EVO Nation Series Trilogy Box Set
Page 90
Yana and Crow share a moment as Adam gives her hand to her husband-to-be. I take her bouquet, and Adam leads me back to our pew at the front.
“What did I say? Piece of cake, right?” he says, telepathically.
“No, I’m sweating like a pig after that. Why wasn’t I warned about the candles? I thought I was going to go up like a taffeta fire ball.”
His shoulders shudder from suppressing his laughter. “Well, I think the taffeta wearing, Bambi on ice look works for you.”
“Oi, shut it, you.”
***
Yana was adamant that she wanted the reception at Wheeler’s. That’s Wheeler’s as in Adam’s new club. Emiko decided against going into partnership, but was thrilled that Adam wanted to use the name. She is going back to school to become a florist. I reckon the Chlorokin will pass with flying colours.
The club is Adam’s baby. We live upstairs, and I work the bar on the weekends, but it’s my art work that steals my time.
Darcy is a permanent fixture. As long as he stays out from behind the bar and kitchen, Adam doesn’t mind. He’s quite a hit with the locals. Tonight, he’s lapping up all the attention. The player hasn’t graced me with his presence in hours. There are too many new faces to flirt with and cajole into giving him food from the buffet.
Bo and Vin couldn’t stay for the last few hours. They’re travelling back to London for big-wig army business. I’m not sure what is going on between the pair of them, but whether it be casual or serious, they both seem happy.
Yana even invited Celeste and Ethan. We’ve spoken briefly, and I was surprised to find Celeste the model of civility. She has a big rock perched on her ring finger, but unlike the Celeste I know, she didn’t look to flash it about. Ethan is a good influence on her.
October and Jonah join us at our table, bringing much needed refills with them. Out of everyone, I was desperate to see them both with them living so far away in Ireland. It has been at least five months since our last visit.
“We haven’t had a chance to properly catch up. How’s work going?” I ask.
“She is my star phlebotomist,” Jonah says, offering October a coy smile.
She straightens his collar and plays lazily with his bow-tie. “I’m really enjoying it. I just wish we got to see more of you all.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “You’re content,” she says, smiling. “That’s great, Teddie. Really great.”
“Are you reading me, Miss Willis?”
She shrugs. “Force of habit. Are there wedding bells for you two on the horizon?”
Adam slides his arms around my shoulder, pulling me in close.
“Not quite yet,” I say, looking up at Adam. “We’re still contracted to help Rafe and Fernan with the press malarkey for another six months, and Adam needs to get this place established first.”
Adam presses a kiss to my head. “And Teddie’s gallery next-door is still under redevelopment.”
“Oh, is that the place covered in scaffolding?” Jonah muses. “Will it be just a gallery, or a studio for yourself?”
“Both. The apartment upstairs is getting pretty over crowded. The only place that I haven’t stored canvases is in Cooper’s room.”
October laughs heartily. “Hey, Scrounger, you’re not still living with these two, are you?” she calls to Cooper. “You guys deserve a bloody medal.”
Cooper tips October back in her chair and plants a peck on her cheek. “What are you trying to say? I’ll have you know I’m the perfect lodger: funny, loveable, good looking. Besides, Adam has someone to blame when he leaves the toilet seat up.”
Adam and Cooper fist bump, and Cooper joins Jude, Kid, Rafe, Leoni, and Mum at the bar.
“I can feel how happy you both are. I’m glad. You deserve it,” October continues.
“We’re just taking our time and making the most of each day,” I admit. “It’s weird to suddenly be handed a future and expected to know what to do with it.”
October nods in agreement. “To our futures, wherever they may lead.”
“What are we toasting?” Brick asks, sitting on Adam’s lap.
Rio and Coco join us hand in hand, Coco rubbing her free hand absentmindedly over her baby bump.
“To our futures,” October repeats.
We clink glasses.
The DJ announces the first dance, but before Crow even makes it to the dance floor, Yana takes the microphone.
“Before we do the first dance, there is something we need to do. Teddie, do you have your camera.”
The gang laugh, knowing exactly what she is getting at. I retrieve my polaroid camera from the bar and hand it to the photographer. He looks at it like I have handed him a bag of dog poo.
“Can the gang get together. Come on, Jude, Rafe, everyone. I know you hate photos, but you too, Lizzie. Seth and Kesh, no hiding in dark corners,” she says, waving them over.
We whistle and cat call as Seth and Kesh appear a bit dishevelled.
“I can take the picture on my camera,” the photographer insists. “The quality will be much—”
Yana waves her hands. “No, it has to be on the Polaroid. Is everyone in?”
We all crowd around Yana and Crow, pulling funny faces and making rude gestures. I know Cooper is doing something behind my back because Adam is laughing hysterically.
The photographer hands me back the camera and the polaroid snap that has just popped out. I shake it for a bit until the image emerges in all its glory.
Yana squeals over my shoulder when she sees it. “I love it.”
I punch Cooper in the arm. “It’s an improvement on that ugly mug.”
He must have stood on a chair or table and pulled a moony right beside my head. Adam’s laughing face says it all.
“Let’s put it up,” Yana says, dragging Crow and I toward the stairs to the apartment.
“Right now?” I ask.
The apartment isn’t the tidiest. Those who haven’t visited in a while take in the graffiti style wall art and stacks of canvases that line every available space.
Yana rushes forward, snatching a pin from the noticeboard on her way. She beams up at the wall ahead of her and places the polaroid dead centre. “There,” she says, smiling back at me. “Another good memory.”
The wall of polaroid pictures is the focal point in our apartment. Hundreds of pictures pinned to the wall, hundreds of good memories made since our lives finally changed for the better. Barbeques, parties, beach days, Christmas, birthdays, all documented in polaroid.
Adam wraps his arms around my shoulders, and Yana takes my hand. There’s a moment of quiet as the magnitude of what we have accomplished actually hits me. I know they all feel it too.
Emiko steps forward and lights the candle on the shelf. The candle represents everyone not here to experience this with us.
“Nanakorobi yaoki,” I say, placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Kishi Kaisei,” she replies.
Adam takes her hand. “What does that mean?”
“Wake from death and return to life.” She places the candle back on the shelf and comes to join us in front of the wall. “That’s what we did, and that’s what we shall continue to do. We shall live.”
I breathe in that deep sense of liberation I had been chasing all my life. “To our futures, wherever they may lead us,” I say once more.
The End
Thank you for sticking with Teddie throughout her journey. If you enjoyed this trilogy, a review on Amazon and Goodreads would be greatly appreciated.
About the author:
K.J. Chapman is an avid tea drinker, writer, blogger, book lover, and author of the EVO Nation Series, Thrown to The Blue, and Zombie Playlist.
Born and raised in Cornwall, England, and with an accent to match, she is a self-proclaimed fan girl and geek; lover of everything science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal.
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