“Do you miss Drew?”

“Of course I miss him,” she says, tears rising to her eyes again.

“Well go to him. As much as I’ve loved having you home, you belong with your husband.”

“I told him last night I’m not coming back,” she admits as the tears stream down her face. Far out.

“What? Why?” I ask concerned and extremely shocked. I had no idea she was feeling like this. I wrap her in my arms.

“As much as I love him, Indi, I can’t live like that anymore. Coming home to Australia has made me see just how unhappy I am living over there. Every time we get settled, we up and move again. I can’t even leave the damn house without a friggin’ interpreter, because most of the countries we’ve lived in don’t speak English. I’m lonely. He’s gone most of the time. I just can’t do it anymore.” My embrace on her tightens when she starts to sob again. I’ve never seen her this upset before.

“Have you thought about starting a family? Maybe that will help fill in some of your time. Maybe then you won’t feel so lonely.”

“Drew said the same thing, but it wouldn’t be fair to bring a child into the world when we don’t even have a stable home.”

“Oh, Meg,” I say, sadness lining my voice. “Are you really prepared to throw away everything you have with Drew?”

“I can’t go back, Indi. I just can’t.”

“What did Drew say? Can he find another job?” I ask. I understand how she feels, but I can’t help feeling that she’s making a huge mistake.

“He was devastated. But he loves his job, I’d never ask him to leave it for me.” I continue to hold her why she cries. I don’t know what else I can do. Running may not be the answer, but I need to support her on this. I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision for her to make. I pray that they can come to some agreement. They’re perfect for each other.

A while later, my dad takes us both out for lunch. Neither of us are great company though. Megan is clearly broken by her decision, and I’m not only worried, but I’m hurting for her too. I’m not sure if I can leave her when she’s like this. I may need to call Carter and put the move off for a few more days. She needs me.

“Wanna stay over tonight?” I ask later that night when we’re lying on my bed. “We could have a slumber party like old times.” I don’t want her to be alone.

“I guess,” she shrugs.

“Things have a way of working themselves out, Meg,” I say reassuringly, reaching for her hand as we lie side by side on my bed staring up at the roof. “Look at Carter and I. Who would’ve thought we’d be where we are today?”

“I’m glad things worked out for you both,” she replies.

“Things will work out for you and Drew too, you wait and see.”

“Thanks, babe. I hope so.”

And I was right. We didn’t have to wait long at all. Five minutes after I said that to her, my dad knocks on my bedroom door.

“Megan,” he says, popping his head around the door. “You have a visitor.” We both sit up just as the door pushes open all the way, and Drew waltzes in. Yes, I silently chant.

“Oh my God,” Meg squeals, leaping off the bed and into his arms. “What are you doing here?”

“I quit my job,” he replies, pulling her into a crushing embrace. I can tell by the dark circles under his eyes he’s been suffering too. My heart goes out to both of them.

“What? No!” Stepping back to make eye contact with him, she continues, “You loved that job.”

“I love you more,” is all he says.

“But—”

“No buts,” he interrupts, cutting her off. “I can always find another job, but you my love, are irreplaceable.” He tenderly caresses the back of his hand down the side of Meg’s face before placing his lips against hers. Awww. Tears well in my eyes as I watch them together. I’m so glad things worked themselves out.

••••

Carter arrives early Sunday morning. He was originally going to come Saturday night, but he still had some last-minute work to do at the apartment. God, I’ve missed him. As soon as I hear his car pull up in the driveway, I run outside to greet him. I’m still in my pyjamas, but I don’t care.

I jump off the front porch and bolt across the lawn as he’s getting out of the car. As soon as I’m close enough, I launch myself into his arms. “Fuck I’ve missed you,” he breathes into the crook of my neck as he wraps his arms around me tight.

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Let me look at you?” he asks placing me back on the ground. I smile up at him as he cups my face in his hands. “There’s my girl. I’ve missed your pretty face. It’s so good to see you’ve got your colour back.” My dad said the same thing yesterday. I even noticed how pale my skin was during treatment.

Before I get a chance to reply, his mouth covers mine. I’ve missed his kisses. He groans into my mouth when I deepen the kiss. When we finally come up for air, he rests his forehead against mine. “I can’t wait to get you home.”

That makes two of us.

••••

A few hours later we’re on the road. Well, Carter and I are. My dad and Elizabeth are going to leave in a few hours to give Carter and I a little alone time. They’re picking up Carter’s grandmother on the way. I can’t wait to meet her. We’re expecting them around midday, so Carter is going to take us all out for lunch when they arrive. The three of them are going to stay over tonight, and since my car will be staying up here, my dad will travel home with Elizabeth tomorrow.

Carter and I talk the whole drive. It’s so good to be together again. I fill him in on everything that happened with Meg, and he tells me all about the renovations. I can’t wait to see the new apartment. “I was thinking, while I look around for a job, I might see if there are any animal shelters in the area. I could volunteer.” Carter reaches for my hand, bringing it up to his lips.

“That’s sweet, but I don’t think you’ll have trouble finding a job,” he says smiling. I’m glad he’s so confident. I’ve been so busy with Meg and packing I never got a chance to research how many veterinarian clinics there are in the area.

I’m excited to go upstairs when we pull up outside the tattoo parlour. As usual, Carter comes around to open my door. I love how sweet he is. After helping me out, he pulls me into his arms, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

“I need you to close your eyes,” he says.

“What, now? Shouldn’t I wait until we get upstairs?”

“Just close them. I need to show you something down here first.” What is he up to? He has that smug look on his face that has me instantly suspicious. Fine. I’ll go along with it. I close my eyes as he reaches for my arm and places his other hand on the small of my back, guiding me onto the sidewalk. “No peeking.” Peeking at what? I presume he wants to show me something inside the tattoo parlour, but he leads me in the opposite direction. Suddenly he stops walking. Moving around behind me, he tilts my head back so my face is looking up. What in the hell is he up to? “Open your eyes,” he whispers.

I do as he asks. When I see what he wants to show me, I gasp. “Oh. My. God. Carter, you didn’t,” I say turning to face him.

“I did,” he replies. “I was right when I said you wouldn’t have any trouble finding a job.” Throwing myself into his arms I bury my face in his chest and start to cry; tears of shock, tears of happiness, tears for Lassie. “Don’t you like it?”

“I friggin’ love it.” I stand back to look up at him. I smile widely through my tears. “I’m just overwhelmed.” He kisses my forehead before turning me in his arms so I’m facing the shopfront again. There’s a sign in the window that says ‘opening soon’. His hands wrap around my waist as his chin rests on my shoulder. I can’t believe he would do this for me. Again, I look up at the large sign that’s spread across the whole front of the building. ‘Lassie’s Veterinarian Clinic’. It even has a picture of him on the side.