Page 53 of Soaring and Steadfast

Because she needed to be there. Closer to Stephanie. Closer to Angel. Closer to Louis. Closer to the place where, no matter what, she would be getting a fresh start with friends around her. And she vowed to be standing on the pier when the carrier finally pulled back in.

The next two days passed in a blur of motion, a whirlwind of finality and new beginnings. Lila barely paused to catch her breath as she signed the contract for her new apartment, severed ties with her old lease, forwarded her mail, and sorted through the remnants of her life in Louisville. Each task, each movement, felt like a step toward something bigger—toward him.

Packing her bags felt different this time. There was no heaviness pressing down on her chest, no weight of loss anchoring her in place. The last time she’d uprooted herself, she had fled Chicago with nothing but a suitcase, and the crushing emptiness of a life unraveled. That move had been filled with grief and desperation, each step dragging her deeper into an abyss of uncertainty. She had arrived in Louisville hollow, haunted, existing more than living.

But now? Now, she was leaving with her heart full.

As she sifted through her belongings, her fingers trailed over old memories—worn books, faded photographs, the scarf she’dclung to during bitterly cold nights when loneliness had curled around her like smoke. Once, these things had been her lifeline, reminders of a past she couldn’t let go of. Now, they were just objects. Pieces of a life she no longer needed to carry.

A smile ghosted across her lips as she folded a sweater, the warmth of anticipation stealing through her veins. The mere thought of Louis sent a thrill down her spine, an aching, beautiful longing that made her chest tighten. She imagined the look on his face when he saw her standing there, unannounced, stepping into his world like she belonged there—because she did.

She wanted to run to him, close the distance between them, and finally, finally let herself have what she’d spent too long denying. She could already hear the low rumble of his voice and feel the way his arms would wrap around her, solid and sure.

Lila exhaled shakily, pressing the tape down over a box and whispering, “I’m gonna marry that man.” The words tasted like a promise, like destiny, like everything she had never dared to dream for herself.

She glanced around the nearly empty apartment, the space echoing with memories she was ready to leave behind. There was no sadness in the farewell. Every pot, pan, piece of furniture—every item she had once clung to—was going to the women’s shelter. Someone else would start over with these things, just as she had once needed to. But she? She was starting over with love.

Her bags sat neatly beside the door, waiting for her. By tonight, everything she owned would be in the trunk of her car. By morning, she would be on the road, each mile bringing her closer to Mayport, closer to Louis.

Closer to home.

Dearest Louis,

I received your message, and I’m so glad you wrote – thank you. I look forward to hearing more about what happened and glad you are okay. Call me when you are getting close to the pier and you get a signal. I cannot wait to hear your voice.

I love you,

Lila

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LILA

It’s been two weeks since Lila left Louisville behind and adopted this new world, this new place as her own. She got together with Stephanie every evening, making a quick and easy dinner for the two of them so the exhausted new mother didn’t have to mess with it and helped clean up a bit. Stephanie was exhausted because Angel was feeding every three to four hours. It was hard on a single mom alone and silently, Lila couldn’t wait for her turn.

She loved it. Loved this new life, this feeling of belonging. A routine. A purpose. A secret thrill ran through her as she thought about her upcoming interview at the bank where Stephanie worked. If she got the job, they could carpool—just like old times, but better. No more weekend escapes to outrun loneliness. No more pretending she didn’t crave a future filled with love, stability, and a place to call her own.

No more weekend escapes to hide from reality – but rather savoring the wonders of making a home, a real home, with the person you loved.

Her sweet Louis.

Her tiny apartment wasn’t much, but she could already picture him here, sprawled on the loveseat with his easy grin, teasing her about the mattress on the floor, not caring about the lack of a bedframe. She got a package of dishes from Goodwill, a dresser that she painted to spruce it up, a shelf also painted to match, and a few picture frames to put on the walls to make it look or feel homey. She knew without a doubt that Louis would just be happy to be with her.

“Look at me,” she murmured to herself with a soft laugh, “talking like we’re already married.”

Her phone rang, slicing through the moment, and she grabbed it without hesitation.

“Hello?”

“Oh, gosh, Lila.” His voice—raw, thick with emotion—stopped her cold. “Sweetheart, how are you doing?”

She straightened instinctively. “Better now that I’ve heard your voice.”

“I love you.” The words tumbled out, cracked and desperate. “I love you. I’m crazy about you. Can we figure this out? Take the next steps together? If you don’t want to get married yet, maybe just a long engagement or something—but I need you in my world, my life. I’m scared something will happen, and we won’t get our chance.”

The pain in his voice stole her breath. This wasn’t just longing. This was fear.

Her eyes burned as she whispered, “I want us to have our chance.” She swallowed hard. “I’m in. Let’s do this. Let’s figure this out and get married.”

---