Final Step, Final Decision, Final Hope

Edmund was able to awaken peacefully for the first time this week after several days of long, hard work. Resumes, interviews, and employees came and went until they were able to have most of the office rearranged and set up as intended for the new plans going forward. A new senior editor was decided on, who wasn't Aerith despite her attempt to get to it. She had been reprimanded for the incident she caused instead, forced to take an ethics seminar if she didn't want to face demotion. Edmund made it very clear that what was stopping them from firing her outright was how well she performed at work otherwise and how hard she would be to replace because of that.

As for Bob, he was more dispensable, and got moved down to paper pushing for his inappropriate behavior on top of the required seminar. That put the entire incident to a definite end, and there hasn't been any gossip about anyone since. All that was left now was the choice to either promote or hire another fashion editor, and then they could move forward with their plans.

His bed felt emptier than usual this morning, but that may have to do with the fact that it was being filled more and more often. He glanced at the bathroom door to see the crack of light underneath paired with the sound of rushing water. Alex was more of a morning person than him, it seems. Then again, the sooner she got herself ready in the morning, the sooner she could be more comfortable in her skin. Edmund didn't know how Alex was going to approach that in the future, yet he was prepared to support any decision she made regardless.

Since his bathroom was occupied, Edmund dragged his feet into the other bathroom before getting ready to make breakfast. The scent of bacon and pancakes filled the kitchen by the time Alex emerged, and she sneaked up behind him to peck a kiss on his cheek.

"Good morning," Alex cheerfully greeted him, full of energy as ever. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Better than most nights actually," Edmund replied as he plated the food.

Alex beamed and eagerly grabbed at her portion. "Glad to hear it!"

Breakfast went perfectly as planned, with Alex gushing over his meal as usual. Edmund had never thought twice about his cooking before, merely learning it for the sake of necessity, yet having someone around to praise him encouraged him to do better. There were a lot of things Alex had been encouraging him through the more he thought about it. It was different from when he had been with his previous wife. Candace was focused and stern like a teacher, while Alex was gentle and patient like a nurse. Nurturing in their own ways, but with different approaches.

After cleaning her plate, Alex said, "I submitted a written request for the promotion."

Edmund didn't even twitch, not surprised by this at all. "That's good. There's a chance it may be approved. It would be easier to promote someone with your experience than hire someone else."

"Right? That's what I thought! I really think I have a shot. Even if I don't, I can always try again next time."

Edmund smiled, admiring her optimism. "That's a good mindset to have."

Candace arrived to drop off Oliver a short while later. However, instead of Candace coming off as bitter, she seemed to be in a neutral mood. Alex and Oliver went straight to the television to watch their favorite show, while the parents stayed behind.

"Can we talk outside?" Candace asked.

"Sure," Edmund said.

As soon as they stepped outside, Candace immediately reached into her pocket to pull out a vape stick, smoking it like she used to with her cigarettes.

"So you quit."

"I'm trying to anyway," Candace said, then followed by blowing out a fruit-scented puff. "And I know I'm not the only one who's trying to do better."

"My mother told you."

"That she did. You made the right choice to go to therapy. I had considered the idea in the past, but I knew your parents would react negatively if it seemed like I was forcing you."

"You were right to assume that." Edmund sighed and pushed his bangs as if slicking them back, yet without gel, they just flopped down onto his forehead. "I know I've said this before, but I am sorry. Truly."

Candace rolled her eyes in response. "I know."

"But I also want to say thank you. For trying to make it work and taking responsibility when it didn't."

For the first time in years, Candace's expression softened in front of Edmund, and her lips curled into a small smile. "You're welcome. I'll do everything on my end to make sure Oliver is taken care of. You just have to do your part as a father."

Edmund nodded and firmly replied, "I will."

Candace pocketed her vape stick and left after that, while Edmund went back inside to join the two. Not that he had enough time to get comfortable, since there was a knock on the door a short while later. This one was expected though, and he went ahead and answered it to find Nami, Rumi, and Val standing there.

"It's good to see you all," Edmund said, then looked over at Val. "And it's a pleasure to finally be meeting you. Valerie, was it?"

"Just call me Val," she replied with a wide grin. "And it's nice to finally ya too."

"Wow, your apartment really is big," Nami said as she peeked her head inside. "How can you afford this?"

"I'm very good at investing actually," Edmund said. "I also know the building owner, so the purchase was a smooth process."

Alex and Oliver excitedly rushed over to the door to see the guests for themselves.

"Wow, you have a lot of friends, dad," Oliver said.

Rumi looked down at Oliver with his eyes wide in shock. "Damn. He really does look like you."

Edmund furrowed his brows. "Language."

"Sorry."

"I'm glad you could all come today," Alex said. "Really all that's missing is Rumi's girlfriend, huh?"

Rumi smirked and shook his head. "Nah, she got called to work. She'll forever be a mystery."

"Oh well. Maybe next time."

The reason for everyone coming to the apartment was very simple: It was Alex's one-year anniversary of moving to the city. Rather than make a big deal about it, they all agreed to just get together and hang out for the occasion. It was amazing how much had changed in such a short period of time. If someone told Edmund a year ago that he would be having people over his place for a friendly gathering and not for business, he wouldn't have believed it.

Funny enough, Oliver started off being the center of attention with the guests sitting down and asking him questions to get to know him better.

"Good little tyke, ain't ya? You like any sports?"

"You like that one show, right? Who's your favorite character?"

"You're as cute as a button! What kind of foods do you like?"

It was obvious they were curious, especially after hearing so much about him. Oliver didn't seem to mind, innocently answering their questions without any issues. Edmund was relieved to see his son was able to interact with others so well.

After the group was satisfied for now, Alex clapped her hands together and said, "Alright! I think now's the time to announce to everyone the big news."

The guests all stared at Alex with curious faces, wondering what it could possibly be.

Alex then followed up by hugging Edmund's arm and pulling him close as she said, "We're moving in together!"

Everyone had their own reaction to the news. Nami covered her mouth as she held back her tears of joy, Rumi sat there gawking, and Val simply smirked at the happy couple. Oliver already knew, so he was neutral.

"I'm clearing some things out to make it easier for her to move in," Edmund explained.

Rumi raised a concerned eyebrow. "You sure you're not rushing into things?"

"We already talked about it," Alex said after letting go of Edmund. "We're going to do a trial run for a couple of months to see how it goes. If we like it, we'll fully go through with it. If not, we go back to how it was before."

Val stood up to walk over to Alex, pulling her into an emotionally charged hug. "I'm proud of ya, girl. I'm with ya all the way. You're welcome to come back any time."

Alex smiled and hugged her back. "Thanks. I'll make sure to visit."

Val released her from the hug and playfully nudged her shoulder. "You better."

"You have my support too!" Nami said. "And you two can talk to me about dating advice whenever you want!"

Rumi sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. I support you too. Someone has to keep an eye on you two."

"Thanks, guys," Alex said as she placed a hand on her chest, touched by their words. "I'm glad to have friends like you."

"I'm grateful as well," Edmund said. "I appreciate everything you have all done for Alex."

"Don't mention it!" Val said. "She's helped us out plenty of times, so it's only fair."

"That might change even more after the promotion," Nami said.

Alex laughed awkwardly and waved a dismissive hand when that was brought up. "Oh, please! I doubt I'm going to get it this time anyway. And you know what? It doesn't matter. I've got everything I need right here."

Everyone was in good spirits after that. However, their joyful moment was interrupted by Alex's phone suddenly going off. Alex's expression shifted when she saw who it was, and she immediately darted into the bathroom to answer it privately. Everyone was left in silence, confusion, and anticipation as they waited for Alex to come back out.

Finally, Alex ran out of the bathroom, tackled straight into an embrace with Edmund, and shouted, "I got the promotion!!!"

There was merriment to be had. The future was bright, relationships were strong, and whatever challenges may come next, they were ready to face them together.

END