Let The Years Be

Finally, the house was all set, and Chloe let out a long, relieved breath.

It was like a huge weight had been lifted off her in a heartbeat.

While signing the papers, she realized the due date for the final real estate paperwork was the same as her departure day.

Perfect timing. It meant she could skip the awkward goodbyes with Andrew and Stephen.

Signing her name, Chloe felt a rush of relief. It was almost all behind her.

There was just one more thing to do.

She hit the mall, picking out a sleek massager and a cool pair of bracelets before making her way to Natalie's place.

The moment she stepped through the door, Natalie wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Chloe, letting you go is so hard. You've been part of Marina City for years, and I've come to love you like my own. It's going to feel so empty without you," Natalie said, her voice thick with emotion as she clung to Chloe's hand.

Chloe felt a lump in her throat but managed a reassuring smile. "I'll miss you too, Aunt Natalie, but hey, we're family, right? Planes, trains—it's all easy. We'll see each other during the holidays for sure."

Natalie nodded, her tears giving way to a smile, and nudged Chloe onto the couch. "Park it here, kiddo. I took some days off just for you. You're staying over, and I'm whipping up all your favorites!"

Before Chloe could protest, Natalie was off to the kitchen, soon returning with a feast of Chloe's beloved dishes, all served up with her warm, infectious laugh.

Chloe watched her, a smile spreading across her face.

She knew there was no arguing with Natalie. A few more days there would not hurt. It was the least she could do to keep her company.

Chloe glanced at the clock and knew she could not put it off any longer. With a heavy heart, she turned to Natalie.

"I've got to head out. In three days, I'll be in Kingston City, tying the knot."

Natalie fought back her tears and nodded, her hands pushing an envelope into Chloe's. "I've got three surgeries that day, and I can't skip out on them. Take this as a little something from me, okay? Chloe, promise me you'll find your happiness."

Chloe's eyes brimmed with tears as she took the envelope. "I will. Grandpa's choice has got to be a good one, right?"

Just then, the elevator dinged, and out stepped Andrew and Stephen, flanking Helen.

They caught the tail end of the emotional goodbye and felt a tug at their hearts. "Chloe, what's with the waterworks?"

Chloe quickly dabbed at her eyes and managed a smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just haven't seen my aunt in ages, and it's tough to say goodbye, you know?"

Andrew and Stephen let out the breath they did not know they were holding.

Their worry melted away. "We're all neighbors here in Marina City. If you miss us, just swing by any time."

Natalie watched the two, clueless about the real story. She wondered how they would react if they ever found out. She almost spilled the beans but caught herself.

Chloe, sensing the danger, swiftly steered the conversation towards Helen. "What's going on with you guys?"

Andrew and Stephen snapped out of their daze, a flicker of panic crossing their faces as they stumbled over their words, trying to explain.

"Today's Thanksgiving, and Helen was all by herself, feeling pretty down. So, we decided to bring her back to join our celebration," they explained.

"Yeah, and don't get it wrong, we tried calling you too, but you never answered."

Their panic was kind of funny, considering how in past Thanksgivings, they would practically trip over each other trying to bring her home with them.

On a holiday all about family coming together, taking a girl home was like an unofficial way of saying, 'She's the one'.

Chloe was stuck in the middle, bouncing between the Lewis place and then over to the Joneses.

However, that Thanksgiving, they both showed up with Helen instead.

The message was loud and clear, even if nobody said it out loud.

Chloe stayed calm, though. "Got it, sounds great. Have fun. I've got to go pack."

With that, she was ready to head out and catch a ride.

Just then, Andrew and Stephen both stopped her in her tracks.

"Chloe!"

"Chloe!"