My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

Valerie sat at the small garden table outside the house, the baby monitor resting on the table beside her. She sipped her coffee, lost in memories, replaying over and over the first time she and Marcus had spoken. She remembered that moment so vividly-Marcus had given her a coat and a little money to help her escape.

Back then, Marcus had seemed like a guardian angel sent to protect her. She had been scared, hurt, and terribly alone. Years later, Marcus had appeared in her life again-when she was frightened and worried. This time, she wasn't alone, but she still needed more support.

After a moment of reflection, she spoke out loud to herself

"Was this really our destiny? Oh, Marcus... How much did we have to go through just to be together? And how much have we gone through together?"

Then, another memory surfaced-Peter. The man who was how lost in his own mind. She felt sorry for him. He had once been her knight in shining armor, a man with a heart of gold. She smiled as she thought about the one time she had visited the hospital with Marcus. It was obvious she didn't belong there anymore. That chapter of her life was over.

The people who needed to be there were there. Sure, they would always be connected because of their children, but that didn't mean she needed to visit him.

Things between her and Marcus were finally getting better. Her husband had become the loving, grounded r she had fallen in love with again. She wasn't about to disrupt that balance.

Right now, her biggest concern was her babies-including her eldest, Serenity, who had suddenly left the nest and was now about to become a mother herself. Valerie had to admit-life had a cruel sense of humor. The irony of her son and her daughter meeting, falling in love, and getting married was something she never could have predicted.

"Peter, Peter Palmer... What's going to happen to you? I really hope that one day you remember us and get to live a happy, peaceful life," Valerie said softly.

Another thought came to her-Peter's current partner. The woman was younger than her, but that wasn't what stood out. There was something about her that felt oddly familiar. She couldn't quite place it. Even the name sounded familiar, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember where she had heard it before.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" came a voice from behind her. "Camille!" Valerie gasped, startled. "I thought you were resting.

"I was! But I've had enough rest. Now, are you going to answer my question?"

"Oh, Camille... There's just so much on my mind. My life has been a whirlwind this year. Just a few weeks ago, all I wanted was for Serenity, my twins, and John

to come home, so our family could be whole again. And now..."

"And now what? Are you worried about Serenity?"

"About Serenity... about everything and nothing at the same time."

"What are we going to do now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, with Serenity pregnant, she's going to need her mother and grandmother

to take care of her. That means we're not going back to Hesperia, right?"

"I don't know yet. Marcus has been struggling with the idea that his little girl is

grown up and about to bring a baby into the world."

"He's struggling—and mostly because of who the father is, right?"

"Life sure has a funny way of playing tricks on us, Camille. Peter and I... we never got our chance. And now, my daughter and his son are happily married and expecting a baby."

"That should make you happy. Life gave you both a second chance. You have a wonderful man who loves and adores you. And from what you've told me, Peter also found someone new, and she doesn't seem bad at all."

"You're right about that. She doesn't seem like a bad person... But I have to confess something. Ever since I met her, I've had this strange feeling that I know her from somewhere."

"Have you considered that what's really bothering you is that she's Peter's new partner?"

"What are you saying, Camille?"

"Peter was very important to you. It's like when you were in school and found out your crush had a girlfriend. You feel jealous-not because she's a bad person, but because she's his girlfriend. It doesn't matter if she's nice-you still see her as the enemy."

"No, I don't think that's it. Honestly, I

want Peter to have someone. I think it's time for him to be happy. I'm glad he's going to be a father, that he has someone in his life. He

deserves a family. More than no

anything, because he's always been alone. Now, he finally has his own family, and he can experience that joy."

"I like hearing you say that-with this tone in your voice..."

"What tone?"noveldrama

"A tone where you don't sound hurt. You sound hopeful-not for yourself, but for him."

"Camille, I have everything I need right here. I have Marcus, John, and my little twins-Albert and Caroline. And Serenity, too, even though she's building her own life now."

"I'm really happy to hear that, Valerie. You have no idea how sad it was to see you and Marcus apart. Marcus loves you so much. And I know you love him, too. Everything that happened this year only made your bond stronger."

"I still remember the day we came

back... Seeing my babies after so long, the way my eyes filled with tears, the way I kissed them over and over And them-whether it was instinct or something else-they recognized me." "Oh, Valerie... Not having them with you must have been one of the hardest things to go through. I don't know how you didn't realize it sooner. But now, you have everything you need, right here, with us."

"I know, my dear, I know! And now, all that's left is watching our little ones grow

up.

The two women continued talking for a long time. Valerie's mind drifted back to

that day-how her babies had recognized her. At least, they hadn't cried when she

held them. It was as if they had been waiting for her all along.

Now that they were reunited, she had begun the process of breastfeeding again. It was difficult, but her babies were helping her through it. Seeing them latch

her made her feel an overwhet

sense of satisfaction. Watching her little ones adjust to her was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.