Eight Goodbyes
Page 27
“Simon, I was thinking. Do you think we could talk about moving back to London? I think it would be better if we were close to your family. They could spend time with Ciel. It can be a new adventure for us. You know, starting a new life in a new place.”
“I’ve thought about that. What do you think about my business?”
“We can try to sell it?” Tessa’s tone was shy and timid. She didn’t want to overstep her bounds. She wanted him to make his own decision. Come to terms with what he had successfully built on his own. She knew his net worth, and he knew hers. They had discussed it in London, even before their trip to Paris. Back then, they were already considering the consolidation of their investments.
“Let’s keep it. Who knows? Ciel may want to study in the Midwest at some point.”
“So, we’re doing it? We’re moving to London?” Tessa asks, thankful for his concurrence.
“If that’s okay with you, yes, I would like to spend as much time with my family. With you and Ciel.”
“I have the perfect idea,” Tessa purrs, her eyes fixed solidly on him. “You just lay around all day looking hot, and I’ll write books. You’ll be my muse.”
Another squeaky, wheezy laugh.
Tessa hops off the bed and takes something out of her purse. She walks back to the other side but remains standing in front of him. “Simon?”
“Yes babe?”
“Are you there yet?”
“I’ve been there since you stepped on my seat with your boots,” he says with a wide grin. At that moment, he’s the man she met forever and a day ago, the one with the sparkling blue eyes, the one who just couldn’t say goodbye.
“Then, marry me,” she says, placing a bright orange object in his hand. He cups his fingers around it, holding it tightly as if it is the most precious thing he’s ever held. And then his tears begin to fall as he shakes his head in surprise. He unwraps it to find a half-eaten chocolate egg with a gold-plated ring on the bottom. “It was in one of the eggs you sent for Ciela.”
Nothing is coincidence.
He can’t help himself. He laughs out loud. Loud enough that the nurse comes running in just as he begins to cough.
“Don’t mind us,” he says to the nurse, waving her back out of the room. And then he whips away the mask completely, pulls her to him and kisses her. “Yes,” he mumbles against her lips. “Yes, right away.”
“Look who’s heeeeeerrree!” He would know that voice anywhere. “Sayyy-moonnnn! Look who’s here!”
Riley and Liam enter the room with the most beautiful little girl he has ever seen. Ciel wiggles in her arms and reaches out toward Simon. “Da?”
Tessa adjusts the bed so Simon can sit up. She places the mask on his nose once again. Simon opens his arms, his eyes filled with tears. “Come here, my beautiful little baby.”
Tessa, Riley and Liam watch as father and daughter cuddle and hug and kiss and coo at each other. He holds out his arm to Tessa and beckons her to join them.
“You see,” she says, clasping his hand and bringing it to her lips. “We don’t have to travel to see the world. We have everything we need, right here.”
“Thank you, Tessa,” he whispers, holding his daughter close to his heart. “Thank you for giving me my life back.”
One hour later, Dr. Butterfield comes to check on Simon and signs the permission for discharge. Two hours later, Tessa and Ciela are walking hand in hand as a lovely nurse named Rachel pushes Simon in a wheelchair. They walk down a long white hallway, past the emergency department and on to the emergency entrance. A little stoop about two steps high separates the hospital from the street. Between them is a big, bold orange line marking the end of the hospital property.
“Wait, stop!” Tessa shrieks. She looks at Rachel and then at Simon. The nurse signals for Simon to stand up. It’s the end of the line for her and she expects their car to drive up so Simon can get into it. But Tessa has other ideas. She takes Simon’s hand in her right and Ciela’s hand on her left. Together, they stand with their feet right on the orange line.
“Simon!” She turns to him with a glint in her eye.
He looks back at her with the same expression. He knows where she’s going with this and he’s up for it. She watches him pull his shoulders back and hold his head up high before taking a deep breath.
“Let’s do it, let’s just do it, Simon!” she screeches. “When I say three, we go for it, okay? Just like we did before. Here we go: ONE. TWO. THREE! JUMP Simon! Ciela! Let’s JUMP!”
And together, they rise with the wind and soar across the sky.
For the past few years, the city of Paris and its remarkable people have welcomed me as a second home. And although the names and places have been fictionalized in this book, the tragedy that took place two years ago at various points in the city (Stade, Bataclan, Petite Cambodge, Le Carillon, Belle Equipe, Boulevard Voltaire) was very real. I worked in Saint Denis, knew people who went to the concert, received calls from friends late that November afternoon in 2015, and cried for those whose lives were lost. This book honors the brave men and women who perished in that massacre, as well as the loved ones that were left behind.
They are the true heroes.
This book is also a testament to the brevity of life and the importance of living it to the fullest. See the world, learn about other cultures. When you open your eyes up to others, you begin to see yourself clearly.
This list gets shorter with every new book, but the same people have stayed through the years, and that means the world to me. So, THANK YOU:
Italia Gandolfo, for always believing in me no matter what.
Vesuvian Books, Vesuvian Media and Liana Gardner for your faith in this story.
Spark Books, Anvil Publishing, Xandra Ramos and Andrea Flores for the honor of publishing in my home country.
Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations for this amazing book cover.
Jim Thomas, my editor – who continually teaches me how to be a better writer.
Holly Atkinson, for your impeccable line editing.
Meryl Moss of Meryl Moss Media, for your friendship and tireless efforts to get this book out in the world.
Angela McLaurin of Fictional Formats for taking care of all my books and making them look beautiful.
Stuart Reardon for your image, Golden Czermak and Reggie Denching for your help and collaboration in getting Stuart’s image.
Ashley Baker, you are the best PA ever.
To all the BLOGGERS who have supported me through the years. Giselle of Espresso Tours for organizing our blog tours. Everything you do for us, the small authors – your actions, your kindness and your generosity have changed our lives. Nelly Martinez Aguilar, who got stuck reading this book. Again. And who just stays, no matter what. Michelle Kannan for your love. You don’t love many people, so I feel honored. Leylah Attar, in sickness and in health, for running to the pharmacy for me every time we’re together. All the wonderful authors and colleagues, who have supported me through the years. Thank you for continuing to inspire me every day.
My Butterflies – there are more than one hundred of us now, and so I can’t name you all. But you know who you are and what you stand for. You are all amazing human beings, and I am honored to be one among all of you. I love you so much.
Mi familia (B.R.A.E.) for allowing me to live my dreams. Living two lives isn’t easy. And I get to live both sides of my life to the fullest because of you.
And to all of you who have read, will read, will review, will recommend and talk about the story of Simon and Tessa – from the bottom of my heart, I THANK YOU. Your love and constant encouragement have kept me afloat.
Coming in 2019: The Year I Left.
Christine Brae was born and raised in the city of Makati, Philippines before she met and married her best friend who whisked her away to Chicago over twenty years ago. Since then, Christine has established herself as a full time career woman, holding a senior executive
position in one of the largest global advertising agencies in the world. She is the author of four novels, has an established fan base and a dedicated following. Her titles have consistently ranked in the Top 100 months following their release.
www.christinebrae.com