Desperately Seeking Epic(104)

“I’d do it a million times over if it meant it was the only way to have had her. Her life, her love . . . they were my greatest gifts.” She flicks her eyes to Paul and smiles.

Paul nods. “Our most epic adventure.”

Tears stream down my face, then Clara begins to cry, too. Still holding my hand, she says, “You’re going to be a wonderful mother, Ashley.” I bob my head, unable to speak as the tears keep falling. Clara stands and rounds the table, bending down to hug me. “I like to think, if Neena were alive, she’d be a lot like you. Fearless. Ambitious.”

Paul slides a box of tissues toward me and I take a few, cleaning myself up, then take a deep breath. When I stand, Clara places her hand on my belly. “Boy?” she questions.

“We don’t find out until next week,” I sniffle. “My fiancé, Brian, he wants to know, but I think I’d like it to be a surprise.”

“You’re pregnant?” Paul questions, finally catching up, making us both laugh. “I thought maybe you’d just gained some weight.”

Clara rolls her eyes. “Men,” she huffs.

We chat some more about my pregnancy and also remember Neena. Then they tell me Marcus and Mei-ling got married and have two kids. One boy named John after their former pilot and friend, Sap, and a little girl named Neena. Paul and Clara can’t stop grinning from ear to ear. It’s obvious they are enjoying their roles of aunt and uncle. I would have loved to have seen Marcus in action with his kids. He’s a pretty cool guy. And comical. Unless you’re on the receiving end of his jokes. He and Mei-ling are in China right now visiting Mei-ling’s family. Clara quickly whips out her phone and shows me a family selfie. They look incredibly happy.

When it’s time for me to go, they both hug me tightly and tell me as soon as the baby is born and I’m ready, to come for a jump.

As I drive away, my heart content, I rub my belly and whisper, “I have a feeling you’ll be my most epic adventure, too, little one.”





Don’t hate me.

Please.

We can never know true compassion without tragedy.

Whether you love or hate this book, I hope you’ll do two things. First, tell your loved ones what they mean to you. Squeeze them tightly and make sure they know how you feel about them. Secondly, go on an adventure. It doesn’t have to be jumping out of planes or hiking through a jungle. Adventures can be found everywhere. Maybe you’ve been wanting to go back to school. Maybe you’ve been dreaming of moving somewhere different. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mother that’s been dreaming of writing a book.

Whatever it is, do it.

Don’t wait.

Live big.

Live bold.

And remember . . .

Life’s too short to be subtle.