Page 63 of Everything I Desire

He’s so proud of the changes she’s been able to make. He and Kayla were able to participate in therapy with her through virtual appointments. It’s made a huge difference in their relationships and Maura’s recovery.

“Adelaide, thank you so much for taking care of my girl, before and during this.” Mauraclasps my hands in hers and kisses my cheek. “She tells me that they’re going to be moving in with you soon?”

Porter wraps an arm around my waist, “Yup, next week we’ll be moved in. And you can move into our house. I kept the lease on it.”

“About that, I think that I might go to the sobriety house, here in Florida, with my recovery friends. I’ve even found a job," she beams.

“Maura, that’s amazing!” I ask her, “What will you be doing for work?”

“It’s just an office job. One of the companies that partners with the rehab facility, they had an opening, and I’ve already finished my training.”

She turns to face Porter, “I really appreciate everything, really I do. But if I go back there, I’ll fall back into everything I’ve worked so hard to escape. I love it here, I’m on the beach, and I’ve got an amazing support team, and I know my girl is taken care of.” She smiles at Porter.

I’m proud of her for realizing that she can’t be around the same people. She looks clearer, happy. Her cheeks are filled in and rosey. Her smile reaches the apples of her cheeks, and her skin has a nice glow from being at the beach and getting a healthy dose of sunshine everyday. Her eyes sparkle in the sunlight showing how clear they are now that they aren’t muddled by the drugs.

Porter stares at her, mouth open. “I always thought- I mean when this was over, I just -”

I jump in to answer for him, “We just thought you’d want to come home, but whatever you needto do for yourself. We just want you to stay clean and be happy. We can always visit you. I’d love to get out of the snow in the winter!”

Porter squeezes my waist, “Yea, that’s what I meant. We’re happy for you.”

“Mom, does this mean I can visit you now? Maybe spend summers here on the beach?” Kayla asks excitedly.

“You guys can definitely visit, as far as spending the summer, let’s tackle that question next year and I’ll see if I have my own place,” she chuckles.

The four of us walk together down to the beach to walk and talk with Maura about her recovery after rehab.

“This is perfect.” I whisper to Porter as we walk hand in hand behind Kayla and Maura.

“It is. The only thing that can make life better is me and you living under the same roof with our girl. I can’t wait to get home and make that dream a reality.”

“Me either. It feels like I’ve waited a lifetime for that to happen.” I reach up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Everything seems like it’s perfect, fallen into place, and at exactly the moment it was supposed to. Everything I've ever desired is finally within my reach.

Epilogue

Adelaide

One Year Later . . .

“Adelaide, are you ready?” Porter yells impatiently from the kitchen.

“Almost!” I yell back.

I stand in the bathroom smiling at my own reflection, the test I just took burning a hole in my hand. It’s serendipity that we are hiking to our spot tonight, and I can’t wait to tell Porter he’s going to be a dad.

I tuck the test into the pocket of my leggings, and head downstairs with the sweatshirt I said I was coming up to get as a cover.

I walk into the kitchen and see Porter waiting with Kayla and Eric. His foot tapping on the floor like he does when he’s nervous.

Does he know?

“Sorry. I couldn’t find it.” I hold up the sweatshirt.

“You know it’s seventy degrees outside right?” Eric asks.

I ruffle his hair, “Yes. And I’ll be the only one without bug bites on my arms.” I raise my brows to him and Kayla laughs.

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