Can I Lean On You | Finley & Harlyn #2

Chapter 6

Finley

When I broke the news to Amelia that I decided to live with Elly and the girls instead of her, she was gracious and understanding, of course, but made me promise to visit as much as I could. So, I take Mom, Dad, and Bridget to visit her on Sunday, and it's a beautiful reunion. And my parents love her. (Not surprising.)

She tells us about the student moving in next week and makes us the most delicious BLTs I believe I've ever had. And after movie night with the girls and falling asleep in Harlyn's arms for the second night in a row, I have hope that everything will work out.

Harlyn is scheduled every day, so he's only able to join us once for a tour of the Cathedral Tuesday morning. Mom and Dad seem less agitated around him and Bridget grills him with all the questions she can think of about the cathedral. It's a tiny bit surprising, since I never thought she was a history buff. Either she's been hiding it, she didn't know herself, or she's being a good sister and engaging my boyfriend. It's the last possibility that shocks me to my core. Because I realize that's exactly what she's doing.

And Mom and Dad are doing it, too, in their own way. Other than a few comments from Mom about how I should've stuck with my plan to live with Amelia, they've been all smiles. They don't even complain when we go our separate ways at the end of the night so I can go back to the flat - my flat. Apparently their spontaneous anniversary dinner on Saturday night did some good - another thing I need to thank Bridget for - and I have a suspicion that they're just as entranced by England as I was. Still am. Even though I've wandered the grounds of Canterbury Castle and walked the top of the city wall from end to end, it doesn't get old.

Wednesday morning, we take the train into London, and I have to remind my overactive mind that I'm coming back. It helps when Harlyn texts when we're just outside the city.

Harlyn: I'll see you Friday, love.

There's so much I want to show them in London, but I can tell they're losing a bit of steam. So, we take it slow, taking the tube as much as we can while still taking in the sights. They had their requests, so we're sure to see Buckingham Palace for Mom, the Victoria and Albert Museum for Dad, and the Globe Theater for Bridget.

"Are you like a closeted history buff?" I ask as we wander through the museum part of the theater.

She chuckles. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just asking Mr. Bixby for a recommendation for a campus job and, as you know, he's a huge Shakespeare buff that would totally take this as buttering up."

"Of course," I say. "I hope you get the job."

"I do, too. Gotta pay for school somehow."

A pit sinks in my stomach at the thought of looking for a job, but I stuff it aside. I can start thinking about that next week.

Our last stop on Friday morning is the Tower of London. It's the big finale so to speak, since it was on all three of their lists as somewhere they definitely wanted to go. I don't think they were prepared for all of the execution education, but it's still a huge success.

And then it's time. We pick up our suitcases from the hotel, take the tube to Paddington station, and find our way to the overground trains. They pick up tickets, and we stand rather awkwardly outside the stiles. This is a very public place for goodbyes. But it made the most sense. So here we are.

"Well, I guess this is where we say goodbye," Bridget says slowly. She actually has tears in her eyes. So does Mom. I don't know how to deal with any emotions from my family other than annoyance.

"I'm not going off to war," I joke.

Bridget rolls her eyes and gives me a tight squeeze around my waist. "Love you, Fin."