he has come out to visit twice since then. He brought his girlfriend on the last visit. Alyson still hasn’t returned to Fluvanna. She still feels she’s not ready yet.

Alyson has kept up with her photography and has done a few art shows. In her spare time, she volunteers at Brian’s office.

As for myself, I’ve been so happy since I met Alyson. She brings out the best in me. She makes me thankful for each sunrise and sunset we see each day. Alyson has also taught me to love with all my heart and hold no boundaries.

We have decided to start a family, but I’m nervous at the same time. However, I’m very proud of her because she has let go of her fears and is willing to open those doors once again.