The pungent smell of the city wafts from the street and permeates the hazy Portland skies as I step out the doors of Peters Enterprises. Peters Enterprises as in Brett Peters. Even the building has his name on it. At one point in time this would have irked me, but no longer.

Because now I'm free.

I let out a "Whoop!" in celebration, and raise my arms in the air in exultation, scaring a passing pedestrian who sides steps around me, balancing his carrier of coffees.

"Sorry!" I call after him.

I dial Jade while waiting for my uber. "Jade!" I exclaim when she picks up, only to hear heavy breathing on the other end.

Oh god....why is she...Wait. I look at the date on my phone. I've been catching up on Oregon time still.

"Aww sorry sis it's Wednesday. How I always manage to call you during yoga, I don't know."

"Hold on one sec," she answers.

I hear her moving, her breathing slowly returning to normal.

"Ok, now I can talk. I've been waiting for your call. So!? How'd it go with the lawyers? I've been dying to know!"

"It went great! It was like in the movies when the bad guys are finally caught in their money-laundering scheme and the good guys walk into the sunset."

"Isn't it ride into the sunset?" She answers, a smile in her voice.

"Semantics! Anyways, the lawyers took them out to dry-"

"Hung them out to dry." She corrects.

"Oh my god Jade, I'm going to hang up and call Mom instead!"

She laughs. "Sorry, go on! What was the outcome?"

"Well, they more than willingly settled with the deal that was offered. It sounds like Brett screwed himself over, and them, consequently. He acted alone according to what the lawyers told me before we went in for the mediation."

"Really? That's ballsy. The Board didn't know you were let go? How did he think he could get away with that?"

"He tried to cover it up by saying I quit. And not only did he act alone, but he fired me so he could hire his fiancé. And yes, you heard me right, Becky is now his fiancé. But there's more. He was hoping that getting rid of me, the pressure would be off of him for how poorly business has been."

"But he's the CEO, how did he figure?"

"Apparently he's been fudging the numbers for a while, and his little accomplice Becky would have helped the plot continue. I on the other hand was already starting to see discrepancies, and when I asked him about them... well that's when all this happened."

"Wow Lar, this was more screwed up than I realized!"

"Yeah, same. So, to avoid more shit than they're already dealing with, they settled without question, so..." I pause for effect.

"So? Lar you're killing me!"

"Your sister is a rich bitch!"

"Oh my god, like how rich are we talking?!"

"Ok, so maybe not rich, but enough cushion for me to figure out what I want to do next and still pay rent and take a nice vacation?"

Jade squeals on the other end. "Lar I'm so happy for you! We need to celebrate!
Want to meet at-"

She stops short. O'Henry's is what she was going to say. I let out a sigh as I get into my uber.

"Jade, I can't go there right now."

"I know, I'm sorry. It was an automatic response. Can we still celebrate though? Can I come over for a sister hang sesh? I'll bring wine or bubbly, whatever you want!."

"That sounds great. Now get back to your class! Just come over whenever you're done."

When I get home I drop my keys on the counter and plop onto the couch. My phone lights up with a text from Anne and one from my mother.

*Call me asap.* The one from my mother reads. I shake my head; some things never change.

I look at Anne's text next. *OMG Lar!!! Look at this!*

Clicking on the article she sent, all I can think is Wow – that got leaked fast. It reads that founder and CEO Brett Peters has been fired from Peter's Enterprises. I can't help the grin on my face as I dial my mother next.

"Lara?"

"Hi, Mom. So, everything went-"

"I heard. You didn't take the position they offered? Why not?"

Sighing, I wonder how I'm going to explain this to her. "No, I didn't. They offered comparable pay, but a lower position, and I wasn't willing to do that. So, I took the cash settlement instead and I'm happy I did."

I hear silence on the other end. "I'm sorry this happened," she finally says.

I'm surprised; sentiments from my mother are rare. "Honestly, I'm not. I know that sounds strange, but I didn't realize how much Brett and this company were dragging me down. I feel really good for the first time in a long time."

"Let me get in contact with my connections at Edward Brooks, they'd hire you in a second with your resume. And Helen owes me a favor. I'll call her right now."

"Wait Mom, hold on. I want some time to think about my next move."

"You've had other offers already? That's excellent!"

"No, I mean I don't know what I'm going to do next. I'm going to the South of France for a couple of weeks."

"Yes, Jade mentioned you met a young man, an up-and-coming actor? Sounds promising. In that case, take all the time you need."

I can't help the inevitable eye roll. My mother speaks two languages - making money and finding a husband.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll call you when I land in Monaco." We say goodbye, and after hanging up I fling open the curtains of my living room, dust particles floating as the sun sets against the city skyline. Not the ocean view I've grown accustomed to, I think with a sigh.

With pizza on the way and wine in the decanter, I settle in front of my laptop, waiting for Jade to arrive. Fingers crossed, Juliette has gotten back to me on the letters. Before I left France I dropped off all the letters and the diary with Juliette so she could translate them for me, and she had promised to email the translations the first chance she got. I'm excited to see that there are already a couple of messages from her, but before I can click on them my intercom buzzes.

"C'mon up sis," I say into the speaker as I buzz her in.

I leave the door open for her and pour us both a good-sized glass of wine.

Giving me a big hug as she comes in, Jade picks up her wine glass and exclaims, "Cheers to defeating he that shall go unnamed!" She clinks her glass to mine.

"Cheers! And yes, we won't even bring his name into this sacred space."

We laugh as we plop on the couch, Jade kicking off her shoes.

"So how does it feel to be home?" she asks.

I shrug. "Honestly, I've been so busy with the lawyers since the minute I landed I haven't had a chance to catch my breath."

Jade glances at the luggage in the corner of the living room. "So, you're going to meet up with Colin in Monaco?"

"That's the plan," I answer. Then since I can't read her face, I add, "What do you think?"

"It's not up to me," she says with a shrug. "If you're happy that's all that matters." She pauses and then asks, "And are you? Happy?"

I hesitate. "I'm relieved everything is settled with the lawyers. And I felt happy when I was in France, but now that I'm back home...I don't know, I think it's just the post-vacation blues."

Jade doesn't say anything for a while and sips her wine quietly.

"What?"

"Oh, just thinking. Have you decided what to do with the cottage yet?"

"No idea. I might rent it out. Philippe could still oversee it and be my eyes from afar."

"That's not a bad idea. Or you don't have to rent it out."

"You want me to sell Mimi's cottage?!"

"No Lar, calm down, I meant - have you thought about living there? It would be a big move obviously, but you seemed really happy there. I'd miss you like crazy, of course."

"I don't know if I've considered that, to be honest. It would be a big move..." I mull that over while taking another sip of wine.

"Have you heard from Jake since we talked last?" Jade asks quietly.

Sighing heavily, I reach for my phone, and after finding his text hand it to her. "Here, read it. He texted me the next day actually after..." I clear my throat, uncomfortable to even voice what happened between us. "But I didn't see it till I landed. I haven't texted back yet, which I feel bad about, but I just don't know what to say."

After reading it she looks up at me. "Well, sounds like he's giving you space. Taking the pressure off. But how are you feeling about it? You're meeting Colin, so I'm assuming you've made your peace and are moving on?"

"I don't know." Dropping my head in my hands I let out a mangled cry.

"Hey sis, listen. I know there's a lot on your mind right now. But just take a beat and listen to your gut. What'll make you happy right now? If it's going to the South of France for a while, do it."

"But what if that's just me running away from reality again? And what if I don't want to be with anyone right now? I mean, I don't even have any idea what I'm doing with my life, I have nothing to offer."

"Whoa Lar, hold up, I'm going to stop you right there."

Jade sets down her wine glass on the coffee table and shifts to face me. "First off, you changing course job-wise and figuring out your next step has zero to do with what you have to offer someone, either platonically or romantically. Who you are as a person is completely separate from your job title. And the right person is going to love you regardless of your career or anything else."

I let out a small laugh. "That's very different than how Mom would see it."

"I think we both can acknowledge we see things slightly different than Mom." She scoots closer to put her arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. "Think about what Dad would say if he were here. He'd tell you you're a beautiful person inside and out, with a great sense of humor, and a lot of unconditional love to give someone. You've always loved with your whole heart, without question. That's a special gift."

"Yeah, but look at where it's gotten me! Divorced by the time I was twenty-five."

"Sis, you met Brett when you were really young. You're not the same person you were when you met him, or even when you decided to marry him. Don't let that stop you from opening up your heart again. You deserve to be loved. You deserve love, Lar."

I let those words sink in. I hear what she's saying, but I don't know if I feel it. I think I still carry too much guilt and shame at screwing up - making the wrong choice. It's been two years since the divorce and I still carry the fear of making a wrong choice again.

"You know, Jake said something similar. He said I needed to let him love me."

Jade nods. "Well Jake knows you well, and after walking through everything with you, he probably understands. But it's not his decision. And it's not Colin's, or mine, or Mom's. It's yours, and what you said earlier, if you don't want to be with anyone right now, that's ok too. There's nothing wrong with that. You don't need another person to make you happy. That being said, I do think you need to forgive yourself for mistakes you've made in the past and get past that fear that's holding you back."

I look at my sister, so thankful for the caring person she is. "You're the best sister ever, you know that?"

"Ditto," she says with a smile. "So, the real reason I came over besides to help you with your love life is the letters. Please tell me you got an email from Juliette!"

"I did! Here, I was just going to look at it." Setting down my wine, I grab my laptop and scoot it close to us on the coffee table.

I click on the first email with the subject "Letters & Diary".

Jade and I both silently read the translations of the letters from Mémé to Adelaide.

"So, there's one here that talks about them meeting up for a specific date or event maybe?" Jade points to the screen. "Did you read this part?"

"Yeah, I did. Wait a second, let me scroll down to the journal entries and see if there's a corresponding entry." I skip past the letter translations and come to the diary entries. "Here's an entry close to the date of the letter."

Jade peers at the screen. "It says 'what a wondrous and momentous day it has been. Today my fair one and I were wed on our favorite strip of beach, away from prying eyes-'"

"Wait sis, is she talking about grandpa Roy?" I ask.

"Hmmm... I don't think so. The dates don't match up, this is before the war," she answers. "So, it would seem Mémé and Adelaide got married?!"

"Oh wait! I almost forgot!"

Running into my bedroom, I grab the contents of the box which I had brought home with me.

"Here, I wanted to show you what was in that old tin box I found. Look!"

I hold out the black and white photograph to her. "Doesn't this look like they're dressed up for something special? And here, look at these. They were in that last letter."

I drop the rings in her hand and turn back to the computer to scan the rest of the entry. It talks about meeting with Adelaide in Locquirec, and a friend of theirs being with them for their vows, and them staying at a small boutique hotel in Locquirec that same day.

I turn to Jade who's looking closely at the rings. "Wow, I think Mémé and Adelaide got married!"

Jade looks at me laughing. "That's what I literally just said a minute ago." She picks up the photograph again. "It wouldn't have been legal back then, but doesn't mean it meant any less to them.

"So, all these things in the box I believe are mementos from their wedding day. That's my theory at least. I wish we had known about this part of Mémé's life. I wonder why she never told us."

Jade nods in agreement. "Imagine if you hadn't found any of this, a huge part of her life would have been left a secret forever." She finishes the last of her wine and then stands up. "Sis, I better get going. I've got an early morning yoga class."

As we hug goodbye, she takes me by the shoulders and looks me in the eye. "It's not too late you know. You can do whatever you want at this point. Don't feel obligated to go just because you already agreed to."

I nod my head and give her another hug. "Love you, sis."

"Love you. Oh, and forward me those emails so I can read the rest tomorrow."

When she's gone it feels empty in my apartment. Sitting down again I grab my laptop and see a separate email I missed from Juliette with the subject line "Mystery of the necklace revealed."

Holding my breath, I open the email. Juliette says it's the translation of the letter I found in the tin box. I recall the letter that was addressed to Mémé's Paris address. I'm confused about the timeline since Chloé said that Adelaide and Mémé never saw each other again after the war.

The translation reads:

My dearest Elise,

I am so elated you accepted my gift of the necklace; you have no idea what that means to me. I wish I could have expressed better when we met but I was so overtaken with emotion the words would not come. I write to you now to better express myself.

The necklace was the first item of frivolity I allowed myself to purchase after I was free from the camp. The larimar stone reminds me of the sea, and the girl I was before the war. The girl that loved you.

Often I would recall our days on the beach in Locquirec. These memories I clung to at the worst of times. They kept me warm when I had no source of comfort. When my belly ached from hunger I remembered our picnics in the sand, the fresh air, the cry of seagulls. What a taste of heaven those days were. Do you remember the house we would imagine was ours? The darling one with blue shutters we could see from the shore. We would plan out where to plant a garden, and roses for you. Do you recall that afternoon we snuck up there when no one was home and sat on the front porch? There were times I was so desperate and my mind so weak that it played tricks on me and I wondered if we had indeed lived there.

Knowing you will wear my necklace to honor our remembrance brings tears to my eyes and will allow me to go on living with a sliver of happiness. Which is all I need. I have learned to live with little and expect even less. However, for you my dearest it brings me much peace to know you are happy, that you have a beautiful daughter, and someone that loves you.

All my love and devotion,

Adelaide Duboise

A few tears escape down my cheeks as I finish reading. So they did see each other once more after the war. What must they have thought of each other after so many years? And Mémé married by that time, apparently with my mother already born. Was it a shock to Adelaide to find her long-lost love thus?

And the house Adelaide described, being able to see it from the shore, with sky blue shutters. It describes Mémé's cottage. It admittedly describes many of the homes in Locquirec, but I can't help but wonder if it's a coincidence.

When did Mémé stop writing in this diary? Was it only used for her earlier years? Clicking on the email with the diary translations, I scroll through to the very end and finally find an entry that speaks of their encounter.

It reads:

Today an unforeseen happenstance occurred. I found myself in a cafe sitting across from the woman that held a piece of my heart I had never hoped to regain. After so many years of searching, scouring the paper, talking to friends and neighbors, hoping against all odds that she was still alive, there she sat in the flesh before me. It is still too much for my heart to bear. However, it was a different Adelaide that sat across from me, and when I reached for her hand across the table I was taken aback at how frail and slight it had become.

I read the rest and come to the very last diary entry:

After receiving her letter, I know in my heart what we had will now be a memory to hold dear and nothing more. Nevertheless, I wrote a reply but doubt I will hear in return. Adelaide is engaged to be married, and it would only continue to wound to re-enter one another's lives.

Re-reading it all once more, I try to picture the scene at the café – Elise and Adelaide reuniting after both giving up hope of ever seeing each other again. It fills my heart with so much sadness to know they both had to go their separate ways due to circumstances outside of their control.

My sleep that night is not as labored as it has been. I dream of Elise and Adelaide reunited, arms entwined, walking together on a strip of sand as one.

~*~

"Excuse me, ma'am, are you in line?"

"Yes..uh...I mean no. Sorry." Letting the man pass, I roll my luggage out of the pathway for the check-in window.

Technically I should be in line, but instead, I've been staring at the outbound flights for who knows how long. Always arriving plenty early to the airport, I have a time cushion, but it would be good to get through security so I could relax, maybe grab a glass of wine before I board.

But there's been a raging battle in my mind all morning that has left me standing paralyzed before this flight board. Of course, it would be great to see Colin again, and to visit Monaco...but is part of it that I just don't want to disappoint him after already committing? Am I once again just trying to meet someone else's expectations?

I bite my lip. What had Jade said last night? To check in with my gut? She also said my guilt over the past was weighing me down. I know she's right on that one, but how do I move past that? And is love really within my grasp...something I deserve again? I think about Mémé and Adelaide. Even though they didn't reunite, they still loved each other and had defied society at the time to wed, albeit secretly.

Mémé, what would you do? I think silently, looking up at the domed ceiling of the airport. If you had a chance to do it all over again, would you have chosen the same path? Fingering the necklace at my neck – the one Adelaide gave to Mémé - I think of their story. A tale of sadness, but also love and courage and no regrets. And that is the key, I think. I don't want to live with regret.

With sudden clarity, I know I would regret getting on this flight. Taking a deep breath, I approach the check-in window.

"Hi, I'd like to change my ticket for a different flight."

I'm going home.