Here And Now

28. A Bit Too Late

WESTON

Forty-five, Forty-six, 4 more and I am done.

There's a knock on the door before I am done hanging up all the paper butterflies.

I am recreating my and April's fourth date, where I had asked her to become my girlfriend.

I had hung up fifty store bought paper butterflies in my room and lit a few scented candles along with Daisies covering the entire room. A fire hazard? Yes, but she had been so happy, so incredibly happy.

I was too, because she had finally agreed to become mine.

So, after coming home yesterday I had this idea occur to me that what I simply needed to do was make her fall in love with me all over again.

And the best way to do that was to recreate our most cherished moments.

Only this time I have made the paper butterflies by hand folding them. I have about a million paper cuts, but I want her to see that I am going to put all my efforts in.

The knocking on the door turns to pounding.

"Jesus Christ, what the he-" my words turn to sand when I see who's standing on the other side of the door.

"Hi." She tucks her hair behind her ear and glances at me shyly.

"What are you doing here?" I glance behind her, then left and right to see if anyone has seen her.

Thankfully, no one's there, but not willing to risk it, I pull her inside and shut the door behind her.

"I know that April knows."

"I think not replying to your dozen missed calls and messages would be a clear enough indicator that I am not interested in speaking with you, Claire."

Hurt flashes in her eyes.

"But don't you see? Rouben knows, he always did. And now April knows too, we don't have to hide from anyone now. We can be together." Her shoulders lift up, her face perked up in hope, happiness.

"I am not interested in whatever this was, anymore. I am trying to win my  wife's trust again and you being here isn't helping that." I put all my annoyance in my words.

But she ignores it, glancing around. Takes one of the butterflies in her hand and examines it.

"Wow, this is incredible. You have even woven these small LED lights into the butterflies. Did you make these by yourself?" She takes my hand in hers and examines them. The tiny red paper cuts.

"She doesn't deserve you, you know that?" Claire whispers glancing up at me and stepping close.

Too close.

"We would be happy together, West. I could leave Rouben, he won't contest and because we didn't sign a prenup, I'll get half of his assets. We could start a new life together. Somewhere, anywhere."

I stare at her for a few seconds. The picture she's painting slowly coming to life in front of me.

Could I really do that? Leave everything behind to be with Claire. I won't have to worry about a single thing in my entire life and all of this agony will be gone too.

"Infact I am here today to tell you something important." She takes a deep breathe.

"I am leaving Rouben. I have already signed and sent the divorce papers to him."

I blink at her, astonished.

She puts her hands around my neck.

"I want us to be together West. Always and forever."