“I hate him.” They were quiet at first, but then the anger came. Donna always said that one day I would find my voice. She didn’t know when, but she said it was in there. “I hate you!” I screamed. The tears poured from my eyes. “Why did you hate me? What did I ever do to deserve your wrath? What?” My breathing became labored as I let the anger pour out. “I won. You hear me? I won, not you!” I turned to Blake. “I won.” I buried my face in his chest and cried. I’d won. I escaped. I was going to be happy. I survived. I was a survivor, and now my daughter would be too.
Epilogue
1 Year Later…
Blake
Work has been exhausting the last few nights. I’ve been on the night shift, and Brooke has been working days. We rarely see much of each other even though she moved in with me. We greet each other with a passing hug or kiss as we leave my apartment for our respective jobs, and occasionally she’ll meet me during my break for a coffee. I’m counting the days, two more to be exact, before I’m back on days.
It’s Christmas Eve, and I managed to work a double so when I go home tonight, I have tomorrow off. That is the one thing that’s hard about working in the hospital— you don’t get holidays off. We trade off each year so the same doctors don’t work the same holidays, unless they want to, and this year I was able to get Christmas off.
“Night, Donna.” I waved as I tossed my lab coat and stethoscope into my locker.
“Tell Brooke we said Merry Christmas.” She smiled as if she knew my secret.
“Will do.” I yawned. I was exhausted, and with the present I had planned, I knew I wouldn’t be going to bed anytime soon.
I bundled up, and made my way out to my car. After brushing the snow off, I hopped in and made the drive home. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, and cast a pink and orange glow over the city. The snow glistened and quiet houses would soon be filled with the squeals of laughter as children realized Santa had come.
I pulled into my spot in the garage, and jogged up the steps to the penthouse. All was quiet as I tiptoed inside. I tossed my coat on the chair, made my way into the kitchen, and began brewing a pot of coffee. If she stayed on her usual schedule, Ava would be waking up in the next half hour.
As the smell of coffee filled the air, I shuffled down the hallway. I glanced into my room to see Brooke snuggled beneath the covers. The down comforter was pulled all the way up to her chin, and her brown hair was fanned out over the pillow. It still took my breath away every time I saw her.
I carefully pulled the door to a crack as to not wake her as I turned to head toward my office, now nursery for Ava. When I pushed the door open, Ava scrambled to stand. Her chubby arms reached for the sky as her mouth spread into a giant grin. “Dada!” she cooed as she clapped her hands at me.
“Hey, pretty girl.” I moved over to her crib and lifted her out. She was almost fifteen-months-old now and had started walking right around Thanksgiving. “Were you being good and letting Mommy sleep?” I carried her over to the changing table and changed her diaper. I never saw myself as a dad, but ever since I met these two, I’ve felt like I was meant to be here. This little girl has changed so much for me.
Ava kicked her feet as I worked to get a clean diaper on her. “Dada dada dada.” She grinned as her arms flailed around. Every time I hear it, it nearly brings me to my knees. At first I felt guilty. She isn’t my daughter by blood. I would never want to take a man’s place no matter how awful he is. I was discussing this at work one day, and Donna overheard me. She said that I was chosen to be Ava’s dad and I needed to stop feeling guilty, and embrace it. It was my purpose. Donna always knows the right thing to say. She’s like a mom to everyone despite the fact that we’re almost the same age.
“Let’s go out into the living room until Mommy wakes up.” I carry Ava down the hall and sit her on the carpet by the couch. After securing a baby gate at the entrance to the hallway, I make my way back into the kitchen to grab a mug of coffee. I can hear Ava babbling in the living room, and the sounds of a few of her toys as she plays quietly. Ava’s always been a good baby. Since she was born, she has never really cried and entertains herself really well.
I sat down with my coffee and attempted to read the morning paper. An hour passed and Brooke still wasn’t up. “I think we might need to wake Mommy so we can give her our present.” I smiled at Ava as my heart thundered in my chest. I’d been putting this off for the last two weeks as I made sure everything was perfect. I plugged in the lights on the tree, turned on some soft Christmas music, and then went to the secret spot I’d picked out in the coat closet. I’d been insisting that I hang up our coats for the last two weeks, and Brooke actually let me. It wasn’t until yesterday that she attempted to do it. I panicked and she almost had a meltdown. I wasn’t mad, just worried she’d ruin the surprise. She thought I was going to hurt her. It took me an hour to get her to calm down. I felt terrible, but after today it will all be worth it.
I took the baby gate down, and called Ava over. She toddled down the hallway, laughing as if we were playing a game. “Mommy!” I called softly. “Time to wake up.” I stopped in the doorway as Ava made her way over to the bed. She wasn’t tall enough to climb up on it, so she tugged at the covers.
“Mamama!” Ava squealed, and Brooke’s eyes fluttered open. God, she was beautiful.
“Hey, pretty girl.” She yawned as she lifted Ava into the bed.
“Hey to you too.” I smiled from my spot in the doorway. “Thought you were going to sleep the day away.”
“What time is it? Wait! How are you home? Are you on break?” She rubbed her eyes as she sat up, and Ava clapped and bounced from her spot.
“Merry Christmas.” I grinned. “Come to the living room. Let’s see what Santa brought.” I turned and left her there wondering. She knew what Ava had gotten, and the perplexed look on her face was priceless.
It took a few minutes, but soon Brooke appeared with Ava walking just in front of her. “I had her wait to open anything. I wanted you to see it.” Last Christmas, Ava was so young that she really didn’t understand presents. Now, after her birthday, she knew exactly what presents were for. I’m afraid she enjoys the boxes more than what’s in them though.
“Sit.” I pointed to the couch, and lifted a large box.
“Is this what’s been in the closet?” She smiled as she yawned again. She’s been really tired the last few days, but Donna hasn’t said anything. Brooke still works at the house.
“Maybe.” I chuckled. “Open it.”
I could tell by the way she went to lift it that she thought it was heavy, but it wasn’t. What was inside was actually really small. She tore into the paper with confusion written all over her face. She rooted around the tissue inside, even more confused. “I don’t think there’s anything in here.” Her forehead crinkled.
“Keep looking,” I encouraged. I could tell when she found it. Her entire face and demeanor changed.
“Blake?” Tears welled as she mashed her quivering lips together. Slowly, she lifted the small box as the larger one toppled to the floor.
“Brooke, I’ve known you were the one since I first laid eyes on you. You weren’t mine to have then, but I knew we were meant to be. The first time we kissed sealed the deal, and I’ve been patiently waiting for your heart to be ready. I love you, and I love your daughter as if she was mine. Spend the rest of your life with me. Be my wife. Will you marry me?” My hand shook harder than ever before as I sat there on the floor in front of her.
“Yes.” She sobbed. “Yes.” I slipped the ring on her finger, and pulled her into my lap, sealing our promise with a kiss. Ava squealed and clapped in the background as if she knew what was going on. “I have a present for you too.” She wiped the tears from her eyes. “Here.” She handed me a small box from under the tree.
“You didn’t have to get me anything.” I took it from her.
“Just open it.” She nibbled her bottom lip.
I carefully pul
led the ribbon from the box, and lifted the lid. “Does this mean what I think it means?” I held the pregnancy test in my hand. “Are you pregnant?”
She slowly nodded. “Are you ok with that?”
“I’m better than ok with that. We’re gonna have a baby.” I grinned like a school boy. “My baby’s in there.” I pointed to her stomach. Brooke’s eyes lit up with happiness. “That’s why you’ve been so tired. Donna knew about this.” I furrowed my brow.
“I made her promise not to tell.” Brooke gave me a guilty face.
“I’ll forgive her.” I reached over to where Ava was playing. “Come here, pretty girl. Mommy’s gonna have a baby.” I settled Ava in my lap. “You’ve got a sister or brother in there.” I pointed to Brooke’s flat stomach. Ava looked at both of us skeptically, and then without prompting she leaned forward and kissed Brooke’s belly.
“I’ve been dreaming of this for years.” Brooke cried. “I’ve wanted all of this. I love you so much.” Her eyes moved between the two of us. She glanced down at her ring sparkling in the light of the Christmas tree before wrapping Ava and me in a hug. “It was worth it. Enduring all the pain. It was worth it for this.”
The End
Enduring Act Playlist
You Say- Lauren Daigle
Got it in You- BANNERS
We Are Warriors- Avril Lavigne
Heart Attack- Demi Lovato
Waiting for Superman- Daughtry
Human- Christina Perri
Rise- Katy Perry
Don’t Give Up On Me- Andy Grammer
Control- Zoe Wees
Never Be Like You- Flume
Burial- Seinabo Sey
Other Works by H. D’Agostino
The Broken Series
Irreparably Broken
Saving Us
My Broken Angel
Broken Pieces
The Shattered Series
Destined
Shattered
Restored
Renewed
Fated
The Witness Series
Being Nobody
Becoming Somebody
Promise Me Tomorrow
Say You Remember
Below the Surface
Crash and Burn
On Broken Wings
The Second Chances Series
Unbreak Me
The Boy Next Door
The One That Got Away
Inside Out
Fallen from Grace
The Family Next Door
The Cook Brothers Series
Walking Among the Cherry Trees
Beyond the Cherry Trees
Before the Cherry Trees
The Sutter Family Series
Catching Raindrops
Trusting You
Finding the Green Room
Teaching Cayden
Standalones
Privileged
Beautiful Goodbye
Pieces of Forever
Sands of Time
Just One More
One Last Time
The Survivors Duet
Vanishing Act
Acknowledgements
The Survivor’s duet has been one of those stories that has been growing in my head for months. I had the idea of some major event pushing someone so far that they’d abandon their life and start new. I wasn’t sure what it was that would cause this, but I knew it had to be a big deal. When Brooke began talking to me, I knew I had to tell her story. I wasn’t sure where it was going to go, but I knew it was important. I knew that Donna and Blake would play a major role too.
Thank you to my awesome team. I don’t know where I’d be without you.
To my alpha, Angie… thank you for not throat punching me over this book. You know I love those mic drop moments, and hearing your reactions show me I got it right. Blake and Brooke needed to have their HEA, and I knew it took a while to happen, but it did.
To my beta, Melinda… see above. LOL You were the reinforcement that I got it right.
To Kellie, my editor… as always, you are top notch. Thank you so much for getting this back to me so fast. From your quick turnaround to your attention to detail, I know that I can always count on a quality product.
To Jimmy and Anna, my patient kids… thank you for all your help on doggie duty. Unfortunately, Luna doesn’t understand that Mom is busy. Thank you for all your help taking care of her so I could write.
Last but not least… thank you readers. I couldn’t do this without you. I hope Brooke’s story touched you in some way. Thank you for all you do to spread the word about my books.
About the Author
Heather D’Agostino is an avid reader turned Bestselling Author of the Contemporary Romance Series The Broken Series, The Shattered Series, The Second Chances Series, The Cook Brothers Series, and Romantic Suspense series The Witness Series.
She attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics.
She currently lives in Central New York with her husband, two children, dog, and two cats. When she’s not writing she can usually be found at the dance studio, soccer field, or one of the many other places that she plays ‘Supermom’.
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Enduring Act (The Survivor's duet Book 2) Page 14