Set almost two years after todd wakes up on his fifteenth birthday when life is finally starting to come right for the two teenagers.
The sun is just starting to set when i arrive at the home, me, ben and viola share, tired from yet another long day rebuilding the town. You'd have thought that after two years the town would be all fixed up by now, but building a city takes a lot more work than that, ill tell you. ive found that me and viola dont spend as much time as i would have liked together during the days now either as shes working with the other mistresses in the still temporary house of healing while a bigger, better and more improved one is being built (unfortunately not by me) just down the road. we pass each other on a morning, but only briefly and the three of us spend the evenings together which mostly consist of tea made by ben and then bed. its all very structured, a hadbit i wanted to get away from by moving out of the city. that hasnt happened either, obviously. too much work to be done around here. at least thats what i tell myself and not thats its actaully because me and viola have only brushed past the topic in conversation and havent really done anything to set the plan in motion. every months theres a council meeting where the orgional council from the war, the main caretaker family and a few important people from violas ship meet in a large designated spackle tent to talk about things that dont interest me half of the time. there have also been a few more "parties" these past few months where all th families from the ship gather and play music ive never heard of and dance in the center of the square. i dont understand why they do it but viola likes to go, says it reminds her of the days she used to love with these people. she always seems to be happiest these things wheres shes surrounded by people from her past and doing things she grew up doing. she says that she doesnt miss her old life, whenever i question her about it, but i know its only because of her parents. if they were still here, viola would be a completely different person, and would probably nevr be living this life. sometimes i wonder if it would have been better off that way for her. she wouldnt have seen the things shes seen, wittnessed the horrific things she has. never had met me. of course she hears these thoughts and immediately shoots them down, telling me shes happy with her life as long as im by her side. and i know she knows i feel the same way. it still doesnt mean i see her as much. i had it in my head tha after the war we would get as far away from here as possible where we can life a live of peace and quiet for a change. looks like that plan is taking some time to become a reality.
As i throw my keys onto the kitchen counter i notice a small note folded with my name on. ive gotten better at reading aswell over the last two years. im still not great but its better. i pick up the note (obviously recognising my name) and after a few tries i mange to read violas delicate handwriting. It says: meet me by the stables at sunset ~ V x
The sun is now low in the sky so i grab my coat and make my way down the small path leading to the stables. I wonder what she wants? And why didnt she just wait until we were both home? Maybe somethings wrong? Angharad? I quicken my pace. no. viola would wait to tell me about something like that with a mysterious note. When i get to the stables i find myself anxiously looking around for her.
"viola?" i call looking through the doors and then i see her, stood by angharad, storking her nose and feeding her the last apple from a bag shes clutching.
"viola" i say again calmer now ive seen her looking so relaxed. she turns to the sound of my voice looking almost confused at first but then smiles a warm smile.
"todd" she says in greeting which still manages to make my insides flutter the way they do when ever shes around.
"what are we doing here?" i ask making my way over to her, also feeling a small smile make its way upon my lips.
"what do you mean?" she asks moving away from angharad and meeting me in the middle where i get the familiar sensation torap my arms around her, something she clearly sees in my noise and i try cover it, as usual.
"you dont remember?" she asks trying to hide her growing smile. i just shake my head trying to hide the embarrassing confusion in my noise and on my face. her smile softens.
"Happy Birthday Todd"