by Haven Rose
“Ruby, not only have you always been my precious jewel, but now you’ve made me a papa. Gray has already brightened my world just by being and you’ve given our lives Joy again. Your mom will live on through them, they’ll know how she would’ve adored them, and that she’ll always watch over them.”
I know Ruby has struggled with her mom not being here as the birth grew closer, her sadness at our children not being able to know their grandma, but with Hal’s words, I can see some of it fade, knowing we’ll do everything we can to ensure they know what a wonderful woman she was, and how much she loved their mom and grandpa.
I listen as Hal shares stories about Ruby’s own birth and childhood, getting a glimpse of the woman that helped create my Ruby. I know I would’ve loved her. How could I not, she gave me the love of my life, and in turn, I was given the gift of Gray and Joy. I would do anything for my family. The happiness Ruby has brought into my life, the two children she’s already given me with the potential for more, I couldn’t have dreamed for a better future than the one I know we’re going to have.
When I left New Haven, hoping for a fresh start, I got that and so much more here in Colebrook. I found the other half of my soul, the woman born to be mine, to give me children, to grow old with, and we’ll be able to look back on our lives and know we’d never change a second of our separate journeys because they led to our paths crossing, to our destinies merging.
Later, as I sit with my family, just the four of us, Ruby and the babies sleeping, I whisper to my wife, thanking her for loving me.
Epilogue Two
Ruby
One year later…
My dad and I are visiting my mom, and just like that day so long ago, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and there’s a slight breeze in the air. However, instead of saying good-bye as we did then, we’re introducing her to her grandchildren. Ryan and I have told them all about her, and, as they’re learning words, we showed them her picture, letting them know it was grandma, and she was in heaven, watching over us.
They now recognize her face, and when they see it in photographs dad and I have placed throughout both our houses, they say “Ghee-ma, up.” We say yes, grandma is in the sky and loves you, so very much. I know they’re young and don’t understand what we’re saying, but I want my mom to be a part of their lives, of ours, and this is the way Ryan and I have chosen to do that. It may not be the route others would go, but we all make choices, and what works for us may not for someone else.
My dad is holding his little man, and Gray is staring at his papa with a hand on his cheek, as if knowing he needs comfort right now. As for Joy, she’s in my arms, her eyes taking everything in, smiling when she sees her daddy.
I start talking to my mom, as if she’s there, because for me she always is. She will forever be a part of my life, and speaking to her, knowing she can hear me as my words float toward her in the heavens, brings me peace.
I tell her everything that happened, that we found her killers and they can’t hurt anyone ever again. I let her know I’ve found the love of my life, the kind I know she and dad had, the kind I prayed to find for myself, and that we have two beautiful babies. I say I’m sorry it took so long to find justice for her, for me to make this visit, but somehow coming out before today just didn’t seem like it was the right time. It needed to be today.
Ryan wraps his arm around me, holding me close, showing yet again that he’s always there for me, in whatever capacity I need. I couldn’t have fallen for a better man than him. He is my world, our children my light.
My dad reaches over, and I lean my head against his shoulder, knowing how much he still misses my mom. It’s in his voice as he begins talking to his lost love, the emotions pouring out of him just as the tears are from his eyes. He says he’d give anything to have just one more day with her, the chance to change what happened so she could be with us right now, enjoying the family that started when two young kids realized their true feelings for one another, and never looked back.
He pauses a moment before shifting Gray in his arms, and then silently asking me to place Joy in them. I do so, knowing he needs this moment, he needs to be the one to introduce their grandchildren to her.
“Joy, these are our grandchildren, Grayson Harold and Joy Anne. They’re named after us, sweetheart. Can you believe that? Doesn’t that beat all? Gray and Joy, meet your grandma.”
I touch my babies, while watching my dad’s face as he says, “This is where grandma now sleeps peacefully.”
Be sure to look for Deacon and Leah’s book, Lethal Memories, releasing Spring 2018.
If you liked Ryan and Ruby’s story, please take a moment to leave a review. Not only do authors love to know they’ve brought enjoyment to someone’s life by providing an escape from reality, even if only for a short amount of time, but they are a way for others to decide if they’d also be interested. The greatest way to share your love for an author’s work is by word of mouth, whether it’s literally, or through your own written word in a review.
More by Haven Rose:
A Tangled Web Series:
Grave Secrets (books2read.com/u/bzPVA2)
Lethal Memories (books2read.com/u/38r9pV)
Final Truth (amzn.to/2LGHZnO)
Love Found (Spring/Summer 2019)
Holidays in Jasper Series:
Trick or Treat (books2read.com/u/b62Xo6)
Thankfully Yours (amzn.to/2BR31M5)
Marry New Year (amzn.to/2F1iehF)
From the Heart (amzn.to/2N9rxNF)
Shamrocked (mybook.to/Shamrocked)
His Firecracker (July 2019)
Other Titles to be Decided
Matter of Hart Series:
That Day (books2read.com/u/m0gEnM)
Getting Lucky (books2read.com/u/bP5oVj)
Love’s Draw (Spring 2019)
Something’s Brewing (2019)
Made to Order (TBD)
Full Circle (TBD)
Giving Chase (TBD)
Deep Desires (TBD)
The Perfect Position (TBD)
By Design (TBD)
Future Series (with more planned):
Aftereffects Series
Deadly Acts (TBD)
Deadly Intentions (TBD)
Deadly Hope (TBD)
City of Angelis Trilogy (subject to change)
Titles to be Decided
Coming Home Series:
Titles to be Decided
Danger Duet
Cuts Like a Knife (TBD)
The Key to His Heart (TBD)
Love’s Valley Duet (co-written with May Gordon)
Spark of Love and Lesson in Love (August 2019)
Perilous Love Series (subject to change)
Running from Peril (TBD)
Hidden Peril (TBD)
Triple Peril (TBD)
Shadow Men Series:
Titles to be Decided
Sinners & Saints MC Series
Dangerous Curves (TBD)
Other Titles to be Decided
Stone Siblings Series
Set in Stone (TBD)
A Fresh Slate (TBD)
Other Titles to be Decided
The Four Seasons Series:
Titles to be Decided
Weathering the Storm Series
My Sunshine (TBD)
A Touch of Frost (TBD)
Other Titles to be Decided
Upcoming Standalones:
Collateral Damage (Summer 2019)
Final Countdown (TBD)
Pardon Me (TBD)
Pieces of You (Spring 2019)
The Hopeful Heart (Forever Safe – July 2019)
About the Author
Haven Rose spends her days high atop the world in a tower overlooking a beautiful meadow, waiting for her prince to find her. No? That's a different story? Okay. In real life, the author, who prefers to remain a mystery, met her true love at a very young age and the two have been enjoying their lives together ever since. Has it had its ups and do
wns? Yes, but their love for one another has endured it all and only grown stronger. He is the foundation upon which her Heroes are created. She knows things can never be perfect in a relationship, at least not outside of books, which is why the pen name of Haven Rose was created, allowing readers, such as herself, to escape into a world where problems are easily solved, love is instant and true, and the story is always safe.
Stay Connected
You can email the author, if you’d like, at [email protected]. Haven has created a Facebook page for those interested in connecting with her or for updates on current works in progress and future books. That link is - https://www.facebook.com/authorhavenrose/. You can also follow her author page or on BookBub (bookbub.com/authors/haven-rose). While she does not currently have a website, she has created a closed reader group on Facebook. If you’re interested in becoming a member, please visit The Rose Garden at facebook.com/groups/227103614772999/.
Thank you for taking the time to meet this couple, and those near and dear to them, as well as characters you may see in future books.