Page 137 of Sweet Ruin

My mom and dad were holding each other and swaying slowly in time with the romantic song the band was playing in the background. They looked so in love as they stared into each other’s eyes, and I was glad we didn’t have to wait any longer to see them married. That they’d finally reached the happy ending they deserved.

“I still can’t believe Norma told you we’re having five kids,” I said as Noah and I slowly danced. I’d never given much thought to having a family. I felt way too young for that. But I wasn’t against the idea of having kids one day as long as they got Noah’s smile.

“She’s just predicting the future as she sees it,” he said. “Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but it could also be magic.”

“You think?”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “But she’s not the only one who can see our future.”

“You’re a psychic now too, are you?”

“I am when it comes to us.”

“And what is it exactly that you see?”

A smile slowly crept to his lips as he looked into my eyes. “Well, I see us going to college together.”

“We already know that.” I laughed. “What about after that?”

“Beyond that?”

“Yeah.”

He barely paused for breath. “Well, I see adventures, successful careers, five kids, and a golden retriever.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re not serious.”

“I could be.” He grinned and lowered his lips close to my ear. “But let’s be honest, Crash. As long as we’re together, I don’t care where we end up.”

It might have taken us a while to get to this point. Heartbreak, betrayal, secrets and a few too many brushes with death. But those moments had bonded us together, and made us so much stronger. I knew now that nothing could tear us apart and as Noah stared into my eyes, I felt like I could see our future clearly too. Our future, together.

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The End

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