AMELIA

"Sarah Reynolds?" I ask, and her eyes dart towards me.

She looks young to have given birth to Cam and Harper. But one thing they check the same boxes with is their drop-dead gorgeousness.

"Do I know you?" she asks, confused.

"My name is Amelia, but you should call me Amy," I reply in the nicest that I can.

"Okay?" Her brows furrow. She's still waiting for me to elaborate.

"I know your children, Cameron and Harper," I say, and her pupils dilate. I swear a smile flashes on her face.

"Please sit," she offers as I smile, obliging and setting down the tote bag on the table.

"I brought you a Christmas meal that my mom made this morning," I tell her and start serving the food because of the limited time we have. "I came with two plates; I will eat here too," I say politely, my eyes flickering up as I prepare us a plate, and I find her staring at me admiringly with a smile on her lips, making me feel a bit embarrassed.

"You are from here?" She asks.

"New Jersey."

"You came from there?" Her eyes narrow.

"There wasn't much distance. We live nearby," I admit, and she nods as I set down a full plate in front of her and me.

"How do you know Cam and Harp?" She curiously asks while I pour us some cranberry juice.

"We go to the same school," I answer.

"College I suppose?" She questions as I bring the juice to my mouth.

"Yes. University of Portland."

"They seem good," she smiles and starts digging into the food.

"They are doing well," I admit.

"Your mom's recipes are amazing," she compliments, and I smile, glad she likes it.

"She's the best. But I must say, Cam makes good food too. He uses your recipes," I tell her, and her smile fades.

"Why didn't he come? It said he was coming."

"Ma'am, Cam..." I start, but she interrupts politely, with a smile, "Please don't. Call me Sarah."

Smiling, I nod once, "Cam had never traveled out of Portland, and when I say he and Harper are doing well, I mean it. It's just that they lived through horrible memories that hadn't left them until now. After all, they're still young," I tell her, hoping she understands that it is not like they hate her or anything, maybe they're not yet ready.

"They told you?" She inquires solemnly, and I nod, "Cameron did."

"You must be the one, aren't you?" She smiles, searching to meet my eyes when I lower my head.

"I hope so. We had a fight, and so I haven't seen him for weeks now," I admit. "I have something for you, though," I immediately announce when it comes to my senses, and so as not to forget, I quickly dig into my pocket, sliding the photo I printed last night across the table to her.

It is a collage of pictures of Cam and Harper from their IG.

"Oh my goodness!" She gasps, a hand covering her mouth. Her joy makes me smile. "They've both grown up. How tall are they?" She excitedly asks me.

"Cam is 6.2 feet, and Harper is a bit taller than me," I tell the woman tracing her fingers over the photos.

"Wow! Harper is just like me," she remarks. "When I had her, I wasn't yet her age."

"You were a teen mom?" I curiously ask.

"I was married to Elijah at thirteen," she answers, and I feel a sudden awkwardness at the sadness I can't control.

"I am sorry things had to go this way. Cameron had been fighting to see you out. He is talking with some man inside the government house to move the trial closer and have you pardoned at it. He has joined the UFC too; his upcoming fight is scheduled in spring, and all he plans for is to get you out with the payment," I tell her to give her hope and let her know her family didn't forget about her. She smiles.

"He's always taking responsibilities that are not his," she says, and to be honest, I understand what she meant.

"Are they looking after each other?" She asks after a while of focusing on eating.

"To be honest I've never seen a sibling bond so strong like theirs, they make the whole school jealous," I confess, but didn't admit I was included, and Sarah looks proud.

"I taught them that way," she brags, making me laugh until her next question strikes me, "Were they adopted together?"

My smile fades. I can't bring myself to answer, so I nod a lie, shoving more food into my mouth, for I have to leave out the part that her friend, Grace, has her daughter and has recently kidnapped her to another continent, and the fact that Cam was never adopted; he grew up on the street and homeless.

"It's good to know," she smiles relievingly.

"Hopefully, they will come to see you soon," I give hope to the woman, and she smiles more.

"Having this photo is the best gift I could ever ask for. The food too," she laughs. "We don't get to eat this many treats and fancy cocktails. I wonder how you made it happen, but you are an angel."

"I wanted Cam and you to have a good time," I admit, and she angles her head, studying me.

"When you get to talk to him about this good time we had together. Tell him I say I approve of you tenfold," she winks, something Cam will do. It makes me grin like an idiot at the woman. "Tell him I've been in here seeing so many ugly-looking faces; he has no idea how healing it is to see the sight of a pretty young woman with such a good heart. Tell him I say you two better promise me grandkids together. But now, you will promise me grandkids first since you are here!" She presses, giving me a certified signal with her eyes.

My mouth hangs open in shock.

"I-I mean, we haven't yet made up," I stammer.

She laughs.

"You will, I can see in you that my son means so much to you."

"He does," I retort without a thought, and she pauses, smiling at my reaction.

Mortified, I blush, looking away from her.

"Amy, you are rare. The way you made me fall in love with you in less than an hour. I am sure my son is madly in love with you," she assures.

"He cares for me. He has been good and protective and the best I ever knew. He asked me to be his girlfriend but he doesn't believe in love. I am the only one who loves him," my voice cracks. I can't meet her eyes.

"Can you do me a favor?" She silently asks, and I nod, swallowing.

"First, look up at me," she pleads, and a shudder leaves me.

I lift my head and meet her pretty eyes. She smiles soothingly.

"Show him what I couldn't be to his father. Teach him that we are different people. Amy, have him know what love means and never leave him like I did. When he is assured, he will know he is wrong."

I leave back to Carl with those words repeating in my head as though I am in a loop. Of course, I will do what she asks me to. When I get back to Portland, I won't stop looking for Cam. I won't stop fighting for him. I will hunt him down and have him look into my eyes; he will know my feelings for him are concrete, no storm, no hurricane can send me away.