Two Months Later

"Is it this one?" Charlie asks her softly as he points to the white, large house with brown window frames.

"Yeah," she says. "It's that one."

Charlie pulls the car into the driveway and Molly stares at the porch swing that her father built with his bare hands. She was his helper; she held the tools that he asked for and passed them to him enthusiastically. It's grayer than she remembers, time has added rust and mold. She looks around the front lawn, the grass is overgrown and the weeds have formed some kind of nest that cover most of the fence. Molly opens the letterbox and she removes a giant pile of letters. Most of them are addressed to her parents, there's a few for Savannah.

"Do you want me to put them in my car?" Charlie says.

Molly nods, passing him the pile. She looks around the neighbourhood. Everything is familiar. Across the street she sees a teenage boy mowing the lawn. Peter, her first boyfriend, turns the mower off and puts a hand above his eyes as he stares at her. He shouts something behind him and his parents coming running out. His mother was Molly's mother's best friend, their families were close. The woman puts a hand to her chest and waves to Molly. She waves back slowly.

Molly turns around and takes a deep breath. She takes Charlie's hand and they walk towards the house together. They've just been to see her parents' solicitor and she had signed the deeds to the house. She also received a large sum of inheritance money and extra from the sale of their cars. She has enough money to go to college if she wished and buy an apartment in the city. The house is the last piece of the puzzle and she's almost ready to let it go.

She turns the key in the lock and pushes it open. She freezes in the doorway, unable to take a step further. She stares at the shoe rack on the ground, full of rows of shoes, all sizes, all kinds, all colours. Her father's jacket is still hanging from the wall and she reaches out to it, bringing it to her nose.

"One step at a time remember?" Charlie reminds her.

She clutches the jacket as she finds the courage to pass the threshold. She walks into the lounge first. The nostalgia is confusing. Everything looks the same, it's exactly how she remembers it. The cream couches, the soft, grey carpet, the small fireplace surrounded by family photographs. Her eyes move up to the walls and she studies her mother's paintings. She loved one in particular the most, a painting of a woman standing in between two girls, one younger and one older, each of them taking the woman's hand while looking out at the ocean below a clifftop. She takes the painting off the wall and she holds it close to her.

"What are you going to do with all this stuff?" Charlie asks as he observes some ornaments.

"I haven't really thought that far ahead," Molly says. "Maybe have a garage sale and donate the money to charity."

"Sounds good. We are here for a few days. Might as well make the most of it."

Molly turns and walks through the archway. The kitchen reminds her of Savannah the most. She was always in here, either baking or cooking something delicious. Molly can still smell the different aromas as though her sister is standing at the stove right now.

"Deana! Is Molly or Savannah there? I want to show them something!" Molly closes her eyes as she hears her father's voice from his study. She walks into it slowly. She sees him standing next to the window with a large book in his hands, he's as real as when the first memory was made.

"What is it, dad?" Young Molly came rushing in.

"Come here." Her father flicked his finger at her, pointing towards the tree in their back yard. "Do you see it? Right there."

"It's beautiful. What is it?"

He looked down at his book, looking back to the bird in wonder. "It's an island scrub-jay. I've never seen one up close like this."

"What do you think it's doing here?" she asked.

"I don't know. Maybe he just wandered a little too far from home. But he'll find his way back, they always do. Your sister is going to be so mad that she missed this."

Molly opens her eyes to an empty and silent study. She suddenly hears Charlie's laughter and she follows the curious sound to the smaller lounge adjacent to the dining room. Charlie is sitting on a leather couch, his eyes pressed into a book.

"Are those my sister's journals?" Molly sighs.

"Your sister was hilarious," Charlie says. "She really disliked your neighbour Mrs Finch. Sorry, I found them in a drawer. I'm a snooper, can't help it."

Molly smiles. "Bring them, too."

"Gladly. I'm just finishing this entry, hang on."

She rolls her eyes and walks to the front of the house. She grips the staircase railing and makes her way to the landing. She can't bring herself to go into their bedrooms but she enters her own. Nothing has changed. Her room is exactly how she left it. There are clothes thrown on the floor and empty glasses left on her desk as she remembers the night she left for the production and she was in a big hurry not to be late. Her computer is still in the corner, her bed is half-made, her drapes are drawn and there's a horrible smell coming from her trash can that is full with moulded food. She drags some boxes from underneath her bed and digs out the dozens of journals that she kept. It was mostly stupid, childish stuff but they mean a great deal to her now. There's nothing else she wants to keep, most of the clothes and toys she'll donate to charity or to struggling families.

"Your room is adorable," Charlie says as he creeps up behind her. "I like the fairy lights." He puts his arm around her and she glances around as she falls into his chest.

"I don't think a garage sale will be big enough," Molly sighs. "I think we'll need to do an open house sale."

"Yeah, I actually came to the same conclusion. Won't that be hard though? Seeing people leave with everything?"

"No," Molly says. "I just want to keep a couple of things. Everything else is just. . . stuff. They don't matter. But the money I'm going to raise will matter."

"You're amazing, you know that?" He kisses the side of her head.

She smiles, looking around her room one last time before they make their way downstairs. She picks up the painting and her father's jacket and when Charlie opens the door for her she doesn't even look back.

The last few weeks have been hard for them both. After the incident on the bridge they both had to spend a few days in hospital. Molly had to have stiches to her stomach and they told her it would leave a scar but her recovery was fast. Thankfully the blade didn't penetrate any major organs. Charlie had to have more tests done which he refused at first and after being yelled at by his mother and told off by many doctors he gave in and allowed them to check him over. His actions made national news. People couldn't believe it was actually real, that he woke up from a coma, discharged himself within minutes and survived falling into the river. They've both been invited to televised interviews and talk shows which they politely declined. School is just as crazy, though it's calmed down now the first couple of weeks back were like some strange kind of celebrity reality. Everyone wanted to talk to them, ask them questions, and it was hard for both of them to relive.

As they sit in Charlie's car he tunes the radio. Today is the day of Jacob's sentencing and Molly wants to hear it. He's here in Florida and he's facing five consecutive life sentences if he doesn't get the death penalty. He'll never be free either way.

"The sentencing was passed by Judge Raymond Holiday," the voice says. "Jacob Bennet will serve ten years in solitary confinement and will be put to death. Many heartbroken family members of Bennet's victims attended the trial and were relieved by the sentence. Justice has been served."

Charlie turns the station over and Molly smiles as he drives them away. There's one last stop to make before they head back to the motel. Well, two stops. The first is the flower store where she buys three single red tulips. The cemetery is quite large and she's ashamed that she doesn't even know where her family are buried. She never attended the funerals, she never said goodbye, so this is a first for her.

Thankfully, a nice man with a moustache looks it up for them and he takes them over to a patch of grass at the bottom. He points to the graves and then walks away. Molly casts her eyes over the fresh flowers in pots at each of the shiny, grey stone plaques. She doesn't know who has been bringing the flowers but she's grateful. Her hands shake as she places each tulip beneath their names.

"I don't know what to say," Molly admits.

"Just say whatever comes to mind."

"I'm sorry it took me so long to come," she says. "You know I've always been bad at time keeping. I just wanted to let you know that I'm okay. You don't need to worry about me anymore. I know that you'll always be with me and I'll always be with you. There are some people out there that don't even have families and I am so incredibly lucky that I got to spend thirteen years being loved by all of you. I will see you again one day, I believe that, but I hope that you don't mind too much if it's a long time from now." Molly stands up and tears stream down her cheeks. "Goodbye."

"They'd be proud of you, Moll," Charlie whispers.

"Let's go," Molly says as she wipes her eyes. "I can't be here too long."

"Okay."

She folds her arms as they walk back to the street. There's a chill coming over her, a deep sadness, something she can't shake and something that can't be cured by Charlie's touch. She's felt this sadness for some time now but she's never had the courage to talk about it. There's still something missing.

"Before we go back to the motel I'm taking you somewhere," Charlie says.

"Where?"

"It's a surprise."

She grins. "Charlie, I grew up here, there's nowhere you can take me that will surprise me."

"You sure about that?"

She sighs, turning to look out of the window. He doesn't give much away so she just plays along but she's not really in the mood for it. Thirty minutes later Charlie pulls up on the sidewalk. They are in the middle of one of the nicest estates Molly has ever seen. The houses are grand, clean, beautiful and inspiring. There are people lounging in their yards, either sunbathing, playing with their children or gardening. The people wave as others walk their dogs past, all of them laughing and shouting things to each other.

"Why are we here?" she asks.

"Come on." He unclicks his seatbelt and exits the car.

Molly humours him and walks around the car. He waits for her and then he starts walking. She's confused but intrigued. Molly used to hate surprises, they'd terrify her. But now she's starting to believe that nothing can make her afraid anymore. She was once scared of everyone and everything, she was scared of herself. Charlie has taught her so much in such a little amount of time, he's taught her how to be brave, how to just go with it, and when she's with him, the world looks better. The world is better.

She keeps quiet as Charlie takes her further down the street, and he's staring at each house that they pass like he's trying to find the right one. Now she's even more confused. He stops outside a few houses, squints, and then carries on. A few houses and headaches later they stop outside a small, black gate.

"I think this is it," he says.

He pushes open the gate that reveals a narrow, garden path surrounded by colourful bushes and flowers. This house is smaller than the others but still as stunning. It's a brown colour with oval, white window frames and has a twisting vine that reaches up the side of the house to the roof. Underneath the porch roof there are hanging baskets brimming with bright plants. Whoever lives here sure likes flowers.

"Charlie," Molly whispers as she freezes next to the gate, refusing to move another step. "What is this?"

He turns around halfway up the path, noticing her reluctance. "Together," he says, putting his hand out. She walks right by it. "Or not."

Molly can't explain this feeling that is building in her stomach. There is a pull, a force, that is drawing her to the door like a wolf to the moon. Charlie stands beside her and he rubs his chin slowly.

"Ever since you told me about Riley I haven't really stopped thinking about it," he whispers. "I didn't tell you because I knew you wouldn't come. My mum pulled some connections and she got his adoptive parents' contact information. They invited us to come, they want you to meet him."

Molly stares at him, half of her wants to laugh. "Is this real?"

"He never left Florida," Charlie says. "He was adopted here."

"Charlie, I haven't seen him in years, I can't be here. I can't do this." She starts backing away, however she can't bring herself to turn around.

The door suddenly opens and, in the threshold, stands a beautiful woman with blonde hair wearing a blue sundress. She smiles warmly as she takes a step onto the porch.

"Are you Charlie?" the woman asks.

"Yeah, and this is Molly."

"Molly, it's so nice to meet you," she says. "My name is Claire. I'm very sorry about what happened. I can't imagine what you've been through."

"It's been hard," Molly says. She's not completely taking this in yet, she doesn't know how to react. "I've only just found out about this, I don't want to intrude or anything."

"No, not at all," Claire says. "Riley can't wait to meet you."

"He can't? Is he-?"

Molly holds her breath as a brown-haired little boy peeks his head from behind her body timidly. He has Savannah's hair, her nose, her beautiful blue eyes. He is all of her. Molly's throat becomes dry as she walks towards the little boy slowly.

"Riley," Claire says, as she kneels down. "This is your aunt Molly. She's come a very long way to see you."

"Hi," Molly says, waving at him. She can't stop crying and she don't know if she ever will.

"Hello," Riley says. "You're younger than my other aunts."

Molly laughs. As Riley steps closer to the light, Molly is star struck. She sees her sister in him completely. Her brave, gorgeous, intelligent and caring sister. She lives in him, she always has. She pictured this moment so many times and she never believed it would happen so she had to banish the hope of it. She knew he was happy somewhere, loved, but she never expected to see it. Molly knows that her sister is gone, and that Riley doesn't remember her—her sacrifices for him, her undying love for him, but Molly still feels it, from a world away. It moves inside the air that they breathe into them and it reaches out to the farthest heavens. Savannah is still beside him, she never left him. And she is here now, guiding him in the same way that she has guided Molly. The moment is so powerful that Molly needs time to calm down.

"Would you like to come inside?" Claire asks. "I'll make us some coffee."

"I'd like that," Molly says. "Could you just give us a minute?"

"Of course. Come inside when you're ready." She stirs Riley by his shoulders and they vanish into the hallway.

Molly turns to Charlie and he's just looking back at her, smiling. "This is the part where you do that kissing thing," Charlie teases.

"I'm too numb to kiss you," Molly says. "I can't believe you did this."

"She said that you can come visit him whenever you want," Charlie says as she walks towards her and strokes her shoulder. "They want you to have a real relationship with him. They haven't told him about the adoption but that shouldn't stand in the way."

"You never cease to amaze me." Molly wraps her arms around him. "Thank you, for everything. I love you."

"Say that again," he whispers, blinking.

She smiles against his lips. "I. Love. You."

He kisses her and he snaps her out of her numbness. His lips fit against hers as though they were made to collide. She can taste the future, her whole life spread out for miles and miles. And she can't wait.

"Let's go inside," Charlie says.

"Okay."

They hold hands as they walk into the house. Molly doesn't know what the future holds, she hopes it will contain Charlie, she hopes it will contain Riley, she hopes she can be the aunt that he deserves. She hopes that every child in this lonely world can find their place and their home, even if it starts with a stranger. That those struggling with the darkest of thoughts can seek help and find the courage to just walk on by. And she hopes that every lost soul out there can discover the hidden strength to survive just like she did.

But she knows that out of millions of possibilities it is the impossible that finds you. It found her. And even though she will always miss her family and she will always remember the trauma that hurt her; what matters the most isn't the moments that broke her down, it's the moments that soared her up.

And maybe, just maybe-

"Oh and Molly." Charlie turns around in the hallway, startling her. His eyes connect with hers ferociously. "I love you, too."

-she can remain there.

THE END.