Chapter 297 Goodbye, and Thank you
Chapter 297 Goodbye, and Thank you
Isabel’s POV
“Hurry up, darlings. We can’t afford to be late,” I say, ushering Scarlett and Sterling toward the door. “We need to be at the airport before the flight takes off.”
Aurora laughs breathlessly as she helps Sterling slip into his shoes, and Mom quickly adjusts Scarlett’s little jacket. The house is buzzing with movement, and I lead the way out as Alexander waits just outside, already by the car.
The moment we’re all tucked in, I glance at the time again and mutter under my breath, “Oh no… we might be late to see Roy off. Are you sure we’ll make it?”
Alexander glances at me, calm and certain. “Don’t worry, Isabel. We’ll make it in time.”
And thankfully—we do.
Just as Roy is wheeling his luggage toward the departure gate, I call out, “Roy!”
He turns at the sound of his name. His brows lift in surprise before he grins, rushing toward us. The twins run to meet him, and he crouches low, pulling both into his arms with the kind of hug that speaks louder than any words could.
I smile watching them. He’s been so much more than a friend. He stepped in for them in ways that left lasting imprints, loving them like his own.
“I can’t believe I get to see you both again,” he says, looking up at Alexander and me with a soft smile.
Sterling, always the playful one, shrugs. “You know we’re full of surprises.”
Scarlett pouts and nudges him. “But Uncle Roy, you’re so mean. How could you plan to leave without saying goodbye to us?”
Roy bows his head, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, babies. I didn’t mean to. I just didn’t want to see you cry when I left.”
The kids hug him again, tighter this time, as he strokes their hair gently.
“Come on,” he says, pulling away a bit. “Don’t cry now. I’m not disappearing forever. I’ll just be a few hours away. I’ll come visiting all the time, alright?”
Their faces light up. “Really?”
He nods. “Really.”
Scarlett lifts her tiny pinkie finger. “Pinkie promise?”
Roy chuckles, linking his pinkie with both of theirs. “Promise.”
Just then, something—or rather someone—catches my eye.
“Wait… is that Evie?” I squint and wave. “Evie! Evie!”
She turns, that familiar, warm smile lighting up her face before she walks over with quick steps and open arms. We throw ourselves into a long hug.
“How have you been? It’s been so long!” we say in unison, laughing.
“I was feeling terrible about leaving LA without seeing you,” Evie says, brushing her hair behind her ear. “But there was an emergency at work, and I had to get back to San Francisco.”
“Oh really?” I say.
She nods. “But now I’m so happy I got to see you.”
Her gaze drops to the twins beside me. “Wait—are these…?”
I nod quickly. “Yes! Scarlett and Sterling. You remember them?”
“Of course!” she says, crouching a little. “They were tiny the last time I saw them in New York. Now look at them—so grown up and so beautiful.”
I smile, about to properly introduce them when suddenly—
“You?” Evie blurts out, her eyes darting to someone behind me.
I turn.
Roy.
He rises to his full height, blinking in shock. “You? What are you doing here?”
“You two know each other?” I ask, my eyes bouncing between them.
Evie nods, chuckling. “Well, not really. But we’ve bumped into each other several times during my work trips in San Francisco. It was weird. Kept happening again and again.”
She shrugs, grinning, and we all laugh.
“Maybe it’s destiny playing matchmaker,” I tease, nudging her with a wink.
She rolls her eyes. “Oh, please.”
“Well,” I say, arms open in mock grandeur, “since fate clearly has plans, allow me the honor of introducing you two.”
I gesture between them. “Evie, meet Roy—a very close friend of mine. Roy, this is Evie. We were in college together when I stayed in New York.”
Roy offers his hand, and Evie shakes it with a smile. “Nice to finally know your name,” she says.
Just as the air begins to settle, a familiar voice pierces through.
“Isabel! Isabel!”
I blink, stunned.
Grace.
She’s hurrying toward us, luggage in tow, her curls bouncing with each step. I glance at Roy, but he shrugs—clearly as surprised as I am.
She finally stops in front of us, panting, “Thank goodness I got here before the flight.”
Roy frowns. “Mom, what are you doing here? And what’s with the suitcase?”
With her usual flair, she flutters her hand dramatically. “Your uncle called after all these years. I couldn’t ignore his invite! You know how long I’ve waited for this day.”
Roy scoffs, clearly amused.
Grace ignores him and steps boldly in front of Alexander. “Now listen here,” she says, voice dropping low. “I love whoever my son loves. But if you ever hurt Isabel again, you’ll have me to deal with instead.”
The air thickens—until she bursts into laughter, her full-bodied chuckle drawing the tension out of all of us.
She turns to the twins. “And I came prepared,” she says, digging into her oversized bag, pulling out two boxes of chocolates. “Be good for your parents, alright? And don’t forget to call Grandma Grace whenever you feel like visiting.”
She taps the side of her head with her finger and then points to her ear, making a playful signal.
The kids grin. “Thank you, Grandma Grace!”
Just then, her gaze lands on Evie. Her brows furrow.
“And who is she?”
Her tone is slow, curious, and just a little suspicious, her eyes darting between Roy and me.
We all chuckle quietly, dodging the question as the final boarding call echoes over the speakers.
The goodbyes are quick but heartfelt. Grace waves dramatically, following behind, as Roy and Evie make their way toward the gate. I hold onto the kids, watching as they disappear into the crowd.
I clutch Scarlett and Sterling closer, whispering a silent prayer in my heart.
May this journey bring Roy everything good. He deserves it.
He gave us his best. And now, it’s his turn.
As they vanish into the sea of travelers, I hold the twins a little tighter. This time, no one’s running away. We’re just… beginning again. All of us.