by Silver, Ruth
Joshua gently rocked Hannah in his arms. She'd woken up but didn’t fuss as long as he remained constantly in motion. “Hannah, meet your grandparents.”
“She's gorgeous, they both are,” my mother cooed at the infant in her arms.
“What happens now?” I asked staring at her, watching her fall in love all over again.
She dropped a kiss to Connor's forehead. “I think you get to take a break from saving the world and enjoy being parents.”
“That's not what I meant,” I responded. “What about you?” I asked again. “What are you going to do now that the Republic of Cabal and Spade are starting over?” I wanted to know if I'd ever see her again or this was one last goodbye. She seemed so afraid the last time I'd been in Genesis. The circumstances were different but I needed to know if she'd accepted me for who I'd become.
My mother smiled coyly, handing me Connor as she studied my father's face. “I was thinking of moving here, to Spade. I'll need a place to stay and I'll have to find a job,” she laughed nervously. “I'd like to see you more, Olive.”
“I'd like that, too,” I agreed.
Her eyes landed on Joshua, an eager smile on her face. “Have you spoken with your father recently?”
“I haven't seen him since Genesis.” Joshua cleared his throat confused. “Why?”
“He left home several months ago,” she frowned. That wasn't the answer she'd expected from Joshua.
“On foot?” Joshua was appalled.
“Word is he hitched a ride. I have no idea who with. We were hoping he found his way to you.” Her brow furrowed, upset.
“Maybe he still will,” Joshua whispered, hope evident in his voice. “He wouldn't have known we were in Spade.” He glanced at me. “If he made it to Torv, he could have gotten wind about us in Spade but wouldn't have been able to get here. Maybe now with the treaty and safe passage through the Gravelands he'll find his way to us.”
“There's always hope.” I smiled, trying to reassure him that he was still out there, alive.
Gavin sat down on the blanket beside us. “He's got your lips and hair,” he mused staring at the sleeping infant.
“He has Joshua's eyes,” I added. “They're beautiful.”
“I'm sorry we kept things from you,” Gavin whispered. “We're both deeply sorry.”
“It's forgotten,” I offered. It would never be forgotten. I'd learned to forgive them, to move on past the hurt and the heartache. They'd done the best job they could to raise me. Things hadn't been perfect, my mere existence should never have been - according to the government - but here I was, alive and free.
About the Author
Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories. Her debut novel published by Lazy Day Publishing, ABERRANT, was released April 2013. The second novel in the series, MOIRAI, continues the saga. ISAURA, is the final installment in the ABERRANT trilogy. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.
You can visit her online at http://writeawaybliss.com.
Acknowledgements
I'd also like to acknowledge and thank the following people that have provided support in the ABERRANT series:
My parents, who have given me the opportunity to write.
The Lazy Day Publishing team, who have been truly amazing to work with.
To the book bloggers and tour hosts that read, reviewed, and/or spotlighted my book, thank you. It's not said often enough how much we as writers, really appreciate all that you do for us.
A very special thanks to my street team on Write Away Bliss, you've been there every step of the way, supporting my writing and sharing my novel. Thank you, Kira Watson for your amazing fan art that you've created. Thank you, Alicia Batista for the countless hours you've spent offering critical feedback to make my writing better for the trilogy.
I'd also like to thank Brady Hurley, Tom Lucaccioni, Erica Crouch, Kellie Sheridan, Janna Jennings, Terra Harmony, and Brady Schuyler. Your support means a great deal to me. I appreciate it, immensely.
To all my readers, thank you.