Page 58 of One Last Step

He was the first person I had ever met who I cared about more than myself.That’s not a perfect way of describing it because caring for himwascaring for myself in a weird way.I don’t know.You’re the psychologist, not me.You can probably write a term paper on what the exact technical term for that feeling is.

It occurred to me one day that I didn’t want anything.I had everything I needed.It was almost none of what I thought I wanted, but it was better than my wildest hopes and dreams.So, I asked him to marry me.And we lived happily ever after.

I have a lot more to write about.I haven’t even gotten to the birth of our daughter, the other shockingly wonderful occurrence of my life.But the painkillers are kicking in, and I’m going to fall asleep soon, so I’ll have to save that for another letter.

Before I go, I want to say this one last time.I love you, Mary.I hope very much that you found a life that can make you as happy as the life I’ve found.If you did, then I’ll leave this world with no regrets at all.You were a good sister.I hope you were good to yourself.

Until tomorrow,

Annie.

I carefully fold the letter and place it back in the envelope.I set it on the table and stare at her name.I am dealing with far too many emotions to process right now, but the chief of them is love.I love my sister.I’m so glad that she was happy.All of my nightmares, all of my guilt, all of my anger… it’s all gone.I’m just happy for her.

"She died that night," Claudia says.Her voice is thick with emotion, too."That was a little over three years ago."

It was a little over three years ago that I left my teaching position and started looking for her again.I am not a superstitious person, but I don’t believe that’s a coincidence.I think that Annie reached out to me and led me here so that I could talk with her one last time.I reach for the envelope and gently caress my name written in her handwriting.“I love you, Annie,” I say softly.

I stand and smile at Claudia.“Thank you for showing me this.I would like to visit you if I can.”

“Of course.As often as you like.I have an aunt now, and I intend to keep her.”

My smile widens.“Good.I intend to keep my niece as well.But for the moment, I’m afraid I have to leave you.There’s something I need to take care of, something I’ve been putting off for far too long.Now that I have finally found my sister, it’s time I took care of it.”

She smiles at me.“I’m glad.Don’t wait.That’s one thing my mother always told me.Don’t wait to find your happiness.”

“Sound advice,” I tell her.

She stands.“Come on.I’ll take you to the airport.”

I text Elena on the way that I’ll be back with Sean tomorrow.She sends me a question, and when I answer, she replies gleefully and promises a party when we return.I tell her I’m looking forward to it.

It feels good to be looking forward and not back.I have many questions about Annie, and I will enjoy all of the tales Claudia has to tell me.

But I am no longer haunted by that past.I am no longer held back.And I intend to make the most of the future that awaits me.I will take the advice of a very wise woman.I won’t wait.

EPILOGUE

Sean’s eyes widen when he sees me.I’m sure he would say something if he could, but I press my lips to his before he can speak.I kiss him deeply until he finally pushes me away and gasps for breath.“Well, Mary,” he says.“If I’d known you were coming to Wales, I would have brushed my hair.”

His hair is indeed unkempt.I’ve tried relentlessly to get him to comb it, but it’s a battle I’ll never win.I run my hands through the lazy mop and pull him down for another kiss.When we separate again, I say, “Let’s get married.Now.Today.”

He blinks.“Now?Today?”

“Now.Today.”

He chuckles.“I take it you have good news.”

“I have so much news: good, bad, and otherwise.More news than I can share right now, and I still don’t even have all of the news.But that’s for later.Right now, I want to marry you.”

He nods.“All right.If for no other reason than that I want to hear all of the stories you’re promising me, I will marry you.”

I giggle, give him a peck on the tip of his nose, then pull him to the waiting car.

“Oh, you meannownow,” he says.

“Yes.Don’t worry about the hair.I’ll make sure it looks nicer when you meet Elena, Sophie and Luc tomorrow.”

I open the door for him, and he starts a little when he sees Claudia.“Oh.Judging by the eyes and the hair, you must be Miss Claudia.”

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