Forever and always

Chapter fifty-one

Olivia's pov:

August 2022

"Wow... today's the day," Charles murmured, his voice still thick with sleep as we woke up in the early morning light.

"Yeah," I said, stretching beneath the covers. "It's really happening–it's going to be a great day," I smiled over at him, and he mirrored it, that sleepy, soft smile I adored.

Today wasn't just any day–it was the day. We were finally moving into our new penthouse apartment. It felt surreal. I was practically buzzing with excitement. The last time we'd been there, they were still installing the kitchen we had so carefully picked out, and the walls were being painted. Now, it was ready. Our home. And I couldn't wait to see it again–this time finished, this time ours.

We had somehow managed to pull together the best possible moving crew: Max and Kelly, Pierre, Arthur, Lorenzo, Pascale, Daniel, Lando–and even my dad had flown into town to help out. It honestly felt like assembling a dream team. Sure, we could have hired professional movers, but there was something intimate and satisfying about doing it ourselves. It made everything feel more real, more meaningful.

Everything was packed and ready to go. Now, all we had to do was wait for everyone to arrive.

The first ones to show up were Max, Kelly, and Arthur. I was standing alone inside the apartment–Charles had stepped out with Max and Kelly to check on a few things–when Arthur walked in, grinning as always.

"Hey Oli, you ready to move?" He asked, his tone light but genuine.

"Hi Arth," I beamed. "Yeah, I'm so ready."

"Great," he said, nodding toward the stacked boxes. "Let's get your guys out of this place, then."

"Let's do it."

We got to work, hauling boxes into the moving truck, one by one. Before long, the rest of the crew arrived and joined in. We were lifting furniture, shouting directions, teasing each other, and laughing in between–it was chaotic, yes, but full of warmth and joy. It took a bit longer than expected, mostly because we couldn't stop joking around, but I didn't mind. I wouldn't have had it any other other way.

Eventually, the truck was full, the apartment was empty, and only Charles and I were left standing in the space that had once been our whole world.

"This is weird," Charles said softly, glancing around the now-bare room before pulling me into a hug.

"Yeah," I nodded into his chest. "I can believe this is where everything started."

"Me either," he said, drawing back to look at me. "But the new place? That's where everything continues. It's our place. And who knows...maybe one day, we'll even start a family there." His voice was quiet but filled with so much hope, it nearly took my breath away.

My heart swelled. "I couldn't wish for anything more," I whispered, brushing a kiss against his lips.

"To the next chapter," I said, reaching for his hand.

"Let's do this," he replied with that signature sparkle in his eyes.

Hand in hand, we stepped out of our old apartment for the last time and closed the door behind us–locking it not just physically, but symbolically. That chapter was over.

Ahead of us was our future.

We got in the car and drove toward the new apartment, where the truck–and almost everyone else–was already waiting. It was time to make the penthouse our home.

We unlocked the door to the new apartment and stepped inside–and instantly, we were hit by the most wonderful smell. It was that unmistakable scent of new: freshly painted walls, polished wood floors, brand-new kitchen cabinets, and the subtle notes of everything we had personally chosen coming together in one perfect harmony.