Gone Girl 3

Chapter 23

Derek doesn't say anything even though he has every right. I turn my back on my mom and I grab his hand and I intertwine my fingers with his.

I stand on my tiptoes and I kiss him in front of her.

I expect Derek to break the kiss soon but he kisses me back just as fast and deep, showing to my mom I'm already his and she's lost me.

I break the kiss without looking at my mom and I put on my jacket while he puts on the blazer.

"Veronica, don't leave," she pleads as I open the door and I don't look back. Derek's hand is on my lower back as we leave my mom's house forever.

What she did is unforgivable.

I hear the door open again and I sense my mom staring at us but we keep walking in silence to his car. Luckily he parked it far from my home.

When we get inside, he finally breaks down.

"Fuck, your mom's impossible." He seems angry and offended. Who wouldn't be? I can't even imagine his mom talking this way to me. It would destroy me.

"I'm so sorry for putting you through this. I- I didn't expect her to be like this."

"Not your fault," he says as he grabs my hand and kisses it.

He looks the other way. He doesn't want to drive yet.

"You are not deranged, Derek. She is so wrong about you, I wish she could see what I see."

He turns to me with a sad smile on his face.

I should be more sad, more disappointed, but in a way I always knew I'd never have her support on this.

"What would have your mom thought about me?" I ask trying to change the subject. I know it disappointed him that his girlfriend's mom hates him.

He smiles and his eyes already glow as he thinks of his mom. We don't talk often about his parents but I know he misses them so much.

Derek has a cute long dimple that only shows when he smiles and I'm always mesmerized about it.

"She would have loved you."

"Really?"

"Yes. My dad too. They would have probably convinced me to marry you as soon as possible."

I giggle. "Oh, how much I wish I could say the same about my parents."

"What about you? What do you think your dad would have said?"

"He would have given you a very hard time, perhaps even disliked you at first but I know he would have grown to love you as if you were his son."

Derek pulls me in for a hug and I relax into his chest. It's already night and the street is empty.

I feel so calm and peaceful here with him, despite everything. I can hear his heart beating and the warmth of his chest on my head. His long fingers caress my back, as if he wants to protect me from everything and everyone.

"I love you."

And it only feels natural to say it, something I should have said many years ago but it feels right to say it here and now.

Derek is surprised but I'm not at all. He pulls me away for a second so he can look at my face.

"I love you too, Veronica Reeves."

With that, my eyes get wet but he doesn't give me much time to recover as his lips already brush against mine.

I accidentally shed a few tears and he pulls back for a few seconds. I don't know why I'm getting so emotional but I've waited for this for years and I finally have it.