"Con, Celeste, let's go already..." said Peter, watching how his wife kept hugging and re-hugging Aria.
"Go on, sweetheart! It's time. I promise I'll cvisit you both very soon-and of course, I'm going to help with the wedding prep..." Aria said as she wrapped her arms around her daughter-in-law.
"Mom! Let Celeste go or we're turning back," Peter called out, half teasing, half rushing them.
He knew very well that Aria and Celeste had formed a strong bond-more than just in-laws, they were friends.
Aria, the woman who'd been absent for most of his life, had now becone of the brightest parts of his days. And though a part of him wished he could take her with them, he knew this was her ttoo-her moment to enjoy life.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"My lovely, elegant ladies, I don't mean to hurry you, but if the twins wake up, we've got a long ride ahead of us," Peter said, pointing to the back seat of the SUV.
"My loves, I'll miss you both so much, but you need your space now... As soon as you're settled, I'll cvisit. Take it easy-the wedding is still three months away. We have time," Aria said, trying to ease the farewell, especially for Celeste, who was visibly emotional.
"Yes, Aria, and I'll need your help with it all. I trust you'll visit us soon..." Celeste added, a lump rising in her throat.
"Of course, sweet girl! And I wouldn't miss a chance to be with my grandbabies," Aria said, trying to keep Celeste calm.
"Thank you, Mom," Peter said, moved to see how his mother supported Celeste through the hard goodbye.
"My son, there's nothing to thankfor-I do it with love. Besides, we can't leave everything to Celeste. She's going back to school soon, and with the twins... well, I know it'll be a handful," Aria said with a half-smile, though concern flickered in her eyes.
"But my lovely wife will have help-you can be sure of that. I want twith her too, so we'll start looking for two nannies to help with Martina and Flora," Peter replied sincerely.
"That's what I love about you, my boy-you're always calm and looking for solutions. Alright now, tto get moving. You've got a long road ahead," Aria said, gesturing for them to finally go.
"Take care, Aria. Danielle, Ellie-look after yourselves, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to callor ask the staff, okay?" Peter added with concern.
"Don't worry, Peter," Danielle said. "Your mother's in great hands... though we're still trying to figure out what to do with this massive house." That enormous estate, originally meant for Adam, now belonged to them. Adam, these days, was happy living in his apartment and basically lived at the university.
"Alright then, tto go, my loves... I hope to see you all again very soon," Peter said as he hugged each of the women staying behind.
Celeste did the same, and as she embraced them, she felt a knot rise in her throat and tears sting her eyes. "Con, sweetheart... It's tto go," Peter said, gently pulling her toward the car.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Take care, my boy! I'll cvisit soon," Aria said with a nostalgic smile.
"Don't take too long, Mom. We'll be waiting for you." "Take care of my girls," Aria said, watching them with one last loving glance. "We will, dear Aria." "We love you so much, my ladies!" Peter called out as he got into the car and began driving away from the estate.
Peter, Celeste, and their daughters were heading to Willowcombe by car. The plan was to take their time, stopping along the way to explore splaces.
For Peter, being on the road with his beautiful wife and their twin daughters filled him with a strange sense of wholeness. He had never felt this way before—or at least he had no memory of ever feeling this complete. t sŵ "How do you think things will go for us in Willowcombe?" Celeste asked, glancing at Peter, who was focused on the road ahead.
"Great! We've got a whole life ahead
of us-and with you by my side, I know it's going to be the best life we could ever have," Peter said with joy and full conviction. fo "Peter..." Celeste whispered softly.
"I love you, Celeste. I love our daughters. adore their little cheesy toes, their babbling, bathing them, changing them, feeding them... Even with the gaps in my memory, what you've givenis the best O experience of my life. I love the chance you've given me.