My eyes bulged slightly as she took my hand. I was finding the whole thing completely overwhelming. I didn’t say anything. I think my mouth was wired shut through the shock still.
“I realise now that I let my own selfish jealousy get in the way of Seth finally finding the happiness he deserves. I know that’s with you, and I know how much you love him, too.
“I knew I had to tell you both. I knew I had to confess. Seth was back to where he used to be all those years when he witnessed something no little boy should ever witness. I couldn’t do that to him. I couldn’t do it to both of you. I owe you that much.”
It took a while, but after a few seconds her words started to sink in. Seth was not my brother. He never had been. There was no blood linking us now. We could be together. No one could stop us now.
“I want to thank you for coming,” I said rising in a panic. “But I really must ask if you wouldn’t mind leaving now. I have somewhere I need to be.”
She smiled at me, knowing exactly what I meant, and she turned towards the lift to leave. I grabbed my coat and phone and headed that way also. We rode down the lift together, my heart racing like a drum.
“I know I don’t have to ask this of you, Angelina—but please take care of him.”
She placed her hand on my arm, and looked so sincere that I couldn’t help but smile. Placing my hand on Melissa’s, I patted her tenderly. “Don’t worry, Melissa, I fully intend to.” I gave her a big beaming smile, which she matched quite nicely.
Once the lift was on the ground floor, I nodded to Melissa and she nodded back. I was on a mission and couldn’t wait another second.
As soon as I was out the doors, I was calling him. I was desperate. I needed to be with him, and didn’t want to wait another second.
After only one ring, he answered. “Seth!” I shouted in his ear. “Where are you?” I could hear heavy breathing like he’d been running.
“I’m at the top of King’s Road. I have to see you, Angel. I have to be with you now.” The excitement in his voice was unmistakable.
“I know, I know!” I shouted. “I’m outside your apartment block. I’m running to you now.”
“Angel, please. No running. You’re supposed to be resting.”
“Oh, you just try and stop me!” I ended the call and belted like a mad woman towards the end of the King’s Road. I had to see him—had to be near him, touch him, caress him. There was no one stopping me this time—and I wasn’t going to let anyone stop me.
I ran and ran like a woman possessed. If anyone from that horrible day from before could see me now, they would think I was a complete nut job. “Oh look, there goes the mad running woman of the King’s Road.” I wouldn’t blame them, but I just didn’t care. This time I wasn’t crying. This time I was smiling. I had the biggest goddamned smile ever, and it was all because of Seth.
I was out of breath, but I didn’t care. I was a little more tired than normal, but I put that down to the trauma I had been through. I was running more on adrenaline then anything. Seth was mine, and I was never letting him go again.
Through the maze of people, I suddenly spotted him. He was running just as crazy as I was—a smile to match just how silly mine was. Once he saw me though, the smile disappeared. I knew he wasn’t happy about me running, but the less time we were apart, the better. I wanted to close as much of the distance between us as possible. I couldn’t wait to be in his arms—and for real this time.
“Angel, stop running!” he shouted, breathlessly.
“No!” I shouted back, grinning.
Soon, we were there and the first thing Seth did was pick me up and spin me around until we were both dizzy. We kissed over and over and over again, crying and laughing all at the same time. I was safe in his arms and life was beautiful again.
“Angel, we can be together.”
“I know,” I said kissing him all over. “I love you, Seth.”
“I love you, too, baby. Can I take you home now?”
“Yes please,” I said, laughing.
“Hold up. There’s something I have to do first. Where’s your ring?”
I smiled and pulled a chain from around my neck. Although I had to take it off after what we found out, I always wanted it close to me. I unhooked the chain and handed Seth the sparkling diamond ring.
He got down on one knee making me blush a scarlet red. “Angel, my little cookie monster. I want to ask you again. Will you marry me?”
I shook my head laughing. “Of course I will, you big Jessie,” I said, pulling him up.
“What, not ‘I don’t have to answer that’ this time?” His crooked grin was back again and it warmed my heart to see.