Everything with you

Part 78

Epilogue 

Emma

Three years later..

Graduation day already felt like a blur. The photos, the hugs, the "you made it" speeches—all of it had passed in a haze of joy and disbelief. But what came after felt even more surreal. I had a job I loved — helping kids at the social center find homes, families, and second chances. Every time one of them left with their new parents, holding hands and smiling shyly, something inside me felt right. Like this was what I was supposed to do all along.

It wasn't glamorous. It wasn't high-paying. But it mattered. And I mattered.

The only thing missing these days and for a while was Justin.

He was finishing his second international league — this time in London — and though we texted and video-called every day, it wasn't the same. I missed the way he'd randomly sneak up behind me and rest his chin on my shoulder, the way he'd make terrible coffee just to "help," or how he'd hum while lacing his boots.

Some nights I cried after the calls ended, trying to hide it behind excuses like bad Wi-Fi or I'm just tired. But he always knew. He'd always say, "I'll be home soon, Em."

And now, "soon" was next weekend.

My heart raced just thinking about it as I signed off the last document for the day. The clock struck 5:40. I was almost free. That's when my phone buzzed.

Hayley: Em. Woods. ASAP. Like, now.

I blinked at the screen. "ASAP" was in all caps. Twice. Knowing her, that could mean anything from 'I found a baby bird' to 'there's a meteor heading our way.'

Still, something about the message made my chest tighten. I texted back On my way! grabbed my keys, and hurried out before anyone could stop me.

The drive took about twenty minutes — familiar turns, familiar winding roads lined with tall trees, the kind that danced against the evening light. The woods were where Justin and I had gone on one of our first real dates.  After that, Hayley and I started coming here often — for walks, talks, and the occasional attempt at hiking that ended with snacks instead.

When I pulled into the gravel parking lot, it was empty. Typical for this hour. The air smelled of pine and damp soil; the sun was dipping low.

"Hayles?" I called, locking the car. No answer.

I started walking up the familiar path, smiling and nodding at a few joggers passing by. The trees thinned as I got closer to the clearing — the same one where the view opened up to the lake below. That's when I saw it.

An arch.

It stood right at the edge of the viewpoint, made of white roses and soft pink blooms, twisting together like something out of a dream. My favorite flowers. The way the golden light hit it made it glow faintly, almost magical.

"Hayley?" I called again, slower this time. Still nothing.

I took a few careful steps forward, curiosity battling the quickened beat of my heart. My hands were trembling slightly as I reached out to touch the roses.

Then —

"Ahem."

The sound came from behind me. Familiar. Low. Warm.

I froze. My breath caught. Slowly, I turned.

And there he was.

Justin.