Beyond These Walls (The Walls Duet #2)(8)

My Someday List was everything I’d wanted to do if given the chance at a normal life. When Jude had discovered it, he’d made it his goal to help me strike out every last wish off that one-hundred-forty-three-item list.

But as the days had gone on, life had begun to settle, and so had I. The worn pages of my journal had become something of an afterthought now that the world had finally exploded around me.

“Don’t let the world change you,” Grace had said. “Change the world.”

“I think it’s time for some cake,” I announced.

“That’s my girl,” Jude said softly, signaling to the waiter across the room.

“Make sure he brings some chocolate pudding, too,” I added. “We’re celebrating!”

“Sure thing, angel.”

I might not have been changing the world yet, but while I figured out how, I could at least make sure I shined through.

“You must be the only multimillionaire I know who takes a cab to the airport,” Grace joked, shaking her head, as our little yellow taxi pulled up to the curb at JFK.

“And how many multimillionaires do you know exactly?” Jude asked from the front seat.

He leaned over to hand the driver what was no doubt double, if not triple, his required fee—plus, a hefty tip. The man’s eyes bulged as he thanked Jude several times and then quickly jumped out to help with Grace’s bags.

“Well, two—if you count your burly brother. And I know he wouldn’t be caught dead traveling the streets of Manhattan in anything less than a town car.”

The three of us exited the cab as Grace cradled Zander in her arms. He was the only kid on the planet who could be lulled to sleep by a New York taxicab. Meanwhile, I’d held on for dear life and prayed we wouldn’t end up at the bottom of the Hudson.

“That’s because my brother is stuck-up and arrogant,” Jude said, smacking her hand away from her suitcase. He took the handle and slung Zander’s diaper bag over his shoulder. After heading toward the check-in counter, he turned back around and smiled briefly. “And he also doesn’t have an amazing woman in his life, like I do, who still gets a thrill each time she hails a cab.”

I laughed, shrugging my shoulder. “It is exhilarating.”

“And what number was that?” she asked, swaying back and forth.

We stood in line behind a man in a business suit, waiting to check in at the first-class counter.

“Ninety-eight.” I blushed.

Her shoulder lightly bumped mine, and I turned to see her warm smile.

“Keep marking them off, Lailah.”

I nodded, turning fully to wrap my arms around her. “I will.”

Her bag was checked, and boarding passes were issued. Soon, we were standing by security, delaying the inevitable.

“I guess we should say our good-byes now,” she said, frowning.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Right back at you, girl. But, hey, it’s just five weeks, and then I’ll be right back here with my pink dress, ready to party!”

I laughed. “Green! You mean, green dress!”

“Right. Green. Figured I’d give it one last shot.”

“Let me kiss my little man before you take him away from me again,” I begged.

She shifted Zander in her arms, so I could easily reach his sleepy face. His soft pink lips parted slightly as tiny puffs of air escaped. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he dreamed, and I couldn’t help but smile in return.

“Whatever you’re dreaming of, sweet Zander, I hope it comes true. I love you. Never forget the many people in this world who cherish these tiny hands and your sweet face. Be good for your mommy and daddy, and I’ll see you soon.” I placed a wisp of a kiss on his forehead and repeated the action on Grace’s cheek. “Take care, and fly safe. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Jude stepped forward and gave Grace an awkward side hug, so he wouldn’t disturb the slumbering bundle in her arms. “Thank you for coming. I truly appreciate it,” he said.

“Anytime.”

With a sad smile and a blown kiss in our direction, she threw Zander’s diaper bag over her shoulder, and then she turned toward the security line and disappeared into the crowd of people.

“You okay?” Jude asked as his fingers intertwined with mine.

“Yes,” I answered as we headed back toward the entrance. “I just hate good-byes.”

“It’s not really a good-bye, you know. It’s more of just a see-you-later.”

He pushed open the glass door leading to the street and held it as we stepped out.

“Did you steal that from a movie?” I asked, smiling. “It sounds very familiar.”

“Maybe. But it made you smile.”

“You always make me smile.”

There was no need to hail a taxi at the airport since they were lined up like vultures along the curb. We hopped into the first available one we saw, and Jude gave him the address to our apartment.

As we settled in the back, Jude’s arm snaked around me, and I turned to watch the city come into view. I’d grown up in California where palm trees and beaches took precedence over skyscrapers and subways. Life was different here, but then again, life anywhere outside of a hospital was different and new.