by Leigh, Jenn
She rolled her eyes, but said, “Thanks.”
I watched her eat while we chatted and relaxed together.
After she was done, I took the tray downstairs then came back up to help her with her shirt. I gave her the usual good morning kiss, which I really enjoyed. Even though it was giving me the biggest case of blue balls ever, I wanted to make sure I did things right, especially after everything that had happened. She wasn’t anywhere near healed enough for any of that yet, anyway.
Our first stop on the agenda was the zoo. I knew we had been there last time, but I wanted to relive some of the happy moments we’d had before Robin had intruded on our lives. Besides, when I talked to her dad about the proposal, his suggestions were to take her to all her favorite childhood places, and the zoo was one of them. I planned to spend the morning there as well as lunch, since they had a great little bistro inside the zoo.
At the zoo, it was early enough in the morning that the animals were active from a night of rest. I even bought us passes to help feed the giraffes, which Natalie was a little taken aback by at first. I got some great photos of the giant blue tongue coming out and licking her arm that was holding the hay. The guys would love the look on her face. Priceless.
We walked hand in hand the whole time, enjoying the sites. Meanwhile, her ring was burning a huge hole in my pocket.
Next on the list was her favorite rose garden tour. She had a thing for flowers as a child, according to her dad. We walked the grounds and talked about what we wanted in the future. It was a pleasant afternoon, but the best was yet to come.
“So, how you feeling, hon?” I asked.
“It’s been great. All these places were my favorite growing up. How’d you know?” she wondered aloud.
I shrugged. “I had a little help from your dad.”
She simply chuckled as we continued to walk down the path in the rose garden.
“I’m really enjoying seeing you back to your normal self,” I commented. “I finally feel at ease about what the future holds for us, and so I have one more trip planned for us today.” I watched her reaction.
“Lead the way, my good fellow,” was her cheeky reply.
I laughed as we headed back to the car, my hand suddenly clammy.
We drove around town until I parked the car in an unfamiliar lot. Well, unfamiliar to me, but it was extremely familiar to her. I waited for her reaction, but all she did was stare out the window. I watched as she swallowed then slowly turned her head toward me.
“What are we doing here?” she asked quietly.
I carefully turned off the car, contemplating what I wanted to say.
I reached over and grabbed her slightly trembling hand. “I wanted to meet your kids.”
Her breath hitched, and I wait for her next move.
After about ten minutes, she reached for the door handle. I followed her out of the car then waited for her to come around front and take my hand.
She was quiet while we walked the distance from the car toward a large maple tree. I knew there was a lot going through her mind right now as to why I would bring her here, but I wanted her to have some closure before we started our life together. Not to forget her family, but to honor their memory.
We stopped in front of a family plot where her former husband and two kids had been laid to rest.
Standing in silence for quite some time, she finally said, “You’d have really liked Jake. He was a lot like Daniel, always joking around. He was sweet and sensitive and the most caring guy I had ever met. We did so much together, and when Anthony and Julia came around, he was such a caring father, so attentive with them. I couldn’t have asked for a better dad for them.” She paused. “In a way, I am glad they went together. They have each other wherever they are, and I hope they are at peace.
I squeeze her hand in response.
She stepped forward and placed her hand on Jake’s headstone. “Hey, babe, it’s been a long time since I have been here, and I’m sorry for that. I miss you every day. You left a hole that I am trying my hardest to move past, but you’re a hard man to forget.”
She took a deep breath before she continued, “I’ve met someone, Jake. He’s truly my life savior, and I’ve fallen for him, much like I fell for you. I want you to know that I will always love you from the bottom of my heart, but know that Josh holds the best part of it now, and it’s time for me to move on and start again. Please don’t be mad or upset, but I have to do this for me, and I think you’d want that, that Anthony and Julia would want it, too. I love you, Jake. Rest in peace.” She placed a kiss on his headstone before moving over to Anthony and Julia’s headstones where she placed a kiss on each one.
“Mommy loves you, no matter what.”
She stepped back from them and into my embrace. I squeezed her tightly for a few moments. When I let go, I took her hand and stepped forward with her, back to Jake’s headstone.
I got down on one knee and placed my hand on his headstone. “Hey, Jake, I’m Josh, and I want you to know what my intentions are with Natalie. I tried very hard to resist her; you have to know that I tried. However, as I suspect you know, she is difficult to forget. I’m very drawn to her strength and courage after everything she went through with you and the kids. I’ve fallen for her as much as she has fallen for me, and my promise to you and your children is that I will do everything in my power to cherish her and love her with all my heart. I also need for you to know I will never replace you, and I’ll do my best to keep all of your memories alive within her.
“Whatever Natalie is willing to give me, I will accept wholeheartedly. I want to thank you, not for your loss of life, but for maybe having a hand in pushing us together. For that, I’ll be eternally grateful.”
I turned to look at Natalie whose hand was over her mouth, tears running down her face. I moved closer to her, still on my knees in front of her.
“I want you to know that I love you from the bottom of my heart, and even though I never got to meet Jake and your kids, I think they would want you to be happy. So, in front of them as our witnesses in spirit, I need to know if you will allow me to hold your heart and cherish it forever. You belong to me, as I belong to you.
“Natalie Sirano, will you do me the honor of allowing me to be your husband? Will you marry me?” I waited on baited breath for her answer as I held out the ring to her.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. In that moment, I could see her let go of her past and become ready to move forward.
“Yes, yes, yes.” She launched herself at me.
I grabbed hold tightly and whispered, “I love you,” in her ear.
After we pulled away, I slid the ring on and clasped our hands, ready to make the next journey together.
Read more about Natalie and Josh
in Mark and Nilka’s story:
A Mended Heart
Acknowledgements
First of all I’d like to thank and possibly apologize to my husband and kids, whom I’m sure spent more time trying to get my attention whether from reading or writing than anything else, but out of it came something so beautiful. I hope that one day my kids will see what an accomplishment this is for me, especially since I tried to tamper it down for many years before I couldn’t resist the pull to write.
A special thanks to my husband for encouraging me to continue to write and for finding little tidbits here and there to help my process along. Most importantly, for being my number one fan and first beta reader. Thanks, honey!
I’d also like to thank my friends throughout this process, whom know nothing about writing, but took the headlong leap with me to become my first beta readers. Des, Angela, Colleen, Leslie, Bonnie, Donna, Cindy—thanks again for all your help. Look what came of it!
I’d also like to take this time to thank my mentor RJ Lewis. I am glad my closet writings were noticed by you and your encouragement to keep going really brought it out in me. Looking forward to many more closet writings made public!
A h
uge shout out to R.B. Hilliard who provided valuable information and insights into the world of writing and authors. I am so very glad you took me under your wing!
Thanks to Wicked by Design for the cover design. Looking forward to many more books with you at my side!
I’d like say a HUGE thanks C&D Editing for taking the time and giving advice to a new upcoming author, and I am hoping the process wasn’t too painful. I will learn, I promise!
Lastly, I’d like to thank you, the reader. As authors, we wouldn’t be anywhere without you, so I hope you enjoyed this book and whatever else I can throw your way.
About the Author
Jenn Leigh is an Administrative Professional by day and a domestic engineer by night with a splash of author when the time is right. She lives in Saskatchewan, Canada, and is married with two children. When not wrangling her kids and people in her profession, Jenn likes to read, write, go to movies, and play sports. She plays soccer, beach volleyball, and flag football on a regular basis.
Jenn has always had a knack for writing, but admitted to being scared of the process. As a result, she had tamped down her desire to write until recently. When a story needs to come out, it just makes itself known; thus, started Jenn on her journey to become an author. Her goal is not fame or fortune, just for readers to enjoy the story as much as she enjoyed writing it.
For more information on Jenn Leigh, please visit her
Facebook page:
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Her blog:
https://authorjennleigh.wordpress.com/
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