Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101662 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 508(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
“You’re a mother,” I cut in. “You’re a mother who was cut off from your daughter all those years ago.”
Her eyes flooded with tears. “Yes.”
“And he was a monster who cut you off.”
“Yes.”
I sat back in my chair and studied Claire. I knew her well enough to know she wasn’t a danger. She’d sat across from me for over two years, telling me her story. I knew her triggers and I knew her joy. I knew her ups and I knew her downs. Yet, at the end of the day, my sole responsibility was to make sure Ava was safe and cared for.
“She wants to meet you,” I said, speaking of Ava.
Claire’s eyes released the tears as she shook her head back and forth. “Oh, gosh, no. No, Kierra. I can’t do that. I didn’t expect that, either. I just…” She sighed. “I only checked in to make sure he wasn’t doing to her what he did to me. I only wanted to make sure she was okay. I know it’s not my place to be in her life. I wouldn’t expect that to be a thing. And now knowing that Henry is gone, I don’t have to worry anymore. I know she’s safe with you.”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, she is. But…I know she’d be safe with you, too, Claire.”
She let out a nervous laugh as she wiped the tears from her face. “But you’re her mother. I’m just a stranger.”
“A stranger who gave me the greatest gift. Now, there’s no pressure. If you don’t want to meet her—”
She hesitated for a moment’s time. “I mean…if it’s okay. It can only be once. I just…” Her hands flew to her chest and she shook her head. “I just want to hug her one more time.”
I understood completely.
When I thought Henry was going to kill me, when I thought my life was over, all I could think of was how I wanted to hug Ava one more time. How I wanted to wrap my arms around her and make sure she felt my love in my embrace.
“We’ll come up with a game plan. We’ll figure out how to make this the most comfortable situation for everyone involved.”
“I’ll do anything,” she said. “I’ll do anything to make this work.”
“Okay. Good. Now…can I buy you a cinnamon muffin?”
***
After meeting with Claire, I headed back home to meet up with Ava and Gabriel. To my surprise, when I pulled up, I saw an archway beside the house with sparkling strings of lights all over it. Under said archway stood Gabriel who was smiling my way.
My heart began to beat faster as I realized what was happening.
I parked the car and climbed out. Each step I took in his direction felt like a step toward forever and always.
“What are you doing?” I nervously asked as I approached him.
He smiled his lazy smile and took my hand in his as I reached the arch. He kissed my palm before he spoke. “Did you know that when penguin males find their partner, they present them with a pebble? They search time and time again to find the perfect pebble to propose with. They first build a nest to make sure the foundation is good to start a family, and the final pebble the male brings is the one that ties him to his partner, making them mates for life. I searched for a long time to find the right one for you, with some help from a good friend,” he said, gesturing toward Ava, who was smiling widely on the front porch.
When I turned back to face Gabriel, he was down on one knee. “Kierra, you are my penguin, and I want to build my nest with you. You’re my everything. You’ve been the planet that I’ve been orbiting my whole life, even when my mind became foggy. My soul always knew you, and it called out your name every single day. You are everything I could ever dream of. An amazing woman, an amazing mother, an amazing partner, and an amazing best friend. I want you, and this, and us, for the rest of our days.” He opened the ring box and I gasped at the beautiful diamond sitting in the box. “Marry me?”
I couldn’t think of anything else to say except for an excited, “Yes.”
I leaped into his arms and kissed him before he even had a chance to slide the ring onto my finger. He kissed me back and laughed as he tried to place the ring on.
“Yay!” Ava shouted, darting over to us to celebrate. She wrapped her arms around both of us and we all cried and hugged one another.
I couldn’t believe it.
I couldn’t believe that Gabriel and I had found our way back to each other again.
Out of all the wishes I’d ever wished, I was thankful that my wish for him came true.