She's With Me

11

Opening night doesn't go as expected. The crowd is gigantic, but the kitchen staff are working good together. Apparently, all that they need is a good leader, and Elijah certainly is one. Poppy's on her way here. She's got news for me and I can tell that it's going to be good.

I'm excited and so nervous. I hope everything goes well. And when she realizes that I've got Elijah somehow wrapped around my finger, I'm afraid of what her reaction will be.

I look at my mother's ring that's on my finger, and hope it gives me luck. After Poppy saved my life, she also returned this ring, telling me to never take it off again. And I never will. I want to keep their memory close to my heart. And I know that they're somewhere out there protecting me everyday.

By the end of the night, I thank everyone with a few bottles of champagne.

"It's been a good night everyone," Poppy just landed and I'm waiting for the driver to bring her here, "I couldn't have done it without anyone of you."

"It's been a pleasure, boss," Quincy lifts his glass in salute. I look at Elijah and smile. But he's looking elsewhere with confusion on his face. I follow his stare and notice my beautiful wife at the door.

"You seem baffled," I walk towards him and place my hand on his shoulder. He looks at me, then back to Poppy.

"Scarlet," Poppy walks beside me, but her eyes are on her brother, "Elijah?" Elijah swallows. I'm not sure if he recognizes her or not.

"Poppy, it's you," he pulls her in quickly, "it's really you."

I'm happy from his reaction. He seems truly pleased to see her after all of these years.

"So this is what you've been up to?" Poppy looks at me with the arch of her brow. I know that she's afraid—afraid of what he may think about her. After she was kicked out, no one reached out. But also, there was no way for them to get in contact, or even find her.

"I'm confused. You two know each other?" Elijah asks. Poppy looks down and nods. She places her hand in mine and takes a deep inhale.

"Yes," she looks up at him, "Scarlet's my wife," her voice doesn't break.

"Wow," he seems startled for a moment, "and you knew all along that I'm her—-"

"Yes. I wanted you to reconnect with her. And thought that this was a good way to do so."

"By hiring me?" I nod.

"I wanted you to get to know me before you judge my relationship with your sister."

"Damn, this is surreal. Poppy, we've been searching for you for years. We even hired a private investigator. But no trace. Who would have thought that you'd be in Nashville."

"Actually I was in New York. But we travel a lot. Are you really happy to see me?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" I can sense the tears in her eyes.

"It's just, just, you know—"

"I don't care who you choose to love Poppy. I'm just glad that you're okay," he pulls her into another hug, with tears of his own. Even I have to wipe a few stray tears away.