Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

R uby sat cross-legged on the living room floor, her coloring book spread before her. Megan methodically folded clothes into an open suitcase. Each item felt heavier than it should, weighted with memories of the life they'd begun to build here. Her daughter's curls caught the sunlight, creating a halo effect that reminded Megan painfully of their first day on Palmar Island, when everything had felt possible.

"Mr. Bear wants to know where his Christmas sweater is," Ruby announced, looking up from her coloring.

Megan managed a small smile, reaching for the tiny red sweater she'd carefully set aside. "Right here, sweetheart. We wouldn't forget that, would we?"

She turned to the small pile of Ruby's toys, mentally cataloging what they could reasonably take with them. The new bunny from Christmas would come, of course, and Mr. Bear—Ruby's constant companion since Danny died. But what about the shell collection from their beach walks? The craft supplies from their afternoons with Miss Doris?

Her phone buzzed on the counter, the screen lighting up with a notification. Megan picked it up, her fingers slightly trembling as she read the flight confirmation.

American Airlines Flight 2476 January 1st, 8:45 AM Charleston → San Diego Passengers: 2

One way.

She read the confirmation again, each word cementing her decision. She'd booked the tickets in a rush this morning, riding the wave of hurt and certainty that had crashed over her after seeing Scott with that woman. Now, looking at the confirmation, she felt a complicated mix of relief and dread.

"Are we going on an adventure, Mama?" Ruby asked, her crayon paused mid-stroke.

Megan swallowed hard, forcing brightness into her voice. "Yes, sweetheart. A new adventure."

"Like in my storybook? With dragons and princesses?"

"Maybe not quite like that," Megan said softly, folding another sweater. "But we'll be going somewhere familiar. Remember Aunt Lauren? And your friend Emma from the park?"

Ruby nodded, though her attention had already drifted back to her coloring. "Can Santa Scott visit us there too?"

The innocent question felt like a knife to Megan's heart. She busied herself with checking the luggage tags, buying time before she had to answer. "I don't think so, baby. Santa Scott needs to stay here and take care of Cupid."

She watched as Ruby processed this, her small face scrunching in confusion before smoothing out again. The ease with which children adapted sometimes felt like a blessing and a curse. Ruby would bounce back. But deep down, Megan couldn't shake the feeling that she was taking something precious from her daughter.

Moving to her bedroom, Megan pulled more clothes from the closet. Her hand brushed against the elf costume, still hanging where she'd left it after her last shift at Santa's Village. The bells jingled softly, and memories flooded back—Scott's laughter as she complained about the tights, his steady presence during the chaos of holiday crowds, the way he always seemed to know exactly when she needed support.

She left the costume. She’d arrange to have it returned once they got settled in California.

Back in the living room, Ruby had abandoned her coloring book and was now arranging her stuffed animals in a circle. "Mr. Bear says he'll miss his friends," she said matter-of-factly.

Megan paused in her packing, watching as Ruby carefully adjusted each toy's position. "I know, sweetheart. But we'll make new friends in San Diego."

"Like we did here?" Ruby asked, her voice small.

"Yes," Megan whispered, though the word felt hollow. "Just like here."

She zipped the suitcase with trembling fingers, the sound seeming to echo in the quiet room. This was the right decision, the practical choice. The only choice. San Diego meant security, a steady income, a chance to rebuild her career. It meant not having to worry about making rent or choosing between new shoes for Ruby and groceries for the week.

So why did it feel like she was running away?

Megan glanced at the clock on the wall, its steady ticking marking time's relentless march forward. New Year's Eve—traditionally a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. But as she surveyed the half-packed room, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was closing a door she might regret shutting.

Ruby quietly hummed "Silent Night," the melody drifting through the bungalow like a ghost of Christmas past. Megan reached for another empty suitcase, her movements mechanical now. She had to keep going. Had to focus on the future, not the memories they were leaving behind.

Not the man who had made both her and Ruby believe in magic again, if only for a little while.

The sound of a truck engine drew Megan to her front door just as the last hints of daylight were fading from the sky. Her hand froze on the doorknob as Scott's familiar truck came into view, but it had been transformed into something magical. Fairy lights twinkled in the truck bed, creating a soft golden glow that highlighted carefully arranged cushions and what appeared to be a picnic basket.

Her chest tightened as Scott climbed out, his tall frame silhouetted against the gathering dusk. He looked different, more determined, yet there was a vulnerability in his expression that made her heart skip.

"What is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she stepped onto the porch.

Scott's smile was gentle, though she could see the nervous energy in his movements as he approached. "Since we're spending New Year's Eve together," he said, gesturing toward the truck, "I wanted to make it special."

The reminder of their plans, made in what felt like another lifetime, sent a fresh wave of guilt through her. She'd been so caught up in her hurt and confusion after seeing him with that woman that she'd forgotten about tonight entirely.

The care he'd put into everything was evident—from the arrangement of blankets to the fairy lights that made the whole setup look like something from a dream. It was exactly the kind of thoughtful gesture that had made her fall for him in the first place.

"Scott..." Megan shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself against the evening chill. "We can't."

He frowned, taking another step closer. "Why not?"

The question hung between them, heavy with unspoken possibilities. Megan forced herself to meet his gaze, though it felt like the hardest thing she'd ever done. "We're leaving," she said, the words scraping her throat. "Tomorrow morning. I've already booked our flights."

Scott went still, his expression shifting from confusion to something that looked painfully like heartbreak. "You don't have to go, Megan."

"I do," she insisted, though her voice wavered traitorously. "It's what's best for Ruby. And for me."

The silence that followed felt endless. Scott studied her face, and Megan knew he was looking for any sign of doubt, any crack in her resolve. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but steady. "You don't owe me anything," he said. "But at least let me say goodbye to Ruby."

The request sent a fresh wave of pain through her chest. "I can't," she whispered, hating herself for the hurt that flashed across his face. "She's already too attached to you, Scott. It's better if we just leave."

Scott's jaw tightened, but instead of arguing, he gave a short nod and turned back to his truck. Megan watched as he reached into the truck bed, his movements careful despite the tension she could see in his shoulders.

When he returned, he held two small packages wrapped in silver paper. "These are for you and Ruby," he said, holding them out. "Please, just take them."

Megan stared at the packages, knowing she should refuse them. She was surprised how hard it was to deny this last connection. Her fingers brushed the silver wrapping for a moment before she shook her head. “I can’t accept this.”

His face fell, the disappointment cutting her to the core.

"Happy New Year, Megan," Scott said softly, his blue eyes holding hers for a moment longer before he stepped back.

She couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't do anything but watch as he walked back to his truck. The engine started, and the red glow of the tail lights seemed to mock her as they disappeared into the darkness.

Through the window behind her, she could hear Ruby singing to her toys, completely unaware that her world was about to change again. Completely unaware that the man who had brought so much joy to their lives was driving away, taking with him all the dreams Megan had barely allowed herself to acknowledge.