My Love Until the Last Goodbye (Mary and Maximus)

After a few weeks, Aria had gone to visit Peter, Celeste, and the girls. The whole family was delighted to have her there.

Peter didn't like to admit it, but he missed his mother. Even though they'd only recently found each other, she had slowly earned a place in his heart—with her warmth, her care, and the way she doted on him like he was still a little boy.

After lunch, Peter decided to go for a walk, taking advantage of the girls' nap and the fact that Celeste had dozed off with them.

"How have you been, Mom?"

"Good, son, good. Still getting used to the huge house. Did you know I've bought tons of roses? I want that place to be full of flowers!"

"I can imagine. You know what?"

"What?"

"I miss you! I know we haven't spent that much time together, but I miss you, Mom. More than you know..."

"Son... I miss you too. But I've lived my life-one way or another, I've lived it. Now it's your turn to live yours..."

"Speaking of that... when are you two getting married? I'm sure Celeste hasn't told you, but she wants to marry you. She's a wonderful woman, and believe me, even if they don't say it out loud, every woman at some point has dreamed of that white wedding dress in the shop window."

"You think so?"

"Of course."

"Were you one of them?"

"Well... in my case, I couldn't afford to dream about that when I was young. But as a little girl, I loved weddings. I loved seeing the brides in those beautiful, puffy dresses... As a young woman, though... well, after I thought you were dead, my life was never the same. If I dreamed of anything, it was of being free."

"Mom..."

"What is it, son?"

"I swear... I wish I could turn back time and give you a better life."

"Sweetheart... what better life could you give me than the one I have now? Look at me—I'm walking hand in hand with my son. Alive!

"At home, I have a daughter-in-law who adores me, granddaughters who make me smile, and back at my house, a daughter and granddaughter who keep me company.

"What more could I need? And if we're talking material things, you won't even let me work! You'd rather I take care of the massive gardens surrounding the mansion you gave me.noveldrama

"Now I know I have a family—an odd one, sure, with all kinds of last names, but a good one. Don't you think?"

"Yes, Mom... it's a great family."

"Now, tell me how are you doing? How's this new life treating you?"

"It's amazing, Mom! My life here smells like peace, like berry pie. It tastes like long coffee afternoons with Celeste, where she tells me about her life, and I tell her about mine..."

"That's real love-being able to share everything without holding back."

"Want the truth?"

"Tell me."

"I've never felt like this before. I've never seen myself this way. I mean, I still work, but now I make time to be with Celeste, to play with my girls... I make time to be happy. They make me happy. They make me feel alive. They make me want to be the best version of myself."

"Son... that's wonderful. You know what makes me happy?"

"What, Mom?"

"Hearing you talk like this. Seeing that glow in your eyes. Seeing you calm, at peace. I still remember when you came to me asking for advice. Do you remember?"

"How could I forget? I was a mess!"

"I know! You were trying so hard to be the right man for the mother of your kids, but something wasn't letting you breathe. There was something in your head keeping you from being happy. But now... I see that you've let it go."

"I have. I closed that chapter of my life that wasn't giving me peace. I shut the door on what kept me stuck. Now I know everything is okay-for me and for her."

"I know that too. She's in good hands. And you... you're in great hands with Celeste. She may not have been the woman you thought you wanted, but she's exactly who you needed."

"Speaking of her... I want your help with something."

"Of course, son! What do you need?"

"I want your help planning a big surprise!"

"Ooh... Alright, but give me more details." "Well, we have to be discreet, but..."

Peter had been waiting for the right moment to propose to Celeste. He'd already seen Serenity and Alden's wedding, and he'd been to Lucius and Amanda's too. Even his own brother had tied the knot-and Peter didn't want to be left behind.

He knew Celeste wasn't one for luxury or extravagance, so he had a plan to organize the wedding without stressing her out or overwhelming her with decisions.

And who better to help than Aria?

"How long are you planning to stay, Mom?"

"Well, after what you've just told me, I guess long enough to work on the plan and then head back to take care of the details."

"Thanks, Mom! I knew I could count on you! And I won't leave you alone in this. Laura already told me she's in, whatever we need."

"Your niece?"

"Exactly!"

"Perfect! I'm sure Danielle and Ellie will be thrilled to be part of it."

"Definitely! The only thing I'm not sure about is how I'm going to figure out what kind of dress she wants..."

"Just take her out for a stroll, window shop, and casually ask her what kind of dress she'd wear to her wedding. Watch her reactions. You'll get your answer."

"Alright... I just hope I don't mess it up."

"You won't. You have no idea how happy I am to see you like this. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd get to be part of your life, son..."

"You make me happy too. All of this makes me happy... having you by my side, knowing we're in this together being able to share my life with you, knowing you're just a phone call away, knowing you're living in

ace-that makes me so so

happy."

Peter felt truly grateful-for life itself, and even for his father-for giving him the chance to be with his mother again. After all the pain she had endured, now she was living freely, joyfully, with no trace of the woman who once left everything behind to die quietly in some forgotten town.