Page 124 of One Little Lie
“H-Hatty.” She sucks in a ragged breath before turning in my arms. Placing her palms on either side of my face, she draws me closer. “I’ve always been yours, Hatty. And, I promise you, I’ll force communication if we need it. I can’t live without you either. You’re my missing piece. I’m whole when you’re with me. I love you so much.”
Unable to control myself, I drag her into my body and hold her tight.
“Sempiternal,” I whisper, and I can feel her smile against my chest.
“Sempiternal,” she repeats.
Standing here, with Rylan in my arms, a weight lifts from my chest, and I feel ethereal happiness for the first time in my life. It’s here that I realize I’m going to be okay. Life isn’t going to suffocate me. Today is the start of my happily ever after, and my body vibrates with a joy I’ve never known.
* * *
One Year Later
Halton
“Is it all set?” I ask Ash for the tenth time.
“Yes, Uncle Hatty. Geez. We got it all set up just like you wanted. Promise.”
Glancing down, I’m greeted by Sadie Sunshine and her smiling eyes.
“Thanks, chipmunk.”
She scrunches up her nose, obviously still unhappy with my nickname for her.
“I don’t like that name, Uncle Hatty.” She places her tiny fists on both hips and scowls.
“Well, you shouldn’t fill your cheeks with my cookies then,” I tease.
I almost laugh when she crosses her arms over her chest in a huff. Her mannerisms have taken on a hint of Ashton, and it makes me smile.
I dare a peek in Ash’s direction, and he’s fighting a smile, too.
“So, what do you two have planned now?”
Ash groans at the same time Sadie squeals. She’s clapping her hands and bouncing from foot to foot.
“Uncle Ash is taking me to get my recital dress. Isn’t that so ’citing?”
My eyebrow shoots up in surprise, but a smirk breaks free, anyway. “That is very, ah, exciting, Sadie Sunshine. You’re very lucky. I’ve heard Ash is a great dress shopper.”
Ashton coughs, and it sounds suspiciously like “fuck you,” but he recovers quickly.
“We should get going, Sadie Sunshine. The store is only open until four.” Ash turns to me, and though his voice will never be the same, relief at the strength in his words weighs on me. “We set everything up from your entryway to the great room, just as you requested. Good luck. You have the ring?”
My hand flies to my pocket out of habit. It’s silly, really, since I can feel it like the elephant in the room.
“Yup. I’m actually doing this.”
A rare smile crosses Ash’s face, and he nods happily. “You are. I’m happy for you, Halt. Truly.”
Emotions clog my throat, cutting off any chance of a reply. My baby brother has fallen even deeper into his own personal hell over the last year or so. The only glimpse of the man we once knew comes out in Sadie’s presence. It’s a blessing and a curse, but it gives me hope that we’ll find our sweet brother again one day.
“Have fun shopping.” I meant it honestly, but a chuckle escapes, too.
“Fuck off,” Ash grumbles. “How the hell do you say no to this girl?”
I smirk because I know it’s impossible, and that’s precisely why our mother insisted on his Friday nights with her.
