Following The Light (Out of the Dark Book 3)

by Arlene Gonzales

  ***

  Days turn into weeks. The physical therapy has helped me get my legs back to the way they used to be. Exactly four and a half months after being shot, I walk out of the hospital.

  At home, there is a welcome sign in the front yard. A couple of the neighbors clap as I get out of the car. With a smile, I wave at them and say thank you.

  I walk into each room of our house, taking it all in. Finally I walk into my room. On every wall there is a poster of the world’s most gorgeous male model. I stand in front of my favorite one. He is facing forward, only wearing jeans and a black hat. He has his hands in his pockets. It’s as if he is looking back at me. I brush my hand over it. “I’m coming to find you. We will have a family.”

  Walking into the kitchen, I take in the aroma of Mom’s cooking. She asks me what I want for dinner. “Anything my little girl wants for dinner tonight is what we are having.” I ask her to make pasta. We enjoy a long overdue supper together as a family. Which includes Shannon, of course. I made sure that she joined us tonight. This is the night I am going to announce my move to New York, for a while at least. I need all the support I can get. I’m also going to ask Shannon to go with me.

  After cleaning the kitchen, we all go to the family room. “I need to tell all of you something very important. Before I say what I want to, I need you all to remember one thing. This is not up for discussion. I have made up my mind, I have given it a great deal of thought. I love and respect each and every one of you. I hope you can find it in your hearts to respect my decision as well.”

  Dad is the first to speak. “Lexie, whatever it is, we know how level-headed you are. You’re one of the smartest people I know.”

  I get up, walk over to where he is seated, and wrap my arms around the back of his shoulders. “Thank you, Daddy.” I stand in front of our fireplace, turning to face them all. “I am moving to New York City for a while.” I watch their reactions. “Now before you say anything, let me finish. I am twenty-three years old, and I am not going away forever, just a good while. I promise I’ll be careful. I have the money Grandma left me in the will. This is something I need to do for my own happiness.”

  Mom gets up from her chair. “Why, Lexie?”

  Erik answers her while staring at me. “She believes that she and Aiden Steffan belong together. Right, Lexie? Tell them everything.” He looks angry.

  “Erik, I will if you give me the chance.”

  “The chance to leave us. We just got you back, and you want to move across the country.”

  For the next couple of hours, I explain things to my parents. There is some anger, but mainly concern. They are afraid that I’ll get hurt. “Daddy, you yourself said I was one of the smartest people you know.”

  “Yes, well, I regret saying that now.”

  “Please trust that I know what I’m doing. I’ve given this a lot of thought. Plus I’m hoping I won’t be alone.” I turn to Shannon. “I was hoping that maybe, just maybe, you would want to go with me?”

  Her eyes get big. Then there is a smile. “Well, if he has a brother who I’m going to marry, sure, I’m in. New York City, here we come.”

  She rises from her chair, and we hug and jump around for a minute. Mom has a nervous expression on. Dad looks just as worried. Suddenly, he says, “I’m not going to break up the Three Musketeers. Count me in.”

  Shannon and I look at him, then at each other. We both squeak, “Whoohoo!”

  Dad and Mom both say, “What?”

  Erik walks over to us. He puts his hands on our shoulders. “I’ll make sure these two are safe. I’ll use my inheritance money too. That way we can get a decent apartment.”

  “I’ll put money toward the rent too.” Mom and Dad both look at Shannon.

  That night we start researching airline fares. I also search for rentals. We book flights in two days. After doing a lot of research for apartments, Shannon leaves, and as I am getting ready for bed, there is a knock on my door. Erik walks in. “I’m in this to the end. You are my little sister, and I will always protect you. I just want to know one thing, and I will never question you again.”

  “Okay, what is it?”

  He holds my hand. “You sure about this? What if you do meet him, and he’s nothing like you dreamed of?”

  “Let’s sit down.” We walk to the bed and sit. “Yes, I am sure this is what I want. I know there’s no guarantee, but my heart is telling me that I have to try. If by some chance he turns out to be someone I end up hating, then we come home. But Erik, I have to try. He is my future, I know it with every fiber in my body.”

  ***

  At the terminal, we say our goodbyes to Mom and Dad. Boarding the plane, I get chills from head to toe. I settle into my window seat, and after the announcements are made and we relax for our long flight, I look out the window. “I’m coming, Aiden. Baci e abbracci.”

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  Acknowledgments

  Again, without Erik and his encouragement, I would not have started this journey, and for that I am and will be forever grateful. You are with me as I write each chapter.

  To my daughter Lindsey: You, like your brother Erik, have always told me I could do whatever I put my mind to. You also have always told me that you would have my back. You are the light in my life.

  To my son-in-law, Anthony: You have helped more than words can ever say. Thank you. To my grandkids who knew that Grandma had to go missing for long periods of time: I love you all the way around the world and back again.

  To my editor, Therese Arkenberg, for putting up with me throughout this whole journey. Thank you, Therese—it’s not over yet. To my senior editor, Lori Whitwam: You are always there to support me and to answer the hundreds of questions I have had. You two ladies rock. To all the staff at Limitless Publishing for their constant support, advice, and for making me feel like Ohana.

  To Vanessa Coronado for telling me to go for it when I pitched you the idea of why this trilogy turned into a series. Remember, Nessa: “Crazy is as crazy does.” To both of my PAs, Lynn Bollinger and Melinda Sue, you ladies are awesome. You both are amazing and wonderful. To Vera Green, who has joined my administrative team: You are a wonderful addition to my group. These three ladies have made it so easy for me to just sit down and be able to write my stories without worrying about anything else.

  To two very dear friends who I have had in my corner from day one: Lisa Smythe and Laura Scholtz. I could not have gotten this far without the both of you. To Lynn Kline Underwood, you have been such an amazing friend. I am blessed to have you in my life. To Debra Lines and Dianne Krachala Affolder: You two ladies are such crazy wonderful friends; you both know how to make me laugh even on my sad days. To my sisters Lydia, Irene, Elsie, and Julie: Thank you for the support and love that we have always shared. You are the best sisters I could have ever asked for. Every single one of you rock.

  And to all the readers and fans of Aiden and Alexis. The messages and emails I receive from you all keep me going. I love that my words have reached people all over the world. The journey is far from over.

  Baci e Abbracci.

  About the Author

  Arlene is a single mother of three, works at a LED manufacturing plant Monday thru Friday. During her evenings, and weekends she lets her imagination run wild. Arlene loves bringing stories and characters to life thru her words. She had always wanted to write ever since she was young, but would ti
me and time again put it on the back burner. One day during a long drive with her son Erik, he asked her what are you waiting for mom. Arlene has always used a saying to her kids from the very first day, her first born came into the world. She now uses it in this first series. A saying that she will use till the last day on earth. I love you all the way around the world and back again. Thank you for this little push Erik.

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