Casey stood in front of Sylvie's door, hand raised, ready to knock. The reminiscence of another night almost changed his mind. This time will be different, he promised himself.
He hit the door three times, his heart seemingly echoing the sound.
"Matt? Is everything alright?" she asked when she opened the door, obviously surprised to find him here.
"Can I come in? Please." he pleaded.
She hesitated only slightly before taking a step back and letting him inside.
"My uncle left me a watch." he blurted out before she had another chance to speak.
She looked at him, confused and concerned. Okay, he thought, maybe not the best way to start this. He reached into his pocket and took the Rolex out, flipping it to show the initials.
"JMD. Joelle Meredith David. She was my uncle's wife. She died over 50 years ago." he explained. "My uncle, he never remarried. He spent the rest of his life holding onto her memory. She was his one true love, the one he could never really move on from."
"Matt, why are you telling me all this?"
" Do you remember a couple weeks ago when you snapped at me for riding Grainger?" She nodded. She remembered all too well. "You said I was still in love with Gabby and that was why I was acting out."
"You said I was right." she said, softly, her voice almost breaking despite her courageous effort to keep her composure.
"You were. Sort of. I was being a jerk but not because I'm still in love with Gabby. That stopped a long time ago. Honestly, even if she hadn't left, I doubt we would have made it. I knew it deep down and that's why I didn't go with her when she asked me. Twice."
"But you said…"
"I know what I said. I was an idiot. When I realized what that watch meant to my uncle, I finally understood. Gabby was never my one true love. You are."
She froze. Surely, she'd heard wrong. She watched him take a step closer.
"I know I hurt you and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that it took all this time for me to realize it. And maybe it's too late. Or maybe you don't feel the same way, but I thought you should know. I love you, Sylvie Brett."
Sylvie was looking at him, stunned. She opened her mouth but no words came out. His eyes were fixed on her, waiting for her to say something, anything. His heart sank deeper the longer she stayed silent. It occurred to him that maybe he was indeed too late.
He started to move past her, heading for the door when he felt her hand softly grabbing his wrist.
"I love you too, Matt Casey."
He stopped and turned back around. A shy smile had made its way to her face. He reached up and gently stroked her cheek, leaning closer until finally he closed the gap between them. His lips brushed over hers. Once. Twice. Her hand left his and went to the back of his neck while he circled her waist. They pulled each other closer as their kiss grew deeper. Time stood still and the world seemed to stop for a moment until reluctantly they broke apart, catching their breath. In the safe warmth of their embrace, there they were.
Home, at last.