(First Thread:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5337401/ )
(Last Thread:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5471260/ )
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It's still the beginning of summer. You wait for your brother and father to return home. Alice is begrudgingly helping, though Mom needs to help her keep her mind on work. Meryl, your fiancée, and Mom's friend, Dr. Sheridan are both guests, so you keep them entertained with chatting until you have to go. It's funny how quickly things have proceeded.
<span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-b">"We have to get your stuff cleared out too, right?"</span> slamming the door shut, Meryl walks around to where you're hoisting a box into the back of her sedan. <span class="mu-b">"You're already ready to go, right?"</span> she asks, in a tone that tells you you'd better be.</span>
<span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-g">Yeah,</span> you sigh, pushing the last box into place. It has a sense of finality to it that reflects on your relationship. You make some adjustments to the box's position to increase its stability and let yourself think. Just last week you both graduated. You're going home. She's going... somewhere. But just like this stupid container, pushing on it doesn't help. That's the end of it, then. Meryl Cier: The one who got away. Maybe if you had met her earlier- but no.</span>
<span class="mu-i">She embraces you from behind. This shocks you somewhat, but you don't say anything at first. Meryl breathes out, leaning on you, and it makes your heart hurt. You want to tell her you love her. You stifle a plea for her to stay at your apartment for the night- your stuff is still here, even if you have to unpack a bit. But all that stays buried. Desperation is unsightly, after all, and there was no point in pushing your luck. People change. People leave. Everyone has to go their own way in life, and sometimes those paths don't intertwine, no matter how strongly you wish they could. You hold the right hand that's reached around you, and hold it in your own. It's big, but still shelters under your own.</span>
<span class="mu-i"><span class="mu-b">"I've got a spot for us to go,"</span> she says, making your pulse spike a second time. An attempt to turn your head is gently rebuffed by Meryl. <span class="mu-b">"I got a graduation gift, a week's vacation at Virginia Beach."</span> A pause, as she gets on her tip-toes and whispers in your ear. <span class="mu-b">"A trip for two."</span> Relief and a crinkling smile revives a dead hope. Oh, come on... How are you supposed to refuse that? The answer is, of course, you're not. Her giggling at your reaction is well worth the sudden embarrassment.</span>
You didn't have a plan for marrying Meryl set up, and that was a big part of your hesitation. It still is, but this time, you gave your word. An exchange between Meryl and the doctor re-grounds you.
(1/2)
