Out of Breath (Breathing, #3)(136)

I kissed her neck. ‘We have a house.’

‘You have a room,’ she teased. ‘I have a house. Umm … the piano’s staying.’

‘I’m not playing it,’ he said quickly, causing me to smile.

‘I guess I’ll have to learn,’ I said, laying my head on his chest as we began to sway again.

Elation seeped out of him like he might burst, and I was smiling so big it almost hurt. I was grateful that Vivian hadn’t accepted any other offers before I met her last weekend – although at the time I didn’t know I’d be the one living here. She’d shared a reflective moment with me regarding choices and love.

Love was easy. All I had to do was look in his eyes and know that.

In the uneven balance of my life, I’d experienced love and loss. The loss challenged me to be strong, but it was the love that supported me when I was weak. I was a survivor. And now I wanted to focus on living my life.

This was just the beginning of our healing. Of being forgiven. I knew I would struggle with it at times, and feel like I was fighting for every breath. I just had to remember, there was always a choice. And I chose to live. I chose to love. I chose to breathe.





Epilogue


I TWISTED MY HANDS IN MY LAP. MY HEART felt like it was going to pound right out of my chest.

‘Stop!’ I hollered, practically panting. ‘I can’t do this. I can’t.’

Silence. No pep talk. No coaxing. No trying to convince me.

I closed my eyes and took a breath. If my pulse kept this up, then I’d be sweating right through my dress. And that was not the impression I wanted to make. I took another breath.

I can do this. I can do this. All I have to do is walk. And smile. And maybe talk. I can do this.

I opened my eyes again, and said, ‘Okay. I’m ready.’

Evan glanced sideways at me. ‘Are you sure this time?’

‘Shut up and go,’ I pleaded, making him chuckle. My shoulders relaxed as we slowed to a stop.

A large soft-coral-coloured house sat before me. My breathing evened, and the panic subsided. Before I could step out of the car, the front door flung open and a little girl in a frilly pink dress came running out at full force. ‘Emma!’

She crashed against me, her arms wrapping around my stomach. ‘Hi, Leyla,’ I said, my eyes watering as I hugged her tight. ‘You look so beautiful.’

‘I knew you’d wear pink,’ she exclaimed joyously. ‘It’s our favourite colour.’

‘Mine too,’ Evan chimed in, making her giggle.

‘Jack, why don’t you go help Evan bring in their things,’ the woman with the coiffed grey hair instructed gently.

The young boy with the round wire glasses approached Evan hesitantly.

‘Hey, Jack,’ Evan said, holding out his hand. ‘I’m Evan.’ Jack grasped it, and a small smile emerged as he shook it. ‘You can take in this box, since it’s yours anyway.’ Jack’s eyes lit up when he accepted the gift wrapped in festive Christmas paper. ‘And I had to wrap it because Emma can’t fold a corner to save her life.’

Jack laughed.

‘True,’ I sighed.

‘Hello, Emily …’ My grandmother paused. ‘Emma. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.’ I raised my head to view the woman before me, who I easily resembled. The woman who had given me back my family.

My grandmother began to reach out with her hand, then stopped, undecided how to greet me. I slid away from Leyla.

‘Thank you,’ I said, wrapping my arms around her. She folded her thin strong arms around me and held me tight.





Acknowledgements


Nearly four years ago, a story came to me that demanded to be told. Over the years, I opened up and let a part of my soul pour out onto the pages. I was left vulnerable and exposed, giving everything I had to allow the story to be exactly what it needed to be. And I’m proud of the part of me I left on the pages. During the process I learned so much more about who I am – the most important being I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I was.

I did not, and could not, do this alone. There are many people in my life to be grateful for. For loving me, believing in me, and being exactly who I needed them to be along the way. I love them all, and they know who they are.

And then there is this select group of people who contributed their time, patience and affection for the story to help make the final chapters of this series spectacular …

First, I must thank Emily, for having such belief in me that she changed her life to be a part of mine. There isn’t a truer friend, or a more loving human being.

Elizabeth, my partner, my tether to sanity, and the voice I can never live without – Thank You! I am so fortunate to have such a beautiful person and devoted writing partner in my life, who is also so very talented at everything she does.

Faith, who never let this story be less than sincere and true, and, in turn, I have become a better writer.

Courtney, for making certain every emotion is genuine and every word is as powerful as it needs to be.

Nicole gave me more than she knew she did – her friendship and love above all else.

Amy, my awe-inspiring guru, for sharing the beautiful art of writing and allowing me to see it from a different angle.