“Aunt Aber, there you are.” A high pitched yell caught me off guard as I walked into the room and a blonde haired beauty wrapped herself around my legs. Craig glanced over and smiled before resuming his conversation.
“Well hello there little Miss Gigi, did Santa visit you last night?” She nodded furiously and started babbling on about all the presents Santa had left under her tree. I laughed and looked to Marika who just shrugged and smiled. Giana really had grown into a beautiful little girl, my brother would have been so proud. She had long curly dark blonde hair and her eyes captivated me every time I looked at her, it was like looking at James. With Giana around we would certainly never be able to forget him and what he looked like.
As I made my way further into the room Craig pushed away from the counter. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I frowned, not liking the tone in his voice. “Sure.” We walked out of the room and into the living room. “What’s going on?”
“I was just talking to Scott.” I nodded. “He told me that Kordell and Andre have been arrested and charged with James’s murder. They have enough evidence on them now to put them away for a long time.” I gasped. “They also investigated Jenny. Apparently her and Kordell have been an item for a long time. It looks like she has been scheming with him all this time.” I saw the sickened expression that crossed his face. “They were both so twisted they truly believed I owed them and they wanted their revenge. It was the two of them behind all the calls and letters. They also have a ton of evidence now to charge Jenny and Kordell with your attempted murder and harassment.” I started shaking. For months Craig had been working closely with Scott and Max and their connections to gather any evidence they could find to place these people with both of the attacks on James and me.
“It’s all over?” I whispered looking into his relief ridden eyes.
“It’s over, baby. They will finally get what’s coming to them. Personally I want to have my own revenge for what they’ve taken from us, but I will have to live with the comfort that they will rot in jail for a very long time.” Craig took Anna from me and put her down in her bouncy seat before pulling me into his arms. “It truly is all in the past now and we can move forward without the worry of it all hovering over us anymore.”
Craig and I remained in our embrace until everyone came wandering in to join us. We spent the morning sharing gifts and reminiscing about everything that had happened to each and every one of us in the two and half years since I’d caught the gaze of a green eyed God across the dance floor of a nightclub.
After a massive Christmas lunch of Turkey and all the trimmings, Craig stood and cleared his throat. “Thank you all for coming and sharing this very special Christmas with us. The last two years have been tough in the worst possible way, and magical in the very best,” he smiled down at me and Anna who was sleeping soundly in my arms. “I never thought my life would ever feel complete, but with Amber and Anna with me, it finally is. This year, at long last, things are as they should be and I hope that never ends. I’d like to thank my beautiful wife for brightening my life and for giving me the most precious gifts in the world, love and Anna.” He lifted his glass. “To love, family, friendships and happily ever after.” Everyone raised their glasses and joined in the toast as Craig squatted next to me and produced a small silver box. “I believe this is yours.” He opened the box and straight away I recognised the silver dove pendant I’d taken off all those months ago, only now it was accompanied by a silver disc with intertwined letter S’s.
“You give me the strength to be the best possible person I can be for both of you,” he said reaching up to wipe away my tears with the pads of his thumbs. “You have made my life complete, Ambs. You are my everything.”
“And you are mine,” I whispered through my emotion.
Craig took the necklace from the box and secured it round my neck. “I love you.”
“I love you too, forever and always.”
With my daughter in my arms and my husband by my side I felt complete. Grief, mistrust, loss, betrayal, insecurities; they all had the power to destroy you. It was how you battled through that determined if you simply existed or survived and grew. Craig and I had been through the good, the bad and the heart-breaking but despite it all we’d come out on top, victors in this game we called life. Things weren’t always going to be rainbows and butterflies, but with our love and hope we knew anything and everything was possible. We knew that our dark clouds would always have a silver lining.
The End
SILVER DOVE PLAYLIST
Music provided a huge amount of inspiration in bringing together Craig and Amber’s story. I would like to acknowledge these artists and their songs.
This Could Be The Year by Ryan Star
I Need Your Love by Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
Freak Like Me by Halestorm
Leave Out All The Rest by Linkin Park
I’ll See You Again by Westlife
Temper Temper by Bullet For My Valentine
Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace
Gone Too Soon by Daughtry
You Make Me by Avicii
Paradise by Coldplay
A Moment Like This by The Sweet Valentines
I Finally Found Someone by Barbara Streisand and Bryan Adams
Draw The Line by Cascada
Everything by Lifehouse
Never Say Never by The Fray
Far Away by Nickelback
Give Me Strength by Snow Patrol
Us Against The World by Coldplay
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
E.J. Shortall was born and raised in London, England where she currently still lives with her teenage son.
Having worked in education for the better part of 12 years, EJ decided a change was needed and, following a moment of inspiration, she decided to put pen to paper and start writing her first novel, Silver Lining. Not content with just the one, she continued with book two and hopes to write many more.
She has always enjoyed reading, but found it was mostly just a holiday extravagance. Then she discovered a certain worldwide best seller, and that was it she was hooked. Reading quickly became an obsession and she couldn’t devour books fast enough. The books on her shelves and reading device range from sweet, Young Adult romances, to smouldering erotic encounters.
Aside from reading and writing, EJ also enjoys amateur photography and cake decorating.
“I am on one amazing roller coaster ride at the moment, meeting new and wonderful people, discovering new music gems to integrate into my stories, and learning so many new skills. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.”
To find out more about E.J. and her other titles, visit her:
Email
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon
SOME READING SUGGESTIONS
A.D. Ellis
For Nicky (A Torey Hope Novel Book 1)
Elizabeth Decker views herself as shy, totally average, and pretty much insignificant. She’s nothing special, at least not compared to her little sister, Audrey. Elizabeth is content with her plain and lonely future; she’s too insecure to contemplate a relationship thanks to her sister. Audrey is a bombshell and uses this to get what she wants. She’s a girl who will stop at nothing to control anyone and everything around her. She craves power and doesn’t care if she has to hurt Elizabeth to get it.
Nathaniel Morgan has spent his whole life fighting for his twin brother, Nicholas. Somewhere along the way, he lost himself. Now he’s just getting by. He’s devoted to his family, but emotionally detached from the women he burns through like wildfire. He has no plans of getting into something as complicated and committed as a “relationship”.
Nicholas Morgan has placed the new librarian, Miss Elizabeth, on a pedestal and is begging her to meet his twin brother, Nathaniel. Elizabeth and Nathaniel agree to meet, for Nicky. Both are caught off-guard when unexpected sparks fly between the
m. This was not in their plans. Will Nathaniel and Elizabeth be able to escape a past that still plagues them? Or, will the past, suspicions, and insecurities come between them one too many times?
Because of Beckett (A Torey Hope Novel Book 2)
You met Audrey Decker through Nate and Libby’s story in For Nicky, A Torey Hope Novel Book 1. This is Audrey’s story. It is highly suggested that you read For Nicky before reading Because of Beckett so that you can be emotionally vested in Audrey’s story.
Audrey Decker is a mean girl, a bitch, a bully. She has no plans to stop treating people badly and she’s definitely not going to stop using sex as power. But when she ends up in therapy against her wishes, an ugly and painful repressed past is uncovered and Audrey’s world is tipped on its axis. Everything she thought she knew, everything she thought she was, is all changing.
Jeremiah Jordan returns from serving two years overseas with a detached and hardened heart. When his world is rocked with unexpected news and difficult challenges, Jeremiah faces them head on. He’s comfortable with where he is right now; he has his parents close by and his son is his world. He definitely doesn’t have time for the hassle that has always accompanied dating in the past. He doesn’t have it in him to put effort into forming relationships that may just hurt him or his son again.
A chance encounter, second chances, and a little boy who believes in learning from mistakes is all it takes to bring Audrey and Jeremiah together. However, deserving a second chance and taking that second chance are two very different things. Learning from mistakes and letting go of the past may be easier said than done. Can Audrey and Jeremiah push through the pasts that are haunting both of them or will their romance wither and die under the weight of it all?
Because of Beckett is a story of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
Andrea Michelle
Escape the Doubt (The Shifting Series, Book 1)
Not recommended for anyone under the age of 17 due to underage drinking, sexual content and adult language.
Is taking a chance with your heart worth the escape, or was it better to have never loved at all? Can forgiveness really set you free?
After the unexpected death of her Dad, and the haunting manner in which he died, Riley Shaw built invisible walls around her heart. Barriers she created to protect her from splintering into broken pieces that couldn’t be repaired. She was unable to move forward from her past, letting the guilt of her parent’s mistakes dictate her own choices.
Dean Warren was safe. Being with him was innocent and peaceful because she didn’t truly love him. His words held her captive in a false sense of security. His eyes were deceptive, and his promises of never pushing her beyond what she was willing to give were broken, leaving Riley in a state of regret and doubt.
Joshua Parker had the power to take what was left of Riley’s splintered pieces and ruin her completely, or make her whole again. He was her best friend, her next-door neighbor—everything she wanted and settled on never having. Loving him was as easy as breathing air. The fear of losing him forever was more real to her than the feelings she couldn’t escape.
When faced with the very thing she feared the most, and in the arms she thought were safe, Riley finds herself questioning every decision she has made over the past two years. When she finally escapes the doubt in her head, and accepts the truth in her heart, is it too late?
“I'm so close to the edge of the cliff that I know one more breath, one more inch, I could fall.” -Riley Shaw
Embrace the Moment (The Shifting Series, Book 2)
Not recommended for anyone under the age of 17 due to underage drinking, sexual content and adult language.
Torn apart by a tragedy, pushed together by fate. Nothing is coincidence.
Riley and Josh have been through it all together, first as best friends and now as a couple.
Faced with a decision that will test their relationship, these two learn to fight harder than ever before to keep their hearts intact. Once the decision is made, there is no going back. With the past creeping into their present, and miles between them, they learn nothing is easy. Every moment matters.
Can Riley and Josh survive the first year of college apart? Will their love remain strong enough to embrace every moment that belongs to them? Or will someone from the past interfere, take what he wants and ruin them forever?
"For each star in the sky, I have a reason why I love you. When you look up at night, never forget this truth." ~Josh Parker
Emerge into Forever (The Shifting Series, Book 3)
Not recommended for anyone under the age of 17 due to underage drinking, sexual content and adult language.
She escaped the doubt and he embraced the moment. Shifting apart then shifting together. Could they finally emerge into forever?
One secret broke his trust, which led to both of their heartbreak. They both learned that sometimes love just isn't enough. Until now.
Nothing with them had ever been simple and coming home to right his wrong would be no different. Josh was prepared to say or do anything to fix his mistake and mend what he had broken between them. He wasn't expecting to find out his worst nightmare had come true. As usual, though, not everything is as it seems.
Riley was slowly spiralling into a dark hold of loneliness and despair without Josh. Rebuilding walls he had once broken down, pushing away everyone around her. One self-destructive mistake left her unguarded and vulnerable causing her past to slam into her present with painful force. Destroyed by Josh's assumptions then given hope by his reassurance, she climbs out of the dark and back into his arms.
Enough was enough and communication was key. No longer hiding behind walls and past screw-ups, they fight like hell for what they want. One another. Always wanting more.
Apart they are a mess, but together they are music.
MaryAnn Jordan
Emma’s Home
Emma Dodd has always taken care of everyone. Deciding to move to Fairfield where her niece now lives, she was hoping to finally find a place to call home.
Jake Campbell had a hard time finding the right woman for him. After meeting Emma, he knows he has met the woman of his dreams. Now he just has to convince the independent Emma that it is time someone took care of her.
While helping one of her students, Emma becomes suspicious of criminal activity in her new town. Will Jake be able to save Emma in time for them to build a life together?
Laurie’s Time
Beautiful Laurie Dodd was perfectly happy with her life. A new town, a new teaching job, a new apartment, and new friends. Finding a new man was not on her list, especially not one with the reputation of a player.
Rob McDonald, a local firefighter, had grown tired of one-night stands. One look was all it took and Rob knew that Laurie was the one for him, but he was going to have to work to convince her that he was a changed man. One that was worthy of her.
A fire at the elementary school brought them together, but illness and deceit threatened to tear them apart.
Will Rob be able to find the missing pieces of Laurie’s past to help her fight for her future?
Will Laurie be able to forgive Rob’s deceit in order to have a future with him?
Carol’s Image
When Detective Tom Rivers first meets beautiful Carol Fletcher, he thinks he has been visited by an angel. The gentle ER nurse attending him after an accident, captivates him and when she slips away, he searches diligently to find her. A man used to getting what he wants, Tom works to earn Carol’s trust, knowing that she is the woman for him.
Carol holds a secret and is cautious about giving in to the charms of any man, particularly the persuasive detective.
When Carol becomes the object of a stalker’s infatuation, Tom vows to keep her safe. When the stalker’s intentions turns deadly, Tom is determined to stop at nothing to bring her back to safety.
Will Tom be able to rescue her before it is too late? Will Carol finally see the beautiful image that everyone els
e see?
Love’s Taming
Annie Donavan’s life as a veterinarian is safe. And boring. Then one night, danger and surprise show up in the alley behind her clinic. And Annie is in for the ride of her life.
Stoney is a man of few words but smoldering looks. After a night of passion finds she herself thrown into a world that she never knew existed. A world of drugs, danger and intrigue.
Shane is a detective, who vows to keep Annie safe at all costs. Losing his heart to her is the easy part. Keeping her safe and earning her trust will prove to be his most difficult task.
V.L. Brock
Seeking Nirvana: The Dark Evoke Series (#1)
They say that old habits die hard, and twenty-seven year old, Kady Jenson, is about to discover how true that statement actually is.
Waking up in the hospital with a complete stranger at her bedside should have caused panic and confusion, but for a reason unknown to her, Kady finds herself drawn and calmed by the presence of the rugged, devastatingly handsome man with the pleasant Irish brogue.
It’s when she discovers that she has just woken from a four day coma, with a three year void in her memory, which spawns confusion and panic.
Kady soon comes to realize that things change with time, and not only appearances.
Not only is the sexual chemistry she once shared with her long-term boyfriend, now a long-ago memory, but Kady also begins to unconsciously fall back into unremembered habits, and with each day, the increasing sense of foreboding becomes increasingly harder to ignore.
Left on her own when her boyfriend goes on a business trip, Kady seeks help from the Irish stranger as they go on a quest together, in a race against time, to piece the puzzle together.
This is the first instalment of The Dark Evoke Series, and is therefore NOT intended as a standalone novel.
Silver Dove (Silver #2) Page 30