“I’m sorry, babe. I wish they weren’t so stubborn.”
“No worries, I don’t need them in my life if they don’t want to be.” He kisses me and excuses himself to go get the grill going. It’s a mild day for it being the middle of winter. I love living at the beach – it never gets too cold during the winter months which made our outdoor reception possible. Once I check that everything is ready and in place I head inside to change for the day. My mother insisted I wear my wedding gown again since they didn’t get to see me in it. I don’t mind since I’m so incredibly in love with it.
The party has been underway for a while when I decide it’s time to give Seth his surprise. I walk up to the makeshift dance floor where the DJ is playing. He hands me a microphone knowingly. I had to let someone in on the surprise. I ask for everyone’s attention and all eyes are on me.
“Thank you everyone for being here today. Who would’ve thought this day would come, huh? Me, a married woman. Yeah I know, crazy. Anyways, I couldn’t have chosen anyone better to spend the rest of my life with. Thank you, Seth, for everything that you do. To show you how thankful I am I have a little surprise for you.” On cue the DJ brings me a huge wrapped present. I take it from him and hand it over to Seth when he approaches me. Looking at me confused he starts opening. I’m anxious for him to see it.
He finally tears all the wrapping paper off it and is presented with a chalk board.
“1 + 1 = 2? I’m a bit confused,” he says. I try hard not to laugh.
“Look at the bottom corner.” He looks down and sees the ultrasound picture I attached to it. I can literally see when it finally clicks.
“Are you? Are we? We’re having a baby?”
“Yes. I’m about ten weeks pregnant.” He scoops me up in his arms and whirls me around. Applause erupts around us and soon I’m surrounded by my friends and family hugging and congratulating me. I feel like I’m soaring right now. In just a few short months our little family will grow. I can’t wait to meet our baby.
“Congratulations, son.” An unfamiliar voice sounds behind us. I turn around to see Seth’s mother and a man I presume is his father standing there. Seth also faces them and the shock is palpable on his face.
“Mom, Dad. I didn’t think you’d come.”
“We’re sorry, Seth. For everything. We shouldn’t have treated you the way we did. We should’ve accepted that you didn’t want in on the family business. We want to be part of your family if you’ll have us,” Seth’s mother explains. Not responding he walks over and scoops her up into a hug. No matter how often he said it didn’t bother him that he didn’t have a relationship with his parents I know that he’s been longing for them all this time. He can’t fool me. I’ve been in his shoes.
He introduces me to Isabella and Sean and they welcome me to their family. I smile knowing that our baby will have two sets of grandparents, the way it should be. And Aunt Martha, of course.
With Seth’s parents here we’re finally complete. Now we just have to wait for our baby to get here. Sometimes I still can’t wrap my head around the craziness that is my life. Not too long ago I was restless, broken, and damaged. Now I’m happy, loved, and most importantly at peace. My demons no longer have a hold over me. All I’ll ever concentrate on from here on out is happiness.
Epilogue
Seth
-Two years later-
Jaden, Trevor and our son, Tristan, are running around our backyard. The boys are here for their summer break while Gina and John are working on their move to Savannah. The relationship between Faith and her mom has definitely been a rocky one, but Faith has forgiven her mother and they refuse to be separated any longer. They found a house not far from here and John is planning on opening his own company. When I finally got out of the Army, I decided against law enforcement and after talking to John I went for architecture. I have two more years left in school but I’ll be doing an internship with John once his company opens. I’ll work for him while I’m still in school to make some extra money to support our family. Eventually I’d like Faith to be able to quit working but for now she’s content staying at her job.
I feel her arms wrapping around me.
“Did you ever think this would become our life?” she asks me.
“I was hoping for it. This... this life... it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I’m the happiest man alive to be sharing it with you. And soon our little girl Aurora will be here too.” I turn around to kiss her.
“I can’t believe how far we’ve come. I have you, our beautiful baby boy, my brothers, and now Mom’s moving here with John. I never imagined I’d endure so much love ever again. All of you fulfill me so much.”
“I know, baby, I feel the same way. Have you thought anymore about the nursery?”
“Yes. I want to go ahead and do it with The Lion King decorations. At first I wanted to go all pink, but we both know it’s not really my color and if Aurora decides later on she wants pink we can always change it.”
“Sounds like a plan. Three more months. I can’t wait to meet our beautiful princess. She’s gonna be perfect.”
“Me neither. I really hope she’s not as stubborn as her big brother.”
Tristan had been two weeks late and labor had to be induced. What can I say? He takes after his mother. I love watching him grow up. He’s my mini me and I know it drives Faith crazy, but he definitely inherited his character from her.
“Dada, look!” Tristan runs up to me with a seashell. “Mommy and I found it on the beach earlier. Can we go back to the beach and find some more? Please, Dada.”
“Not right now, buddy. Maybe later, okay?”
“’Kay, dada. I la you.”
“Love you too, little man.” I barely get out my response before he’s already running back to his uncles.
Through all the trials we had to face I’m so glad I was finally able to break down the walls Faith had built around her to keep the hurt out. What she didn’t realize back then is that the walls imprisoned her all the same. No words can describe the feeling of knowing that I’m the one who helped her finally uncover her peace as she helped me find mine.
Where there is love, demons can’t survive. They may pose a challenge, but in the end love wins; Always.
The End
Afterword
First of all, thank you for reading my story. It means the world to me and I hope through my books I can raise awareness one person at a time.
In this book cutting has been a prominent issue for the heroine. Cutting usually stems from a mental illness such as depression and most times we don’t know it’s happening because the person is good at hiding their scars.
How often have you come across a person who has scars marring their body and thought to yourself, “Damn, what’s wrong with this girl/guy?” I bet it has at least happened once in your life. No judging from me, we all do it at least once.
I want to tell you a story (I know another one, right?) I used to be the girl who cut. It was my cry for attention even though I didn’t have reason to. I never had a bad life. I had loving parents, a great childhood and about anything I would ask for. Yet I felt depressed, broken, and lonely. This goes to show that demons can be inside everyone whether they lead a seemingly happy life or not. I think back to the day when my mom found out what I was doing. The look on her face, the sadness, it will forever haunt me.
It took a long time but I’m better now. I barely ever have the urge to touch my skin with a knife or razorblade anymore. I’ve come a long way from that broken teenager. However, not everyone is as lucky as I am. Some aren’t able to overcome their demons and continue to find solitude in pain. The pain of cutting can drown out the internal pain you feel for a little while but in the end it always comes back.
If you ever notice someone having scars, I beg you, reach out. Let them know they’re not alone.
In my research I’ve stumbled across Project Semicolon.
Project Semicolon is a faith-based movement dedicated t
o presenting hope and love for those who are struggling with depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury. Project Semicolon exists to encourage, love and inspire.
Stay strong; love endlessly; change lives.
More information about Project Semicolon can be found on their website http://www.projectsemicolon.com/.
Once again thank you for helping me getting my books out there, for helping me spreading the word about topics society doesn’t want to talk about, but mainly for listening. You rock!
About the author
Steffy Rogers is a self-professed bookaholic who is fluent in English, German and Sarcasm.
When she isn’t working or going to school she spends her free time writing.
She makes a home in a very small town in Georgia with her dog Karma.
However, her heart belongs in Germany, where she lived for twenty years before returning to the USA.
Though her memories of Germany are blurry due to the delicious beer, she knows one day she will return home for good.
Acknowledgments
To my betas Elle, Suzanne, Lisa, Emily, Shelly, and Andrea – You rock! Uncovering Peace wouldn’t be what it is without you. I won’t ever be able to express how grateful I am for every single one of you. I’m grateful for the giggles, the tears, and most of all your friendship. Life would be boring without you all. I’ll forever treasure all of you. I love you ladies.
Jason and Tyf – thank you for taking a chance on a newbie and agreeing to be on my cover. I’m glad to have met you and to have you both in my life. Your friendship means the world to me. I love you both. <3
Kathy – Where do I begin? Thank you for cleaning up my mess and making my stories pretty (and grammatically correct). I couldn’t do all this without you and I hope you’ll never get tired of editing my books because you’re kind of stuck with me. Forever. That’s a promise ;) Love you.
Steffy’s Awesome Nerds – I know I say this a lot but I do have the best support group in town. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without you. Thank you for all the pimping and for giving me an outlet to vent when I’m having a rough day. You’re what keeps me going on the bad days and I’ll never be able to repay you. Love you, awesome nerds.
To my readers – I cry almost every time I get a message from one of you telling me how much you loved my books. I promise to never take this for granted. I’m thankful for every single one of you who have bought and read my books. Without you I couldn’t do what I love most – write. I hope I can continue to bring you stories that tug at your heart and that you enjoy. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Bloggers – thank you for taking a chance on a newbie author and sharing my books. It means the world to me and without you us authors wouldn’t be doing this. So, thank you for taking time out of your busy days to help promote and spread the word.
Megan Nugen Isbell – thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read over Uncovering Peace for me. Your words and advice mean a lot. I’m so grateful Emily introduced us.
To my family and friends – Thank you for being there for me and supporting my crazy ideas. I know it’s because I put up with you but that’s beside the point. I love you all and don’t know what I’d do without you. <3
I could go on and on and thank a million people but then we’d have another book. Just know that if you’re reading this – I love YOU and your support means everything to me <3
Playlist
Uncovering Peace:
So soll es bleiben – Ich + Ich
Wannabe – Spice Girls
I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
Demons – Imagine Dragons
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Say Something – A Great Big World
Skyscraper – Demi Lovato
Little Things – One Direction
Bat Country – Avenged Sevenfold
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
I Know You’re Gonna Be There – Luke Bryan
Tailgate Blues – Luke Bryan
Faded Away – Luke Bryan
Hope You Get Lonely Tonight – Cole Swindell
Riot – Rascal Flatts
I Put A Spell On You – Annie Lennox
Love Me Like You Do – Ellie Goulding
I Got The Boy – Jana Kramer
Sober – Kelly Clarkson
See You Again – Wiz Khalifa
FourFiveSeconds – Rihanna
Want To Want Me – Jason Derulo
Cheerleader – OMI
Flashlight – Jessie J
Mean To Me – Brett Eldredge
Fight Song – Rachel Platten
Uncovering Peace Page 21