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Chapter 55: The Whole Truth
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Happily, Hopefully Chapter 1: The Bridge
QUINN'S POVFrozen ice water rushed all around me, piercing my skin like a thousand sharp knives. I became almost instantly numb. Suppressing the instinct to kick my legs until I reached the surface, I forced myself to still, letting my body go limp and grow leaden. I expelled all the air in my lungs in a slow gurgle and begin to sink. Glancing up toward the surface, the watery murk of buttermilk colored sunlight began to fade with each passing second. Quiet surrounded me. Darkness crept in the deeper I sank and I squeezed my eyes shut. My lungs burned with the need to gasp for air. Every swimmer instinct I had raced to the surface. I sank so heavily; my limbs bobbed of their own accord, my hair floating around my face like spiraled kelp. The cold quickly became increasingly unbearable. My entire body ached with the sting of it.I sank deeper and faster all the while it became gradually harder to concentrate. Blackness edged its way around my thoughts until it took over entirely --
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 2: Ford Harper
QUINN'S POVSpastically I shook as another chill jolted me. From the corner of my eye, I saw Ford glance at me."We're close to my place. As soon as we get there, we'll get you in a hot bath."The tone in his voice made me quiver. On second thought, it may have been the freezing cold. Whatever the reason, a hot bath sounded ideal. Should I have been more concerned that I so willingly agreed to go wherever this stranger took me? He hadn't really given me much of a choice. But my thoughts were now consumed with the bath he'd offered and getting warm. The cold sliced through me like frozen shards of ice, chilling my blood. My feet were pressed near the top of the floorboards and the seat warmer warmed my bottom, but I couldn't fight the shivers that shook my very bones. He didn't speak again and neither did I. He slowed the car down a few minutes later in front of a six-story brick building. I slipped on my soggy shoes and opened the door. My gaze slid up the industrial looking buildin
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 3: The Plane
QUINN'S POVNothing but the wheels on the road interrupted the overwhelming silence on the drive to the airport. He didn't play music on the car radio, no conversation, nothing but the soft hum of the heater and the occasional sneeze and sniff from me.We circled the airport, bypassing several parking garages, and I looked on in confusion. Ford eventually pulled into a private bay and parked his car. In seconds, an attendant appeared at his side, opening the driver's side door and then grabbing Ford's belongings from the back seat."Good morning, Mr. Harper," I heard the attendant say as I climbed out of the car."Good morning, Roger. She ready to go?""Yes, sir. Fueled and waiting. I'll bring your briefcase and bag.""Has Dr. Johanssen arrived?""Yes, sir. She's already on board."Ford nodded curtly and tossed a glance at me over his shoulder. I scampered around to the other side of the car and Ford gently grabbed my elbow. He led me out of the bay and onto the tarmac. The side of th
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 4: New York, Here We Come
QUINN'S POVMy uneasiness subsided even more as the plane leveled and I inched my eyes open. I glanced down at our intertwined hands. My eyes lifted to his and he immediately pulled his hand from mine. He reached for his magazine again and thumbed idly through it. I could feel my heartbeat began to slow and my body relax.The flight attendant glided by after the pilot announced we'd reached our cruising altitude and offered us drinks.I answered quickly. "Tequila, please."Ford's eyes narrowed on me. "Do you think it wise to mix alcohol with your sedative?"The flight attendant leaned down. "There's no alcohol on board. Can I get you something else?""Water's fine."She looked at Ford. "Your usual, sir?""Yes. Will you also bring a couple of salads and a cup of soup for her?"She smiled at him -- a little too sugary for my liking."Of course. I'll be back shortly."The flight attendant departed and I leaned my head against the leather back of the couch. "I'm not hungry.""I know."I s
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 5: The Business Meeting
QUINN'S POVWhen I awoke twenty minutes later, we'd pulled to a stop in front of a tall office building. A valet standing nearby opened my door and I scrambled out. I gazed up at the skyscraper, one of seemingly hundreds crowding the sky. Above the door read, 'Harper Industries' and I turned around in surprise."You own this building?"Ford put his hand underneath my elbow again, leading me inside. "Come on."We strolled inside where everyone from the security guards to the woman mopping an area of the marble lobby, greeted Ford by name. It became clear to me that Ford commanded respect by everyone who worked for him. Or maybe they all feared him. I didn't know which. I wasn't scared of him; he intrigued me. I'd never met anyone so severe. Was he capable of laughter? Joy?I tagged along behind him into the elevator, vaguely admiring the way his black slacks clung to his firm backside. He'd put on his black jacket to match his pants and he looked breathtakingly handsome. I looked down
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 6: A Tour of the City
QUINN'S POVThe elevator doors opened and Collin took a left while we headed out the front doors. The car had been brought around and stood waiting at the curb."Collin seemed bothered you didn't need him," I started as I snuggled into the comfortable leather seat."He's my personal assistant. He's use to being at my side.""Oh." I sneezed again. "Where are we going?""The Empire State Building.""Do you think taking me to the Empire State Building is the best idea? My sedative has long worn off.""Today is about facing fears, Quinn.""Is it? Because, for me, today was about 'not' having to live with fear anymore.""Well, you're still alive, so today you'll have to look your fears in the face. What're you afraid of?"I chewed on my lip. "Everything.""Fear is a learned behavior and typically a manifestation of a bigger issue. I'll prove it to you."I didn't know what he meant and I wasn't sure I wanted to. He could psychoanalyze me all day if he wanted. I stared out the window, buryi
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 7: Facing Fears
QUINN'S POVBy the time we'd finished the second exhibit on the 80th floor, I'd almost forgotten we were so far from the ground. We were surrounded by things to see and read and explore. I'd read all about the history of the Empire State Building and the various materials used to construct the building in only thirteen months. For a history fanatic, the exhibit was perfect for me.And Ford let me take my time. He'd strolled right along beside me, letting me read about every exhibit piece and comment on the original photographs and documents from the 1930s. He'd excused himself to make a phone call a few moments ago, but as he sauntered back toward me, I couldn't help feeling slightly lightheaded.I didn't know how I'd ended up with the most dashing man in the building. He had an easy and graceful stride, his long legs making quick work of closing the distance between us. He reminded me of Schumann's Piano Concerto -- mysterious, captivating but reserved. He was a masterpiece in his o
Happily, Hopefully Chapter 8: Collin
QUINN'S POVI couldn't remember the last time I'd been this tired. I felt certain I'd seen everything New York had to offer. After lunch, Ford had taken me to Times Square and Freedom Tower. I'd seen the Statue of Liberty, driven down Broadway, and seen the infamous Macy's on Park Avenue. We'd driven past Central Park and I had to talk him out of an overpriced carriage ride.He made me get out and admire the architecture at Union Station, but it'd been worth it, even though I whined the entire time. We'd eaten a casual dinner at the Shake Shack and then walked down 8th to burn off the calories.Everything I'd experienced, everything I'd seen, seemed to only be enhanced by Ford's presence. He could be closed off, but his generosity and his uncanny ability to put me at ease did wonders for my spirit.When we were boarding the plane to head back to D.C., I thought my eyes would shut before we left the ground. I lumbered up the mobile staircase, dreading the idea of being in the air again
Latest chapter
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 55: The Whole Truth
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 54: One Last Chance
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 53: This Is Goodbye
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 52: A New Chapter
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 51: Like A Ship In A Bottle
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 50: The Meeting
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 49: The Warning
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 48: The Speech
- Happily, Hopefully Chapter 47: The Waiting Game
