Page 95 of Life After

“You’re joking!” Jen had seen pictures of the main suite when Suzanne had suggested this hotel as one of the potential venues for the charity event. The hotel itself was already astonishing, but the suite…well, Jen had fantasised about the potentials of being inside it. Basically, it involved a very naked Suzanne. As she searched Suzanne’s eyes, Jen knew she wasn’t joking at all. “Fuck. You’ve really booked it, haven’t you?”

“Would I ever lie to you?” Suzanne reached out a hand and stroked her knuckles softly against Jen’s cheek. “Mm?”

“No, babe. Never.”

The sudden thump of music broke them from their heart-to-heart, reminding them that now wasn’t the time for sitting around. They had guests to entertain, money to raise, and a brilliant night ahead that was sure to create a lot of memories. “Come on. We can discuss everything another time. There’s no immediate rush.”

As they rose to their feet and Suzanne turned for the door, Jen reached out and took her hand. “Hey.” She turned Suzanne back to her and grinned. “Iamready. Once this weekend is over, I’ll be at home with you, okay?”

“At home.” Suzanne’s voice caught, but she wore the most beautiful smile. “Our home.”

“Our home.”

With the charityevent in full swing, Suzanne stood back and admired the smile on Jen’s face. She had been introduced to everyone as they came through the door, and now Suzanne needed a moment to stop and breathe. It had been a long time since she’d taken on something so mammoth, and honestly, party prep wasn’t really her area of expertise. Still, she was impressed by what she’d somehow created, and if the business ever took a nosedive, Suzanne had the option of branching out into event planning.

As she cast her gaze around the room, everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. Especially the woman currently on the karaoke, annihilating her rendition of Meatloaf’sBat out of Hell. Suzanne had no choice but to enjoy it. Wasn’t that what this night was all about? Letting go and having fun, while remembering Ruby. People had certainly taken the point of the event to heart, and now everyone was going full throttle into the night.

“Oh, Suzanne.” Jen’s mum lay a hand on Suzanne’s shoulder as she breathlessly stopped beside her. “What a bloody brilliant night! You’ve done a wonderful job here.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

Denise winced. “Shouldn’t have suffered through new heels, though. I’m in agony.”

Ah. Suzanne hadn’t made that mistake. Not tonight. She looked down at Denise’s heels and guessed they were likely a similar size. “I have a pair of flats up in our room if you wanted to borrow them?”

Denise stepped out of her heels and exhaled a sigh of relief. “You know what, I may just take you up on that offer. I don’t know how much longer I’ll last in these bloody things.” She tutted and shook her head. “Jen warned me not to wear new heels. I should have listened.”

“She told me the very same thing.” Suzanne laughed as she gently nudged Denise’s shoulder. “Just let me know if you want them and I’ll go up for them.”

“Thanks.” Denise eyed Jen across the room then turned her attention back to Suzanne. “Don’t you think Jen seems different tonight? I can’t put my finger on why, but there’s just something about her. She’s…glowing.”

Suzanne had a feeling that was down to the conversation they’d had a while ago. Tonight just seemed like the right night to ask Jen to officially move in with her. Itfeltright. “She’s in a good place right now.”

“She’s been in a good place since she met you,” Denise said, regarding Suzanne with an appreciative smile. “You complement one another very well.”

“Thank you.” Suzanne knew they did but hearing it from the most important person in Jen’s life made Suzanne warm inside. “For saying that and for raising such a wonderful daughter.”

“When you found out the truth, I thought I was going to lose her all over again. Only this time…for good.” Denise smiled wryly and looked away from Suzanne. “When she walked through the door, saturated from the rain, I had no idea what the coming days meant. She just seemed defeated once and for all.”

Suzanne swallowed down the emotion in her throat and held her composure. “I never should have reacted the way I did. I was falling in love with her one moment and asking her to leave the next.”

“I…don’t worry about her for a single second anymore. I’d actually go so far as to say that she’s happier than she’s ever been. Yes, she would be even happier if Ruby was still here, but other than that, I’ve never seen my daughter smile and laugh the way she’s doing right now.”

Suzanne followed Denise’s line of sight. Jen was speaking animatedly to Lizzie and a few other friends. As she watched on, her heart pounding that little bit harder, she noticed the glow Denise had spoken of. “She makes me ridiculously happy.”

Denise took Suzanne’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m so very happy you found one another. It’s a pleasure to know you’re a part of my family now.”

Oh, God. If Denise said anything similar to that in the next thirty seconds, Suzanne was going to be an emotional wreck. She cleared her throat and composed herself. “And the same goes for you, Denise.”

“MUM!” Jen waved Denise over when the DJ called both of their names. Had…Jen put her name down for karaoke? Oh, this was going to be great if she had. Suzanne couldn’t say she’d ever heard her girlfriend singing, other than when she hummed along to the radio making dinner.

“Sorry, duty calls.” Denise picked up her heels and trotted barefoot across the room.

They took to the stage, accompanied by the sound of cheers and clapping. All Suzanne could do was take a seat on the nearest empty chair, while enjoying whatever was about to happen. The DJ introduced the song—Lee Ann Womack’sI Hope You Dance—and tears filled Suzanne’s eyes. She didn’t know why she felt emotional, but Suzanne suspected this song meant a lot to Jen.

Blown away by the beautiful sound of Jen’s voice, Suzanne’s brows rose with surprise, but that emotion in her throat wouldn’t budge. No, it was staying for the duration. When Denise reached down for Ruby’s portrait and handed it over to Jen, the floodgates opened. Suzanne brushed the back of her hand against her cheek and sniffled, feeling utterly ridiculous. Jen wasn’t crying, so why was she? Suzanne knew exactly why. It had taken Jen so much strength to even live since Ruby’s death, but here she was, livingandin love with her life. It meant so much to Suzanne to know she could be a part of this. She was honoured.Truly.

She fisted a hand under her chin, enamoured by the woman on the stage that she was privileged to call hers. This was probably the first time Suzanne had sat back andreallytaken stock of the life she had now. Jen couldn’t do enough for her, that sentiment was always returned, and life was simply beautiful. To know that Jen was moving in with her only made this moment all the more special. Quite frankly, Suzanne couldn’t wait to wrap Jen up in her arms and hold onto her.

---