Unexpected

Epilogue

"Do you still think about him?" Anna asks quietly, stroking the hand of the small blanketed bundle in my arms.

I nod, meeting her eyes. "I do. Every day," I sigh. "I really thought I'd be able to build a life with him. Get married, have kids..." I look back down. "...have something like you and Ben do."

Anna chuckles softly. "Be glad you can wait a little longer on the having kids part." She takes the baby from my arms and lays him in his crib. "Leo has quite the personality of his own already," she says, admiring her son. Motherhood suits her. I've never seen Anna glow the way she does when she looks at her child.

I take one last look at Leo, my godchild, sleeping soundly before following Anna back out into the living room. I sit down on the couch across the room from her, folding my legs beneath me and hug a pillow to my chest. Their home has finally come together, the last touches being Leo's nursery. The living room and kitchen are now an open floor concept after my destruction of the wall dividing them. After completing the renovations, Ben framed a broken piece of plaster and labeled it as 'Kris's Wall' that now hangs among family pictures in the living room. I can't help but laugh each time I see it.

I sigh and look at Anna. "You know, I used to say that I'd be that fun aunt who's always wine drunk at family events ranting about men..." I mutter. "With my track record I'm getting closer to that," I tease.

Anna rolls her eyes. "Every time you say that, I'm going to keep calling you on your bullshit," she says with a groan.

I smile but chew on my thumbnail.

"What's wrong?" she asks.

"Just thinking," I reply, casually.

"Enlighten me," Anna says, leaning back against her cushioned chair and crossing her arms over her chest.

"You'd think that after everything I've been through, I wouldn't be where I am now."

"What do you mean by that?" she questions.

"Honestly, the last few months have been a blur. Time just doesn't seem to apply to what's happened. The sudden end to my relationship with Elliot, being attacked by Harris, quitting my job, returning to school..." I run my fingers through my hair. "And yet, I'm okay. I'm surprisingly doing really well, considering the circumstances." I shrug.

"I am incredibly proud of how far you have come. God, Kristine, everyone is. I know that what Elliot did tore another hole in you and triggered what Alex had put you through. But because of that you know what you deserve, you recognize your worth and you won't settle for less. Now, I can't tell you what it's like facing life and death, but you've taken that second chance and have run with it. And I am amazed by you every day."

The corner of my mouth pulls into a smile as Anna swipes tears from her cheeks. She watches me for a moment.

"There's something you're not telling me though." She narrows her eyes accusingly.

I bite my lip and I can't stop the heat rushing to my cheeks. "I have a date tomorrow night."

"And you've waited this long to tell me?" She gasps. "How did you meet? Not another random club hook up, right?"

I roll my eyes. "No, not this time. I don't think I'll be doing that again." I laugh. "He's the teaching assistant in one of my classes."

I begin telling Anna all about the new man I'm beginning to see. I feel the butterflies in my stomach, the way they used to when I spoke about Elliot. This is a good sign. This means that maybe, just maybe, I'm finally healed.

****

I return home from Anna and Ben's and reach into my mailbox, stuffing the stack of envelopes under my arm, before entering my apartment. I sigh and drop the mail onto the kitchen counter, eagerly flipping through the items.

Bill...bill...bill...advertisement.

Ah, there it is.

My heart rate picks up as I run my fingers across the front of the envelope, tracing my name with my thumb. This is the one piece of mail I look forward to receiving every month. I tear open the envelope and retrieve the paper from inside.

"Kristine." My name is scrawled out in Elliot's messy handwriting. I quickly read through the letter, tracing my finger along the simple E he signs each one with. I press the paper to my chest and throw it into the drawer with all of the others I've now collected.

I sigh and lean back against the kitchen counter, running my hands through my hair. Just as I had begun to move on with my life, so had he. Elliot has been living out of the country for five months now, volunteering his legal services in a variety of places. He had said he wanted to do something more, and when the opportunity presented itself, he didn't hesitate. We didn't stay in contact, a part of me just didn't see the point. Then one day a letter arrived, the next month came another, and another. I never respond to them, still unsure of what I would say and not quite ready to welcome him back into my life, but I cherish them. It brings me comfort knowing he's doing okay, and I think he knows that, which is why he continues to send them.

I try to shake the thought of him out of my head and enter my bedroom, dropping myself down onto the blankets. I instinctively reach my hand out to the empty side of the bed, dragging my fingers along the soft fabric.

This is your new life, Kristine. And as much as you want it to, this new life might not include him.

****

ONE YEAR LATER

"Is the bride ready?" Kate beams at me from the doorway of my dressing room.

"She is." I smile as I fluff the skirt of my wedding dress. I hold my arms out and spin around once.

"Absolutely stunning," Kate says.

I turn to the full length mirror and admire myself. I trace my fingers along the lace neckline and bodice. This is my dream dress. The one I had selected for my wedding with Alex a lifetime ago pales in comparison. I tuck in loose bobby-pins as Kate secures my veil. She hugs me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder. Her eyes light up, admiring the two beautiful women in the mirror before us.

"I can't believe it's your wedding day. You're finally getting married," she whispers.

I place my arms on top of hers and lean my cheek against her head. I meet her eyes in the reflection of the glass.

"I've waited a long time for this." I smile. My stomach flips with excitement. I'm about to marry the love of my life. About to marry the man who I've given my entire heart to, the man who's never leave my side, the man who has given me the entire world.

Kate releases me from our hug and holds her arm out. She takes a deep breath and grins. "Alright future 'Mrs.' Let's go."

I hesitate. "I actually do need one more minute... Then I'll meet you out there." I fidget with my ring, twisting it around my finger.

"Fine. Don't be getting cold feet though. I'm not about to play a game of runaway bride. I can't run in these fucking shoes." She playfully elbows me and closes the door behind her as she exits.

I bite on my thumb nail and pace the room for a minute before reaching for the envelope on the makeup vanity. The note had been sitting there for some time now, taunting me, but I made myself wait to open it until it was time. My name is scribbled across the front of it in Elliot's familiar handwriting. I inhale and pick it up, flipping it around in my hands a few times before tearing it open, eager to read his message. My eyes skim the page and I quietly read it aloud.

"Happy Wedding Day Kristine. You are about to make the man you're marrying the happiest man in the world. I'll be thinking of you on your special day. It fills my heart to know you have found the one who you were meant to build a life with, who can love you the way that you deserve to be loved. I wish you both a lifetime of love and happiness. E."

THE END