~Chapter 8~

<p>He didn't recognize the parked Toyota Corolla in the circle driveway but soon found Katherine waiting on the front steps. "Katherine? What are you doing here?" Colton stood right in front of Katherine's view. <br/> "Colton, I know it's only been two days since our paths parted, but I can't tell you how much I have completely hated being away from you for that long. I wasn't myself the following day. Until I ran into Jacob while I was working and as we started talking, he made me realize that I needed to take a stand in what I want my future to look like, whether that was with or without you. And I didn't know if I could sustain myself waiting around with my last days in Parga knowing that when I'd get back to Colorado it would only end up being the same story and we don't speak again for another seven years, if not more." Katherine got misty-eyed. "The truth is, I'm here because I want you to know that I love you and I'm willing to do anything to be with you as long as this heart beats. You make me so happy." Unexpectedly, Colton pulled her in close. <br/> "Well, I'm glad you're here. These last two days really have been miserable as hell without you around. You are my world. I love our laughs, our adventures, our strong friendship, but most of all, I love us. I should probably tell you that my boss is allowing me a week and a half extra off from work. I intend on spending every second with you." He took a long, dramatic pause. "I love you too." They each were leaning in when all of a sudden, Colton's phone went off. He sighed in outrage. When he pulled his phone out, he was abashed to see that it was his boss. "Could you excuse me for one second?"<br/> "Yeah, of course." Katherine wandered around the side of the house looking inside through the windows. The penthouse was beautifully decorated. Everything was folded and put either on a shelf, in a drawer or stacked and put in a closet. She really did pick a wonderful guy. <br/> "Yes sir. Yes. Wait, you did what! Sir!" Colton's face showed a great deal of excitement. "Thank you sir, thank you very much! Okay, bye!" He walked rapidly over to Katherine to share the news. "You won't believe this! My boss just found me a position at a local hospital in Denver."<br/> "Are you serious?"<br/> "Yeah!" <br/> "Oh my gosh, that's beyond exciting!" With all of the emotions running through his body, he lifted Katherine off of her feet and kissed her ever-so-passionately. He made sure to make meaning of the moment.<br/> "You do know what that means, right?" <br/> "What?" Katherine felt intrigued. <br/> "I'm going home."<br/> "Wait, what do you mean? This is your home."<br/> "Not anymore...my home is wherever you are." He placed a unique smile on her face. Then, he picked her up once again and carried her inside his house. It was time for a new beginning that they could now share, together. <br/> The End</p>