My girl is good. She will follow the rules, very rarely gets into trouble, not like her six-year-old sister Clara, who suddenly appears naked and wet, screeching at the top of her lungs like a little version of a streaker. She runs through Mandie’s bedroom, in through one door and out through the other like a little blur. We all stop for a second, even Kyle, who’s a bundle of energy at three and rarely stops for anything. Just as our heads have whipped from one door to the other, they whip back again as Danny appears.
“Was Clara just in here? I was trying to bathe her. Now she’s decided she’s a spy and I’m the bad guy trying to get her.” His hand rubs the back of his neck, as his frustration eases out of his bright blue eyes. I can’t help but laugh. Bath time with Clara is always anything but straight forward. “Never mind.” He smirks, walking forward and dropping kisses on all our foreheads, before following the water trail on the floor that will undoubtedly lead to Clara at some point.
“Brrr,” Kyle waffles, with his mini helicopter. His PJ’s have pictures of planes all over them. He runs out the room and thankfully toward his bedroom.
“So, how about tomorrow I tell you some stories?” I say turning to Mandie.
She nods shyly. “Will you show me the photos again too, Momma?”
“Of course, baby girl, now get in bed. Reading for a while then lights out, okay?” I say kissing her cheek, as she reaches her little girl arms around my shoulders and clings on tight. It’s safe to say my eldest is a mommy’s girl. My other two, though, they’re all about their daddy.
I walk into Kyle’s room, but he’s already fast asleep on his bed, clutching his toy helicopter for dear life. Kissing his cheek, I pull up the covers and turn off the light. Danny passes me with a wriggling Clara in his arms. I manage to kiss her wet cheek and say goodnight, as Danny carries her to her bedroom.
A little while later I hear the back door open then close. This is quickly followed by a pair of warm, strong arms, as usual, wrapping around me. Resting his chin on my shoulder Danny whispers, “They’re all asleep now, baby.” I nod but say nothing. “You okay?” he questions squeezing me.
“Mandie was asking about Amanda,” I reply.
“So tell her, baby. You’ve never been quiet about Amanda. What is it?” he asks gently.
“I will tell her, it’s not talking about Mandie Moo that’s the problem. It’s just, I’m going to relive all our childhood, and I’m going to tell Mandie all about us. It’s both sad and beautiful at the same time. I don’t know, maybe it’s because this year is my fortieth birthday and would have been hers, too. I get to have mine, and thanks to your super sperm, you managed to give me kids from our very first time. Now we have three of the little monsters,” I say smiling. Then my smile drops. “Amanda will never get to have that,” I explain.
“Yeah, but you gave her everything she wanted before she died. You and Rubén both did. And you know full well she’ll always be looking down, watching you, watching us all. Amanda only ever wanted the best for you. Being happy is your legacy to her, baby,” he tells me. I turn in his arms and softly kiss my husband’s lips.
“Have I told you how smart you are today?”
“Mmm, I’d rather be hot,” he replies and I giggle.
“You’re that, too,” I tell him before he claims my mouth and I can’t say anything else. That’s when the heavens open and Amanda showers me in her love.
Kate Bush – This Woman’s Work
Sarah McLachlan – In The Arms of An Angel
Lisa Stansfield – Tenderly
Rosi Golan – Been A Long Day
James Bay – Let It Go
Heatwave – Always and Forever
Nickelback – Far Away
Red – Not Alone
Hunter Hayes – Wanted
James Bay – If You Ever Want To Be In Love
Bonnie Raitt – I Can’t Make You Love Me
Ed Sheeran – Photograph
James Bay – Move Together
Creed – Higher
Madonna – You’ll See
Taylor Swift – Begin Again
Katy Perry – The One That Got Away
Avril Lavigne – Keep Holding On
Seether feat. Amy Lee – Broken
Adele – Hello
Otis Redding – I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
John Parr – St. Elmo’s Fire
New Kids on the Block – I Remember When
Guns N’ Roses – Paradise City
Sarah McLachlan – I Will Remember You
New Kids on the Block – Cover Girl
Ella Henderson – Beautifully Unfinished
I want to start as always by thanking my husband and daughters and family, for supporting me unconditionally. I love you.
To my Beta's – Beth Lemilliere, Annmarie Thomson, Kerry Adamson, Laura Nelson, Stacey Tester, Donna Tutin, Sarah Queen, Laurie Breitsprecher, Giovanna Bovenzi Cruz, Sharon Dawson, Yvette Vega and Emma Louise. For reading my book chapter by chapter, giving me feedback, suggestions and guidance, and loving my characters as much as I do. For supporting me wholeheartedly and believing in me but most of all, for just being my friends. <3
To Maria’s Misfits - my Street Team. You know just how important you all are to me. I love you guys. You’re an amazing bunch and I’m blessed that you support me wholeheartedly and tirelessly. I adore you! Thank you for making writing so much fun! Mainly, thank you for interacting and becoming friends with me, as well as each other! I love you guys!
A special thank you to Laurie, Laura, Analia, Giovanna and Penny from my Misfits, who pimp me constantly. Love you, ladies!
To my Instagram family. Your support knows no bounds. You are all amazing and I hope one day we can all meet - sorry if I forget anyone!
Booksandbandanas
bookobsessedgirl
am_johnson_author
sucker_for_books
pia_bibliophile
beautyandthebooks83
naliia_
paperback_pixie
abooklover83
doll_face43
shutupshabby
authormandrews
mee_and_my_books
booksare.everything
emmbooks
thereadingruth
To the authors who support me and give me advice, and for the one’s who kick my arse and make me sprint. Rochelle Paige, Kirsty Moseley, Nikki Groom, A.M Johnson and G. L Chapple, just to name the ones I mostly harass!
Francessca Webster from Francessca’s Romance Reviews, you rock!
Kaylene Osborn from Swish Design & Editing. Thank you for everything!
Amanda Maria thank you for being an awesome proof-reader!
To every single blogger who has been willing to promote me in one way or another, I know how busy you all are. I know you take time away from family life to support authors. I think what you do is truly amazing and that it is a blessing for us authors, as well as readers, to have you there, helping and supporting. So thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lastly, thank you to all the readers who have taken, and will take a chance on me. You are the ones who will truly make my dreams come true.
Thank you for reading Finally Unbroken.
If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review at your point of purchase and on Goodreads. It means a lot to me to hear what you think.
Also, feel free to join my street/reader group – Click Here
Check these links for more books from Author Maria Macdonald.
Goodreads Links
Click on the links below to add to your TBR list.
Love Reflection - An Entwined Hearts Novel Book 1
Love Resisted - An Entwined Hearts Novel Book 2
Love Renewed – An Entwined Hearts Novel Book 3
Finally Unbroken – Finally Unbroken Series Book 1
Amazon Links
Love Reflection – An Entwined Hearts Novel Book 1
Love Resisted – An Entwined Hearts Novel Book 2
/> Love Renewed – An Entwined Hearts Novel Book 3
Website
Email
Facebook
Goodreads
Maria is a full-time working mum, she has two beautiful daughters, both of whom love books as much as she.
She has loved writing since she was a little girl.
Reading and loving books, as well as blogging, has inspired her to write and publish.
Maria, her husband, and children now reside in Wiltshire, England.
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