Page 147 of The Outsider

“But the problem is, Asha was sort of right,” Claire said miserably. “I’m not built like you and Kimmy. I’ll never be a hunter or a fighter. I’d never be able to last in the real Wasteland on my own.”

“Uh, you forgetting the two-month trip here? Besides, you have your own talents.”

She scoffed. “You can’t eat a painting or a song. I just…I wish I was better for you.”

Is that really what she thinks?The ache in my chest grew.

“You think I don’t know that you’re my sweet, soft girl?” I murmured, kissing her hair. “You think I would change you? Never. I need your softness to remind me that there’s still good in this fucked up world. More than that, every day, I see you and I know that my purpose is to protect the goodness that’s left in it.”

She took a long, shuddering breath, leaning harder into me, and I cradled her.

“What you did for the kids of this community is more than I could do,” I continued. “Sure, maybe you won’t find the key to basic survival in a painting or a song. But you might find hope. Without that, there’s no point to the survival part anyway.”

There was a pause. “I guess that’s true.”

I huffed a laugh. “Sweetheart, you’re talking about rebuilding civilization like it’s nothing. Your part isnotnothing—you’re passing on knowledge from hundreds of generations. And you don’t have to be strong in the way that you’re talking about, becauseI’myour strength. And you’re my heart. That’s why we need each other.”

I didn’t know how long we sat there together, but by the time Claire looked up at me again, the sun was hidden behind the clouds, and thesky had darkened. Her eyes were still wet, but she looked relieved. Like a weight had been lifted.

“Better?” I asked softly.

“Y-yes,” she hiccoughed. “I didn’t know how much I needed that. I’m sorry I’ve been so distant these last few weeks. I was just…surviving.”

“I know, baby,” I said, kissing her forehead. “Listen, okay? It’s going to take time for us to heal. But everything that’s happened in the last few months…that’s all over now. It's you and me, okay? Forget about everything else for a moment. We’re getting married in two weeks, and this is our new beginning. Nothing else matters.”

To my relief, she nodded. “You’re right. I want to…start over. Put all this behind us. It’ll be hard, but…I want to try.”

“I’m glad,” I replied, taking her face in my hands. “Lean on me when you need help, beautiful. I won’t think less of you. We’re in this together.”

Right as I finished, the sky opened up and we were assaulted by rain. The downpour was instant and intense. I was soaked in seconds, and Claire looked much the same, her red hair sticking to her wet skin.

But to my delight, she started laughing. Real, deep, happy laughter. And when she met my eye, she kissed me fiercely, hanging her arms around my neck.

My whole world was in that kiss. All the moments we’d had together, and all the ones to come. Our marriage. Our life together. Everything I’d ever wanted, given to me in just one moment. The connection between us couldn’t be broken. What we had was stronger than what we’d been through.

When we broke apart, Claire giggled again and smoothed sopping wet hair out of my face.

“You look a bit like a drowned rat, darling,” she said, and I chuckled.

“I’m taking you somewhere special,” I said. “After the wedding. A little honeymoon. A chance to get away from everything.”

She lit up in a way that made me happier than I’d been in two weeks.

“Where are we going?”

I smiled. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

The rain continued all around us as I paddled toward the shore. The surface of the lake was nothing but ripples, and thunder rumbledin the distance. I was soaked to the bone—we both were—but I didn't care.

I never wanted to stop being this happy together, even in the middle of a storm.

Chapter 43

John

“You nervous, man?” Danny asked, standing by the mirror in my old bedroom as I straightened my collar.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d worn a button-down shirt, and my wedding day was probably the last time I ever would.

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