Page 74 of It's Only Ever Been You

He shifts slightly, rolling us onto our sides without breaking the connection between us. His hand finds my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear I didn’t realize had fallen.

“I love you too,” he says, his voice steady and filled with a depth that makes my heart ache in the best way. “I always have. I always will.”

The way he says it, like it’s a fact as certain as the sunrise, leaves no room for doubt. I let myself believe him, let myself fall into the safety of his arms. For the first time in what feels like forever, I don’t hold back. I let the fear go, at least for now, and let myself be fully presentwith him.

We lie there for a while, tangled together, the world outside the room forgotten. His fingers trace lazy patterns along my spine, sending shivers through me, and I tuck my face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in. He smells like the faintest hint of cologne mixed with something warm and familiar, something that’s purely him.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he says after a while, his voice soft and coaxing.

I hesitate, not because I don’t want to tell him, but because I’m not sure how to put it into words. “I’m thinking about how scared I was,” I admit finally, my voice muffled against his skin. “And how I’m still scared. But… I don’t want to be anymore.”

Ethan’s hand stills for a moment before he cups the back of my head, tilting my face up so I’m looking at him. His eyes are clear, steady, and impossibly kind. “We’ll figure it out,” he says firmly. “Together. You don’t have to figure this alone, Emma. I won’t let you.”

The sincerity in his voice is enough to make my chest tighten again, but this time it’s not fear—it’s something closer to hope. I nod, swallowing hard as I press a kiss to his shoulder, needing to ground myself in him.

“Together,” I echo, the word feeling foreign and comforting all at once.

Ethan shifts again, pulling the blankets over us as he tucks me against his side. His fingers threadthrough my hair, and I close my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat soothe the last remnants of tension from my body. It’s quiet, peaceful, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, we’ve found our way back to each other for good.

As sleep starts to pull me under, Ethan’s voice cuts through the quiet, soft and sure. “You’re my forever, Emma. Don’t ever doubt that.”

A smile tugs at my lips, and I squeeze his hand gently, the weight of his words settling over me like a warm blanket. “And you’re mine,” I whisper back, the words feeling as certain as the beat of my own heart.

The room is quiet except for Ethan’s steady breathing beside me. He’s asleep, his arm draped over my waist, and for a moment, I just watch him. The lines of tension that used to crease his brow are gone, replaced with an expression of peace that makes my chest ache. He loves me. He said it, and I believe him. But there’s one thing left for me to do, and I can’t wait any longer.

I carefully shift out from under his arm, pressing a kiss to his temple as he stirs slightly. My feet find the cool floor, and I grab my phone and a jacket, slipping out of the room without waking him.

The hallway feels colder than before, my steps light as I make my way to the smallsitting area near the elevators. I sit down, my phone resting in my lap, my heart racing with anticipation. I know what I have to do, but it’s going to take more than just words. Ethan deserves more than that—more than me just waiting for him to fix everything.

He’s fought for us every step of the way. Now it’s my turn.

I shake the thought away, forcing myself to focus. My fingers fly across the screen as I search for the flight Ethan will be on. My stomach twists. It’s a long shot—there’s no guarantee I’ll find it. But then I remember seeing his itinerary sitting out when he was packing last night. I hadn’t meant to snoop, but my eyes caught the flight number and departure time. Now, that memory feels like a lifeline.

I quickly type the details into the search bar, holding my breath as the page loads. The flight pops up, and my heart leaps. There’s one seat left in his section. Without hesitation, I book it, the confirmation email pinging into my inbox seconds later. Relief and determination flood through me. This is it. This is my moment to show Ethan that I’m done running.

The morning after brunch is already underway when I arrive. The room is filled with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of silverware against plates. I scan the crowd until I spot Ethan near the back, standing by the buffet line. He’s dressed casually, his posture relaxed.

I weave through the tables, my heart pounding as I approach him. He spots me before I reach him, his face softening with a smile that feels like coming home.

“Hey,” he says, his voice low and warm. “I was wondering when I’d see you.”

“Hey.” I glance at his bag, my throat tightening. “All packed?”

He nods, his smile faltering slightly. “Yeah. My flight’s in a few hours.”

The reality of him leaving hits me harder than I expected, but I force myself to smile. “I guess this is goodbye for now.” Knowing he is all packed is a stark reminder that he’s leaving soon.

Ethan steps closer, his hand brushing mine. “It won’t be for long, Emma. You know that.”

I swallow hard, my resolve strengthening. “Oh, I know,” I say, then wink at him.

He raises an eyebrow, clearly confused, but I don’t elaborate. Instead, I squeeze his hand and step back, giving him one last smile before heading toward the table where Sarah is waiting.

Ethan watches me go, his expression unreadable. What he doesn’t know—what I can’t wait to see his reaction to—is me showing up to the gate, ready to board the planetoo.

……………………………………………………………

The airport is a blur of fluorescent lights and bustling travelers. I clutch my boarding pass tightly, my stomach a mix of nerves and excitement. My sneakers squeak against the tiled floor as I navigate through security and down the crowded terminal.

---