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After Everything 12
“Hey Em, can you bring the bottle with you when you come back?” Sutton yells from the living room. “Yep, anything else before I sit down?” I respond.“Nah all good. We have everything.” Addison adds.Whilst listing off everything we might need that’s in front of her on the table.Wine. Netflix. Snacks. Face masks.We have on our matching sweat sets. Along with our matching wine glasses.2 years running and we still go all out for our simple Sunday’s.Sundays are for the girls. Yesterday, was fun catching up and seeing Tate and Dam in person for the first time in a while. I still haven’t spoken to Cole. But to be honest, it isn’t worth it. He knows what he did was wrong and after the looks he shared with Damien I know that he already coped it enough.I head back to the living room. Wine in hand. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right.After everything that has happened in the last few days, it totally slipped my mind to ask Josie about her date. And I’m her best friend. I need a
After Everything 13
It’s Sunday, meaning the boys and I hang out at home watching NHL replays, drinking some beer and eating some pizza. A lot of it. We are 5 growing men. We go through one each easy.We’re on the second game of the day. We never agree on movies or shows. So the ice hockey is a save bet to watch. Dillon sits on the floor in front of our long grey couch, Miles is in the corner looking uninterested. Cole is sitting next to me and Austen is asleep on the other side of me. I turn to Cole “How you feeling after yesterday?” Referring to his concussion and wrist.“Not to bad. Em was worried. I hate doing that do her. Coach ripped into me. But wrist should heal quickly. No practice for me for a bit. Em was pissed, but she hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday and Damien already yelled at me at how it would affect Em and why I can’t do it again. I swear he will put an ankle monitor on me, if I play up again. He texted Miles to make sure I don’t drink.” He spills out to me.“Yeah Emerson was re
After Everything 14
I’m dragged from my sleep by the buzzzz of my alarm. I’ve hit snooze 4 times already and should probably get up. I roll over and instantly feel the cool sheets beneath me it’s a shock as I quickly find the warmth again. I have a 9AM this morning for Child Development and Psychology, one of the only elective units I selected. We didn’t have it last Monday. But we have today, which means I’ll see him. That sends butterflies in my stomach and ignites my heart. I saw him yesterday, after I left Cole’s as I spent the night there after a late one on Saturday and Cole didn’t let me walk home. I crave seeing him. I don’t want to hide anymore. I deserve to be happy after everthing, right.I get up, head into the kitchen say hey to Josie who’s has her blue light glasses on and her hair in a messy blonde bun and looks like she needs a coffee IV.“Hey Jos, did you get any sleep last night?”“Umm no, after my date last night. Which was good, before you ask. We went to the cinema and no I’
After Everything 15
She turned me down. She actually said no. That was not how I thought it would go. Well it wasn’t exactly a no. It was a brush off. Not a friend zone either. And I did notice the sign of hesitation and the nudge she got from Addison.But Professor Hadley and my no show of a partner are to thank because now I have a reason to see Emerson. I search for my phone whilst at my desk. It has to be somewhere. Nope not under there. Fuck where did I leave this time. “Hey man, I found your… what the fuck are you looking for?” Austen bursts into my room.“My phone” I turn responding, seeing him holding it up.“What this, an email that your partner is Emerson. How you going to tell Cole that one?”“One I didn’t decide the partners and two how the fuck do you know my password. Also give me my fucking phone.”“No and your password is the last year the Bruins won the Stanley Cup not hard to guess. You basically lived in that jersey as a kid.”“Asshole”“Yeah that’s the only way I like it.
After Everything 16
The professor’s light mutterings are slowly entering my thoughts. But, I have a constant distraction, handsome, but still a distraction at my side.It’s been a couple of weeks since we had a first meeting at Della’s since then we have started spending more time together and texting constantly. It makes me smile. I’m happy.Like rainbows after a rainy day kind of happy. The girls have noticed too. They like it. I mean they love him for it. I’ve started baking more, again. To the appreciation of the girls, Cole, Miles and King. Who seem to always end up with the brownies, cookies or cupcakes I make.Addison lets me in ‘her’ kitchen, because you can’t deny the infamous Fitzgerald brownies. As long as I clean up after myself she is happy.Ok, back to the distraction, I mean class. Hell, I haven’t been pay attention for the past 30 minutes, what’s listening to the last 10 minutes going to do. I mean it’s hard to deny the man who has made it a habit of bringing me a coffee every morni
After Everything 17
It was a tough game last night we lost 3-2. We fought hard but it wasn’t enough.Practice was going to be extra gruelling this week.Coach always makes us work harder after a loss. Not that I blame him.It also sucks that it was a home game. And Em came and stayed watched it all.Somehow, between now and then we all agreed to a games night.That is hosted at our place. All the guys are here along with the girls.But my eyes are trained on one brunette.In her light pink sweatpants and cropped white long sleeve she looks fire.It’s a simple outfit.But damn this girl takes simple and makes it something fucking special.The girls showed up with the goods though. Beer. Wine. Snacks. And all the games.Monopoly. Uno. Scrabble. Cluedo.Dillon is dealing out a round of UNO. When I notice Austen reach over to grab Josie’s hand. Why the fuck? Oh shit? That’s who he’s been taking on dates and has been writing all those little notes for? Josie, the best friend of the girl I’m
After Everything 18
- flashback -beep. beep. beep. beeeep. beeeeep. beeeeeeep. beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.It’s only getting louder and quicker. I’m pulled from my sleep. What. Mum. No. This can’t be happening again.I spent the night in mum’s room with Cole but he isn’t here anymore.What is going on. What is that beeping?I glance up to see one of mum’s monitors flashing.I instantly hit the call bell. Even if it’s a false alarm, I would rather know.Mum has coded twice, but they have managed to restart her heart.We are losing her and there’s nothing I can do. I feel helpless.Hopeless.Why us? Why me? Why her?beep. beep. beep. beep. beep.It’s still going.My mind trails the path of losing her, everything she’ll miss and what she won’t get to see.That fucking plane. It’s taking everything from us.•end of flashback - I sit up in bed, trying to draw a breath. My clock on my nightstand says 4:48AM. A nightmare. I haven’t had one since last year. The anniversary is today.
After Everything 19
A familiar warmth encloses my back. Cole. He pulls me into his lap. I’ve been silently crying for hours now. “Shhh Em. It’s alright.” I gaze up and he’s there. Kingston came with Cole. “How did you find me?” I ask in a very hoarse tone from all the crying. “Emmy I will always find you.” I reach out to grab onto Kingston’s hand. He takes it and squeezes. These two boys right here found me. They knew I was missing and they found me. I didn’t show up at class that’s probably how Kingston knew I was missing. “Are you ok, Em?” he looks down and says. “Yeah I am. I woke up after a nightmare and wasn’t going back to sleep. So I came to only place I knew they’d listen.” “Em, don’t do that again. You can’t run away and not tell anyone. We all care about you and are here for you, right here. We aren’t going anywhere. I’m going to let Damien know you’re ok before he calls a freaking search party, alright.”Cole says standing giving my shoulder a little s
Latest chapter
After Everything Epilogue
REHEARSAL DINNER | the night before the wedding MATURE CONTENT | 18+ “We are getting married tomorrow. Like tomorrow.” Em says from her spot resting on my chest. “Yeah we are, surreal huh?” I respond. “Um yes, but I’m excited.” “Me too, no nerves?” “None not with you ever.” That makes my heart swell. “So you aren’t going to pull a Burke and leave me at the alter?” I ask referring to one of the many weddings on Greys. “Not at all, I want this so fucking much.” “Me too Em.” “I love you.” She whispers. “I love you more.” “How are your vows going?” She asks. Ugh those things, the declaration of love. Matrimony. They are coming along nicely but I just know Em’s are going to be like 1000 times better than mine. “Good. Yours?” I ask and she smirks. “I’m happy, Josie loves them so I hope you do too. Because there’s still time for Jos and I to run of into the sunset.” That’s not the first time either of them have mentioned their happily ever afte
After Everything 68
Time flies when you are busy, overworked and exhausted. I feel like I blinked and now it’s a week out from my own wedding. I’m getting married to the love of my life in a week. I couldn’t be happier or more excited. But first, the bachelorette night courtesy of Josie my maid of honour. I knock on her apartment door, box in hand and question ready on my lips. “Oh Em you look nice, did you want Josie?” Austen asks opening the door to greet me. “Thank you and yes I would like my best friend.” “Did Kingston ask you yet?” “Yeah last night although I’m kind of sad I didn’t get a box too.” “Oh well, guess you don’t have the better best-friend.” That’s something we all fight over who has the better best-friendship, which duo is better. The sisters by love or brothers by choice. We don’t know. There will never to be a correct answer. Because really we are just a lucky bunch of people to be surrounded by amazing company that we get to share, live and love with.
After Everything 67
“That’s not fair!” I shout as Em hits me again with the water gun. She continues until I surrender and throw her over my shoulder as she laughs at me. “Kingston put me down.” “What, baby?” She starts pinching my behind and I can’t reach her hand to slap it away. “Stop that.” “Well put me down now.” I throw her in the water. She breaks the surface and her stern gazes meets mine. “Not like that.” “You asked for it.” “I said put me down not toss me in the lake.” We are up at Miles’ vacation home in Cape Cod we have come the past two years as one big massive family. It has enough beds for everyone. We play games, cook together, laugh, have fun, it’s a tradition I don’t see us breaking anytime soon. This is sort of our last hoorah. All together. After this we all go our separate ways. Yeah we’ll stay in touch but it won’t be the same. Unless we all live near each other again. When we leave here tomorrow we will be making the journey to New York. Sin
After Everything 66
There are future spoilers for other couples (who will eventually have their own stories). It’s hard writing this time for K&E and not talking about where their friends lives are at. They are all so close like a massive family. So read at your own discretion. Pause reading here, if you want to read Josie and Austen’s story from the beginning and not where they end up, I try keep it to a minimum, but again kind of hard since it effects King and Em directly. It’s up to you where you go from here! These chapters and this time was my favourite to write and are probably some of my best “Come on Em we are going to miss our flight if you don’t hurry up?” Kingston shouts from the bathroom. “Josie you too. Hurry up.” Austen adds. “Em what is taking so long?” “Just need to finish, last chapter…” “You have time for that on the plane, now get your butt in gear. Are you packed, do you have everything?” He says snatching my iPad from me. He pulls me into his chest. “Yes
After Everything 65
6 MONTHS LATER… Graduation, baby. We finally did it. Boston U’s Class of 22! It’s been an amazing, adventurous, sweet, crazy journey. But we did. Us four girls stand hand in hand in their apartment before we finally head out to walk across the stage. After four years. All the ups and downs. Every party. Failed grade. Library study session. Coffee from Glazes. Hockey game. Sorority event. We made it through. Stronger and better than ever. We all have incredible futures ahead of us. Me as at nursing school. Josie at an internship for Vogue. Addison as a teacher at a prestigious school. Sutton at an insane PR and Marketing firm for Sports Professionals. I can’t believe we did it. I love these girls more than life itself. Without them this would have been a boring journey. We are sisters. Wherever we end up we will always have each other. “You girls ready to go?” Cole asks from his spot next to the door. He’s accompanied by Kingston, Austen and
After Everything 64
We’ve enjoyed a perfect state of bliss bridging the gap between Christmas and New Years. We spent the time with Em’s family. It’s important for her mental health to spend time with them and during the semester it doesn’t happen that often. So we soaked up all the time we could with them. Along with bouncing back and forth to my parents as well. Over the past year our relationship has grown to new heights. All because of the girl next to me. She was the catalyst. The fighting force. My parents thank her every time. She just smiles and says sweet words in response. But she truly has no idea how strong they feel over this. Knowing I could have ended up like him scares them the most. But more importantly it scares me. We also took time and brought Cora and Tate with us. Since the two of them are two peas in a pod. It’s adorable honestly. Seeing them get along so well is amazing. We are home now. And tonight is party night. We are getting all dressed up and heading t
After Everything 63
Christmas is in full swing at the Hale-Cooper and Fitzgerald-James apartment. Like it looks like Santa and his 12 reindeer threw up in our apartment. There are decorations everywhere. Not that I expected anything less from Josie. I mean she makes ‘Winter Wonderland’ her bitch. The tree is real for god sake. Real. Like pine and woody smelling. It fills the apartment day in and out. Oh and if that isn’t enough there is about 16 Christmas soy scented candles in our apartment. There’s bound to be 2 burning at all times in every room. The carols and music fill our speaker system in our apartment every morning 9am sharp. Then throughout the day its the alternating routine between music and movies. There are snacks always out. Candy canes. Hershey’s kisses with festive flavours. There is always a round of Pillsbury Christmas cookies in the cupboard and one in the oven. Oh and fresh ready to bake packet in the fridge. Just for safe keeping. In case we eat them all. We’ve b
After Everything 62
It’s been a month since Em’s incident. It scared and terrified me. Receiving that phone call from Callum. I knew I shouldn’t have left her… I’m cooking dinner for us at home, the vegetables are prepped and chicken is cooking now. Josie is studying at the breakfast bar. Austen’s not home and Em isn’t home from the library either. “Not studying with Em today?” I ask Josie. “Nah cramps got really bad today, so I just decided to stay home. That smells good.” “Thanks.” “Ugh Kingston your phone is ringing.” “Does it say who it is?” “Callum. I think.” Miles’ boyfriend why would he be ringing me. “Pass it here.” “Alright.” She leans over and grabs it. “Hi Callum.” “Umm hi I’m with Emerson now, something’s happened. She needs you. We are on our way to the hospital now.” With that all the colour drains from me. Emerson, hospital, what the fuck. “Kingston what is it?” Josie asks worried. “Emerson something happened.” “What? Where.” “I don’t know we need to
After Everything 61
“Damien, I can’t….. that……. I hate….. It hurts Damien, I can’t breathe…” “Emmy you’re ok, slowly in and out, there you go, you are safe now. You have a concussion, you are going to need stitches for the cut and will need some wrapping on your wrist.” “WHERE IS SHE?” I hear the familiar voice I love come down the hall. “Do you want to see him? He’ll understand if you don’t.” I just nod and squeeze his arm. “I love you Emmy, you’ll get through this. We’ll see Lily together alright. I’m not leaving you alone.” He enters to hallway leaving me with the nurse in the room. It’s protocol, I know that. Kingston enters the room and I can see his tear stricken eyes. “I’m so fucking sorry. Emerson. I should have been there. I should have. I’m so sorry.” “It’s not your fault.” “I know but I should have been there, I shouldn’t have left you there by yourself.” “How were you meant to know. I’ve done that many times. Just tonight something happened.” “It’s not your
