Chapter XXIII: Moving Forward

Fawna brings Travis to Rose's one year sober ceremony. Travis is overcome with emotion and professes his love for Rose to her.

                "Fawna, I don't get it. Why are we here? What friend do you have to see?" Travis asked with confusion as he followed her and Rick into the pale, square building in the city. Fawna knew Travis wouldn't come if she mentioned Rose and Rose had asked her not to tell Travis what was going on so she had made up a story about having an old friend in the city whom she wanted to have Rick and Travis meet.

                "Will you be patient and stop asking questions? You'll see her soon enough," Fawna winked with a slight grin playing across her lips. Rick and Travis looked at each other with confused shrugs. Rick had no idea of what was really going on, either.

                "This isn't just an excuse for you to go shopping, is it?" Travis asked her with raised eyebrows. Fawna giggled and resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him.

                "Well, partly," she admitted sheepishly. "but there's something else I really want to be here for. It's very important," Fawna told them excitedly, leading them to the front row of chairs in front of a small stage.

                "Well, then why won't you tell us what it is?" Rick asked her, sliding his glasses farther up his nose which made Fawna smile softly. She always wanted to kiss him when he did that. He looked so cute.

                "It's a surprise," she sighed, getting a little exasperated. "I think it's starting, so just sit down and wait." As she said that, an older woman with blonde-grey hair pulled into a bun and a blue pinstriped suit walked up with a cue card and smiled.

                "Well, it is truly an honour to be standing here in front of you all tonight," she said warmly. "It has been a tough road with many obstacles for you, watching your loved one struggle, but tonight we are here to come together in support and celebration." Travis leaned over to Fawna to whisper in her ear.

                "What the heck is she talking about?"

                "Shh!" Fawna scolded him and pointed back up to the little stage.

                "And now, please welcome our one year sober group!" she said as the people clapped and a line of proudly smiling people walked out onto the stage, Rose among them.

                "That's Rose!" Travis gaped. He slumped in his chair. "She's been sober for a year..." he murmured and Fawna patted his arm lightly.

                The woman on the stage began to hand out the badges and when Rose's name was called, she smiled widely and bounded up to receive that little piece of plastic she had worked so hard for and which meant so much to her. When she looked out off the stage and saw Travis seated in the front row right next to Fawna, her eyes filled with tears and she mouthed a silent "thank you" to Fawna as she sat back down.

                The woman stood up after all the badges had been given and smiled, saying a few closing words that Fawna didn't really take in. That wasn't important but Rose's achievement was. She knew Rose would never drink again after this. She knew it with absolute certainty and so did Rose. The bad times were over.

                "Travis, are you okay?" Rick asked cautiously. The ceremony had ended and people were getting up to greet their loved ones who had received badges, but Travis was still seated, staring into space. When Rick touched his shoulder, he seemed to snap back into reality with a startled jump.

                "I have to see her," he said firmly and neither Fawna or Rick made an attempt to argue with him. They followed behind their friend as Travis muscled his way through the crowd, finally reaching Rose near the exit.

                They stared at each other for quite a long time, the silence stretching for several moments. Finally, Rose cleared her throat and wiped an eye quickly before holding out a trembling hand. Her one year sober badge was sitting in her palm. "I want you to have it..." she whispered. "So you'll remember me... but if you don't-"

                "Stop talking," Travis suddenly blurted and strode forward, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her with such intensity that Rick and Fawna looked away, a little embarrassed. When they parted, Rose looked as though she might faint and indeed, Travis was supporting most of her weight.

                "Travis, I-"

                "Marry me," he said quietly and Rose's eyes widened. "I love you and I'm tired of looking for excuses not to be with you. Marry me," he repeated in a whisper. Rose broke down crying, but smiled and nodded eagerly.

                "Yes..." she managed to choke out.