“Agreed,” she answers softly. “You’re home to me, Brand.”
A lump forms in my throat, and I try to swallow around it, as I think of every fucking thing that has happened over the past couple of years.
“It’s funny how things work out,” I muse aloud. “Two years ago, I thought my world was ending, that nothing would be ok again. But everything happens for a reason. All of those twisted paths in my life led me to where I’m meant to be…. which is right here.”
“With me,” Nora sighs happily, squirming closer.
“Yeah,” I agree. “With you.”
“Before we fall, we fly, Brand,” she reminds me softly, tracing the tattoo on my forearm. “Your gran was right.”
“She was right about a lot of things,” I answer, as I flip her over and hover above her. Nora raises an eyebrow.
“Such as?”
“Well, you’ve got to take life by the balls and shake it as hard as you can.”
She giggles and leans up to kiss my neck. “Your gran said that?”
I nod. “Yeah. You’d like her.”
“We need to go visit.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “We do. She’d like you, too.”
“What else was she right about?”
I stare into Nora’s eyes, long and hard. “Well, she was right about one other thing. The best things in life are worth fighting for.”
Nora sighs a shaky sigh and puts her head against my chest, closing her eyes.
After a minute, she opens them again.
“I can still hear your heart.”
I smile in the night.
“I should hope so. It’s yours.”
Nora grabs my face and pulls it to hers, kissing me as soundly as I’ve ever been kissed, soft then hard, then harder.
Her hand trails over my chest, over my hips, down to where I’m hard for her.
“Make me yours, Brand,” she breathes.
I smile.
“Gladly.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
Brand
Gabe meets us at the door of the nursing home, his face drawn and grim.
“Dude, I’m sorry we had to call you home from your honeymoon. We all knew it was coming, but…”
I shake my head and clasp his hand tightly.
“It’s okay. I would’ve been pissed if you hadn’t called.”
Nora walks beside me, her slender hand on my back. When we’d gotten the call, she hadn’t even hesitated, she’d just started packing our bags.
“We have to go, Brand,” she’d said.
I’ve never loved her more.
We flew nonstop through the night, and when we landed, we found out, with relief, that we weren’t too late. Gran was still holding on.
“She’s waiting to talk to you,” Gabe tells me as we walk down the halls. It smells like medicine here. And Ben Gay. And quilts.
I nod. “It doesn’t surprise me. Gran has always done things her way. She’ll die her way, too.”
“Hell yeah, she will,” Gabe agrees.
I’m surprised at the knot that is still in my throat. I haven’t been able to swallow it, not since we got the call and jumped on the plane. The very idea that the world is going to lose such an amazing person is sobering.
I take a deep breath as I face her closed door, as I stare at her nameplate.
Helen Vincent.
There’s no use putting it off. It won’t change a thing. She’s going to die whether I’m at her side, or not.
But I need to be there, like she’s been for me all of these years.
We step into her room and find Jacey sitting next to the bed, holding Gran’s wrinkled hand. Gran’s eyes are closed, but when she hears my voice, she opens them and smiles tiredly up at me.
“It took you long enough,” she complains good-naturedly and everyone laughs. They laugh through their tears because it’s very, very evident that this strong woman has grown weak. Her body is limp, her smile is tired.
It won’t be long.
A chill runs down my spine as I sit on the bed and pick up the hand that Jacey had just put down. Gran has been well loved. I know that. And I know its time. She’s ready to rest.
“You know me,” I finally answer. “I’m always running late.”
“Not for long,” Gran tells me, her little hand squeezing mine. “You’ve got a wife now to keep you in line.”
She closes her eyes again, and I watch the rise and fall of her chest beneath the sheets. She’s so small, so frail. It’s hard to believe that I once thought of her as big. She’s child-sized now.
Jacey catches my gaze from across the room.
It won’t be long, she mouths. I nod. I know. Jacey looks as tired as Gabe, as though they haven’t slept in days.
Behind her, Dominic sleeps in the chair by the window, here to share this moment with Jacey, to support her. Just like Nora is here for me.
Everything is how it should be.
“Where’s Maddy?” I ask Gabe. He nods his head toward the door.
“She took Eli outside to run some energy off. She’ll be back shortly.”
Gran opens her eyes at that. “That boy looks just like you, Gabriel,” she croaks. “He’ll be twice as ornery, too, if God believes in payback.”
Gabe smiles and holds a cup of water to her mouth, pushing the straw between her lips.
Gran stares up at me. “Can you believe this? They treat me like an invalid here.”
Everyone laughs and she takes the cup in her own hands, taking a sip. She hands it back, then settles into the blankets, folding her hands on her chest.
“I did so want to see everyone,” she murmurs. My chest tightens and I pat her hands, not quite sure what to do.
“I wanted to see your face before I went to sleep, Branden,” she continues. “You’re as much mine as these two are.”
My chest tightens even more.
I bend down and brush a kiss across her forehead. She smells like lavender and sunshine, the way she always has.
“You’re mine, too,” I tell her, my voice cracking. “Gran, I want to say thank you… for everything. For always taking care of me, for all of the advice… for giving me a home.”
She smiles now, again, without opening her eyes.
“Nora is your home now,” she tells me softly, so softly I have to bend to hear her. “You’re flying, Branden. You’re finally flying.”
I literally have to turn away, to steel myself so that I don’t sob like a baby right here in front of God and everyone. But I glance up and find that Gabe’s eyes are watery too, and Jacey is crying softly as well.
All of a sudden, though, Gran’s eyes fly open and she stares at a spot on the wall, above our heads, as intent and rapt as she can be.
“Olen!” she exclaims, and she reaches out her arms. “Wait for me. Don’t leave.” I stare in shock as she smiles at someone we can’t see, a sigh escaping from her lips, as though she’s finally somewhere she desperately wants to be.
As though she’s finally home.
And then, then… she turns to me, her eyes glazed and happy and distant.
“Your sister is there, Branden. I see her. She’s safe and sound. Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of her for you.”
Then, without pageantry or fanfare, the wisest and kindest woman the world has ever known closes her eyes.
I watch her chest shudder to a stop, and I know she’ll never open her eyes again.
She’s gone.
The world seems frozen as I drop my head into my hands and cry with abandon. I hear the sobs of everyone else, then Nora’s hands are on my back, and Gabe’s voice breaks through my sorrow.
“Brand?”
I look up at him, my eyes red and hot.
“I never told Gran about your sister.”
The entire room is completely still, absolutely frozen, as they wait for my answer.
“Neither did I.”
Nora gasps and her eyes meet mine, and a s
trange peace suddenly filters down around me, like a blanket.
Like a shield.
I smile and pull my wife close. Looking out the window, I find that the sun is breaking through the clouds, shining for all the world like the angels are singing, welcoming Gran home.
All is well.
The End
Acknowledgements
I have the best team on the planet. Words aren’t enough to thank them. I will just have to hope that they already know how much I appreciate them. But in a feeble attempt:
My agent, Catherine Drayton, is wise, fierce, classy and amazing.
My publicist, K.P. Simmon is fiery, sharp, loyal and a true dynamo.
My critique partner and best friend, Michelle Leighton, is holy-amazeballs-awesome…in every way.
I need to thank these three ladies for putting up with me, for holding my hand when I need it, and kicking me in the pants when I need that, too. Thank you.
I also need to thank Shannon Briggs, a high school classmate who is now a physical therapist. She was integral in making sure that Brand’s injury and treatment were plausible and realistic. Thank you, Shannon, for answering all of my questions and being so patient with me.
Thank you, as always, to my family for putting up with me during the writing process. Living with a writer isn’t the easiest thing… we’re always dreaming, always staring off into space, always inserting ourselves into lives that aren’t our own. There are times my family eats a bunch of take-out, times they put up with watching me wear the same clothes for three days straight and days that I forget to wash my hair. Thank you for loving me anyway.
Thank you to the special ladies who have chosen to get #BRANDed. You are each amazing: Jennifer Poole, Lori Smith, Katie Anderson, Alyssa Matthews, AnnaMarie Mondro, Eleanor Noach, Nayab Haych, Momo Xiong, Jenn Bernando, Neda Amini, Fran Owen, Danielle LeFave, Margay Justice, Kristy Louise, Melissa Arthur, Danielle Schaaf, Chelsea Cochran, Jennifer Harried, Lana K, Ashley Amsbaugh, Monica Pulliam, Rosemarie McKenzie, Valerie Fink, Jammie Cook, Jennifer Poole, Jacquelyn Lane, Jocelyn Roberts, Roxy Kade, and Fern Curry. Thank you for everything you’ve done, ladies. You’re amazing.
Thank you to the awesome bloggers that read my work and share it. Word of mouth is the best way of spreading the news about a book. I am honored that you take the time out of your days to read my work, and I’m humbled that you love it enough to share it. Thank you.
Thank you to my readers. You are amazing, and you are the sole reasons that I get to do what I do. Thank you for loving my stories and my characters. Thank you.
Author’s Notes
In addition to everyone I mentioned in the Acknowledgements, I need to thank two people who are no longer here to hear it: My grandparents.
Their names are Olen and Helen. I used them in the book as my small tribute to them. They were the wisest, kindest, most amazing two people I’ve ever had the honor of knowing. My grandfather was wise and strong and loyal- and he served in the Army back during WWII. My Grandma was wise and strong and amazing...while the boys were at war, she went into the Cessna plant and built airplanes for them. She told me once, a good riveter could talk, chew gum and spit rivets at the same time.
They taught me many, many wise things. There are too many to share them all, but here are a few:
Money doesn’t buy happiness. It’s very, very true. Money brings different sets of problems. Happiness comes from finding it yourself—within yourself, within your own family, within your own life. If you aren’t happy, change that. You’re the only one who can. Be strong, be healthy, and happiness will follow.
Don’t go to bed angry. And if you are still angry, at least say goodnight to each other….so that you both still know that you’re still ‘in it together’. They were married for a long time, in the happiest marriage I’ve ever seen. I have to believe they knew what they were talking about.
No one is better than you. Someone might have a more important job than you, but no one is better. My grandpa shared that with me once, and I’ve never forgotten it. It’s how I was raised, and it’s how I try and treat everyone now. I’m not better than anyone else, and no one is better than me.
This too shall pass, honey. This was one of my grandma’s favorites. I must’ve heard this a thousand times when I was younger. When something bad would happen and I was beside myself with worry, she’d pat my hand and say, “This too will pass, honey. It always does.” And you know what? She was right. It always does. Today always turns into tomorrow and the problems eventually fade away.
This series has always been about overcoming challenges. There will always be a challenge to face, sometimes small, sometimes large. But it’s those flaws in life that make it interesting. It’s those flaws that heal to make us stronger.
Knowing that, don’t be afraid to live life. Don’t be afraid to fail, don’t be afraid to go at it full steam ahead. If you fail, that’s okay. Get back up and try again.
Be strong, be fierce. Love yourself, love others, and allow them to love you back.
Love is the most important thing, more valuable, more powerful and more resilient than any other thing in the world. It will get you through things that nothing else will.
I said it in IF YOU STAY, and I’ll say it again…the most important thing that my grandparents taught me: Love never fails.
Count on it.
About the Author:
Courtney Cole is a novelist who now resides in Florida after deciding that the North was just too freaking cold. She still loves Lake Michigan, although now she substitutes the ocean for days at the beach.
To learn more about her, please visit her blog, www.courtneycolewrites.com or her website, www.courtneycoleauthor.com
Other Books by Courtney Cole
The Beautifully Broken Series, New Adult
If You Stay (Book One, Pax’s story)
If You Leave (Book Two, Gabriel’s story)
Until We Burn (Prequel novella to book three, an introduction to Dominic)
Before We Fall (Book Three, Dominic’s story)
Until We Fly (Book Four, Brand’s story)
The Bloodstone Saga – YA Paranormal/Mythology
Every Last Kiss (Book one, published April 2011)
Fated (Book two, published June 2011)
With My Last Breath (Book three, published August 2011)
My Tattered Bonds (Book four, published October 2011)
House of Thebes (Bonus novella, published April 2012)
The Moonstone Saga- YA Paranormal/Mythology
Soul Kissed (Book One, published January 2012)
Soul Bound (Book two, published April 2012)
**Princess of the Night (unwritten finale, publication date TBD)
The Paradise Diaries—YA Contemporary
Dante’s Girl (Book One, published June 2012)
Mia’s Heart (Book Two, published November 2012)
The Cougar Chronicles—Women’s Contemporary (Humorous)
Confessions of an Alli Cat (Book One, published October 2012)
Standalone Novel:
The Minaldi Legacy, Women’s Contemporary, Dark Romance
Princess, Young Adult
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-
Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
Until We Fly (The Beautifully Broken) Page 21
