Epilogue
One Year Later
Cameron tried not to fidget as he waited in the air-conditioned room. When he noticed his knee jiggling, he immediately stopped the action by slapping his hand over it. He didn’t want to be nervous over one silly conference.
During his first month of rehabilitation, he’d stayed at the center exclusively and been stuffed with a 'relaxing' atmosphere: pretty little walks along a sunset beach or meditation gardens, total-body massages, spas. He’d never been so relieved to get out there. But that had only been the beginning of his torture. After checking out of the clinic, there’d been counseling and support groups.
He’d been coming here every week for a year now. But if he failed the test today, he’d have to keep coming back. And there surely had to be some kind of test behind this whole 'meeting'. Last week, his doctor had said, "If things go well next time, it should be your last appointment with me."
Freaked out by wondering what 'things' were supposed to happen today, he was about to surge to his feet to pace when the door opened. Cam lurched to his feet anyway.
His doctor had an oriental face with a trace of the Bronx in his accent. "How’s it going, Banks?"
Awful. Crappy. Miserable. He so wanted out of this joint.
"Fine," Cam answered on a tense smile. "Just fine."
"Well, congrats, bud." Dr. Chin strode around his desk as he studied an opened file. Once he seated himself, he set it down and lifted his face. "This is our last scheduled session together. You feel ready to break free or what?"
Cam almost snorted. Was he ready? The perfunctory nod he gave totally under-stressed his answer in so many ways.
Away from this room, he felt completely better, completely healed. Life was perfect in every way, and it felt unnatural to even need a therapist. Only when he returned for his weekly session was he reminded there’d ever been a problem.
Finally seating himself again, he murmured, "No offence, but it wouldn’t break my heart if I never laid eyes on you again, Doc."
Dr. Chin chuckled and gave a nod of understanding. "Oh, yeah, I gotcha. But, seriously, Cam," he asked his most common, weekly question, "you have any more urges to pound a couple down?"
Cameron shook his head without even a pause. Nope. Not even. At first, that realization actually shocked him. After getting out of the hospital all those months ago, he’d gone into rehab for thirty days, but he hadn’t craved a drink even then. He’d spent most of the time impatiently waiting and pacing to get out and back to Olivia. He’d even gotten through the anniversary of Sienna’s death without sipping a drop. And truth be told, he’d forgotten the date until a month after it had passed.
"No," he answered, staring his doctor dead in the eye.
Looking pleased by his answer, the doctor nodded. "So, now that you’re a free man, what’re you looking forward the most once you get home today?"
Well, that was an easy one. "Sex with my wife."
"Cameron!" Olivia gasped and slugged him in the arm.
He glanced to his right with a devilish grin. But when he saw her sitting beside him, much as she’d done every week for the past fifty-two, love slammed hard against his ribcage. It still amazed him she’d stayed and bothered to stick by him through his recovery. But here she sat, as beautiful and sexy as ever. And all his.
"Well, it is," he argued. "I can’t lie to my doctor, Livy." Dropping his voice, he leaned confidentially closer and whispered, "He’ll know if I don’t tell the truth."
From his chair, Dr. Chin chuckled. "I take it the marriage is still a go then."
Cam glowered at him, not amused by the dry crack. "Yes, the marriage is still a go."
Steepling his fingers and looking way too amused, the doctor asked, "So you’ve finally told her how you feel about her then?" Cam shifted uncomfortably, not sure what he meant; he felt Olivia edge closer, felt her eyes on him, anxious for his response.
"How’d this get flipped around to our marriage?" he mumbled, turning defensive. "Aren’t we supposed to talk about drinking and depression?"
"We’re supposed to talk about your well-being," Dr. Chin corrected. "And since drinking and depression no longer seems to be an issue for you, that just leaves…" He glanced meaningfully toward Olivia.
Cameron took instant offence. "Hey, now," he growled, snagging her hand and tugging her close. She huddled against him as if she feared Dr. Chin would physically rip her away. "Don’t attack my wife. Livy didn’t do anything wrong. She—"