A Tattered Love

by Nickie Seidler

  “So, did you really see yourself back home with all of us here and a gorgeous family? Beautiful baby boy and wonderful baby girl, Molly. Did you see yourself as Mom?” Abby looked at me with her puppy eyes and it made me think.

  “I definitely didn’t see this coming, but I couldn’t be happier where I’m at. Now you and Evan just need to move up here, already. I don’t know if we can live apart.” I laughed and kissed her temple. Best friends for life.

  “Hey, who was that Austin guy, anyway?” Abby asked curious.

  “Just a guy who made me realize the things in my life that were important.”

  “Wait, Austin? Like Austin from Guilty Tendencies?” Galena overheard and chimed in.

  “Yes, Galena, that Austin. We had a hot moment, nothing happened and he was the sweetest guy because of it. Let’s keep this to ourselves, ladies. What’s happened in our pasts, stays in our pasts.” I smiled at both of them as I pushed my butt into Abby knocking her into Galena.

  The rest of night was laid back with lots of dancing. We just let loose and escaped from what we called reality. All I could think about was Dustin, and how he was doing with Jordan. First time watching him alone, well he’s not alone, but all men pretty much as I was sure grams would head to bed early. This should be interesting. I hoped I didn’t come home, and there was a diaper on the baby’s head instead of his bottom. I was sure his clothes would be on backwards. I laughed at the thought.

  Abby tugged my arm as I turned around, and my mouth flew open. There in the center of the spotlight in the middle of the dance floor was Evan.

  “What is Evan doing here, and hey, look Dustin’s here too with Seth!” I glanced at them very confused. I immediately thought where are my kids, but I figured if Dustin were here, that Granny had them. All the sudden the spot light glared on Abby, and Evan held his hand out in the middle of the dance floor. I gave Abby a push and she started walking. I had no clue what was going on, but I was sure it was about to be epic.

  Evan tapped the microphone the DJ gave him and the crowd stood around staring as Dustin came up behind me, and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Watch this,” he whispered in my ear as we put our attention back on Evan.

  “Abby, you mean the world to me. We were meant for one another. We complete each other.” You can see Abby start to tear up.

  “You’ve been my sunshine, my best friend, and the girl I don’t want to live without. Over the last few weeks, it just proved to me why you’re so special. You helped two people come together that deserved it and didn’t even flinch or think about it. You just acted on it. That takes a lot from somebody. I didn’t want to waste any more time. I want you to spend the rest of your life with me, forever. I love you. Will you marry me, Abby?” Evan got down on one knee in front of the entire dance floor and Abby just stared in shock. He held open a silver box and her hands rushed to her face to cover her mouth that hung open.

  She flew right into his arms and hugged him as she screamed yes! He twirled her around and set her down. He placed the elegant ring on her finger and kissed her passionately in front of everyone. I turned and smiled at Dustin as he kissed my head.

  “Will you have this first dance with me as my fiancé?” Evan smiled at her.

  “Yes!”

  The DJ was cued and he played their song, Can’t Help Falling in Love with You, the Elvis version. Everyone cheered them on and watched as they danced together. It was a surreal moment and everything was just the way it was supposed to be. I grabbed her arm and smiled and took her in a big hug. “I’m so happy for you, Abby! You guys are perfect for one another. Now we can help plan one another’s wedding craziness!” I wiped a stray tear from her eyes and kissed her cheek. “I love you Abby.”

  “All right, all right, all right! Enough of this sentimental shit. I love you all, and congrats. I’m so happy for you both. Please though, go continue on your damn girls’ night and make sure to come back to us fiancé’s over here.” Dustin came with open arms and we did a group hug. We were all each other needed as a family.

  That was just it. We all may have had a tattered love at some point but everything always works out in the end.

  EPILOGUE

  (((Five Years Later)))

  Riley

  “Sweetie, hurry up, Jordan’s kindergarten talent show is in a half hour. We need to go!” I yelled up the stairs in the hallway.

  I looked at Molly, and she smiled as she stuck her tongue out at me. She was all dressed and ready, waiting patiently by the door to head out. I knew she couldn’t care less about Jordan’s performance. She just wanted to go and mingle with her friends. I truly feel like a mom now, knowing that Molly was almost ten years old, and she had a boyfriend or, so she thought. She wasn’t dating until she turns eighteen in my book. Daddy says not until she turns twenty-one, but I could see us maybe getting by with eighteen. If only!

  Dustin flew down the stairs holding way more things in his hands than he should have. He wore a blue button down shirt with a black undershirt. His jeans were ripped at the knees, and they hung in that panty-dropping sexiness. Five years later, this man turns me on more now probably than ever. This whole “daddy” experience between raising Molly and Jordan, he’s like a completely new hotness. This side of him I want to keep forever. He’s that kind of dad to sit there at the table with Molly and help her with her homework. The kind of dad to lie on the floor and sleep in made up tents all around our house. The kind of dad who enjoys playing with Barbie dolls and trucks, planes, trains, cars, and anything Molly and Jordan could get their hands on. I honestly couldn’t have picked a better soul mate to spend the rest of my life with.

  “Molly, get your jacket on, honey.” Dustin handed Molly her polka dot raincoat and her matching umbrella. He looked at me and smiled and began to pack a few snacks into the backpack.

  “Babe, it’s just a talent show, not a road trip.” I laughed at him as Molly giggled.

  “Jordan is going to be a class president someday, babe, he’s so smart and talented. What five year old does a talent show by performing some kick ass magic, my boy, that’s right!” Dustin raised his hand to high five Molly and me. Completely ignoring my comment to make fun of him.

  We gathered everything we needed and got situated in the car, and Molly tapped on her flat screen built into the seat in front of her and started a movie up. I leaned over and placed my hand on his as we drove off to the school. A few minutes later, we took our seats in the auditorium with all the other kindergartener’s parents. We waited impatiently to see our little boy up there. Surprisingly, Molly sat with us, and she was actually paying attention as the show started. Every year she gets older, and Jordan gets older, she tends to like him more and want more to do with him. I think the big sister protecting little brother act has finally settled in. She used to pick on him quite a bit the first two years. I think she was just trying to fit in with her other friends who had siblings.

  We hear Mrs. Michaels speak over the microphone and introduce Jordan. Of course, we clapped outrageously loud, and Dustin added a few whistles in. Molly screamed his name and then the crowd became quiet. My little man was up on stage being braver than most, not a nervous bone in his body. He was like Dustin’s little mini me, and he could never deny his kid, that was for sure. Standing three and a half feet tall, dark brown hair, the brightest blue eyes you had ever seen, stood what I called my handsome son. Jordan and Molly were my world.

  Jordan had gigantic cards on display and had a girl next to him that was going through his moves. He said what he did through a microphone with each move he made. He showed the audience like a pro. Hard to believe this little man was only five and was doing such an amazing job entertaining a huge crowd of adults. Once he tricked the girl and fooled everyone with the oldest trick in the book, but Jordan didn’t know that, and neither did Molly. Everyone applauded him loudly. He bowed and exited the stage. I didn’t know who was more proud—Dustin or me.

  Dustin nudged me in the side the
n whispered in my ear, “That’s our boy!”

  I smiled at him and then noticed as he reached in his pocket and grabbed his cell phone. A message displayed across the screen. It was from Carter, his partner.

  “Babe, I got to go. They need me at the station, there was a code blue down on Lamar Street. I love you. Tell Jordan he rocked it.” He leaned down and gave Molly a kiss, and then leaned into me and kissed me hard. He gave me goose bumps—that was how good his kiss always was.

  This was our life now. Dustin finally had his dream job at the police department. He was fighting crime as he made life easier for Delaware residents. He was my man in uniform doing what he always dreamed of doing. Does it make me restless at night? Sometimes, of course. Would tonight be one of those nights? Yes, Lamar Street is the worst area in town with the highest drug rate known. I worried about him, but I knew he could whoop ass and handle his own.

  I grabbed Molly’s hand as we went to get Jordan. His smile lit up when he saw us. I couldn’t help but open my arms wide for him as he ran into them. Then he turned from me and ran behind me. As I turned around, I looked back as he ran into Abby’s arms. I sighed with a sigh of relief that she had made it in time. I knew with her being pregnant that she has been late a lot with having to take it slow and easy as she was about ready to pop. Evan was more cautious than ever, and I was surprised he even let her come out tonight.

  “Glad you could make it, Aunt Abby.” I winked at her. “Is that baby coming any time soon, because I’m dying to hold it?” I embraced her in a warm hug. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen her. If I thought she was big then, she looked as if she were about to have twins now!

  “Hold your horses. You'll have plenty of time to hold her!”

  “Her!” I gasped and jumped up and down. “You said her!” I pointed at her embarrassment.

  “Crap, Abby, you gave it away!” Evan laughed nudging her arm.

  “Oh my god! I’m so excited that you’re having a girl!” I squealed in happiness.

  “Ah, hell, I guess it slipped. Yes, we’re having a girl, soon, I hope.” Abby rolled her eyes.

  “Mom, can I name her?” Molly tugged on my shirt.

  “Sweetheart, this is Aunt Abby’s baby. She’s going to name her. Maybe she’ll let you help.”

  I was so happy that Evan and Abby moved out here. They were family now and awesome with our kids. Granny, Galena, and Seth fight over who gets the kids for a weekend sometimes. Just when I thought I didn’t have any family at all, I had all the family I needed. I have a wonderful husband with two fabulous kids. More than I could have ever asked for. They were all adjusting to living out here, and we truly enjoyed each other’s company. I couldn’t wait to be an aunt to Abby’s soon to be born baby girl. We are all grown up now, things were very different from what they used to be, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

  Dustin’s Mom—yeah, let’s just say his parents were now divorced, and we haven’t heard a peep from her since that night. Her reputation went downhill and fast after her husband, well ex-husband now, exposed her in embarrassment to their rich friends. He called her out on her shit and made sure everyone knew that I was innocent, and indeed Mrs. Lori Boyd was standing by the criminal, Sabrina. She was voted down off her high horse at the golf club and demoted from being President. She ended up moving away, last I heard. Dustin didn’t associate with her anymore, but occasionally talked with his Dad. He sees the kids every now and then, and he had already moved on with another woman. Dustin and he probably would never be close, but it was a start.

  Carla, she moved to New York to be with her new boyfriend. She doesn't talk to Dustin very often anymore, she keeps herself too busy to concern herself with her family. Hell, I don’t blame her. I hoped she succeeded with her life.

  As for us, well, we were just your typical family living in Delaware.

  The End.

  I hope you enjoyed A Tattered Love! I highly encourage you to write a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and/or Goodreads! Send me a message on Facebook, and let me know what you thought!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Born and raised in the Chicago-land area, Nickie Seidler is a up and coming young author. Her new-found dream of being a romance writer has now led to the completion of her second book "A Tattered Love". Nickie is married, and when not writing, enjoys cooking new recipes, water aerobics, car racing and spending quality time with family and friends.

  Other books by Nickie Seidler

  A Lucky Second Chance

  available through Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com

  Feel free to social network with me,

  keeping up-to-date with the latest news on my books:

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/N.M.Seidler

  Twitter https://twitter.com/AuthorNSeidler

  If you or someone you know has been a victim of bullying, below are some organizations in no particular order, that may be able to help.

  Nova - Network of Victim Assistance - Hotline at 1-800-675-6900

  http://www.novabucks.org/bullying.html

  KidsHealth from Nemours

  http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html

  The National Center for Victims of Crime

  http://www.victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/get-help-bulletins-for-crime-victims/bulletins-for-teens/bullying-and-harassment

  Helpguide.org

  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bullying.htm

  theguardian

  http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2013/aug/23/support-cyberbullying-victims-at-school

  Cable in the classroom (Kids.cable.learning - Stand up … be in control!)

  http://www.ciconline.org/DigitalCitizenship/InCtrl/LessonFive

  If you enjoyed the character, Austin, he came from the book Conflicted. It’s part of the Battlescars Series, Book Three by Sophie Monroe.

  Conflicted

  When you think about your life, are there things you would reverse?

  Derek Scott is the twenty-six year old drummer of Battlescars. With a past marred by tragedy, he has a hard time letting people in. He's also made his share of mistakes. Now, he's trying to come to terms with the choices he has made recently and what they mean for him.

  When someone from his past comes back into his life, Derek thinks maybe he can get back on track. However, things unravel, leaving him more unclear than ever. When long kept secrets find him and force him to decide what really matters in his life, will he be able to choose a path - or will he always be conflicted?

  Available through Amazon.com

  http://www.amazon.com/Conflicted-Battlescars-III-ebook/dp/B00F7KLNFO