Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80074 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Harley pressed play on the video.
“I know, baby, I know,” my mom reassured. “I will forever live in your heart. The bond that we have is so strong it can’t even be separated by death.”
I nodded, needing to hear her say that. Her replying as if we were carrying on a normal conversation proved the connection we had.
“I hope you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.”
“I do,” I responded to her.
It was the truth. She gave me a second chance to make it right.
Never did I expect her to say, “Now, it’s time for you to face your biggest fear. I’m here to do it with you. It’s time, baby. I already know the results, it’s about time you know them too. Let’s do this together. Like a family. A mother with her son.”
I paused the video again. If I thought my hands were trembling before, it was nothing compared to how they were shaking as I pulled the folded results out of the envelope.
Hiding my future.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
“Whatever it is, Jackson, I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere,” Harley reassured.
Tick.
Unfolding the sheet.
Tick.
Reading my name.
Tick.
Scanning the sheet.
Tick.
NEGATIVE.
Boom.
I broke down.
From relief.
From being set free.
From my demons being put to rest.
Harley pulled me into her arms, holding me so tight.
I bawled.
Crying my eyes out.
Sobbing like a newborn baby.
Shuddering uncontrollably.
Just breathe, Jackson. Just remember to breathe.
“Shhh, Jackson...” Harley soothed, rubbing my back. Pressing play on the video before she jumped into my arms. Wrapping her legs and arms around me. Molding us into one person. “I love you. I love you. I. Love. You.”
“Just know I’m smiling down on you right now,” Mom expressed, pulling our attention back to the screen. “Proud of the man you’ve become. Please take care of each other. Tell your father I love him. I miss him. I know he found love again and I’m happy for them. Tell your brother I love him, and I miss him, and I’m always here for him. All he has to do is look at the sunflowers. Please tell your baby sister.” She rubbed her barely their stomach. “I know it’s a girl. I had a dream about it. Please tell her that my biggest regret is not seeing her grow up into the beautiful woman, I know she’s become. She’s my gift to all of you. My legacy will live on through her. Journey Pierce will do big things for our family. Not just ours, but our extended family as well.” She wiped a few tears from her cheeks. “Jagger’s results are also in that envelope. Please give it to him when you think he’s ready. I know your brother. He’s probably working his life away. Tell him to remember to stop and smell the sunflowers. Life is too short to just work it away. When Journey is old enough to understand this horrible disease, tell her I’m sorry. I would never hurt her. Please, do everything in your power to encourage her to take the test. If she’s anything like you two, she’s going to need the extra push to do it.”
I nodded, unable to form words yet. Composing myself as best as I could while Harley kissed all my tears away.
“No matter what life throws at you, Jackson, your family will always be there to catch you when you fall. I love you, my beautiful boy. I’m here if you ever need to talk. I always will be. The sunflowers are the best way to reach me.” She kissed her hands and blew it toward me. “Now it’s time to really start your life. Together. Healthy. Forever and ever.”
The screen went black, and she was gone.
Taking my demons.
With her...
She was right about it all. Especially how it was time to begin the next step in my life.
No time like the present, to do exactly that.
<>Harley<>
They say everything happens for a reason, and my reason came in the form of the biggest bully of them all.
Jackson Ashlyn Pierce.
“Can you believe it?” I asked, feeling an overwhelming amount of emotions.
Relief.
Happiness.
Love.
So much love...
“I knew they were gonna be negative. I knew it in my heart. I think that’s why I’ve been able to hold off this long without knowin’ those results. How do you feel?”
He didn’t say one word.
He wasn’t even moving.
“Jackson, you gotta say somethin’. You’re freakin’ me out.”
In one swift, sudden motion, he flipped me over on the bed. Getting on top of me.
“Rudolph, what are you doin’?” Completely surprised by the sudden turn in events.
With his hands cradlin’ my face, cagin’ me in, lookin’ deep into my eyes, he vowed in a serious, dominant tone, “I’m getting you pregnant.”
I laughed, I couldn’t not at that.
“Can you wait a minute and let me enjoy what just happened?”
He opened my silk robe, unwrapping me as if I were a present.