Page 64 of I Always Will

And shewantedthat. She wanted to read them. To know Hailey’s life while they’d been apart, to understand what Hailey had been through, to comprehend what Hailey was telling her by handing them over.

She supposed it was a good thing she was starting to feel better, perhaps she’d be able to keep her eyes open long enough to read a little once her mum said goodnight. She didn’t care if it made her tired tomorrow, she needed to read the journals. And she needed to come up with a return gesture.

The CDs were an obvious choice, one Hailey would appreciate she was sure. So she’d need a box to put them in.

“I thought we’d look for some home goods today,” Susan announced, walking in to where Alexandria was wrapping up her work for the day.

“Okay,” she replied, unsure which home Susan was looking for goods for, but happy to go along with that. She’d be able to find a gift box without too much issue, she was sure.

And maybe a photo frame… That could be just the thing for what she wanted to give Hailey in return.

Twenty-Six

Present day

Alexandria looked up as Daniel walked into the living room. After two nights of being up into the early hours reading Hailey’s journals, she was finally finished and completely exhausted, but even that exhaustion could not detract from the sheer joy she felt looking at her brother.

He looked at her and she could see the nerves mixed in with the excitement. They’d been up late last night, eating pizza and talking through their childhoods and the journeys that brought them here. He’d told her about meeting Esme and feeling at peace around her in a way he’d never experienced before. He wasn’t regretting the choice to get married at all, but she could imagine how the whole thing of wedding planning and then being away from your partner while you were both responsible for such a huge day could make you nervous. She could imagine how even if you knew you were doing the right thing, the enormity of actually doing it could give you pause. It was entirely normal, but it did melt her heart a little seeing her brother like that.

She walked over to him and ran her hands over the shoulders of his jacket, giving him a once-over before announcing him perfect.

His face cracked into a giant grin. “You think I’ll do?”

Alexandria smiled and nodded. “I think you’ll more thando.”

“Thanks, Al. You’re the best.”

She rolled her eyes. “When you talk at length in your speech about how amazing I am, remember to get my name right.”

He laughed. “Hanging around with Hailey makes you cheeky. I don’t know if I like it.”

She shook her head at him. Maybe he was right. Maybe she didn’t mind that. And she knew he was only saying that because of their conversation last night. Daniel might have been too young to remember Hailey, but he wasn’t at all surprised when Alexandria had quietly admitted that Hailey was the one who made her feel at peace in the world. He’d asked question after question, telling her after every answer that was exactly how he felt with Esme and that she couldn’t let something like that get away again.

It wasn’t like Alexandria didn’t know that. She’d come prepared to fight for Hailey, but they had a wedding to do first.

And she knew Daniel definitely didn’t mind if Hailey made her cheeky. Just as she loved seeing him happy with Esme, she knew he wanted to see her happy too.

“Any word from Dad?” she asked as he moved to check his phone for any last-minute crises.

“Maybe?” Daniel said, shrugging. “I mean, yes, but I don’t think he’s going to be there today. He texted to congratulate me, but it’s not quite the journey Mum seems to be going on.”

Alexandria shrugged and nodded. It was about what she’d expected. “Everyone in their own time and all that. Sorry he’s going to miss your wedding, though.”

Daniel shook his head. “It’s fine. Today’s not about him or that whole drama. Plus, I’ve got a whole marriage ahead. Today’s definitely the best day ever so far, but I’m looking forward to when we’re ninety-five and have seventy years under our belts and we’re those annoyingly cute grandparents who wear matching outfits and won’t stop feeding you biscuits.”

Alexandria laughed. She could easily see that being Daniel and Esme—probably much sooner than seventy years down the line too. She wondered what she’d be like at ninety-five and who might be sitting beside her in life then… “Your house will still be a whirlwind of colour and chaos, I’m sure.”

“Have you met my beautiful wife? Of course it is.”

“I have, in fact, met her.” Her laughter transformed into a soft smile. “I’m really happy for you, Daniel. For both of you. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

He grinned. “So, not worried about the whole thirty-two days thing anymore?”

“I mean, it still feels a touch fast, if you ask me, but if anyone could make it work, it would absolutely be you. And Esme. You somehow did manage to find the person who is your match in all things.”

“Yeah, that’s fair. I mean, you got engaged twenty years before your supposed wedding date, so you know, not exactly one for a short engagement, are you?” His eyes glimmered while Alexandria frowned at him.

“I knew I was going to regret telling you all of that.”

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