Here is the final chapter. Thank you for reading and reviewing. It means a lot to me.
He felt the burning sensation in his arms as he pushed the water behind him with each stroke. The water was warm and the sun reflected like diamonds floating on the surface. He swam for what felt like forever, pausing only to look at the shoreline. Everything looks so peaceful from here, he thought. He repeated his actions, this time heading back to the beach.
He emerged from the water to find Catherine standing there handing him a towel.
She was dressed in a short flowing print dress and flat sandals. Her hair was softly blowing in the breeze and her makeup was soft and natural.
"Hey, how are you? You look beautiful" he said. He was surprised to see her.
"I'm good" she replied
"So, are you done with your…therapy?" he asked with hesitation
"Rehab, you can say it. It's ok. Yeh, I am done." She smiled, but her expression was sad.
Catherine had spent the last 30 days in a treatment center and had little contact with Steve or anyone else for that matter. She had resigned from the Navy and focused on getting better.
"Want to grab a bite to eat? I'll get dressed and we can go out" he asked as he reached out gently holding her shoulders.
"Steve, I would like that, but I have a plane to catch." she bit her lip and half-heartedly smiled.
"A plane, where are you going?" he asked reluctantly
"I'm going home. I'm going back to Miami. I had a long talk with my brothers and I'm going to go work with them for a while" she answered
"You're going to go sell Condo's? That's not you. Are you sure this is what you want?" he said
"I don't know what I want. That's what I am trying to find out. Maybe selling condos should be me, at least for a while" she moved closer to him "All I can say to you is thank you. Thank you for everything."
She reached up and grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him. She kissed him and held him and kissed him again.
"I love you. I always have" she released her grip and walked away, not giving him a chance to rrreeespond.
He hesitated, not sure about what just happened, then ran and grabbed her arm. She turned suddenly. He grabbed her in his arms and held her tightly.
"I love you too. I know that you don't believe me, but I really do. I really, really do. I am so sorry that you ever felt that I didn't. I am so sorry that you felt that I was using you. I never meant to hurt you. I never, ever, meant to make you unhappy" He held her tighter. "I hope that you find happiness and whatever else it is that you are looking for" He didn't want to let go. "If you ever change your mind, I will be right here. Right here, always. I promise." He released her
"I know. If you are ever in Miami, look me up, I'll buy you dinner" she smiled and walked away. She knew that would never happen.
He watched as she left and stood there long after she was gone. His relationship with her had always been complicated. They were two stubborn people who loved each other, but were afraid to admit it. They never referred to each other as boyfriend or girlfriend, yet they never saw other people. They knew each other better than anyone else. Their relationship was like a drug, they were bad for each other, yet the need was unbearable. She knew that he had his job and that it was his top priority, and he knew that she was career driven and would never give up the Navy, so he thought. They sometimes got along great and they often fought like cats and dogs. The last fight they had was the deal breaker, but he always she was going to return, she always did. He always counted on it.
He finally went in to the house and as he made his way up the stairs, realized for the first time how quiet and lonely it was. He opened the bedroom door, only to find the two bottom drawers of the dresser open and empty. He immediately went into the bathroom and opened the cabinet. The purple toiletry bag that had taken up the corner of the cabinet for the past few years was now gone. He always knew that as long as her things were there, there would be a chance that she would return. Right then, right there, he knew that she was never coming back.
He stood at the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. His heart was heavy and his emotions were conflicting. He knew that this was the best decision for her. She needed her family. He knew that she would always be the one that got away.
His thoughts were interrupted by the ringtone of his phone.
"What Danny?" he answered in an annoyed tone
"We got a case, I'll come get you" Danny replied unaware of what had just occurred.
Steve continued to get dressed and as he reached for his gun and badge on the table, he noticed something that did not belong there. On the table was a gun, Catherine's gun, with a note attached and the spare key to his house next to it.
I don't need this anymore. Stay Safe.
He carefully picked up the gun, softly caressing it with his fingers. He retrieved the note and the key and placed it in the desk drawer. He placed it next to his father's service revolver and badge. He stared at them, closed the drawer, locked it and returned to the table. He grabbed his gun and badge and ran out the door as Danny's car approached the front of the house.
The End
Did I succeed in my challenge? I really tried, but it is difficult for me to portray our favorite characters as anything less than perfect. I really hope that you enjoyed this story. See, no happy ending. Boohoo!
I can't wait to find out what you all thought. Please review and if you haven't reviewed yet, I would love to hear from you.
THANK YOU.
