Page 98 of Here in My Heart
“I’ve thought so many times that the present is the best place to be, and that it’s best to forget the hurts of the past and the worries about the future. But you’ve shown me that hanging onto a fewmemories, however trivial they might seem, can be precious.” She took Sylvie’s hands in hers. “And the future interests me more than ever. I want a future with us in it.”
“You know what, Adelaide Poole?” Sylvie kissed her. “I’m here for that future.”
Sylvie’s kiss anchored Ade. She didn’t need the world to understand or accept her when she loved herself. With Sylvie, it all became possible. She grew taller to shake life by the hand, rather than shrink from its scrutiny. A tear of utter joy traced a path down her cheek. This was love. This was everything.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Sylvie steadied her feet,breathing in the cool air. Behind her, San Francisco’s blocky Exploratorium stood tall and imposing on the waterfront at Pier 17.
From behind, Ade wrapped her arm around Sylvie’s waist, and she relaxed, appreciating the support.
“There must’ve been a thousand people in there.” Ade squeezed. “You blew them away.”
Sylvie swallowed the sour taste in her mouth, still dry from spent nerves. “It never gets easier.”
“But you get better. Every damn time.” Ade kissed her earlobe with a familiar tenderness.
That never got old, and the sensation rushed through her just like it had the very first time. “Thank you for coming with me.” She turned to face Ade and kissed her.
“I wasn’t going to miss the chance for a trip home.”
“I know. But air travel and big crowds aren’t exactly your thing.” Sylvie cast her gaze to the ground.
“Butyou’remy thing.” Ade tipped her chin and drew a stray lock of hair away from Sylvie’s eyes.
“I saw you out there, in the audience.”
“Oh, yeah?” Ade smirked. “I was trying to keep my usual low profile.”
At the podium, Sylvie had focused on the one person that could get her through the speech of her life. “I just kept reminding myself that we’d practiced over and over, just you and me in ourlittle apartment. If I could block out the rows of people and the bright lights, it’s just you and me.”
“Sounds like my every day.” Ade took her hand. “Watching you up there on stage is pretty strange. It’s like all I want is you near me. Far away Sylvie messes with my head.”
“I get that,” Sylvie said, squeezing her hand tight.
“But I looked around today in the auditorium, and I see what you do to people. People nod when you talk. They scooch forward in their seats and hang on your words, like they crave their meaning as much as I crave every day with you.” Ade held her hands. “I know your legs are shaking, and all I want to do is hold you and take everything away. I know the tremor in your voice is because you’re scared of how the world will judge what you say. And I get that more than anything.” She cleared her throat. “But I also know that every word that comes out unrehearsed is gold. You’re the wisest person I’ve ever met. You see the world as it’s meant to be. All its flaws and failures.”
Sylvie swallowed the tears of adoration threatening to flow.
Ade stepped backward. “Even though I’ve never dreamed about a time beyond today, I want you by my side forever.”
Sylvie laughed. “When we first met, you didn’t believe in forever. Or before. Just right now.” Her hands grew clammy. “Will you ever marry me?” she asked. “I know you don’t really believe in marriage. Maybe I don’t either. It’s so rooted in the ownership of women as objects. But when I think about a life that doesn’t include me as your wife and you as my, whatever, I can’t…”
“You done?” Ade took Sylvie’s cheeks between her palms. “I will marry you,” Ade said, as if she was ordering another coffee.
The world stopped.
Sylvie was capable of being loved and loving someone. It wasn’t just for books and movies. “I want you here in my heart.” Sylvie said. “Today, tomorrow, and forever.”
THE END
