“You know, Ben believes in this thing called a multiverse,” she said conversationally, like she was talking about the weather. “Somewhere out there, you and I end up together, or you and Ben maybe, or something to that effect. Different scenarios and different chains of events in multiple parallel universes.”
“Do you believe that?” he asked her distractedly, only half-listening.
She scoffed like he had just asked her a stupid question.
“I believe in the things I can see, and the things I can explain,” she told him, following his gaze again. She realized that she was going to have to point this out for him. Looking down at her bouquet (she liked carrying it around to remind everyone who the bride was), she pulled out the sunflower Celia had placed in it earlier that day and pressed it against Henry’s chest, much to his surprise. There was a whisper in the wind behind them, from a voice they couldn’t quite hear. Everything had become right again. Timelines and multiverses converged and were completed at this fixed moment in time. Things had come full circle now.
“Now go on, lover boy,” Vivian smiled, nudging Henry’s arm. “Make me proud.”
Henry beamed, kissed Vivian’s forehead, and headed straight to the dance floor. Ben graciously stepped aside as the music slowed. Vivian watched Celia and Henry dance as her husband made his way to her. She smiled and felt that for once, everything was as it should be. Ben scooped her into his arms, his eyebrow quirked at her. She smiled and nudged her head towards where Henry and Celia were dancing.
“That was fast,” Ben said, furrowing his brows. “I take it Cupid had a hand in this.”
“Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps,” Vivian quoted, giggling. “Now hush. Her story is just about to begin.”
CHAPTER NINE
THANK YOUS
THE character of Celia was based loosely on my lovely lola Cely, who loved sunflowers, crossword puzzles and telling me about her love story with lolo Rey over breakfast.
I would also like to thank the ladies that helped create Cities into what it is now. Tania, for the gorgeous layout of the cover, Mina and Layla for their insights on the story and their painstaking editing of my writing.
The cover art was created in tandem by my insanely talented siblings, Rom and Frances. You guys are the best, and I look up to you both art-wise. Thank you, thank you for wanting to do this. To Roselle and Gabbie, who loved discussing the plot of the story while sitting in the bedroom. They turned Cities from a short story into a novella, and they are so endlessly supportive of me. Thank you both. Ram and Michelle, who always share my things on Facebook, I love you both. To Gijo who always loves watching Doctor Who with me when I needed a break (I owe you a sonic screwdriver!), and to Rowell, my travel buddy (yes, you can ask me a question). And to Ate Celine for her quiet support especially when I stay up late, writing or reading.
Was that all of you guys?
My greatest, biggest ‘thank you’ goes to the best couple in the world. Without these two, I would never be able to see and experience any of these cities, and without them I would probably still be hiding under the covers writing fanfiction. Mom and Dad, thank you, thank you, thank you for EVERYTHING. Thank you for letting me tag along on your trips, and never complaining when I get us lost or take us to places you don’t exactly like. Thank you for pushing me to keep writing, even when I stopped wanting to.
These travels are my greatest memories with both of you, and I’m sorry that all I can give back is a silly love story.
To Benedict, who never really was in this universe.
And to you, the person reading this silly old love story.
Salamat.
About the Author
CARLA DE GUZMAN started out like any writer, sitting in front of her dial-up Internet computer and discovering fanfiction. Riddled with sleep apnea and a vivid imagination, she started writing every midnight.
She still reads good fics obsessively, writes fanfiction secretly and still loves the idea of finding good fics.
She, her parents and nine crazy siblings love to travel together, eat together and watercolor together, so you could say she’s pretty happy.
WEBSITE http://somemidnight.wordpress.com
EMAIL [email protected]
TUMBLR http://somemidnights.tumblr.com
FACEBOOK http://facebook.com/carladeguzman
Cities Page 15
