Tonight is the night we die

Chapter Nineteen

GLORIA'S POV

I leave the hospital today and I couldn't be more excited. I gather my things and sit on the bed and wait for Jake to arrive. But quickly I can't stay in that position, I am too fidgety. The excitement of going back to normal life. I pace around the room. Jake forbade me to leave the room until he was there " so you do not get cold while waiting ! " he said. I sigh, grab my bag and leave the room. Jake will warm me up as soon as I see him anyway.

The coldness outside surprises me. When did it get that cold ? I am very familiar with Colville, never had any reason to visit the hospital and I wish to never have to spend one second here. The excitement is here but the nerves are not far behind. I am staying in Duskwood for a little while but I will have to go back to my hometown soon. There is still another part of my life, the one I left behind that night. It is waiting for me. I don't know if Jake will follow me. I insisted last night, when we were testing, that he talk to me about what Alan wanted. After considering our options, we decided together that accepting his proposal was the best for now. Jake will have to stay in Duskwood or close to it. Newfold, where I live, is two hours away. It's not that far but it's still some distance. I guess it's a problem for later. For now, we had another problem. Jake had a good time last night but as per usual Thomas ruined everything. Everybody was bummed about it from what I gathered from their texts. No one blamed Jake apart from Jake himself. He felt guilty but he did nothing wrong. It was hard to make him understand that and he probably just agreed with me so I would leave him alone with that.

Speaking of the devil... He pulls up in front of the hospital and I skip toward him with the biggest smile, it hurts my jaw. Jake takes off his helmet, his forehead creasing coming in pair with his disapproval look :

" What happened to you stay inside until I get here, Gloria Abigail Jones ? " He reprimands me, using my full name. He doesn't have time to scold me that I am kissing him, knotting my hands behind his neck. I detect a surprise in him. He is always surprised that I want to get this close to him. His hand on the bottom of my spine brings us even closer.

" It's not even that cold " I say against his lips as I step back " This type of behavior with me is not always going to help you, you know that ? " His gloved fingers caress my cheek, a corner of his mouth lifting into a charming smile. The way Jake can go from one emotion to another in a matter of seconds is always surprising me. From shyness to anger. From insecure to seductive. It makes my head spin. I doubt he notices it as I do. I doubt he even understands what is happening to him every time they change.

On the road to the cabin, I have a flashback from the very first time I was with Jake. Despite what happened next, it was still a memory I liked having in my head. I buried the rest. I enjoy the scenery in the daylight this time. I watch the forest swallow us as we enter a road surrounded by trees. You could spot from time to time when there were gaps between the trees, the view of Duskwood, and the further cities next to it. The weather is gloomy today, the fog is thin enough that you can enjoy the view. Long minutes down this road and we reach the big wooden house. I couldn't be more excited to be here. We are not even in front of the door that it opens. Jessy rushes to me and I almost fall as she jumps in my arms. I am not the only one to be excited !

Jake goes in as I stay a moment with Jessy outside, just so we can scream and cry for a while in each other's arms. We finally join the rest of the group inside. My smile fades as I notice a man and a woman which I identified as Hannah and Lilly's parents. They smile warmly at me and walk in my direction. I glance at Jake, who has his back against the wall not far from me, his arms crossed, eyes fixed on the ground :

" Hi, Gloria ! It is so nice to meet you ! My wife and I wanted to be here today to welcome you ! " The man says, Jake's dad from what I can assume.

" Welcome you and thank you for everything that you did ! " His wife grabs my hand in hers " What you've been through for the life of our daughter... I cannot find the words that could express our gratitude, Gloria. Thank you is too simple. But.. Oh my god thank you so much ! " She pulls on my hand and I end up in her arms. It is a nice comforting embrace. For a moment, the thoughts, the wish, of having a mum like this, blur my vision. She leans back and rubs gently my shoulders with her hands.