Page 85 of Finding London

“Oh, that would be great, Coops. Thanks.” I turn my attention to Sarah. “Can you give me a minute?”

“Of course.” She grins up at me. Her big blue eyes shine bright with joy and something that I’ve never seen in them before—peace.

She looks the same as she did when she was sixteen but completely different at the same time. She’s healthier and happier now, which makes her even more beautiful.

I walk over to London and take her hand in mine as we exit the house. Maggie and Cooper get in his car. They close the doors behind them, leaving London and me alone outside Cooper’s vehicle.

We stand, facing each other.

“Are you okay?” she asks, concern etched across her face.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I admit. “It’s just a lot to take in.”

“Are we okay?” Her voice cracks with emotion.

I’m momentarily taken aback. “Yes, of course we are. Why do you ask?”

“I just wanted to make sure,” she answers softly.

“London, we’re fine. We’re great. Okay?”

She nods, but her brown eyes still hold concern.

“Look, I know this day is ending on a weird note. I guess I never really told Cooper that I was bringing you with me when I texted him earlier. I’m sure, had he known, he would have told me not to. Not because I don’t want you here, but obviously, I have a lot of catching up to do with Sarah. So, I’m sorry our evening is being cut short. But we’re good, okay?”

“All right.” She nods before turning to open the car door.

“Hey”—I grab her wrist and turn her until she’s facing me—“I love you.” I give her a quick kiss. “I’ll call you.”

“Love you, too.” She gives me a weak smile before getting into the backseat of the car.

I watch as Cooper’s car backs out of the drive, and then I head back into the house.

I find Sarah where I left her in the kitchen, and now that we’re alone, I’m overcome with another round of unbelievable happiness.

I take her face between my hands and kiss her forehead. “God, I can’t believe this. Is this real?” I shout with what I’m sure is a crazy grin on my face.

Sarah giggles before wrapping her arms around my waist. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Oh, me, too.” I kiss the top of her head. Stepping back, I grab her hand in mine. “Come on.”

I lead her to my bedroom. We both kick off our shoes and climb into my bed without discussion.

The rituals of our teenage selves come back full force, not missing a beat. I held Sarah in my arms every night for two and a half years. We weren’t always in a bed. In fact, a high percentage of those nights, we weren’t. But, no matter where we were—city benches, alleyways, shelters, under an overpass, or atop the grass of a park—we were together, and she slept in my arms. I never wanted her to feel alone.

We lie, facing each other.

“They told me you were dead.” I pause. “Well, I guess the hospital receptionist actually told me you were gone, and I assumed.” The last two words come out with so much regret. “I couldn’t feel a pulse before the ambulance came. I guess I thought you were already gone before you even got to the hospital. But, regardless, I waited in that lobby for two days, begging anyone to tell me something. They wouldn’t. They wouldn’t let me see you, wouldn’t tell me anything. I felt so helpless. Finally, the receptionist came out on the second day and told me to go home because you were gone.”

“I’m so sorry,” she says, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m sorry I did that to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t find you sooner.”

“Tell me what happened.”

“Well, I think I was in the hospital for two days before I was transferred to a treatment facility. I had asked for you, but I was in and out…” She hesitates. “I don’t remember a lot about it. I just know, when I got to the rehab place, I wasn’t allowed to call anyone for what seemed like forever. When I finally was able to make a call, I called the motel, but they said that you had left, and I had no idea how to find you.”

“So, what happened to you?”

She laughs dryly. “Well, I wish I could tell you that I got better after that, but I didn’t. I was in and out of a couple of group homes that housed mainly teenagers.”

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