Page 30 of All The Happily Ever Afters

I crouch beneath the low-hung branches of the trees across from the orphanage and look both ways. No one’s here, and all but one light in the whole house is off. I look for a sign that someone’s watching, but there’s no one here and no one looking.

Quickly, we cross the street and head straight over to the side door on the house. The outside light is on, so if someone comes, they’d see us instantly.

“Hurry.” Cherry’s fear is evident in her voice as Toni swings the bag off his shoulder and quickly starts shoveling the money through the slot. I take Cherry by the waist and lead her in front of him, the two of us blocking anyone from seeing him.

“You look like you’re up to no good,” my cherry says in a low voice. And I think she’s playing with me with that smartass mouth of hers until she pulls on my jacket. Oh shit, I almost forgot about the all black I'm wearing. I quickly shuck my sweater off, I was hot anyway, and toss it into the trashcan out front.

“Toni, you too.” He rises from his position, shoving the last bundle through the slot and then the card wishing a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the kids at the orphanage. I know Mrs. Pilcavage, we both do. She’s a good woman and when she wakes up tomorrow and sees that money, she’s gonna cry with joy and relief. I know she will. It makes me proud to beable to give her back a sense of peace that she gave me all those years ago.

The town clock chimes as Toni stands up and chucks his black jacket off, revealing a beige thermal underneath, shoving the jacket and the backpack both into the trashcan. We toss our gloves and ski masks into the next trashcan and keep walking.

No more evidence. It’s done.

I finally feel like I can breathe. The three of us stroll down the street, heading toward the main road where we’ll meet up with the parade and blend in. I wrap my arm around Cherry’s waist, but she pulls away and runs to a blue metal post office box on the corner of the block. She pulls a small package out of her purse, covered in brown wrapping paper with an address written in black sharpie.

“What’s that?” I ask as she drops it into the box. She smiles and says, “The video surveillance of Morose.” Pride’s written on her face.

I huff a laugh and say a prayer that Morose pays for what he did. At least we’ve done everything we can do. The rest is in the law’s hands.

“You alright?” I ask her as Toni walks ahead. He’s got his hands shoved in his pocket and he’s breathing easy. I am too, if I’m being honest. Cherry’s not, she seems tense and she’s looking every which way like someone’s just waiting to get us. She gives me a small nod, but I know she’s still a little shaken.

I’m a reformed man, but this isn’t the first time I’ve gotten away with this shit. It’ll be the last though. I don’t need this in my life. Toni turns back to look at us and gives me a nod when Cherry leans against me, wrapping her arm around my waist.

Toni doesn’t need it either. This was the last heist for us. It’s a good way to end this career.

I look down at Cherry as we stop on the corner, finally seeing the parade just two blocks down. A Christmas elf from the bank is leading the way.

“You think it’s going to be alright?” she asks me.

“It’s gonna be perfect.” I kiss her hair and she seems to relax a bit. “I promise you,” I whisper.

The crowd from the parade appears, and the three of us keep on walking. Soon we’ll be blending in with them. Just another block to go.

Cherry stops walking as Toni jogs across the road. I turn to look at her, wondering what she’s doing.

I look down at my sweet cherry and she points up.

Right above us on a street light is a bit of mistletoe. I let out a huff of a laugh and look back down at her. She’s got a sweet smile on her lips.

“I’ll give you that kiss if you stay with me tonight,” she says softly.

“You already owe me a kiss,” I tell her, cupping her chin in my hand.

“I owe you more than that,” she says, batting her lashes. I lean down and take her lips with my own. The sounds of the parade are getting closer, but I don’t stop kissing her until we’re surrounded and the music and cheers envelop us.

She looks up at me with those sweet eyes when I pull away and I know she’s feeling vulnerable and scared, but I’m gonna make everything alright. For her, I’ll make it all up to her.

“Merry Christmas, my sweet cherry.”

EPILOGUE

Cary Ann

One year later...

“You have the biggest smile on your face, Cherry.” I hear his voice from across the bedroom. I blush at Vinny as I sit up in bed and rub the sleep from my eyes.

“I’m just happy today,” I say easily. I’m so full of warmth and so excited. I love this time of year.

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