“Can I show you something?” I ask carefully, walking back over to my desk and grabbing my phone.
She crosses her arms and makes a sniffling sound. “Okay…”
Unlocking it, I hand it to her—the screen open to my notes app. She takes it and her eyes flick across the screen as she reads the words I’d just written before she barged into my suite. I watch her expression soften as she reads, as she scrolls… and then she taps and enters the entire index of notes I’ve been taking for over two years.
“How far back do these go?” she asks, looking up at me with wide, tearful eyes.
I shrug. “I think all the way back to the day applied for the job.”
She lets out a tiny gasp, and then she goes back to the notes—opening a few random ones and skimming the entries.
“This one’s from a year ago,” she whispers, smiling. “It’s strange, how I’ve come to need this. I used to think that loneliness was something I could handle, something I could endure. But now, with her presence, I realize just how empty those years were. The office, the work—everything was so hollow before she arrived. Now, every minute with her, even if it’s filled with her mild exasperation or frustration, is a gift.It means she’s thinking about me, focused on me. I make sure there’s always something for her to do, something that requires her attention, something that keeps her coming back to me. It’s a game, I suppose, but it’s a necessary one.”
She laughs. “You’re such an asshole. You kept me busy for your own personal gain.”
I smile, and she continues reading out loud.
“When she’s busy with work, she’s not just thinking about tasks or deadlines—she’s thinking about how to make me happy, how to meet my expectations. And in doing so, she’s always in my orbit. There’s a loneliness I felt before she came into my life that I can’t even begin to describe. It was a constant, gnawing void that no amount of work or distraction could fill. I used to think I could find solace in my career, in achieving professional success, but it was all empty without someone to share it with. Now, having her here, having her in my daily life, it’s like a lifeline. Every sigh she gives, every question she asks, every bit of annoyance—it’s a reminder that she’s there.”
Francesca swallows, taking a step closer to me.
“I know some might see it as manipulative, keeping her working late, giving her tasks that seem endless. But for me, it’s a necessity. I need her. Because the truth is, without her, I’m lost. And I refuse to go back to that dark, lonely place.”
She locks my phone and sets it down, and then she comes to stand in front of me. I never thought I’d let her read any of those entries—especially not the ones from the beginning, when I would wax poetic about the smallest interactions. Even now, when I read them back, they sound…sad.She takes my hands, but I don’t know what I say. In order to make her feel better, I laid myself completely bare before her, and it’s a vulnerable feeling that I’m not entirely used to.
“You should use those lines for your vows,” she murmurs, her hand coming to my face.
“Which ones?” I ask, hardly breathing as her other hand trails down my t-shirt.
“The truth is, without her, I’m lost.”
“Liked that, did you?” I ask, capturing her hand before it drifts too far south. I have plans for her tonight—our wedding night—and I’m not going to let her spoil it with a pre-wedding quickie.
“I loved it. You… you’re…”
Her eyes are dark as she stands on her tip toes. And then she presses her lips to mine—softly, gently, a caress of emotion.
“I love you,” she whispers. “And I need you, too.”
Pulling her close, I let my eyes drift closed as I rest my chin on the top of her head. We stay there for several minutes, swaying and holding each other. After a minute, I pull away and point to the door.
“Now get out of here. It’s bad luck.”
She smirks. “See you soon?”
I grin. “See you soon, baby girl.”
Once she closes the door, I walk back over to my phone and pull the note from today up again. My fingers fly over the keys as I write.
Tonight, when dance under the soft glow of the chandeliers at the hotel that started it all, I can’t help but think of how she’s dancing with the Devil. Isn’t that what she used to call me?
We’ve found our way through the shadows, carving out a place where love and light flourish despite everythingwe’ve endured. We’ve created something beautiful, something lasting. Our child, our future—it’s all within reach now. I know some would say it’s wrong, that my methods were flawed, but today, none of that matters. We’re a family, and nothing can change that. Nothing will ever tear us apart.
This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I’ve gotten everything I ever wanted, and these notes will most likely stop now. I’ve found my peace, my purpose. Francesca and our child are my world, and I will protect them, cherish them, and love them with everything I have.
We’re finally home.
Forever and always.
