I grip at his shirt, the sunflower still in my hand, our face and clothes becoming wetter, not only from our tears but from the rain that had started to pour too.
“I’m scared, Nate.”
“I know, sweetness. I know.”
“I couldn’t read the letters. It took me one week to open them and then I was too far away to come back immediately. But he’s gone, and I don’t know what to do—”
“It’s alright,” he whispers, kissing my forehead. “I’m your rock, remember? Whatever comes next, we’ll do it together. If you want to travel and find your birth parents, we’ll go. If you want to go back to work, I’ll drive you. If you want to go and see Nuri, I’ll come with you. Because you’re my home. And wherever you are is where I belong. I just hope you don’t want to be away from me, because I don’t think I can survive it now, not after everything…”
I cup his face with my free hand and he places his palm over it. We’re both soaked from the rain. Dark circles darken his face, but his ocean eyes shine with relief and hope.
And I see it.
I see the home I’ve started to build with him before the grief overwhelmed me. I see the home Jack told me not to be scared of, not to push away.
I kiss him softly.
“Take me home, Nate.”
EPILOGUE
HOME IS WHERE THE SUNFLOWERS GROW
2 YEARS LATER
Evie: Where are you guys?
Nate: We’ll be here on time.
Ikram: Give them a break, Evie.
Evie: They can’t be late!I’ve spent too much time organizing everything, it has to be perfect!
Ikram: And it will be.
Ikram: I’ve got sunscreen for everyone, I’ll be right here to pick her up, Prue will be surprised, it’ll all go FINE.
Evie: Not with the sunscreen already.
Evie: Nate, do something.
Evie: Naaaaate
NATE
I kiss the shape of her jaw softly as her legs are tights around my waist. She’s still fluttering around me and her soft moans echo in the small room.
“Do you think we did it this time?” I whisper as I kiss my way to her ear.
“We’vejustgot rid of the IUD. Give us some time…”
I chuckle. I’ve been a very patient man since I’ve met her. I guess I can be patient a little while longer. The odds of her getting pregnant on our firsttry are slim, after all.
“Can I open my eyes now?”
She slaps my shoulder in outrage. “No! It’s bad luck.”
“So, I can fuck you against a closet wall, but I’m not allowed to see you?”
