Page 228 of Chasing Hope

I’ve lost a parent, but they’re still breathing in this world.

Shaking off the sudden turn in my thoughts, clinging to Matteo’s hand, we step onto Kieran’s patio, taking in the twinkling lights hanging along the back deck and all throughout the yard. I’m happy that Matteo, Caleb, and I have family in these people. That, although we don’t share blood, they are family in every sense of the word.

Like the IceHawks team that always shows up without a doubt. The men dropped food off at the apartment every day for a month so none of us had to cook in those early grueling weeks. When they all showed up after the courthouse, each of them gave me flowers and made the apartment look like a floristshop. All of them are looking out for Caleb now, watching him like a hawk, trying their hardest to help him heal.

And the girls. They dropped everything they were doing the second I called.

They showed up and cleaned the apartment and brought dinner over on the nights that I struggled to get out of bed. I’ll never forget the strength they lent me during the roughest period of my life. Don’t even get me started on how hard they make me laugh during book club.

And my friends at the dispatch center.

There were flowers blooming on my desk my first day back at work. The kindness and patience everyone showed me still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it.

They’re all here tonight, everyone here to support as we always show up for each other.

Even a few of the women from the case are here. No one besides me, Caleb, and Matteo know who they are. Most of their identities were not leaked to the press—surprisingly. They’re here to support a cause they wish had been around when they were being hurt. I’ve met a few of them, but mostly, I’ve gotten close to the women through messages. I haven’t been able to attend a meeting yet and I don’t think I ever will, but it means the world to me that they showed up today.

Even Sarah and her partner Ellie are here.

It seems we started a trend that day in the park. We’ve caught up every two weeks, meeting for coffee and a walk in the park. Some days are filled with laughter and positive updates and some are heavier than others, but every time I walk away with my heart full that I have Sarah back in my life.

To look around a full room and feel love, warmth, and support is the biggest success in life, and how lucky are Matteo and I to say we have that? Perhaps the universe gave it to us in spades, knowing that after the childhood we had, we needed it.

We deserved it.

Squeezing his hand, I look around the room. “How lucky are we?” I whisper.

“The luckiest.”

Turning my head, I expect Matteo’s gaze to be on the room, on all of our friends, but instead, he’s looking at me.

The sound of a glass clinking draws our attention to Kieran, who stands in the far-right corner, Emmy on his hip in an adorable pink dress and Layla at his side. He lifts a glass in the air. “A toast!”

The room falls quiet, all eyes turning their way.

“I’d ask Matteo to come over here and say a few words but I know the silent bastard would just grunt.”

The room, including myself and Matteo, bursts into a fit of laughter.

“You’re just worried I’ll steal your spotlight,” Matteo says.

Kieran winks. “Guilty.” Another round of laughter erupts until Kieran is grinning as well. “No, but in all seriousness, I just want to take a moment to thank every single one of you. This project means so much to both of us, and I won’t speak for Matteo, but to have you all here celebrating something that I know deep within my heart and soul will change so many lives for the better means the world.” Kieran pauses for a moment, looking at his beautiful daughter before turning his gaze on Layla. Her eyes are swimming with tears as he says thickly, “I wish this had been around when I was growing up…so here’s to making a change.”

“To change,” Matteo repeats beside me. “And to giving children hope for the future.”

My throat tightens as we all collectively toast, “To change and hope.”

Angel, standing beside Tristan and Kalani, raises her voice. “And now to Matteo and Kieran!”

The IceHawks boys clap and whistle. “Kieran and Matteo!”

“Now just give us something to celebrate in the playoffs!” Tristan yells, making the crowd laugh as Angel rolls her eyes.

Snorting, Matteo bends down, whispering in my ear, “Is he drunk?”

“You and Kieran supplied free alcohol. Of course he’s drunk.”

Matteo chuckles deeply at that, the sound making a shiver shoot down my spine. Taking two glasses of champagneoff the table behind us, Matteo passes me one, staring into my eyes as he lifts his glass. “Here’s to flying, Dove.”

Lifting my glass, I smile at the boy I fell in love with when I was a little girl. “To flying.”

“I can’t believe I got the girl,” he says in awe before kissing me so passionately that whistles and hollers break out behind us, yet neither one of us end the kiss because it’s only ever been us.

Forever and always flying side by side.