Just One Year(68)

“You know, it should be me giving you a present, not the other way around. So often you’ve been a better sister than I have,” I told her. “I owe you a lot of lost time, and now I’m leaving.”

She hugged me. “It’s okay, Teagan. Just send me pictures and special candy we can’t get here or something.”

I squeezed her and chuckled. “That’s supposed to make up for years of being a crappy big sister?”

She shrugged. “Are you coming back?”

“I hope so. But I don’t know what life has in store right now. I’m just going to see what happens.”

***

My flight was a red eye, so it was approaching everyone’s bedtime when we got in the car to drive to the airport. My parents had been amazingly supportive, so it surprised me when my dad seemed nervous on the way.

“I can’t believe I’m supporting my daughter dropping out of college,” he said. “I must be nuts.”

Maura placed her hand on his knee as he drove. “No. You’re not nuts, just an old romantic.”

“I promise to finish school, Dad,” I said from the backseat. “I just need to do this right now.”

“You promise that if things aren’t going well there, you’ll come right back?” he asked.

“Yes. Of course. I’m not gonna stay anywhere I’m unhappy.”

I had no idea how things were going to go on Caleb’s turf. My parents provided a safe and loving environment with no stressors. In London, I’d be living with Caleb and his mother. I had no clue if she would like me; I’d only spoken to Poppy Yates briefly over the phone. There were so many unknowns. But this trip would make or break Caleb and me.

When we arrived at the airport, my parents and sister exited the car to bid me adieu at the drop-off platform.

“You give Caleb a big hug for us, okay?” Maura said, tears filling her eyes.

“I will. Thanks for everything, Mom. I love you.”

She squeezed me tightly. “I love you, too.”

Next my father took me into his arms. “Sweetheart, remember I’m just a phone call away. You get on the next plane home if you’re anything less than over the moon there. Okay?”

“Okay, Dad. I promise I won’t hesitate to come back.”

Shelley was full-on bawling when we embraced. “I love you, Teagan.”

“I love you, too, Shell Belle.”

During our hug, I reached into my pocket and took out something I’d bought her. It was the same bracelet she’d given me, except in her favorite metal, gold.

“Now we have the same bracelets to always look down and think of each other.”

She placed it around her wrist. “Thank you, Teagan. I wanted to buy myself one when I got yours, but I couldn’t afford it.”

I jingled the charm on my matching bracelet. “Thank you for mine. I’ll wear it all the time.”

“Me, too,” she said as we hugged again.

I blew my family one last kiss before walking through the sliding glass doors. As I made my way up the escalator to the gate, butterflies swarmed in my belly. It was just me now. Wow. I’m really doing this.

***

After I made it through customs at Heathrow, I looked around frantically for signs of Caleb.

When I finally found him, he was holding a bouquet of...I wasn’t sure. What is that?

We rushed forward as if in a race to get to each other.

Caleb wrapped his arms around me before I could figure out what he was holding. Not that it mattered. I wanted to be wrapped up in him like this forever. His familiar smell engulfed me, and he squeezed me so hard, I thought I might break. It felt so good to be in his arms again.

“I feel like I’ve been holding my breath for a year,” he said against my ear.

When he finally let me go, I got a look at what he was holding.

I covered my mouth. “Oh my goodness. What did you do?”

“It’s a charred marshmallow bouquet.” He flashed a crooked smile.

He’d wrapped a purple ribbon around a bunch of toasted marshmallows on sticks.

“That has to be the most creative thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

“Only the best for you, my love.”

He handed me the bouquet before pulling me in for a deep kiss. We stood for an indeterminate amount of time in the middle of the crowded airport, sucking face, completely oblivious to the crowd of people around us.

“Can I tell you something?” he whispered.

“Yeah?”

“I’m so fucking nervous.”

“Why?”

“Because I want things to be absolutely perfect for you here, and I know they won’t be.”

“What do you mean?”

“I want you to be comfortable. Our flat is small, Teagan. It’s nothing like your house back home.”

“Please don’t worry about that. You know it doesn’t matter to me.”

“I know. I’m just not sure you realize how different things are going to be.”

Unsure how I could convince him, I spoke louder. “I don’t care about that, Caleb. I came here for you, not for the roof over my head or anything else. I don’t want anything but you.”

He let out a long breath before reaching over to place one more kiss on my lips. I’d thought I’d never be with him like this again. That seemed unfathomable now.