Page 46 of Forging Legacy

When we finally come apart in each other's arms, spent and sated, I hold her close, marveling at the way she fits so perfectly against me. Her body, so soft and yielding, is like a safe haven in a world that's been so harsh and merciless.

This is where I belong. She is home.

I pace the arrivals gate at Heathrow, my heart racing with anticipation. I tried bringing a book, but there’s no way I can concentrate on reading it, so I shove it in my back pocket and stare at the arrivals board again. Fern's plane landed twenty minutes ago, and I know it's only a matter of time before she clears customs and makes her way to me.

The past month has been a whirlwind. Between settling into my new team, finding a flat, and starting sessions with the psychologist, I've barely had a moment to catch my breath. I’ve literally been counting down the days until Fern gets here. She sent me 30 images from the art class she took with Grand and told me to put one up on the wall every day until we could be together. Sort of sappy, but I like having someone to be that way with.

I call her every day, even if the time zones are hard with my training schedule. Fern doesn’t seem to sleep anymore, so it worked out. She's been wrapping up her finals and packing up her life in Pittsburgh while I've been scoping out all the places I want to show her in London. I offered to fly her mom out here with her, but Ms. Montgomery doesn’t have a passport yet. She and Fern are making plans and soaking in their time together, and I hope they’ll let me help out when they’re ready. What else am I going to do with this sort of paycheck?

Finally, I see her emerge from the sliding doors, her face lighting up when our eyes meet. I rush forward, sweeping her into my arms and spinning her around, for once not caring about people staring. “You're here," I murmur against her hair, breathing in the scent of her. "You're really here."

I’m vaguely aware of a few people snapping photos of us. One of the first things I talked about in therapy was my aversion to the press, and how important it is for me to make a good impression with fans. I have all sorts of mental exercises I work through to remind myself that it’s okay for the world to see me successful and happy and that my father can’t take that from me.

So now, I let it happen. Thankfully, nobody tries to interrupt us. Until my phone emits a quacking sound. “What the hell?” I glance down to see a group text from my cousins.

Young Stag Group Chat

Odin

Did you know I can manipulate your notifications from afar? You’re still on the family plan!

Stellen

Epic.

Gunnar

We’re going to video call you during family dinner this weekend. Tell Fern she has to tune in.

Odin

Can you put her on the family plan so I can fuck with her phone notifications, too?

Reading over the exchange, Fern laughs, a joyful sound that sends my blood buzzing. "I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

I cup her face in my hands. "Welcome to London, love. Ready for the adventure of a lifetime?"

Her smile is brighter than the sun. "With you? Always."

Hand in hand, we make our way out of the airport, ready to take on the world together. It’s not going to be easy. She’s in an intense academic program. She’s gonna be a hot doctor. And my life is intense. But I know we can handle anything as long as we have each other.

Fern is my rock, my guiding light, my forever home. And as we step out into the bustling streets of London, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is exactly where we're meant to be, side by side, chasing our dreams and building a life together.

She and I are forging a new legacy, one that's entirely our own—one that recognizes the power of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds we share. It's a legacy I'm proud to call mine…ours.

Epilogue: Wyatt

5 Months Later

“I can’t believeyou splurged for first class.” Fern curls to face me on the comfortable bed in the plane. We’ve shifted things around a bit to be next to one another and the little pod is surprisingly cozy and private.

I tuck back a strand of hair that has sprung loose from the sleep mask she hasn’t yet pulled over her eyes. “What’s the point of earning all this pro soccer money if I can’t take care of you?” She rolls her eyes and tugs the mask over her face, wriggling a bit under the downy blanket. Her body slowly starts to relax against mine, and I kiss the top of her head before tugging my own mask in place.

I only get a few days off between matches this Christmas, so if I’m going to visit my family with Fern, I want to be as comfortable as possible. Flying first class from London to Pittsburgh is the first big splurge I’ve made, and I don’t think I can ever go back now that I’ve had the incredible food and lay-flat seats .

I don’t sleep much on the flight, but I enjoy the long stretch of time with Fern in my arms. She technically lives in the student housing on her campus but spends what nights she can at my flat between my travel commitments. This cuddle fest above the Atlantic is a real luxury.

When we land in Pittsburgh, I try to play it cool, so I don’t tip Fern off to the next round of surprises. We get to exit the plane first, which means we sail through customs to find my cousin Wes waiting to give us a ride, along with …

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