Chapter 248:
Finding Harmony
Megan’s Point of View:
It was tickling down, and the sun was setting, casting a beautiful golden sheen over the city. I had to walk around, be outside, think around everything that had been going on with Chris and me. We were repairing our trust, albeit very tenderly, and yet I was sure I wanted to continue with him, with us, and I didn’t know how I could silence those nattering doubts.
I walked over to one, close to the fountain, where I could see the water sparkle in the fading light, and sat-anxious, already lost in my thoughts. Feet resounded in my dreamlike reverie, and I turned to see Chris approaching with a tentative smile. “Mind if I join you?” he asked, his voice soft. I shook my head, gesturing to the empty spot beside me. “Of course not.”
Chris sat down, looking at the fountain. “I wanted us to talk.”
I just nodded, happy yet holding my breath. “About what?”
He took in a deep breath and watched my eyes. “About us. About everything that’s gone on and where we take it from here.”
My gaze fell to my hands, which I began twisting nervously. “It’s just… It’s hard to trust again after everything.”
“I know,” his voice was soft, his hand outstretched towards mine. “And I’m not under any illusion that it will come easy. I just really want to do whatever it takes to make things right.”
I squeezed his small hand, feeling the smallest hint of hope. “I want to believe you, Chris. I really do. But it’s going to take time.”
He nodded gravely. “I know, Megan. And I’m in this for the long haul. No more secrets, no more lies-just us, working together.”
A small smile pulled across my lips. “Appreciated. And I want to try, too.”
Chris smiled, relief etched all over his face. “Thanks, Megan. That really means a lot to me.”
All the days that followed occurred in a whirl. Megan and I were closer than we ever had been before. We were working on her autobiography together, establishing a new rhythm in our relationship. It wasn’t easy, but every day, it felt like we could step a little further ahead.
In the evening, we decided to take a break from writing and go and have dinner. We had a great little restaurant about a block from the house with outdoor seating.
We were perusing the menu in silence when Megan looked up at me, reaching for something deep inside. “Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we hadn’t met?”
I raised an eyebrow, drawn into where her thoughts might be leading. “Honestly, I don’t like to think about that. Megan, meeting you changed my life-for the better.”
She smiled, her eyes softening. “Mine too. I guess I just wonder, you know? How different things might have been.”
I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. “You know, I feel the same way. And I’m all the more grateful that we do find our way back to one another.”
She nodded at me, squeezing my hand. “Me too, Chris. Me too.”
Megan’s Point of View:
As the dinner went on, a calming feeling came through. This was going to be the first time in weeks that things would, for me, seem to be alright. And we sat there, Chris and I, talking and laughing-telling our stories, building these first memories. I did get to feel that a weight was being lifted off my shoulders.
After dinner, we had a wonderful walk along the riverbank at the time when the city lights were dispersed, being reflected in water, and it really seemed so sweet. We were able to quietly walk without really saying anything for some time in the best mutual company.
Chris eventually broke the silence. “Megan, I know that we’ve had our share of problems, but deep inside me, I feel that this time, we can really do it.”
I looked up at him. His eyes seemed sincere. Chris, I believe that too. but we gotta start telling each other the truth from now on. No more hiding.
He nodded, pulling me into a hug. Agreed. No more hiding.
My goodness, that was warmth and love; from the mere holding each other, I knew that was the one thing missing so much in my life. With that kind of love, I knew precisely well we could pull through anything that came our way.
Chris’s point of view:
The following morning, Megan and I were sited in her house, typing away at the final chapters of her book. The atmosphere was light-for once, anyway.
“Hey, Megan, I was just thinking,” I said, looking up from my laptop. “I think we could state differently about what we’ve learned from all of this. About forgiveness and harmony, maybe.”
Her head moved back and forth, nodding slowly. “I like that. It could be a really powerful way to end the book.”
I smiled, satisfied. “Great. Let’s get to work on it.”
We got very personal with these ideas. We shared fears, hopes-our dreams. It was such a catharsis, a way of having opened wounds heal.
“Megan, I want to tell you something,” I said quite seriously. “I do it not only for the book or for my career. I want to do it for you, because I just love you. And I would like to build a future together with you.”
Her eyes softened, and she brushed her fingertips lightly on my cheek. “I love you, too, Chris. And I want that future with you. But we have to keep communicating, keep being honest.”
“I swear,” I said, bending forward to kiss her. “No more secrets.”
Megan’s Point of View:
It was this afternoon later that we decided to take a drive towards the sunset. There was an open road with the wind in my hair-that feeling of exhilaration. It also helped remind me that there is more to life than just working and sweating over things.
While we were driving, Chris turned to me, a mischievous grin on his face. “You remember that time we got lost on our way to that book signing?”
I chuckled, and it brought a smile to my face. “How could I forget? We wound up at that strange roadside diner with the worst coffee in the world.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Yeah, but the pie was pretty good.”
We laughed, two friends in a space wherein the tension accumulated over the last weeks simply melted away. It felt good being there, both of us free to be without anyone pressing us.
Chris’s Point of View:
At dusk, we were parked at a scenic overlook, watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
“Megan, things have been lousy, I know,” I replied, taking her hand. “But I really think we’re better because of it.”
She nodded her head against my shoulder. “I believe that too, Chris. I really believe that our story is just only beginning.”
I smiled, feeling solace in these words. “Here’s to us, Megan. To finding harmony and building a future together.”
She tipped her head to meet my face with hers, eyes wet with love. “To us, Chris. Always.”