by Mack Black
I didn’t know what to even say. Yes, I wanted to marry her, but I also thought maybe her emotions were getting the better of her because of everything that she’d been through. So, I did the only thing I could think of in the moment.
“Yes, I will marry you, but not now. In a year, we’ll walk down that aisle if you still want it.”
Bella jumped up and hugged me, a smile stretched wide across her face.
I heard the soft snores of Bella drift around me and I sighed contentedly. It’d taken some coaxing to get her to even lay down, but tomorrow I had to do damage control at work for leaving without a word, and right now I just needed sleep.
I closed my eyes, ready to drift off when someone pounded on the front door. I checked to make sure Bella was still sleeping before I slipped out of bed to go see who it was.
“James, I’m ready to talk,” Nessa said, standing on my door step drenched from the rain.
Tears streamed down her face and I just grabbed her and pulled her to me. “Come inside. Let me get you a blanket, you’re shivering.” I rushed her inside and to the couch and wrapped a quilt around her, then got her a glass of water before I sat beside her. “What’s going on?” I asked after a minute of silence. “Where is Jace?”
Nessa lowered her head, placing a hand on her stomach. “I had a miscarriage.”
I couldn’t find any words, so I waited.
“Jace doesn’t know. Remember you kept asking me if I was alright, insisting something was wrong? I had a miscarriage and I’ve been blaming it on the fact that I carry such a heavy load on my shoulders. I mean, look at what we’ve been through James. Sometimes I feel like people expect me to be superwoman because I’ve been through so much, and I’m not. I can’t be. I have feelings too.” She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
“I’ve been having my own little pity party for a while now, but yesterday really put things into perspective for me. I guess it took seeing another family had secrets and lies like ours did, secrets that caused life altering things to happen. I guess it took knowing I wasn’t the only one carrying such a heavy load on my shoulders to know I needed to move on and start living again. Charlotte is gone, Jace and I are in a good place, and I need to stop living in the past and finally make a future for my family.”
I swallowed, grabbing my sister and pulling her into my arms for a hug. “You can always talk to me, but I want you to know, no matter what you’re feeling, you’re ten times better than superwoman. You defied death, Vanessa. Death. No one does that. You’re the younger one, yet I constantly look at you as a role model. Maybe things are hard, but it doesn’t make you any less strong.” I looked at her, really looked at her because I wanted her to understand this part. “Your feelings are valid, and no one can help you navigate them if you keep it inside. We’ve all got to start opening up more and trusting one another, or else we’re never going to get past this. Yesterday just drove that point home even more. Secrets are never the answer.”
“I know James. I’m figuring that out,” Nessa said, flopping back and letting her head rest on the side of the couch.
“How is she doing? If she needs someone to talk to, I’m here for her. I mean, we both kind of went through something traumatic. It might be good for both of us.”
I nodded, knowing she was right. It would probably help them both to talk to each other and let it all out. Vanessa obviously had a lot more to let out.
“She’s...doing. She asked me to marry her. Honestly Vanessa, I didn’t know what to say. Because of everything she went through, her emotions are running so high. I’m scared if I say yes, she’ll come to regret even asking me right now.”
Nessa whistled.
I slapped a hand over her mouth to hush her. “Shh. She’s sleeping, and it took me forever to get her there.”
“She loves you James. Whether she knows she means it or not, she definitely means it.”
I kicked the carpet, an uneasy feeling sitting in the pit of my stomach. “Maybe.”
“Just give her some time, James. Everything will go back to normal. At least semi-normal.”
The bedroom door opened, and Bella stepped out, yawning and stretching. “What’s going on?”
“Nessa just stopped by for a minute to let off some steam. Everything is fine, go back to bed,” I said, standing and walking towards her.
Just then, the front door burst open. Jace bent over, resting a palm on one knee and holding one finger out while taking some deep breaths.
“I’m glad you’re all here. It’s Dad. He had a heart attack.”
To Cassie, my editor, for always working through my jumbled mess. You work magic on these stories and for that, I appreciate and thank you. I could NOT do this without you. Thanks for being a friend when I needed a listening ear, and tough when I needed a dose of tough love. I freaking love you, girl.
To Kassi, my most dedicated, and annoying (HAHA) fan. For all the phone calls and messages of “Tell me, tell me,” about spoilers that I refuse to give you. Thank you for proofing my books for me and helping me through the times I get stuck. You always catch the silly errors that make me laugh.
To Cali, my beta reader and author friend. Congrats on your second release by the way. Your books are amazing. Thanks for all the advice and support with branching out to new readers and reader groups. You are amazing.
To Claire at MC Julien Designs for these phenomenal covers. I know I’m not easy to work with, and I am nit-picky about everything, but in the end, I couldn’t love them more.
To the love of my life, my forever Viking, for putting up with my crazy writing schedule and my constant on demand talks with my editor, even when it is in the middle of dinner. You inspire me. Always. And I freaking love you. Waffles. Pineapples. Mario. And Salsa. Also… tree, tree, tree, squirrel, potato. Always remember that it’s 5, and never, ever forget that I love your sexy ass.
To my kiddos for being quiet when I needed them to, and for always asking questions about my writing. I love you guys! You’re the best.
Last but never least, to my macaroni, without whom this book series would’ve never been thought of. Rest In Peace. I think of you always.
Coming 2019
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