by Len Webster
Kyle chuckled. “Just a few more years and I’ll be done with my online degree. As much as I have loved being with the Red Sox since I finished high school, I would have loved to have gone to college and experienced it all. But that’s not what’s important. How long are you and Alexi going to stay in Massachusetts?”
“Pretty much all of summer,” Evan replied as AJ stepped next to him.
“We’re going a little earlier so we can settle in before I start my position as Dr. Rodahawe’s research assistant,” AJ added.
“I’m so jealous that you’re both going to be living in Europe for a year,” Angie said with wanderlust sparkling in her eyes.
“Angie, could you help me get some of these appetizers on the table?” AJ’s mother asked.
“Sure thing, Clara.”
One by one, the guests left the kitchen with the appetizer trays until just he and AJ remained. Then his girlfriend stepped in front of him and turned to face him, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered with a smile on her face.
“Are you kidding? AJ, if anyone here is proud, it’s me of you.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “This isn’t my graduation. It’s yours.”
“I won’t be able to see you from the stage,” he said with disappointment in his voice.
“That’s okay. I’ll be the one looking at you.” Then she bit her lip. “Are you sure you still want to come to Zürich? Freelance work for my dad’s clients won’t be the same as the offers you received from the firms in Boston.”
Evan placed his palms on her hips. “My visa’s been approved, AJ. There’s no way I’m missing a year of my life without you in it. I’ve done that, and it was hell. I want you and Zürich. Those firms and companies in Boston were fine, but that’s the thing. They were just fine. They didn’t feel right. Not in the same way as Switzerland feels right.”
“I love you,” she breathed, staring into his eyes.
“Eight protons,” he said, glancing down to see her atom necklace clasped around her neck. “Eight neutrons. I love you, AJ.”
And he meant it.
With every inch of him did he mean it.
Because his life was always better with Alexandra Parker in it.
The very woman who would watch him graduate from Stanford.
And the very woman he’d someday ask to marry him.
The woman he’d watch as the Zürich sunlight touched her skin each morning when he woke up with her by his side.
Summer after senior year of college
Evan Gilmore wasn’t sure how it happened, but it had.
He fell even more in love with his girlfriend during their perfect summer.
All summer, they spent their time together. They had even picked out an apartment in Zürich close to the Rodahawe Institute. The studio apartment that came with the research assistantship offered little room, and Evan had suggested that they find a place together. Just as AJ was about to bring up the topic of money, he shook his head and kissed her troubles away. Evan had more than enough guilt money from his parents. They had sent him money for his graduation and under the transaction details was a short message from them: Happy graduation, Evan.
It was more than he had ever expected from them. And like the other times, Evan sent an email to his lawyer to contact his parents and say thank you on his behalf. It was more than they deserved after years of neglect. The people he loved had watched him graduate with his business degree from Stanford. He might not have been drafted to the Major League—to the disappointment of a lot of Red Sox, Stanford, and baseball fans—but he was happy. He would be doing freelance work while his girlfriend lived her dreams. Some might say he was sacrificing his career for AJ’s, but no one really knew the sacrifices AJ had already made for him to go to Stanford. It was about her dreams and not his.
His only dream, as it had always been, was a life with her.
And by playing professional baseball, he’d only thrust her back in the limelight she had always hated. Not playing in the Major League kept her safe and gave her the private life she always deserved the most.
Evan was truly happy.
And as he watched his girlfriend hug her mother, he knew that he had made the right decision in turning down the management and marketing job offers to follow her to Switzerland. He would have never been truly happy knowing that she had given up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of his selfishness.
Mrs. Parker stepped back and wiped away her tears. “I can’t believe you two are going to Switzerland.” Then she turned and smiled at him. “Thank you, Evan, for going with her.”
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the woman who had supported him through everything. The woman who gave him love so freely and fiercely when she didn’t have to. “Thank you, Mrs. Parker.” He pulled back. “For everything. My life, your daughter, your love. Thank you.”
“You turned out amazing, but it wasn’t just us. It was you, too,” Mrs. Parker explained.
He smiled his appreciation as he watched AJ hug her father. When their embrace ended, Mr. Parker turned his attention to Evan. “You take care of her, all right? She’s my only daughter.”
“Dad,” AJ whined.
“I promise, Mr. Parker. I’ll take care of Alexandra.”
“You better, or I’ll be on the first flight over there to kick your ass,” his brother, Kyle, said as he approached them and stood next to AJ’s mother. “Sorry I’m late. Meeting with the manager. Angie sends her apologies for not being here today. The charity still has her in Houston.”
“That’s okay,” Evan said as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his brother. They may not have seen eye to eye for a long time, but they were still brothers. Kyle was the only relative Evan cherished. Ever since college, Evan felt as if he finally had a brother.
“Seriously, take care of her,” Kyle said once their embraced ended.
“I will,” he promised.
His brother smiled. “And take care of yourself. If you need anything, just call me.”
“I will.”
He squinted at Evan. “I mean it, Evan. Pride aside, I will send you money. I’ll always be here for you. I know I wasn’t for a long time, but I am now.”
“I know,” Evan assured. “And I’m always here for you. Any day or time.”
Kyle nodded as he turned his attention to AJ. “And you …” He stepped in front of her and cradled her jaw in his palms as unshed tears gleamed his eyes. It used to bother Evan that Kyle loved her, but as time passed, Evan accepted that AJ was a positive influence in his brother’s life. While Angie set him free to be his own person, AJ had kept him grounded until he met his girlfriend. “You take care of my brother.”
AJ let out a soft laugh. “I’ll take care of Evan.”
“Good.” Kyle hugged her tight before he let her go. Then he smiled at them both. “This feels right. You and Evan. This was always right.”
“You take care of yourself, Kyle. We’ll be back in time for Thanksgiving,” AJ announced.
“You two better get going. You still need to get through TSA and find your gate,” AJ’s father pointed out.
AJ and Evan exchanged one last embrace with her parents and his brother. When they pulled away, AJ said, “I love you all. We’ll call once we’ve landed.”
Then they said goodbye to their family.
The family they loved so much who had tears in their eyes and smiles on their face.
Their family who would wait for their return.
Taking his girlfriend’s hand in his, Evan led them toward the TSA line. He heard AJ let out a sigh and glanced over to see her brushing away tears with her free hand.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded before she craned her neck and smiled at him. “I’m okay. I’ve said goodbye to my parents and
Kyle every year before I left for Duke, but this time, it just felt so different. It felt like a real goodbye. We’re going to be in a different country, miles and miles away. I’ve never been this far away from home for such a long time.”
Evan squeezed AJ’s hand and kissed the top of her head. “I know. But you’re not alone.”
“And I have you to thank for that. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me.”
“You’re welcome,” he said once they arrived at the TSA line. “You ready, AJ?”
He watched her inhale a deep breath and release it. “I’m ready.”
Evan and AJ had landed in Zürich just after midnight. By the time they had passed through customs and reached their apartment, they were exhausted. A lot of the bedding and the mattress had already been delivered and brought into their apartment by their landlord. The only thing they were missing was a bedframe, but it would arrive in a few days. So as his girlfriend showered, Evan made the bed for her. When she stepped out of the bathroom, he saw the tiredness in her eyes and helped her into bed. Then he kissed her forehead and went to the bathroom. After he finished showering, he returned to the bedroom to find AJ already asleep. So Evan slipped into their makeshift bed, kissed her good night, and fell asleep. They slept for almost nine hours.
This morning, after they had showered together, they ate a late breakfast at a café near their apartment on their way to the institute. As they stood in the reception of the Rodahawe Institute, he watched his girlfriend take it all in. Her eyes were the widest he’d ever seen them. She was in complete awe of the fact she was standing in the very institute where so many of the journal articles she had read during the summer had been written and researched.
“Alexandra?” a man with a British accent asked.
Evan whipped his attention to find a man in a white lab coat standing by the reception desk. He glanced over at Evan and then smiled at AJ.
“Hi,” AJ said with a bubbly voice as she approached him. “That’s me. But please call me Alex.”
The Brit’s smile widened as he held out his hand. “Nice to finally meet you. I’m Brandon. I’m on Vincent’s team.”
AJ shook his hand and then let it go. “It’s so nice to meet you, Brandon.” She glanced over her shoulder at Evan and waved him over. “And this is my boyfriend, Evan.”
Brandon’s blue eyes clouded with surprise as Evan stepped closer and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Brandon.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Evan.” Then he pulled out a visitor’s pass from his coat pocket and handed it to AJ. “I’m sorry I don’t have one for you, Evan, but it’s okay. I’ll get you one when we see Vincent since he approves the passes. Alex, if you’ll wear yours, then I’ll show you both around.”
“Thank you,” AJ said as she attached the pass clip to her blouse pocket. She reached over and grasped Evan’s hand, threading her fingers with his.
“Well, let’s do a quick tour and see if Vincent is out of his meeting, shall we?”
AJ nodded. “Lead the way.”
As they followed Brandon, he filled them in on the historical facts about the institute. When they reached the classical mechanics wing of the Rodahawe Institute, AJ inhaled sharply as they walked through the doors that Brandon had to swipe a card to open. She had released Evan’s hand and stepped inside the large laboratory. It was the size of a small warehouse with equipment that appeared to be worth millions of dollars. But that wasn’t what stunned him. It was the sight of his girlfriend taking in the lab. She was so beautiful when she was in awe. When she was so moved she was speechless.
“I’ve only ever seen videos and pictures, and they don’t do the classical mechanics lab justice,” AJ said, bewildered. “It’s so incredible.”
Brandon laughed. “It definitely does take your breath away the first time you see this place. Ah, Vincent! Your research assistant is here.”
AJ stilled, her eyes flashing with sudden nerves as she took in the doctor who walked toward them. “Oh, my God,” she breathed.
Dr. Rodahawe smiled. The doctor was tall and had dark brown hair and eyes. He wore a light purple tie with his white business shirt. Several pens poked out of his shirt pocket. He was in his late thirties, a fact AJ told Evan numerous times, but to Evan, he just looked like another college science professor. But he knew the achievements of this man. His girlfriend had told him some impressive facts. He had been nominated for the Nobel Prize several times before winning it for the first time last year. He was likened to some of the very greats. He was also AJ’s idol. And that kind and warm smile on his face was enough for Evan to know that his girlfriend would be working with someone who wasn’t cold. The man had gentle eyes, and Evan believed he wouldn’t break her in order to teach her.
“Ah, Alexandra, it’s so nice to finally have you here. I’m Vincent Rodahawe.”
AJ’s lips parted as she blinked up at him. She was speechless. Finally, she said, “It’s an honor to meet you, Dr. Rodahawe,” and shook his hand.
The doctor glanced over at Evan who was waiting on the sidelines, allowing his girlfriend to take her time and take in her new workplace and co-workers. “And you must be the boyfriend who convinced her to change her mind. I must thank you for that. The moment I read Miss Parker’s application, recommendations, and saw her video, I knew she would be perfect for the position.”
Evan closed the distance and nodded at AJ’s new boss. “There’s no need to thank me, Dr. Rodahawe. Alexandra has been a longtime admirer.”
The doctor’s dark eyes glimmered. “Well, I am an admirer of hers. Alexandra, we’ll just get your papers. Why don’t you go over to your work station and see if it’s to your liking? It’s just the desk by the window with the small welcome balloon. We won’t be too long.”
When Brandon and Dr. Rodahawe walked away, AJ led Evan to her new desk. The window wasn’t just a window. It was an entire wall of glass panels with a view of the lake. If he thought the view from their apartment of the lake was stunning, he was wrong. The view from her desk topped it completely. Evan glanced down at the balloon and smiled, happy that his girlfriend had such a warm welcoming at her new job.
“Evan,” AJ said, getting his attention.
He craned his neck to find the appreciation flash in her eyes. Her smile was gone, but she wasn’t upset. She appeared grateful. “Yeah, AJ?”
Her lips formed a small, honest smile. “Thank you for this. I don’t even have the words to express how thankful I am and how much I love you. Because I do. I could have never experienced this, and I would have been okay. But experiencing this with you, my heart feels so full right now.”
And that sweet smile of hers took him back.
To all the times that smile made her green eyes softened.
To all the times he watched her experience life so purely.
And Evan knew that he had made the right decision in following her.
Because he didn’t know it, but this—seeing her this happy—was his biggest dream come true.
Evan bent down and kissed her forehead. Then he looked down at her, and whispered, “I’d follow you here if I had to make the choice again. I’d follow you anywhere, Alexandra. Anywhere and forever.”
And that was the truth.
Six months before AJ’s Boston return
A lot had happened in over a year.
But a lot had also stayed the same.
His love for his girlfriend had strengthened, flourished even.
He had never felt so right than when he woke up each morning to find her lying next to him. To watch her be so tired but still so happy with her job made him happy. He was often lonely during the day when he worked from home, but at night, when she came home, and on the weekends, those were the moments he cherished the most.
Zürich wasn’t so bad. Evan had even come to love and appreciate the Swiss city. The lake
was his favorite part. After he ate breakfast and walked or taken a cab to the institute to drop off his girlfriend, he’d run as far as he could around the lake. The lake was so large that he would never make it all the way around, but he always ran as if he might someday. Things back home had continued without them. His brother was still going strong with Angie, and from the sounds of it, Savannah missed them and Zürich after she had visited for a week during the summer.
But the biggest change back home was when they had found out that AJ’s mother was pregnant. It had come as a shock to not only AJ but also her parents. They had been told by doctors that they wouldn’t be able to conceive after AJ. The fact that Mrs. Parker would have a baby boy had stunned them all. AJ was excited; she had always wanted a sibling. Her parents had assumed she’d be upset, that she’d think they were replacing her, but AJ had assured them she was excited and happy. In four months, they would return for the Christmas holidays and hopefully be home in time for AJ’s brother’s birth.
As for AJ, she excelled at being Dr. Rodahawe’s research assistant. She was surprised when she actually assisted him in his research and catalogued his findings on the first day. She strongly believed that she would be making him coffee, but she was wrong. A few months ago, she had noticed a mistake in his formula and had pointed it out to him. That had resulted in Dr. Rodahawe entrusting her to create a new equation that could further assist his research on velocity. It also meant longer nights away from Evan, but he didn’t mind. She was doing what she loved. Evan—like most things in the past year—had adapted to fit in his girlfriend’s career.
And tonight was another one of those things.
It was Brandon’s birthday. They were at a bar celebrating with the rest of the research team. Evan didn’t have many friends in Zürich. His girlfriend’s friends and co-workers were his friends. Well, except for Brandon. The Brit didn’t like Evan so much. Sure, Brandon was friendly, but Evan wasn’t stupid or blind. He knew that Brandon found AJ attractive. Who didn’t? It wasn’t at all surprising to him, but he did nothing. He knew AJ loved him and chose him. Evan wasn’t afraid that some Brit with a science degree would steal his girl away.