HAILEY POV
I brush my hair and for once I leave it down. I put on one of my nicer shirts and spray on a dash of perfume before heading to the leaving room.
"Dad you ready," I call out knowing today might take him a little longer then usual.
Today is my parents anniversary and one of the hardest days for my dad. He always puts on a brave face for me but I know he is hurting. Luckily this year it is falling on a Sunday and he can vent a little in grief class. Since mom passed before I could make any memories with her, it is hard to connect to dad's feelings sometimes.
For me I am sad that I don't know or remember the woman who brought me into this world. But for dad it is more about missing someone he knew and loved with all his heart. The loss is greater for him. The class really helps us. It helps dad cope and it helps me understand what my dad is going through.
"Coming kiddo," dad says as he exits his bedroom with a sad smi
IAN POV. (5 yrs later) "Gayle, let me hold her," Alastair playfully grunts before stealing our new daughter from her grandmother. Chloe rolls her eyes at the exchange, but even though the air is lighthearted and filled with love, I can't relax. Ever since we adopted Li Mei from China, I have been a nervous wreck. Even though I know, she is safe with her grandparents; I can't help but picture them accidentally dropping her....or squeezing her too tight. I mean, Alastair is a huge man. "Love, come sit down. Mei is fine," Chloe whispers as she passes me to sit on the couch. I just shake my head, and she sighs. Chloe and I tried for a baby for two years before we discovered she couldn't get pregnant. And ever since that discovery, I have been a little bit of a mess. I have always wanted a family, a child of my own...Now that I have it and considering the long journey we took to get her... Nope, not calming down...
IAN POVToday is the day. I am excited but also extremely nervous. Chloe has been acting strange all week. She goes from clingy to distant constantly, and it has me worried that she knows... That she knows and doesn't want to get engaged. When I spoke to Susan about how Chloe was acting, Susan agreed. Apparently, during their workout, Chloe had drilled her about how our sessions were going. Susan felt she was digging for information on me, but she knows everything about me. We have stayed up all hours of the night talking about our thoughts. There is nothing left to learn. "Ian, I'm going to head out back to start the party set up...I know you probably won't, but if you need me, I will be in the backyard," Mom calls from down the hall, and I grin. "Okay," I reply loud enough for her to hear. My legs have gotten so strong that I don't even use the walker for short distance walks..like around
CHLOE POVI grunt as the wheels on my suitcase hit another crack in the sidewalk. Stress and irritation have my temper flaring. Every second of this trip has been terrible. From the airport to the classes, everything has been mediocre and disorganized.The only happy thought I keep focusing on is seeing Ian. I have missed him so much. Before being with him, I was used to my solitude. I was used to my quiet life filled with workouts and rehabilitation sessions. I didn't need many friends. My Bible study group and Susan were the only people I conversed with, but not now. I am so used to turning to him to share my thoughts that I spoke out loud to the air several times.My phone rings just as I get to my car, and I grin when I read the caller ID."Hey, Dad," I answer while placing my phone on my shoulder.I unlock my trunk and get my suitcase in quickly."Hello, Sweetie. How was your trip," Dad asks, and I laugh?&n
IAN POV (two months later)"I can do this. I can do this," I chant over and over in my head as I stare straight ahead. My hands are on the support bars, and my legs are underneath me, but my brain is miles, no years away.The future I want is playing over and over in my mind as I encourage myself to take my first unassisted steps. My first steps without a harness or Susan supporting some of my weight. My leg muscles are protesting, but that's expected."Come on, Ian. Walk to the walker! You can do it," Susan cheerleads, and a smile breaks across my face at my enthusiastic friend.Thank the Lord for Susan. She has been a massive factor in my progress.....and I believe she is a robot disguised as a human. I have never seen her down. I have never seen her upset or sad. Her moods range from happy to joyful to crazy excited, in that order. There is no off button when it comes to Susan. She enjoys her job and makes our sessions easy.
IAN POVChloe closes the door behind Mrs. Rivas, and I softly grab her hand as she turns back to me. So much weight has been lifted off of me, and it's all because of her."Thanks, Chloe.....I would have said no if you had told me, so thank you for making it a surprise. I still can't believe she forgives me," I say while rubbing my thumb against her baby soft hands."You're welcome... You needed the push, and the mental abuse you were raining down on yourself isn't healthy," Chloe replies as I pull her into my lap.I grin as she makes herself comfortable. I brush her hair behind her shoulders while my brain tries to process my feelings and how to say them."Chloe, I think I'm in love with you," I whisper, and she freezes."What," Chloe squeaks, and my nerves jump, but the words are already out."I'm in love with you...You are gorgeous inside and out. I can't picture my life without you in it anymore
CHLOE POV "Hello." "Hello, my name is Chloe Shaw. I am trying to reach the parents of Raymond Rivas," I reply nervously while twirling a pen at my desk. "This is his mother...What's this about," Mrs. Rivas replies. "Oh umm..hi. I was calling to speak to you about Ian Wilson. I understand if you don't want to, I just had a few questions," I quickly blurt and wait. She only takes a moment before responding. "Umm. Sure, I don't know much about him. He was on my son's football team and was the driver of the vehicle the night my son died.....I, well, he wrote me a letter after the accident," Mrs. Rivas answers hesitantly, and I smile. "I was wondering how you feel about him.....like if you are still angry or upset with him over what happened," I ask timidly."No, I wish it didn't happen. I miss my son. But I'm not upset. His lette