𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑒

Chapter 26 ~ Goodbye

Willow

It's around 5 in the morning and I'm trying to make sure I have everything that I need for as long as I'm going to be there, which is unknown. Maddox said he would be here in a couple minutes. He is just getting himself ready.

I drag my suitcases to the door and go back through the studio to turn off any lights and unplug everything. A knock on the door comes through and I rush to open it.

Maddox stands there looking good as ever which is unbelievable since it's only 5 in the morning.

"Hey, I brought coffee." He hands me a cup. I thank him as I sit on the couch and take sips of it. "I feel bad that all the food you bought me is going to go to waste." I say as he sits next to me.

"Don't worry about it, if it makes you feel better, I can take it to my place." I nod.

"Alright, we should probably get going. Traffic." I nod my head as he goes to grab my suitcases and put them in his car. I look back at my studio and sigh. I love this place. Why am I acting like I will never see it again?

"Willow." I turn to see Maddox playing with his keys. We walk to his car and get situated and he starts driving. "So, I told my friend to put your car in one of his garages just so it's not out here, and I will keep your car keys unless you want them."

"No you can keep them till I get back." He nods and turns his attention back to the road. "So when do you plan on coming back?"

"I'm not sure, it's the middle of December, I would give it till summer maybe."

"Summer?" He sounds shocked.

"I mean, I signed up for the online program until the end of the year. I plan on staying until my family recovers from this." He nods at me and we don't speak any other words.

I stay awake the whole car ride because I'm just anxious about what to expect when I go back home. I don't want to go that long with Maddox either. It breaks my heart just thinking about it.

About 2 hours later, Maddox pulls into the airport and finds a place to park. I don't expect him to get out, but he does and he makes sure to grab all my things.

We walk to the building and Maddox helps me get all checked in. But once we get to security, I know he can't go past that point.

I turn around and see him already smiling at me. "I'm going to miss you Carter."

"Stop acting like we will never see each other ever again." I roll my eyes with a sarcastic laugh.

"If you plan on being gone for as long as you say, then it does feel like that." I can't take it anymore, I bring him into a tight hug and squeeze him until he can't breathe anymore.

"Thank you for everything Maddox."

"It's my pleasure Willow." We pull away and look in each other's eyes. He leans down and kisses my lips as softly as he can. I kiss him back. I kiss him with all of me, like I'm never going to see his face again.

We pull away and we smile at each other. He leans down and rests his forehead on mine and whispers, "You're my favorite person Carter, don't forget to message me, call me, facetime, whenever you need me, I will be there."

"Even if you're in class?"

"Baby I will skip out of the classroom with joy and answer your calls."

"Thank you." I give him a grin as I start backing away from him. I turn my things over in security and once I have all my things, I turn to see him still looking at me. I give him one last smile and wave. He blows me a kiss.

This is going to hurt.

🌿

It does hurt.

My plane landed a couple hours ago and I'm sitting in my childhood room facetiming Maddox. When I got here, we all visited Grandma and Grandpa and she looked like she was doing fine.

I had all the family time I could today. I painted my nails with Mayella, played a bit of hockey with dad, and did shopping with mom. Everyone seemed happy.

"And then when I came back, I saw something on my door threshold." I bit my lip as Maddox talked. He is running his hands through his hair as he lays down talking to me. "And then, I noticed, it was your key, to your place."

"I don't need it at the moment, plus you need to eat the food there."

"Willow, it was dangerous to leave your key there."

"Still still got in though right?"

"Not the point."

"Whatever, I have to go, I have a long day tomorrow."

"Alright Carter, take care."

"Okay Maddox."

I hung up and laid down in my bed staring at my ceiling. I missed him like crazy and I just saw him this morning. We had been on call for so long I didn't notice the time.

My brain hurts from thinking about his face, how much I will miss him. Wondering if he will miss me just as much. Wondering if we can call everyday until I go back.

I may call Minnesota my home, but I realized that it's not my only home. And then I thought about Seattle, which is also a home to me.

And then, I thought of him, and everywhere we went together, his aunt's house, school, book club, those are all homes to me now, but only because he was there with me.

Maddox is my home, anywhere he goes, will be a home to me.

I can't wait until I see his face and kiss him till both of us run out of breath.

I love him.