The attic - Chapter 22 - Final chapter

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Vincent was on the back of truck, so Billy pulled the car into a parking and turned to Moira.  "What exactly happened in there?"

"It's his mom.  She is here." 

"My goodness Moira. Why did you not say something?" 

Moira was not in the mood to talk and turned her face away so he could not see her crying. 

"She told me what happened and I played her the recording. She is not fit to be his mother."

"That is not for you to decide. He is not your child either." Billy looked at her angrily and just shook his head. 

Moira reluctantly opened the door and asked Vincent to go inside with her. She paused before they walked in and turned to him. "You know I love you right?"

Vincent nodded and smiled. "I love you too Moira."

Moira took Vincent by the hand, took a deep breath and opened the door to the office. 

Once inside, Moira let go of his hand, and pointed to his mother waiting anxiously to be reunited with her son. 

Vincent's eyes immediately filled with tears.  He stood there staring at his mother which he had not seen in seven years.  Susan stood there with open arms longing to hold her child in her arms again.  

Vincent looked at Moira and then ran over to his mother, that he had missed for such a long time.  They stood there holding each other for what seemed to be a lifetime and Moira felt her heart breaking in two.  

A mother can never be replaced, and the bond between the two can never be broken.

Moira stood there watching them and the tears ran over her face, but she knew that it was the right thing to do. She was going to miss him, but he was where he was supposed to be now. She turned around to walk outside, but Vincent ran back to her and hugged her for the longest time.  "I promise that I will come and visit."

Sheriff Jones came outside where Moira was smoking a cigarette and he put his arm around her shoulder.  

"It will be better for him in the long run. He belongs with his mother."

Moira nodded "But how will she be able to protect him from Alister?"

"We have enough against Alister to lock him up for a very long time. You have helped so much with this case, and it is definitely because of what you did that he is going to be locked up. I just hope that this family can pick up the pieces now." 

"I really hope so too."

"The psychologist had a long session with Susan this morning before Vincent went to see her. The whole family agreed to go for counseling. Vincent would have to be home-schooled until he catches up but in the end all will work out. His father is still in a state of shock about the whole ordeal and I hope that they can sort out all the issues soon enough to start the healing process."

Moira thanked the sheriff and turned to walk to the car. Billy could see how upset she was and gave her a big hug when she climbed into the truck.  

"I'm really going to miss him Billy..." Moira started crying and held her hands in front of her face. There was nothing else that she could do, but she was satisfied with what the sheriff said and she knew that Vincent would be safe now. 

"You're going to be a great mom one day Moira."

Moira smiled at him through the tears and moved closer to him while he was driving.  

"Do you want to go for a milkshake at the diner?" Moira asked.  

Billy smiled at her. "Sure there is just somewhere we need to stop first."

They drove in silence and Billy stopped at the workshop.  He was in an out in a few minutes.  

"All good" he said.  

He drove down to the river where they used to spend hours as teenagers.  It was the perfect place.  He drove as close to the river as possible and parked in their favorite spot. It was the perfect time and the perfect place. They sat staring at the river for a few minutes and then Billy took a deep breath and said: 

"I love you Moira. I can't imagine my life without you. These few weeks together has shown me once again that you are the perfect woman. Will you marry me?"

Moira looked very surprised but was even more surprised when she fell into his arms and repeated the words over and over again.  

"Yes, Billy yes, yes I will marry you."

They drove back to the diner and she showed off her ring to everyone. She felt so happy and sad all at the same time, but she knew that she would feel better in due time and it is not as if she wasn't ever going to see Vincent again.  

Billy promised that Vincent could be the best man at their wedding, and a promise is a promise. 

-The end-

Chapter 1 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-1

Chapter 2 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-2

Chapter 3 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-3

Chapter 4 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-4

Chapter 5-  https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-5

Chapter 6-  https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-6

Chapter 7-   https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-7

Chapter 8 -  https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-8

Chapter 9 -  https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-9

Chapter 10 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-10

Chapter 11 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-11

Chapter 12 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-12

Chapter 13 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-13

Chapter 14 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-14 

Chapter 15 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-15

Chapter 16 -https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-16 

Chapter 17 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-17

Chapter 18 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-18

Chapter 19 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-19

Chapter 20 -https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-20

Chapter 21 - https://steemit.com/fiction/@giantbear/the-attic-chapter-21