Page 12 of Hope & Harmony

Her grateful smile permeates her entire being, and she visibly relaxes. That's when it hits me. The distance between us is as much my doing as hers.

"I'll see you later?" She sounds almost hopeful as she reaches for the door.

My heart lightens a bit. "Yeah, see you later."

After she's gone, the silence in the apartment is deafening. I can't imagine living like this ever again. Needing to fill the void, I dial my dad. I let it all spill out: my fears, my insecurities, everything.

"Alek," Dad finally interrupts my rant. "You've got to remember, healing happens in layers. Hope needs to return to her own definition of normal. Your job? Whether you're herfriend or her significant other, always be her anchor, not her chain."

"But what if she moves on? Realizes she doesn't want to be with me?"

There's a long pause before my dad speaks. "Son, relationships aren't static. They're tested, stretched, reshaped. If you survive this? You're set for the long haul."

"And if we don't?" I pinch the bridge of my nose with my fingers, trying not to cry.

His voice is soothing. "Then I'll help you pick up the pieces and move on."

Dad's words echo in my mind.

I pray that, on the other side of this struggle, Hope and I will have a stronger, deeper bond.

Only time will tell.

In the meantime, I'll stay the course.

CHAPTER 12

HOPE

Three Weeks Later

I look around the apartment in awe.

How and when did this happen? Somehow, my stuff is no longer confined to boxes. I'm fully unpacked, and everything I own is interspersed with Alek's things.

His apartment is now our shared space.

Despite the crunchiness of a few weeks ago after I insisted on reclaiming my independence, things have settled down. My life with him has blossomed into a vibrant and unexpected journey. There's no question. I want a future filled with shared dreams and the simple joy of waking up beside each other every morning.

The hosting gig at Gus has been a Godsend. This is the most I’ve felt like myself since the attack. Alek's been nothing but supportive. He's given me the space to find my footing. Our relationship has stalled, though. Probably because of the distance I inadvertently created in my quest for autonomy.

I'm ready to bridge the gap once and for all and show Alek how I feel about him.

Earlier on our weekly phone call, Lissa sensed my determination and suggested a grand gesture. "Now, I haven't met him, but he seems like a unicorn. Why not surprise him with dinner? He's taken care of you for months, turn the tables a bit."

The spark of an idea turned into a whole thing. I'm all in. Alek should be home soon. My mom's favorite roast chicken is in the oven, and the dining room table is set. I'm excited to express my gratitude for his unwavering support and finally tell him how I feel.

I'm in the midst of preparing the mashed potatoes when I hear the door open. Alek steps in, and the surprise I planned for him is nearly forgotten when I see he's not empty-handed.

I'd recognize the worn, old case anywhere. My hands fly to my mouth when I realize he's carrying my beloved guitar.

"I found it." Alek's voice is tinged with excitement and something deeper. More meaningful. "I tracked it down and found it at a pawn shop in Tacoma. I know you miss your music and were planning on buying a new one, but I thought…"

Tears prick my eyes as I take in the sight of my long-lost companion. This guitar is more than an instrument. It's a piece of my soul. My link to a past I thought was gone forever.

Alek, in his quiet, thoughtful way, has managed to return a piece of myself I feared was lost.

I melt into his arms. "I love you. I really,reallylove you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

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