by D. D. Marx
I begin to sob.
“And you are never going to believe this; I had my sister Jane ship out the photo album Frank made him from your trip because I wanted to show you what he looked like. It’s in my suitcase back at the hotel. I was waiting for the right time to show you. Now I’m realizing there were pictures with Frank’s boyfriend . . . that was you.”
He reaches out to embrace me and whispers, “He’s exactly how ye described him, Liv. Darling, I am soo, soo sorry.”
“These are actually happy tears, Finn. I can’t believe you met him. This is beyond belief. It’s been them all along. They’ve been orchestrating our meeting from the other side.”
“Uncanny and remarkable.”
We managed to pull ourselves together in plenty of time for the party to begin. His parents are thrilled to see his face and even more pleased to see his smile, knowing he has again found happiness. They welcome me with open arms. We tell them about the amazing connection we just uncovered and they are rendered speechless. It is truly a time for celebration and they are more than happy to oblige.
Chapter Twenty
(Finn)
We race back to the hotel and Liv pulls out the photo album. We sit and cry as we thumb through each of the photos, knowing how much love we had for each of them and the loss we both endured. How is it possible that Liv and I found each other? We live on opposites sides of the world. The signs have been so carefully crafted and interwoven. We both ended up in the right spot at exactly the right time. Serendipity. Fate. Destiny. We’re both overwhelmed.
We lay there in silence, holding each other, realizing how incredibly lucky and grateful we are.
“Finn, I have to tell you something,” Liv whispers.
“What is it, love?” I say as I stroke and caress her soft skin
“This might sound really weird and I don’t know if you even believe in this, but have you ever heard of a medium? You know, someone who’s able to connect with people on the other side?”
“Aye, I’ve seen the TV shows.”
“Remember the night you made me dinner at the restaurant?”
“Aye.”
“Well, on a whim, I stopped in to see a medium that day. I was coming out of the hair salon and saw a sign for readings and walked in. I’ve never done anything like that before so I was somewhat skeptical. Before I went in, I asked Dan to have the medium say something specific, so I would know it was really him if he showed up.”
“And?”
“Dan came through loud and clear. The medium asked me if his name was Hank.”
“I’m flummoxed”
“Yes, I couldn’t believe it. It was crazy but so wonderful and reaffirmed what I already knew deep down. But there was something else. She also kept saying there was a woman there with him and she knows you. Of course, I had no idea whom she could be referring to. I didn’t know anyone else who was young who had passed away but now I know—it was Christine. She’s with Dan. She said they were laughing and being silly. Then she said, ‘They want you to know they will always be with you and watching out for you.’
“Jesus, Liv. Ye keep taking my breath away.”
“I know. I wasn’t ever planning on sharing it with anyone but that message was for you, too.”
“It’s bloody fantastic to know they’re together and taking care of each other.”
“Heartwarming,” she says, consumed with emotion as we drift off to sleep.
#
I wake up early and on a whim, purchase the train tickets to Paris. I crawl back into bed and whisper, “Wake up darling,” as I nuzzle her neck with kisses.
“Mmmmm, good morning. More please,” she responds, groggy.
“I have another surprise in store but ye have to get up now; our train leaves in two hours.”
“Train? What? Where are we going? I thought we were staying here for the duration,” she questions.
“Change of plans. I know ye’ve never been to Europe and ye need a couple more stamps in that passport. We’re going to the city of love.”
She grabs my face, looks deeply into my eyes and kisses me.
“You are too much, Mr. McDaniels.”
“It’s time to start replacing sad memories with many happy ones. Now get ready.”
Our train arrives mid-afternoon. We rent a car and drive to my apartment. The one Christine and I shared. My mum and da have been here a few times a year to check on the place but have left it intact so I could come back and close things up when I was ready. After learning how deeply connected Christine, Dan, Liv and I are, this seems right. It’s the first time I’ve been back since she died but I know this is exactly where we’re supposed to be. I need closure before I can truly begin again. Liv understands the intensity of the circumstances.
“Please, make yerself at home. I’m going to the market to buy some ingredients for dinner and, of course, some wine. I’ll be back shortly.” I kiss her forehead on the way out the door. Having her here feels natural, like this is exactly where she belongs. While I’m out, I pick up a few surprises for tomorrow. I have the perfect day planned for her. I want to show her every inch of this city but today we’ll relax at the flat and make love.
#
I sneak out early to grab Liv a coffee and a croissant to get her day started. When I arrive back, she is refreshed and glowing.
“Morning, ye look glorious.” I drink her in as I hold my hands behind my back.
“Whatcha got there?” she says playfully as I pull out the wrapped gift.
“Yer future. I hope you like it,” I reply as I hand it to her.
“Finn McDaniels. I’m touched. This is amazing,” she responds, teary as she unwraps the baby blue journal I bought for her. It’s inscribed Let the Sparks Fly in gold lettering.
“This is inspiration for yer new career. Start writing.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” She reaches out and takes a handful of my shirt, pulling me in for a kiss.
“Mmmm, as much as I don’t want this to end, we have a busy day ahead, so let’s go.”
Our first stop is at Benoit. We go in and I introduce her around to all the staff and show her where I got my start. Then we head over to the café where I met Christine. We hit the Eiffel Tower right at sunset and share a perfect kiss. We cover many of my firsts with Christine so I can now replace the devastating memories with happy ones including Olivia. It’s overwhelming to experience them all over again through her eyes. Our next and final stop, however, will forever be just our own.
I tell her to close her eyes as I lead her onto the Love Lock Bridge. It’s a beautiful, clear day with a touch of chill in the air, just enough to feel alive. There are boats passing in both directions on the river and about two dozen other couples spread out throughout the bridge when I tell her to close her eyes and lead her to the spot. When she opens them up, I present her with a small box.
“I realize we’ve only known each other for a short time but ye are an absolute gift to me, Liv. Ye’ve reignited a spark in me. I feel so alive again, maybe more alive than I’ve ever felt. Knowing that Dan and Christine are behind all of this makes it that much more extraordinary. Love was the furthest thing from my mind when ye fell into my life. Sorry, couldn’t resist,” as she chuckles.
“I never thought I’d find love again and never dreamed of something this incredible. The intensity. The intimacy. Ye get me. Ye fit. I want you to know how much I cherish ye and treasure our connection.”
As tears start streaming from her eyes, she replies, “Finn, I have been closed off from love for so long. A huge piece of my heart died when I lost Dan. You are the only one who has been able to fill that gaping hole. Since I met you, I’ve let go of all my inhibitions. You have melted all my impenetrable walls. You’ve healed all my wounds. You’ve restored faith, hope and love in me. I feel like my life is just beginning. I don’t know where it’s going to take us but I know I want to start the journey with you by
my side. It many ways it scares me to death but I’m ready to jump into this with both feet,” she says as the perfect Paris scenery fades in the background.
I hand her the heart shaped, sterling silver necklace, from the palm of my hand.
“This is a love locket I bought for ye that I want ye to wear forever and always. I will wear the other half, which is the key that opens it. I am eternally grateful that ye’ve given me the honor and privilege of unlocking yer heart to love again.” Her eyes begin streaming with tears.
“Oh, Finn.”
“That’s not all. We’re standing on the Lovers Lock Bridge. Couples have been coming here for well over a century to profess their love to one another. The tradition is to place locks on the bridge, symbolizing a promise to always be together.”
I reach in my pocket and pull out four locks.
“Why are there four?”
“One for you, me, Dan and Christine.”
“Finn, oh my God… this is so touching.”
I interlock all the locks together, claim our spot on the bridge and hand her the keys.
“Now ye have to make a wish as ye throw the keys into the river.”
“Okay, but I’m saying it to myself or else the wish won’t come true.”
Chapter Twenty-One
(Olivia)
As I close my eyes, the words pour out of me.
Danny, you overwhelm me. I’m so glad you’re up there with Christine. It all makes sense now. The struggle, the pain, the wait has been worth every second of every minute of every day. I wouldn’t change one thing. I know you will continue to watch over us, and know that I will love you, forever. I am grateful for Finn; you found the other half of me. I throw the keys over my left shoulder before Finn and I share a tender kiss.
We return to the apartment exhausted but giddy. Finn begins to prepare dinner and I prop myself front and center at the kitchen island to watch him work his magic. Today was the perfect day. I am grateful he is opening up to me and allowing me in. I could never have predicted this in my wildest dreams. Less than a month ago, I was going through the motions in life, putting one foot in front of the other. Living day to day, hour by hour with no clear direction on where I was heading. I’m suddenly overcome with emotion as I’m thinking about all the events that had to align to get us to this place. I open my journal to start the first chapter of my story. The title . . . The Man Guide.
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