Innocence

by Kristin Mayer

  At least Crystal was in prison with no chance of parole. That thought brought peace that she wasn’t lurking around a corner waiting to bring more chaos.

  I mentally sighed. My heart hurt for Charles and all he was going through. Alone. I’d called a couple of times to check up on him. So had Millie and Dad. Jaxson was supportive and Charles never once stepped over the line with any comments. I think he was grateful for the friendship.

  We needed to support each other with all that transpired. Only those affected truly knew how deep the scars ran. An innocence was robbed from all of us.

  It was a double-edged sword with knowing Alec lost his life and I had found the love of mine. It was hard to wrap my head around it all.

  Jaxson was my happily ever after.

  “Penny for your thoughts?” Jaxson asked while watching me with concern.

  “Thinking about everything that’s happened. How blessed I am.” Jaxson gave me a beautiful smile I loved. I wanted a subject change. “Ty’s going to be so excited for his surprise.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, he is.”

  I snapped my fingers remembering what I’d wanted to tell him when he’d first arrived from rounds at the barn. “Dad called this afternoon. Mom’s making great progress. She remembered a date her and dad had at the beginning of their relationship. Doctors are pleased with her progress. They’re hoping I get to see her soon.”

  Jaxson’s warm voice filled the car. “That’s excellent. I know you’re anxious to see her.”

  “I am.”

  The tests came back five days ago. It was confirmed she was being poisoned with those drugs which imitate the symptoms of Dementia. For the hope of the best improvement, Mom was moved to a facility that was slowly taking her off of the medicine. Counseling was also going to be needed considering four years of her life were robbed. It was devastating to know the lengths Caroline had gone to. It was a sick and twisted game we had all been caught up in.

  Per the doctors, it would be lethal to cut her off cold turkey. In a sense she was addicted and needed the drugs. The goal was to make the transition as easy as possible.

  I wondered what part of Mom would still be left and what the drugs permanently took away. I prayed for the best. We wouldn’t know for a while. Only Dad was allowed to visit right now. They weren’t sure how long it would be until I was able to, but Mom needed as little stress as possible. I agreed, but longed for the day for Mom to look at me and know it was me, London. Not a stranger she told about her daughter.

  The truck shifted into park.

  “Are we there yet?”

  Lips touched my cheek. “Yes, we are.”

  The door opened and closed. A few seconds later, Jaxson helped me from his truck only to help me on the tailgate. A horse whinnied nearby. Jaxson hopped in the truck bed and brought me against him. One hand untied the blindfold. The dark starry night sky greeted us. “This was where we came the first night to watch the stars together.”

  “I remember.”

  Jaxson pulled out a bag. “We missed our one-month anniversary with you in the hospital. I wanted you to open your gift in the place we had our first date.”

  “Oh, Jaxson.”

  I giggled as I opened the bag revealing a certificate. This was probably what Dwayne delivered to the house. Reading the certificate there was a star named after me. Warm breath tickled my neck. “I know you no longer wish upon shooting stars, but I wanted you to have one that burns bright and reminds you I’ll always be there, never fading. My wish came true that night, London. I got you and a beautiful family. I found love and happiness.”

  Turning in his lap, I kissed him. Hard. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you. I love it. You are my bright shining star.”

  “There’s more.”

  Grabbing the bag, I dug through it. Two tickets to the ballet were in it for a show in . . . I had to read it twice to verify it said London.

  “We’re going to London.” For as many years as I could remember, I’d wanted to visit the ballet there. It was a dream of mine I once wished upon a shooting star.

  “For a honeymoon. One you didn’t get because you were sick. It’s for next month. The doctor said it was fine for you to fly.”

  I clutched Jaxson to me. “Thank you! I love it. I’ve always wanted to see the London Ballet.”

  “I know. I will do everything in my power to give you all that I have. I love you more than life itself.”

  “I love you too with all that I am.”

  We held each other under the night sky as we talked about dreams of our future. Our family. Our hopes.

  Jaxson’s phone vibrated. “Dad says the puppy has arrived. Are we ready to give Ty his present?”

  “Yes! He’s going to be so excited.”

  We drove back to Pam and Levi’s. As we pulled up, Ty ran out of my house, the front yard illuminated by the front porch lights. “Do I have a brother or sister yet?”

  I rubbed my stomach. “Not yet. It’s going to be after the Easter Bunny. And I’m going to get a huge stomach first.”

  Ty blew out a breath. “I’m going to be five hundred years old by then.”

  “Not quite, buddy. But, your mom and I have a surprise for you to help the wait go by faster.”

  “A surprise? A real surprise for me?”

  We nodded as Ty bounced. Levi walked from around the house with a squirmy puppy in his hands. Ty noticed, his voice growing louder. “Is that my puppy? A puppy for me? The one that I wanted?”

  Before we could answer, Ty took off and Levi sat the golden retriever puppy on the grass. In wonderment, Ty looked to us. “Is this my puppy?”

  Jaxson put his arm around my waist. “She’s all yours, son.”

  Ty hugged the puppy to himself. The puppy chewed on some grass. “Dad, she likes to eat the clovers. Can I name her Clover?”

  “Of course.”

  We knelt down beside Ty as we all played with the puppy.

  This was my life. And it was perfect.

  A year later

  I SAT IN THE ROCKING chair as the sun rose above the mountains, rocking Chloe while burping her after her feeding. Jaxson and Ty were sound asleep. Chloe’s sweet head rested on my shoulder as I patted her back.

  Finally she burped.

  “That was a good one, little angel.”

  She nestled into my neck ready for another snooze. Chloe was almost three months old. Ty loved her unconditionally though sometimes he didn’t realize she wasn’t able to play catch and zoom racecars around. There’d been a few bumps and bruises along the way.

  Being a mother to my two kids was unbelievable. The best experience of my life, along with finding Jaxson. A creak down the hallway brought a smile to my lips. Sometimes in the morning, Ty snuck in here and laid on the floor in front of the crib. Chloe was going through what I assumed was a growth spurt this last week and had picked up an extra feeding.

  The door cracked open and Ty’s head peered in and lit up. “You’re up again, Mom.”

  “Chloe was hungry.”

  He made a nasty face and I giggled. One time while I was gone to visit Mom on my own, I’d pumped a bottle for Jaxson to give Chloe. The ever-curious Ty thought my milk was better than the milk he drank. He was afraid of missing out on something good. Needless to say he was cured of trying Chloe’s bottles.

  Walking into the room, Ty climbed up on my lap. Clover followed and laid at my feet. They were inseparable. Ty loved it. “My sister should get chocolate milk. It’s much better.”

  “She will when she’s older.”

  We kept rocking as I held both kids. Ty touched Chloe’s purple-clad leg. This was peace. A month ago, the adoption for Ty officially went through for me to be his mother on paper. Crystal had been admitted to a psychiatric ward after attempting suicide in prison.

  “Mom?”

  “Yes, buddy.”

  “Do you think for Christmas this year I could get another brother or sister? I want a lot. Chloe took forever to com
e. I just want Santa to bring another one. You don’t have to grow the baby. And then your back won’t hurt.”

  I stroked Ty’s hair as he looked at me, pleading with those puppy dog green eyes. Through the pregnancy with Chloe, my back killed me. Jaxson always rubbed it. “Ty, that’s not how it works.”

  “Then how does it?”

  It was too early in the morning to have this conversation and I scrambled how to respond. At the door Jaxson appeared smiling, his dimples prominent with his sleep-ridden hair. “What did I walk in on?”

  Little legs dashed across the room. “Dad! Did you hear? I want another baby brother or sister for Christmas from Santa.”

  Chloe stirred but resettled as Jaxson whispered something to Ty. Then, Ty scampered out of the room wearing his Superman pajamas. With a sexy gate, Jaxson walked over to me and gave us a kiss. “Morning, sweetheart. Morning, sunshine.”

  Sunshine was Jaxson’s term of endearment for Chloe. I kissed his lips while murmuring, “Morning.”

  “By the way, I’m all for making another baby with you.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Jaxson McCole, I’ll cut you off if you start talking about babies this soon.”

  Deep chuckles filled the room. “Only practicing, I promise.”

  “Okay to practicing.”

  His nose skimmed mine and the desire that always loomed below the surface came to the forefront. “Do you want to go back to bed? I know you’ve been up early feeding Chloe every day this week. I can take the kids for a bit. We’re not heading to see your parents until midmorning.”

  A couple of times a month, on Saturday, we went to Mom and Dad’s for brunch. They bought a house about ten miles down the road. As soon as Mom was ready, she wanted to sell the other farm and be closer to my family and me. I was shocked. But too much time had been lost. Ty loved having another grandmother.

  “I may take a nap later, but I want to hold her right now. She’s growing so fast.”

  Jaxson’s big hand touched her back. “Thank you for giving me this.”

  A lump filled my throat at the awe in his voice. “We gave each other love and a family.”

  “We did. I love you, London.”

  “I love you, Jaxson.”

  He left the room and I counted all my blessings.

  Two hours later we pulled into the driveway of my parents’ one-story home. Mom had been released from rehab nearly six months ago. The road had been long and hard but she was here . . . in the present. There was some nervous system damage done and she could get overwhelmed if too much happened. I hated the drugs had a lingering effect, but we were fortunate for what little remained. As the days went by it seemed to lessen, but Caroline had caused serious damage.

  Millie was an immense amount of help as she worked with her doctors and the rehab facility to help Mom. Surprisingly, Millie and the cop were still dating. I think things were more serious than she let on. Currently, she was in denial. Only time would tell.

  Dad stepped out on the front porch with Mom behind him. My heart warmed every time I saw her. She was healthier looking, not the frail being who had sang, “London Bridge is Falling Down” on repeat in the nursing home.

  Ty raced out of the car. Jaxson called after him. “Ty, slow down.”

  Dad, wearing a flannel shirt, patted Ty on the head while Jaxson removed the baby carrier. “Your Grammy made fresh cookies. They’re on the counter.”

  “You’re the bestest, Grammy.” He hugged my mom’s leg and then raced into the house as she chuckled.

  Ty never seemed to overwhelm Mom. She thrived in his presence as if her spirit was lifted. We walked up the driveway leisurely.

  In her jeans and pale-pink sweater, Mom looked precious. She walked up to me and gave me a hug. “How about we sit on the front porch and drink some hot chocolate. Let the men take care of the kids for a bit?”

  “I’d love that, Mom.”

  Jaxson gave me a kiss on the cheek while Dad helped him get all of Chloe’s stuff inside. There were already two steaming cups of chocolate on the table.

  Mom’s movements were getting better as she leaned her cane against the pale-yellow siding.

  “I used to dream about sitting on the swing with you again someday,” I commented as I took a sip of warm goodness.

  “Miracles do happen. I know I’m not one hundred percent, but I treasure I got a second chance at life.”

  “Me too, Mom. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. Once we finish our chocolate, I need to give my two grandbabies some love before we eat.”

  The first time Mom held Chloe, Mom cried. The rehab facility allowed Dad to check her out and bring her up to the hospital. It was one of the most special moments of my life. Mom was determined to get as well as possible and see her grandkids grow up.

  As the swing creaked, I nestled into my mom’s side and cherished the moment. These were moments I dreamed of having again and by some miracle was fortunate enough to have back in my life. I closed my eyes and thanked my lucky stars for the second chance.

  Later that evening, after the kids were in bed, I leaned against the rail of the deck looking into the night sky. The door opened and Jaxson walked out carrying the baby monitor. Chloe was fast asleep with one hand under her cheek.

  Warm arms came around my waist and his chin nestled in the crook of my neck. “Are you ready for bed?”

  “Mmm . . . I’m ready for you to make love to me.”

  “There’s no place I’d rather be than with you.”

  As Jaxson led me into the house, I caught a shooting star above the house. We stopped and stared into the sky. “I wish everyone could know the happiness I’ve found.”

  My husband’s warm eyes gazed upon me. This was the first time I had wished upon a shooting star since the accident. “I love you, London. I’ll endeavor to make you happy for the rest of my life.”

  I leaned up on my tiptoes. “I love you, too. You’re the only one for me, Jaxson.”

  Pressing his lips to mine, I savored him. Though my path was winding and full of ups and downs—it led me here . . . to my happily ever after.

  CHAPTER ONE

  I’M RUSHING AROUND MY APARTMENT, trying to do some last-minute packing before my trip, when my phone rings. It’s my best friend, Sam. We’ve been best friends since we were in diapers, and our parents had been friends since they were in school. Neither of us has any siblings, so Sam and I have basically been sisters all these years.

  We live in Waleska, Georgia. It has that wonderful Mayberry aura about it. I think the population sign says around six-hundred people reside here. Sam and I will both be seniors this fall at Reinhardt University. My true love is photography, but I’ve always been scared that I wouldn’t succeed at it.

  Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I answer, “Hey, Sam. Are you on your way?”

  “Yes. Are you sure you want to do this? Alone? For a week? I’m just not sure if that’s the best idea.”

  Since my parents died, Sam’s been my rock. She’s afraid I’m using this trip to withdraw from life again.

  I zip up my bag. With as much sincerity in my voice as possible, I respond, “I need to do this. I have to do this. It’s long overdue. It’s been planned since spring break. I know you don’t want me to go off the radar for an entire week, but it will be fine.”

  “I know. It’s just that I worry about you. If I didn’t have my presentation this week for the sorority, I’d insist on going with you. Just promise me that you will call if it gets to be too much for you to handle. I’m here for you. I know you’re strong, but this is going to be a tough week.”

  Smiling to myself, I can picture her animatedly talking with one of her hands while she’s driving. “I know, and I appreciate it. You just have to trust me on this. Everything will be okay.”

  “Okay, Allison. I don’t like it, but I support you.”

  “You’re the best. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  “You’ll
never have to find out. I’ll be there in five, girl.”

  And that’s why she will be my best friend for life. “Okay, honk when you pull up, and I’ll be right down.”

  I dash over to the kitchen island to make sure all my camera gear is safe and secure in my bag. I breathe out a calming sigh as I prepare myself for this journey. Over this last year since my parents’ accident, my small two-bedroom apartment has been my sanctuary. Just like at my parents’ place, it has that cozy-home feeling that makes me want to curl underneath a blanket while drinking hot chocolate.

  Before I can think too much about the past, I go through my mental checklist again to ensure I have everything for my weeklong hiatus from the real world. Nothing but room service, sandy beaches, pools, and sleep are in my near future.

  A honk sounds from outside, and I dart down the stairs. A beautiful May day welcomes me as I walk out of my building to Sam’s black Toyota Camry.

  Sam is one of those people who just instantly attracts friends. Her personality makes anyone she meets want to adopt her and take her everywhere they go. She is a sports fan through and through, which is the exact opposite of me. She’s that person who screams at the TV, encouraging the players or telling them how to play. She’s naturally gorgeous with green eyes, a curvy figure, and long nearly black hair that has a natural sheen to it. Sam is currently single, and it is not for the lack of trying from the opposite sex. She just doesn’t do relationships.

  “Hey, Sam. Got a hot date after you drop me off at the airport?”

  She’s wearing cutoffs and a cute little green halter top that sets off her emerald eyes surrounded by smoky makeup, and her hair is flowing freely around her face.

  “Um, yeah, Carmen asked me to lunch. Since I’m going to be in Atlanta, I figured, why the hell not?” Her voice goes a tad tense.