17 Chapter 17 Ever After

After a couple of Days of laying low, you and Joseph decide to take a little risk. After all, this will be your last night here. The occasion needs to feel special. "O beautiful Stars, when you see me go..."Hither and thither, in search of love." A bit on the nose, but I suppose you can't go wrong with Laurence Hope. Joseph stares deep into your eyes and takes your hands. So where do we go from here?

What lives do we choose? It's not fair for you to keep burying your true self for Joseph's sake. But...my family won't leave us alone if we stay here. So let's discard both the truth and the lie. Yes. Let's make our own truth. You share the first kiss of the rest of your lives on that roof.

*Three years later...

In a quiet little town in the countryside of England...You are Julia, a popular English teacher.

Ok, that's it for the day! Hey, miss? Congrats on getting your book published!

Oh, thank you! Did you read it? Nah, poems aren't really my thing. My mum

loved it, though. Your mother has good taste, kid. Ah, Wallace! You're early.

I couldn't wait. It's your big day, after all. You guys are always so happy.

It's kinda gross. Don't be mean, Thomas. Your husband closes the door.

Oh my. A gift for me, I take it? Part of it. I figured you might appreciate

the nostalgia. It is not even the most thrilling place the two of you have

taken each other over the years. Still, as his fingers move to undo your

bun, lighting races across your whole body. How are you going to make

me remember this? Oh, my dear...I shall be worried if you ever forget

He leaves no room for words after that. After all, for a long time now,

and surely for a decades to come. Your favorite kind of poetry is the

sound of his racing heart, beating against your body.