Trouble in Paradise

Chapter 42 - "Don't Go."

Allie got out of her car and walked into the graveyard. She'd notice the rest of her family was already there.

Jackson's and Allie's aunt wanted their family to gather at his tombstone for a memorial service. Although it had been months since he'd passed away, she wanted to hold the service for family only.

Allie greeted her family and then after a few moments, they begun the ceremony.

There was a dinner held at her aunt's house after the ceremony. Allie enjoyed being around her family once again. She knew it was her last time for a while.

The following day she met up with Chris at a restaurant.

"Thanks for meeting with me." She sat across from Chris.

"No problem." He asked. "How are things? Haven't heard from you in a while." He said.

"Things are going well, actually." She answered with a kind smile. "How about for you?"

"I certainly can't complain about how things are going. Everything is great."

"Well one reason I wanted to meet with you was to treat you to lunch. It's all a thank for being there for me all this time." She held her smile.

He sat silent because he could feel her saying more.

"I'm moving to New York." She added.

"City?" He was surprised at her news.

She nodded. "I have to get away from here and New York is where better opportunities are for me." she said.

Chris didn't know what to say in response for a moment.

"I don't expect you to be jumping up and down for joy or to be sad that I'm leaving." She chuckled. "But you are pretty much the only person who knows what I've been through and what's going on and you're also the person that has helped me through it all and I can't thank you enough for that." she said, sincerely.

Chris finally opened his mouth to say something, "I really think it's a great thing for you to move out there. It'll be a change for you, a great one." He flashed a smile.

Suddenly his cell phone made an alert sound from an incoming text message. He took a quick look at his phone and saw that the message was from Cassie. Reading the message, he frowned a little.

"Everything okay?" Allie asked.

His eyes shifted to her, then to his phone screen, and then back to Allie, "I actually need to get going. I have something to go take care of." he said. He stood up, taking a few bills out of his pocket, "Sorry this had to be cut short."

"It's okay and put your money away, we only got our drinks." She giggled.

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"In a few days." she answered.

"That's soon!" he said.

"I know. I'm trying to get out of here fast." she giggled.

"I'm sure I'll see you around." he said. "You know, when I travel and record and tour and stuff."

She nodded with a smile. "I'm sure."

"You take care of yourself, Allie. You hear me?" he said.

"I hear you." she smiled. "And I will."

He leaned closer to her and gave her a hug.

Leaving the restaurant, he called Cassie and was sent straight to voicemail. Chris rushed to the doctor's office where she was having her appointment. After making it inside the building, he waited for the elevator.