Page 66 of Eternally London

“I’m sorry this isn’t quite the party you all hoped for,” I say with a sad grin. “I told the caterer where the spare key was. They should have set up the food, so there will be plenty to eat.”

“Don’t you worry yourself.” My mom tightly hugs me. “I’m so glad we’re here to help you. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“And I love her already, so much.” My mom smiles to Lindi, who’s sitting on Georgia’s lap.

“She’s pretty easy to love.”

I say good-bye to everyone and thank them for being here today.

I grab Lindi from Georgia. “Baby girl, Mommy is going to stay with Daddy tonight. I will see you tomorrow. You’re going to go home with Grandma and Grandpa. You’ll be okay. You’re safe. They love you and will take very good care of you. I promise. Is that okay?” I ask her.

She doesn’t respond, but I can see in her eyes that she understands for the most part. She isn’t scared.

I kiss her and hug her in my arms before saying, “Mimi upendo daima.”

I will love you always.

“Mi oo da,” she mimics.

“See you tomorrow. I love you.” I kiss her one more time before handing her to my mom.

With my family gone and the knowledge that Loïc will be okay, the exhaustion of the day weighs on me, and it takes physical effort to make it the four steps to Loïc’s bed. I gently crawl onto the bed and lie beside him. I rest my head on his chest to hear his heartbeat. I can see the beats on the monitor, but I need to hear it for myself to make sure it’s real.

I know Loïc’s heart. I know when it beats with worry, excitement, exhaustion, and need. I’ve memorized its beats while falling asleep, listening to its beautiful song every night. There’s not another heart that could possibly love me more. It beats for me and, now, for Lindi, too.

I will my head to lift off his chest, not wanting to hinder his body’s recovery. But the melodic rhythm keeps my ear against him. After a very long and horrible day—the worst day in my life—I just need to listen to his heart for a bit longer. Each thrum reassures me that it’s going to be okay.

He’s going to be okay.

I’m going to be okay.

Lindi’s going to be okay.

We’re all going to be okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Loïc

“Happily ever after isn’t a destination. It’s a journey.”

—Loïc Berkeley

I smell her hair, always the same alluring fruity scent. I smile sleepily and instinctually bend to kiss the top of her head. The movement sends sharp pains throughout my body. I let out a groan.

It’s then I realize that London’s here, but we’re not at home. The sounds, the smells, this bed—it’s all wrong.

Where am I?

What’s going on?

My pulse rises as I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to remember. It all comes back to me.

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