When her heart hurdled over the betrayal and she left the deceit in the past, Jude’s heart grew, as did the family she could rely on. With a small, sympathetic smile, Jude replied, “Let’s move forward. The past is too ugly to dwell on.” The cousins, who were divided by deaths and lies, were reunited in truth and hope. They embraced.
When they parted, Jude’s mother was waiting patiently. Their eyes connected and both women became teary. She didn’t want to play any more emotional games with anyone. She was too tired and was ready to be happy, so she just hugged her.
Her mother was behind her when it counted and that was all Jude needed to know to forgive what her mother considered the unforgiveable. The two women agreed they would rebuild their relationship at Jude’s pace. But Jude never did anything slow, there was too much life to live for that. “Maybe the four of us can have dinner this week?”
Isla agreed and Jude’s mother said, “We have a lot to celebrate.”
Hazel’s hand tightened around Jude’s side, and he whispered, “It’s time to go.”
When they reached the aisle, Jude cut across the front of three chairs and hugged her mother once more. Her mother started crying and said, “I’m sorry.”
“I am too,” Jude replied. I am too.
Outside the courthouse, Caleb stood before the couple. “This might be the sweetest victory I’ve ever had.”
Hazel smiled, but Jude spoke. “It might even be sweeter than ice cream.”
“Or jellybeans,” added Hazel.
She laughed. “No, love, nothing is sweeter than jellybeans. Now as for those popcorn ones, which are savory… well that’s a whole other conversation.”
“Indeed, a discussion for another day.”
Caleb said, “And you have plenty of days ahead.” He shook Taylor’s hand and then took Jude’s between both of his. “You’re a strong woman. Always remember that.”
She reached up and hugged him. “Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you. Now go live your happiness.”
Leaning against Hazel, she replied, “I already am.”
THE TWO LOVEBIRDS, once married, then denied their love, then once again recognized as married, walked down the street holding hands a month after living in splendid freedom. They didn’t speak, but their feet led them both to the same place. Like their hearts, they were in sync. Taylor sat on the bench and pulled his pretty little double dipper onto his lap, and asked, “Did you ever decide what kind of ice cream I was?”
“Of course. I knew the first day I met you.”
“Was this before I ordered pistachio or after?”
With a wry smile engaged on her lips and her arms around his neck, she gazed into his eyes. “After, but the fact you ordered pistachio was wrong in the first place.”
“Why are you so harsh on pistachio?” he teased.
“Pistachio is fine… but it’s just not your flavor,” she said with absolute confidence.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose against hers, then kissed the end of it. “What flavor am I, Jude?”
She stood up. “C’mon, let’s go get ice cream and I’ll let you decide if I’m right.”
They walked to the nearest location of her favorite ice cream chain and holding two fingers up, she ordered, “Two mocha chocolate-chip ice creams on sugar cones, please.”
He asked, “Mocha chocolate-chip, huh?”
“Just wait.”
When they walked out onto the sidewalk, they stopped and both took a lick, but Taylor took an additional bite as well. “So?” she asked.
“You used to be rocky road. What happened?”
“I found it too precarious. I thought mocha chocolate-chip suited me better.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re mocha chocolate-chip.”
He grabbed her in a bear hug and brought her closer to kiss the back of her head as she giggled. “You know what?”
“What?”
“I’m okay with this answer. Now let’s get going. I want to show you something.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Is this a penis joke?”
Taylor did a double take in surprise. “Wow, freedom suits you. You’re just gonna let it all hang out.”
She laughed and it was hearty, then she took another lick of her ice cream. “There’s no stopping me now.”
As they walked, he said, “And by the way, it’s no joke when it comes to my penis.”
“You’re telling me!” She quirked a smile and kept walking, leaving him entertained, and entirely enchanted by her.
They had covered three blocks when she asked, “Can we make a pit stop before home?”
When he agreed he didn’t realize her “pit stop” meant twelve Manhattan blocks and to the stoop of her past. “Why are we here?” he asked, keeping her two doors down from her family’s brownstone.
“I need to say goodbye—”
“To what? A room where you were held prisoner for years? A family that tormented you and stole your life? What Jude? What do you have to say goodbye to?” He didn’t understand any of this and his anxiety of being here made his temper flair.
“I need to say goodbye to Roman.”
Taylor’s anger sank into remorse. He grabbed her and held her to him. “I’m sorry.”
She wrapped her arms around him knowing he needed the hug more than she did. “No need to be. I understand your fear. I should have explained.”
When they parted, they moved to the side so other people could pass. “I don’t want you knocking on that door. I want you to stay here. I’ll go.”
She agreed and he left her waiting on the steps of another stoop. She watched as Roman answered and polite words were exchanged between them. Roman stepped out, looked past Hazel, right at her, and then came without being asked.
Remaining one step up kept her eye level with him. He smiled and said, “You look ravishing, Hummingbird.”
She almost twirled in her happiness but didn’t, knowing she didn’t have much time. “Thank you. Life has a funny way of expressing itself through our hearts. My heart is so full and so happy.”
“And you deserve it all.”
Hazel came back, but kept a few feet back, giving them this time alone. She looked at him, but then to Roman, she asked, “How long are you going to stay?”
“I can leave now that I know you’re safe.”
“You know, I’m not very good at maintaining the house, but I try my best. I try to make you proud. Even so, I’d like you to be a part of my life.”
“I’d be happy to help.”
“Not to help me with my apartment, but as my friend.”
He smiled even wider. “It would be an honor.”
“Actually, it’d be mine.”
They exchanged numbers and Taylor came forward. “Thank you for being there for her when she had no one.”
“It was my pleasure, Mr. Barrett.”
They shook hands and Taylor corrected him, “Please call me Taylor.”
Jude and Roman hugged, two battle weary soldiers fighting on the same side of a righteous war. “Take care of my Hummingbird, Taylor.”
“I will. I promise.”
Roman nodded and stepped back toward the brownstone. Jude could tell he felt lighter than she’d ever seen him. He chuckled. “Guess I can give notice.”
“Good luck,” she called out.
“Good luck to you, too.”
Back home, the air felt different to Jude and Taylor. Before it was stilted, now it was alive. A window in the living room was left open that morning and a cool fall breeze blew in, greeting them. When he shut the front door, the papers on his drafting table flew, filling the air like snowflakes. They both leapt into action, collecting the sketches and drawings, the blueprints, and the renderings.
As Jude caught one, the miniature blueprint drew her eye. Papers rained down around her, softly falling to the floor like feathers. She looked at the one that most interested her. “What is this?”