The Moon Is Beautiful

Chapter 41

I'm going home.

After spending the night with Kaden, we shared a delightful breakfast before I headed home. Both Eliza and my mother rushed over to me the moment I walked in, curious about Kaden and how my night went.

After explaining everything to them, I left to my room and just laid on my bed for what felt like hours. I was exhausted.

During that time, Eliza told me that she was heading back to the city tonight as she has much to do, and told me that Professor Lively entered her in an English essay writing competition. I was pleased to hear that he took my suggestion seriously, and Eliza couldn’t be more pleased to spend more time in his company.

And that's when I decided that it's time I return to the city too. I didn't get to spend as much time with my mother as I initially planned on doing, but I've stayed here long enough now, and my life has been on hold long enough as well. I need to return to the city, to university and continue with my life.

And so, I sigh as I close the zipper of my suitcase.

Eliza waits outside for me, Raine and Flynn having left a few hours prior. I haven't seen Kaden since this morning, and the thought of leaving this place without saying goodbye fills me with guilt, especially after his heartfelt confession last night.

But here I am, leaving right now. I don't know when I'll see him again. I doubt I'll ever see him again unless I return here to visit. But that itself feels like light years away, as I know that I won't be returning to this place anytime soon.

Pulling my suitcase onto the ground, I drag it with me out of the room and out the front door to the front gate where Eliza, my mother and a taxi cab awaits me.

"I'm going to really miss you." my mother breathes out, pulling me into her arms.

"Me too," I say, returning her hug tightly. Tears form in my eyes, because after everything, I've finally come to see her as my mom, and I don't want to leave. But I have to. "I promise I'll return soon."

"And I'll visit."

We remain hugging for a little while longer before we pull away and I drag my suitcase to the car and allowing the driver to place it into the boot. Eliza gets into the car before me, but just as I am about to get in after her, I hear a voice calling out to me.

"Rosie!"

My head snaps to the side, my eyes widening when they land on Kaden who is rushing to us, his eyes wide and his movements sloppy. I can't help but toss my bag into the car and running to Kaden.

I'm not even sure if he expected it, but the moment I reach him, I fall into his embrace, wrapping my own arms around his waist. He drops his walking stick and embraces me equally tightly, his one hand on my lower back and the other on the back of my head.

I'm not even sure what has possessed me to hug him like this, but he seems to return my sentiment.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he breathes out into my hair.

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't bring myself to say goodbye to you." I confess, resting my head against his chest. He's so tall, and so my head barely reaches his shoulders. My height has never bothered me, yet all I want to do now is reach up to him and kiss him, but our height difference doesn't allow me to do so.

"I'm going to miss you so much." he confesses.

"Me too. So much."

He pulls away a little so that we are facing one another. "I've decided to get the surgery."

My eyes widen.

"I know that it's a big risk I'll be taking, but I've decided to take it. Especially if it means that I can finally be able to see you again." he says and a natural smile appears on my face.

"Sure. Let's do it," I say, blinking through my tears. "I'll see you soon then?"

His doctor is in the city, so he'll be coming to the city for the surgery, won't he? He nods, the action causing relief to wash over me.

"When?" I question, wanting to see him as soon as I can again after this.

"I'm not sure. I still have to speak to my doctor and schedule the surgery, but it'll be soon." he assures, almost as if he can sense how much I already miss him, even in his arms. He has come to be a very special person to me in this short time, and especially after last night, I don't want to be away from him for too long.

I fear I'll miss him too much.