“Pops,” Chase says as he gives him a hug when they pick us up at the airport. “It’s good to see you again, old man.”
“You too, boy,” he replies as he taps Chase on the back. “Sweet-thing,” he says hugging me as Chase makes his way to Becca. Her and Pops got married in a small ceremony last year.
Chase and I couldn’t be happier for them. “Come to Poppa,” I hear Pops say while I’m hugging Becca. I turn to see him unstrap Emma from her stroller. She smiles at him as he lifts her into his arms. “I’ve missed you, baby girl,” he whispers as he plants a kiss on her cheek.
••••
After we have lunch, I help Becca clean up. Em has gone down for her midday nap. “Do you think it will be okay if you and Pops watch Emma, while Chase and I duck out for a bit?” I ask her.
“Sure, sweetie. We’d love to.”
“Thanks, Becca,” I say leaning over to kiss her cheek. I think it’s time I went back to the beach. I’ve put it off long enough. I often think about the baby we lost. Even though we have Em now, and another little one on the way, I still sometimes wonder what would’ve been if Riley hadn’t pushed me that day. Him and his father are still in prison for everything they did. I have no pity for them. They deserved everything they got.
We even managed to track down Riley’s first victim and got her to testify against him at his trial. It gave me peace to know we finally got justice for her as well.
I walk out back to the garage where Pops and Chase are. “Can I borrow my husband for a while?” I say to Pops.
“Sure, sweet-thing,” he answers.
“Is it okay if we take the car?”
“Of course.”
“Em’s asleep. Becca’s going to keep an eye on her until we get back.”
“Have fun,” he says.
“Where are we going?” Chase asks as we walk down the side of the house.
“I want to go to the beach, to see…you know.” Chase smiles.
“Okay.” He’s been trying to get me to go back there ever since I told him about the makeshift grave I made. I know it will no longer be there, but it’s something I feel we need to do. It’s the only place we have.
We stop off on the way and buy a bunch of daisies. I have butterflies in my stomach when we pull into the public car park. “You okay?” Chase asks reaching for my hand.
“Yes,” I say, taking a deep breath. I can do this.
We make our way down the beach. We have to pass my old house to get to the sand hill. I feel myself smiling when I see a young family with three small children sitting on the back deck, laughing and playing a board game. I once loved that house, so it makes me happy to know that others are enjoying it now.
When the sand hill comes into view, I’m stopped in my tracks. I blink a few times before rubbing my eyes. I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“Chase,” I say, looking over at him.
“I see it,” he says squeezing my hand. That tiny little daisy plant I planted all those years ago, has now multiplied into hundreds, covering most of the sand hill.
“I can’t believe it,” I choke out as tears fill my eyes. Chase reaches for me and wraps me in his arms, kissing the top of my head.
“I can’t believe it either,” he says. I slide my arms around his waist, looking up at him. He has tears in his eyes, as well. “Wow. I’m speechless.”
I am too. I was so sure the daisies would’ve died off. I’m so grateful they didn’t. We’ll always have this place to come to now. Our baby’s memory will forever live on. Not only in our hearts, but right here.
When we’re not in Melbourne, I have my daisy chain tattoo and Chase has his pair of Angel wings on his chest. Our baby may not be alive in the physical sense, but it will always be alive in spirit.
“I love you, Mr. Daniels. Thanks for coming with me today, and thank you for giving me Em and this little one,” I say as I rub my hand over my belly.
“I love you too, Mrs. Daniels. Thank you for loving me despite everything, and for giving me a beautiful family I’m so proud of. Even against the odds, we made it sweet-cheeks. It’s only made us stronger. I know that whatever life throws us in the future, we’ll get through it. We always do.”
Leaning forward he places his lips gently on mine…
Keep reading for an excerpt of my next release
A BEAUTIFUL BASTARD
It's a stand-alone read, totally different from the Destiny series.