Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
On the way to the store, I pick up some flowers and make a pit stop at Eternal Cross Cemetery. After placing the flowers on Tori’s tombstone, I push Rory over to where her brother is.
“This is Collin,” I tell her, taking her out and setting her on my lap. “He’s your big brother.” I know she doesn’t understand, but Sadie wants her to know about him, and I completely support that. “Collin, this is your little sister, Aurora. We call her Rory.” Rory squeals at the mention of her name, and I kiss her cheek.
Glancing between Collin’s and Vincent’s graves, I speak to them, hoping if there’s a God, and they’re in heaven, they can hear me. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m going to take care of Sadie. I love her, and like you, I want her to be happy.” I turn my attention to Vincent’s grave. “The only difference between you and me is that I survived. But I promise I’m going to live every day loving and taking care of Sadie, showing her how special she is.”
I look at Collin’s. “I’d give your mom up in a heartbeat if it meant you were here with her, but since it’s not possible, I promise to make sure your spirit lives on. Your mom thinks about you every day, and even though you’re not physically with us, you’ll always be the best part of her.”
I set flowers out for both of them and then lay the last bushel on the grave where Sadie’s daughter was laid to rest. So much heartbreak in one place… Sadie deserves for her heart to be filled with love and happiness.
“All right, princess. We’re going to pick up breakfast and then head home to Mommy.”
“Pa pa!” she shrieks, pointing at the small park.
“Fine, but only for a few minutes.”
When the stroller turns in the direction of the park, she yells in excitement. We spend the next half hour playing in the park, and luckily, when I say it’s time to go, she doesn’t freak out on me.
On the way home, we stop at the bakery and pick Sadie up breakfast and pastries, then stop at the store to get balloons. Her gift is already at the house.
“Boon!” Rory squeals, pointing at the balloons when they fly through the air as we walk back to the house. When we arrive, Sadie is lying across the couch, still in her pajamas, and reading on her tablet.
“Happy Mother’s Day,” I say, leaning over and giving her an upside-down kiss.
“Boon, Mama, boon!” Rory yells, making Sadie laugh.
“Thank you,” she says, sitting up. “Did you have fun?” she asks Rory.
“We made a pit stop at the park.” I set the food out and hand her a coffee. “We also stopped by Eternal Cross.” Sadie nods in understanding, even if she doesn’t completely understand.
I set Rory in her highchair and put some eggs and pieces of a biscuit on the plate for her, along with her sippy cup filled with milk, while Sadie sips her coffee and watches.
“What?” I ask, wondering if I’m doing something wrong.
“I trust you, Gage,” she says, shocking the hell out of me. “I trust you with our daughter, and in the future, if you want to drive with her, I trust you to keep her safe.”
Knowing that she wouldn’t say that lightly, I pull her into my arms and kiss her. “Thank you. That means the world to me.”
After we eat breakfast, Sadie opens her gifts. I got her a necklace with a Mom charm on it—hanging from it are her three babies’ birthstones. She has me put it on her and tears up, thanking me. The next gift is from Rory. The other day Sadie had to run out to the store, so I stayed with Rory, and we created a picture for Sadie, using her hands to make a heart. I wrote a poem underneath it, and Rory scribbled on it, adding her own touch.
“Gage,” Sadie gasps. “This is perfect.” It’s already framed, so we can hang it up in the living room. “This has been the best Mother’s Day ever. Thank you.”
“I have one more gift for you,” I tell her, handing her the envelope. She opens it and in it is a certificate to a day spa. Unsure what she would want, I purchased everything they offer, just in case.
“I’ve never been to a spa,” she admits sheepishly. “Thank you.”
“When I was growing up, my mom used to say all she wanted was a day at the spa to relax. She never got that day at the spa, but I’m so happy I can give one to you. I want to make you happy,” I tell her, taking her hands in mine. “Rory and I are beyond lucky to have you, and I want you to know every day how much you mean to us.”