What the Heart Knows

“I want that too.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his body. “Are we going to be okay?” he asked.

“We will be.”

They had some bridges to rebuild, but they’d get things straightened out with time.

Exhaustion from the day set in, and she allowed her eyes to drift shut.

Epilogue

The weather was perfect, bright and sunny with a gentle breeze that took the bite out of the heat. It was worlds away from the downpour that had lead him into Cupa a year prior. Oliver knelt in front of the granite tombstone and placed his bouquet of wild flowers on the ground. He traced the words etched into the stone, Hannah Young, beloved wife, sister, and daughter. He was surrounded by stillness, but it wasn’t oppressive. He glanced back to where Juni stood a few yards back. They agreed they needed to do this together, but she insisted he say his piece in private.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been here since the funeral, but it was too painful before now. I’m sorry as hell that the accident happened. If I could change things I would, but since we both know I can’t we’ll just have to live with the deck of cards we were dealt. I know you’re probably wondering why I’m here. Despite everything that happened between us, I don’t want to feel like you’ve been forgotten. I told you I forgave you, but this is about making peace.”

He thought of the time it took for him and Juni to work things out, and sighed.

“Not just for me, but all three of us. A part of me will always love you, but my heart belongs to another now, so this is goodbye.”

He pushed up from the ground and waved Juni over.

“Are you ready?” Juni asked.

Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight and he nodded as they clasped hands.

“Yes,” Oliver said.

She nodded her head and let go of the bunch of white balloons that symbolized the trying ordeal they’d been through, along with all the hurt and anger that occurred because of it. Oliver watched as the white cluster got smaller and smaller, until they were swallowed up by an expanse of blue sky. It was done.

“Do you feel better?” Juni asked.

“Actually, I do.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him. “How about you?”

“I feel lighter. I know we worked through it, but somehow, it still felt open ended.”

“Speaking of open ended, are you ready to finish your list?” he asked. He was doing his best to feign excitement, but he was terrified.

“Yes! I never thought I’d see this day.”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hill toward the car.

****

“Speak now or forever hold your peace,” the man clad in black said.

He turned to Juni, ready to follow her lead. She laughed and shook her head no. He swallowed down his nervousness, and prepared himself to take the biggest leap of his life.

“On the count of three. One, two, three.”

With one giant step forward, they launched themselves off the ledge of the platform and into the air. The wind rushing by as he plummeted made him feel weightless, and Juni’s exuberant scream made him laugh. I can’t believe she got me to do this. It was a sentence he used a lot in their relationship. Life with Juniper Blossom was never dull, and he couldn’t be happier. Their journey had been rocky, but the bliss they’d received in return for the hard work rendered all of their struggles worthwhile. The bungee cords pulled tight and they bounced back upward before they were lowered onto the inflated blue mat below.

“Oh my god, that was awesome!” Juni said.

“I can’t say I share the sentiment,” he said.

His head still reeled from the jump, and he decided he preferred to keep his feet firmly planted on the ground, thank you very much.

Two workers arrived to unhook them from their harnesses, and they stood to make their way on to the sidelines to watch others take the plunge.