Chapter 33

4 months later

Ever since my mother’s accident, things had slowly started to look up.

Diana, with limited injuries and damages, recovered in just a few short weeks, while my mother – who obviously got the brute of the injuries – took a little longer to heal. By the end of January she was back at work, taking it easy at first, but by the time February came to an end, she was as good as new.

I, however, took a little longer to recover from the events of that January night. For weeks after the accident I had woken up in the middle of the night after having a nightmare. Most of them consisted of the same thing; my mom slowly dying in a beat up car while I was frozen, watching the life and blood drain out of her from the sidewalk.

Nobody knew about the nightmares at first, my mom was on sleeping pills that let her sleep through the night, and I hadn’t uttered a word about them, not even to my closest friends.

Near the beginning of February, when the nightmares had started to appear less frequently, I fell asleep at Cason’s. We had been having a movie night, and around midnight I had fallen asleep in his arms as the movie continued to play. When the haunting scenes started to play out in my sleeping brain once again, Cason had woken me up before the end and asked me what was wrong.

That’s when I broke down again.

I admitted to him the nightmares I had been having in the past weeks, and he wasn’t mad, just comforting. He sat there with me, even though it was three ‘o’clock in the morning, and made me feel better just by being there.

After Cason found out about my reoccurring nightmares, I decided it was time to tell my mom what was going on, and it was probably one of the best decisions I had ever made.

Between the two of us, we decided that it was best for me to go to a couple of therapy sessions, both alone and alongside my mom, to get out all the pent up feelings I had been keeping inside over the last couple of years. I was there to discuss my past with bullying, my feelings over my father’s sudden death, and the realization that things could happen in a moment’s notice – just like my mother’s accident.

The first and second sessions were quite hard, trying to open up to a complete stranger about my past, but with my mom sitting there beside me, I was able to get comfortable and give the therapist everything she needed. When it was time to go at the sessions alone, I already felt comfortable around the woman, so it wasn’t all that difficult to open up.

Now, even three months after starting the sessions, I still made a bi-weekly visit to just talk about how I was feeling and getting on with life.

Since arriving in Avondale, Cason had been trying to get me to open up, and I thought he had finished his job before my mom’s accident. What surprised me, however, was the fact that after my therapy session, I knew I still had one more step to go.

I had learned to accept the fact that my father’s death was a tragic accident, but after leaving home so quickly after the accident, I never got the closure I needed to truly move on.

Last weekend, while sitting out at the dock with our feet dangling in the water, Cason had broken the comforting silence with a shocking conversation starter.

“How would you feel about a little road trip next weekend?” he had asked, looking out at the water instead of at me.

My forehead crinkled up slightly as my eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. “What do you mean,” I asked in return, “Like with Olivia and Evan?”

Cason had shaken his head back and forth, succeeding in adding even more confusion to my brain. “Well, I talked to your mom this week about something that I think would be good for you,” he started delicately, “And I don’t want you to think that I’m pushing you to do this, because it’s completely your choice, but I thought it’d be a good idea.”

“Okay… and what would this good idea be exactly?” I had asked, raising an eyebrow as his rambling was just confusing me even more.

Cason cleared his throat, seeming nervous as he spoke his thoughts out loud.

At first, I was shocked at his suggestion, but after considering it and talking to both Diana and my mom, it was decided that Cason and I would travel by ourselves up north for the weekend.

Now, as we drove down the highway, Cason in the driver’s seat with me beside him in the passenger’s seat, we were comforted with the music coming from the speakers and the scenery passing us by.

My window has been open for the past ten minutes or so, letting fresh air into the car as we continued up north, but as the weather started to change and the temperature started to drop, I pressed my hand over the button on my door, bringing the window up until it was closed tight.

“It’s so weird jumping back into these low temperatures after being in Avondale for so long.” I said, bringing the sides of my leather jacket tight around me as I reached forward and turned the heat up slightly.

Cason chuckled beside me as he re-adjusted some of the more complicated heating controls in the car, trying to focus his attention between the console and the long, winding road in front of him. “You’re lucky you still have the memories of cold weather in your mind.” he replied, leaning back in his chair as he finished with the heating controls. “Even when I lived in Pineswood it was never all that cold, and it definitely never dropped below zero degrees Celsius.”

“I’d call that lucky.” I commented jokingly. “I never liked the cold all that much.”

“Well I guess it’s good that I’m coming with you this weekend,” he responded, making me raise an eyebrow at him before he continued. “You know, so I’ll be able to warm you up.”

As he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and smirked at my blushing cheeks, I simply shook my head in amusement. Over the last couple of months he had shown me that he was, in fact, just like any normal teenage boy; a simple perv with a horny mind. Even with his off-handed remarks and dirty jokes, I still loved him, and the fact that he wasn’t pressuring me into something I wasn’t ready for was something I was grateful for.

Sure, we had gone farther than a quick make-out on the weekends, but I wasn’t ready to give up my virginity, and although we never spoke about it a lot, he knew how I felt and respected it.

“I think I’ll be good, but thanks for the offer.”

“Ooh,” Cason commented with fake sadness, as he brought one of his hands up to clench the shirt material that lay above his heart. “You wound me Jessa.”

Instead of dignifying his reaction with a response, I simply stuck my tongue out childishly at him, succeeding in making both of us laugh.

Our laughter shortly faded, and as a good song came on the radio, I reached to turn the volume up. Listening to the loud music that now blasted from the speakers, I relaxed into my seat and turned my head towards the window, knowing we still had a long way to go.

After a few mandatory stops – washroom breaks, stops for gas, as well as lunch and supper breaks – the sun started to descend in the sky, and by the clock on the dash, we realized that the day was winding down to a close.

“So, where exactly is that hotel your mother booked for us?” Cason asked as I pulled the directions and map out of my purse.

I know it sounded strange; my mom and Cason’s agreeing for their kids, who were in quite a serious relationship, to share a hotel room for the night. That didn’t mean, however, that there weren’t a few warnings set in stone before we left. After a very awkward conversation with my mom, and small tip of advice from Diana, my mom let go of the hold she had over me and let me fly the coup for the first time by myself. She trusted me to behave, and I wouldn’t break it for an irresponsible fling with my boyfriend.

We were, after all, here for something a little more important than that.

Looking down at the map in my hands, I quickly found the roads we had to take, as they had been highlighted for us. “According to this we just stay on this road until we hit exit 74,” I asked, looking up from the map for a second, “Then we just turn right and the hotel should be five minutes up the road.”

Cason nodded at the instructions, and when we reached exit 74 twenty minutes later, he quickly flicked his signal light on and changed lanes, climbing the ramp that would take us to our hotel.

When the bright hotel sign was within visibility, its vacancy sign flashing yellow in the darkness, I glanced quickly at the clock to see that we had made good time. It was just approaching ten ‘o’clock, and due to the fact that we had pretty much spent the whole day driving, I was dead tired and in desperate need of some sleep.

Quickly pulling the car into an empty parking space, Cason cut the engine, turning off the heat as well. “So, check-in then sleep?” he asked, turning around slightly to grab the only two bags we had packed for the weekend.

I shook my head. “I need a warm shower before bed,” I said, “Alone.”

At my pointed look, Cason’s shoulders deflated teasingly as his face took on the look of disappointment. “Aww, you ruin my fun.”

He didn’t let me reply as he grabbed both the bags, along with his keys, as he stepped out of the car into the night. Shaking my head in amusement, I followed his lead, unbuckling my seatbelt and grabbing my purse before stepping out into the chilly weather.

We definitely weren’t in Avondale anymore; we weren’t even in California anymore, and the weather here definitely proved that fact.

The chilly Saturday night wind somehow found a way to breeze right through me, chilling not only my exposed skin, but even my body that was covered with a pair of thick leggings, a thick hoodie, and a spring jacket. It must have been around the freezing point as my breathe, which was speeding up due to the cold, was visible in front of me due to the cold.

Suddenly, as Cason’s hand touched mine and intertwined our fingers, a small burst of warmth shot up my arm, spreading the smallest amount of heat into my bloodstream. Turning to smile at him as he led us into the hotel lobby, I squeezed his hand silently - not having to say anything as he knew he was the guy I’d always want by my side.

The lady behind the check-in desk was a middle-aged woman who looked like the last thing she wanted to be doing at this moment was checking two teenagers into their hotel room. The looks she was sending us were uncomfortable, as they were suggestive and disgusting, as though we would be using the hotel room for something other than sleep for the night.

After grabbing the two room keys for room 214, we walked away from the woman quickly, traveling up a floor in the elevator until we reached our room.

I was shocked when Cason took the key out of the door and turned the handle to reveal the room. Never did I think, especially after my mom’s embarrassing talk earlier this morning, that she would book both Cason and I into the same room – a room that seemed to only have one queen sized bed.

“What the hell?”

It seemed as though my question was said out loud instead of in the depths of my head, causing a chuckle from Cason as he dropped our bags next to the door and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.

“Well, it looks like your mom knew we would be sharing a bed tonight.” he whispered softly into my ear as his head rested on my shoulder.

My cheeks lit up with red as I wiggled out of his hold and turned to face him. “Who said I was sharing a bed with you?” I asked teasingly, nodding towards the other side of the room where an old style couch lay in front of a television set. “I’m pretty sure that’s your bed for the night.”

Not waiting for him to reply, I stuck my tongue out at him as I bent down to grab my bag before heading into the bathroom.

This shower was desperately needed as I felt all sticky and dirty after sitting in a stuffy car all day. The spray relaxed any muscles that were still tight, and the warmth of the water definitely succeeded in getting rid of the chills that the chilly wind of May had cast upon me.

Rinsing off after I turned off the shower, I could smell the faint scent of my shampoo and body wash lingering in the air as I slipped into my pajamas. I had made sure to pack long pants and a t-shirt, as I knew I would be sharing a room with Cason, but as I walked out of the bathroom, letting the leftover steam travel into our room behind me, I saw that Cason obviously hadn’t thought of bringing pajamas at all.

With the television on the latest soccer match, broadcasting a dull light into the room as all the lights were turned off, Cason had his feet propped up onto the small table as he rested on the couch in nothing but a pair of boxers.

As a girl who happened to know just how hot her boyfriend was, there wasn’t much that I could comprehend or do as I blatantly ogled his body. His abs were defined, and it looked like his arm muscles had gotten bigger as he had been working out the last couple of months, giving him a glorious body for my eyes to peruse.

“See something you like?”

Cason’s words snapped me out of my ogling state, as I now saw him smirking at me, one eyebrow raised as he held the remote in his hand to turn the television off.

Playing off his comment coolly, I ignored the light blush that made its way onto my face as I spoke. “You couldn’t have just brought a pair of pajamas like any other guy, could you?”

Cason’s smirk diminished slightly, but it was still visible as he stood up and walked over to me. “Now why would I do that and ruin your chance of getting to rest your eyes upon this glorious sight in front of you?”

I rolled my eyes, but my remark was cut off as Cason stepped impossibly close to me and lowered his lips down onto mine.

His kiss was soft at first, like it always was, but the fire behind it and the passion that was conveyed always felt brand new to me – as though it was a replay of our first kiss at the top of that rickety old Ferris wheel.

As the kiss lengthened and we both got more into it, with his arms wrapping tightly around my waist as my hands travelled up his chest, producing a shiver or two, before latching themselves tightly around his neck as my hands played with the hair on the nape of his neck.

His hands snaked lower on my back, skimming over my butt as he leaned down and picked me up, resting his hands on the top of my thighs as I wrapped my legs around his waist. I could feel him walking slowly backwards towards the bed.

After laying down, the next half an hour or so was solely spent making out. His tongue entered my mouth and my senses were heightened as I slowly dragged my hands down his arms and chest, using my fingers to outline his muscles that were on show. His hands may have wandered over my body, but I didn’t worry as he kept them above my clothes and well within my comfort zone.

Slowly pulling out of the kiss, Cason pecked my lips one final time before burying his head in my neck as he lay on top of me, kissing the delicate skin there for a few seconds.

“You know, we should be sleeping.” I was able to say, my breathing heavy and my lips swollen as I glanced at the clock to see that it was close to midnight.

“Yea,” he said breathlessly, not really agreeing with me as he rolled off of me and onto his side of the bed. “But this is much more fun.”

As much as I tried to fight it, a small smile made its way onto my face as I gave him a small nudge in the side. His simple reply was circling his arms around me lightly, pulling me into his bare chest as he kissed my forehead.

After a few minutes of mindless chatter we had slipped underneath the covers, and started to doze off.

“You know,” he started, running one of his hands through my damp hair slowly and soothingly, “It’s nice to be able to hold you like this.”

Smiling at his words, I leant forward and pecked his chest quickly, pulling back slightly as I cuddled into him.

“Mhm.”

Cason chuckled at my reply, as I was already falling asleep at the sound of his voice.

“Goodnight Jessa,” I heard him say quietly in my ear, and as I felt a light pressure on my forehead, his voice was heard one more time before I was completely submerged in dream land. “I love you.”

The morning came quickly enough, and I woke up with the scent of musky wood and citrus invading my senses. Rubbing my nose on the pillow in front of me, I breathed in the scent as I brought my hand up to rest beside my head.

As my hand met the rough, yet somehow soft, surface of my pillow, my eyes opened quickly to see that it wasn’t a pillow at all, but Cason’s bare chest that I had my head resting on. Lifting my head slightly, I looked up to see Cason’s face, his eyes still closed as he slept.

Leaning over, I pecked his lips quickly before going to roll out of bed. Before I could throw my legs out from under the covers, a hand latched around my waist again and pulled me back.

“And where do you think you’re going?” Cason asked, nuzzling into the side of my neck as his fingers skimmed the exposed skin of my stomach where my t-shirt had risen up in the night.

Giggling, I tried to push his fingers off with no avail, so I settled for rolling over and smiling at him. “I was just going to brush my teeth and hair; I wasn’t going to steal the car and leave you here or anything.”

“Well then, let’s get your teeth and hair brushed.”

My mind was confused at his statement, but as he kissed my lips quickly and pulled me out of bed and towards the bathroom, my mind seemed to slow down and just go along with his zany way of thinking.

Getting ready was somewhat of a hassle, as Cason was always trying different ways to get in my way, and while they were cute, they could be aggravating as well.

“Did you really have to run your fingers through my hair upwards?” I asked, peeking out of the bathroom as I used my hairbrush to comb out the knots he had made.

I was met with an innocent faced Cason as he turned around from packing his bag back up to look at me. “I’m sorry; I just like your hair.”

His apology was one I had heard several times as he was sincere often, but he also found joking with me mildly amusing all too frequently.

I couldn’t even respond as I yanked out a giant knot, brushing my hair through a couple more times to rid it of the smaller ones before throwing the brush and my other spare toiletries back into my bag.

“So, how about we head down for breakfast before we check out?” Cason suggested, coming over to grab my bag and squeezing my hand affectionately.

Nodding in agreement, he pecked my cheek quickly as he headed out of the hotel room and down towards the main lobby where a complimentary breakfast was hopefully still available.

As we arrived in the lobby I saw a few other guests sitting around at table, their plates full of delicious looking food from the buffet on the other side of the room. Cason, the thoughtful guy that he is, ushered me towards the buffet while he took both our bags to the car and checked out.

Grabbing a plate, I piled it with a couple spoonfuls of fruit, a piece of toast, some scrambled eggs and bacon, as well as a blueberry muffin for desert. Finding an empty table for two, I sat down in one of the chairs just as Cason walked past me smiling, heading to grab his own plate.

Sitting there alone, I started to shove a few forkfuls of fruit into my mouth, but as my mind started to wander, I came to think about the reason why we drove all the way up here this weekend.

Although my therapy sessions, along with Cason’s shots at helping me break loose were greatly helping my anxiety, I couldn’t help the fact that my breathing started to become shallower and slower at the reminder of what today was all about.

My food had all but been abandoned when Cason came and sat across from me.

“Hey, are the eggs not any good?” he asked jokingly, nodding to my plate. At my lack of response, he looked up to see my face – a mix of fear, anxiousness, and nervousness etched across it. “Jessa, what’s wrong?”

His worried tone snapped me out of my inner thoughts of death and despair, but I couldn’t shake the reality that today was the day – the day that had been put off for almost a year.

“Sorry,” I sighed in apology, picking up my fork as I played around with the food on my plate. “I just remembered the reason why we took this trip, that’s all.”

Cason nodded in understanding, putting his own fork down as he reached across the table to lay his hand on top of mine. Both wanting and needing the comfort of the moment, I turned my hand over so that we were palm to palm as our fingers intertwined effortlessly, spreading warmth throughout me on this dreary day.

“I know this might make you uncomfortable and scared, but you have to remember that this is a good thing.” he said softly, squeezing my hand as he continued. “You’re stronger than you think you are, and yes, today will be hard for you, but I’m going to be right there with you if you want me to be.”

Giving up the smallest of smiles, I was grateful to have such as sweet, thoughtful, and caring boyfriend by my side.

“Of course I want you there; in fact, I’ll probably need you there more than anything.”

Cason squeezed my hand once again, smiling at my response, but not saying a word as he kept his hand sealed with mine as he started to eat with his other hand.

Although the majority of my food was still on my plate when we were done, as I only took bite here or there, being that all I could stomach with the nervous butterflies taking up most of the space, I took my seat in Cason’s car slightly less nervous than I had been when I first sat down at breakfast.

As Cason drove smoothly down the straight roads and twisted down the winding ones, I sat quietly in the passenger’s seat with only the music and my thoughts to keep me company. My foot was tapping as the trees and buildings past us by and the road became more familiar as we drove. The closer we got the more jumbled my thoughts were becoming, and as Cason pulled off the main highway onto a road made of pebbles and dirt, my breathing became shallow as flashes of the last time I travelled these roads popped into my mind.

The car came to a stop right in front of the metal gate, sitting there as daunting to every visitor to ever pass them by. From my seat in the parked car, I could still read the inscription that rested on the gate; Merriville Cemetery; may the dead lay peacefully.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out into the chilly May weather, not letting the wind bother me as I walked up to the gate and ran my hand over the sign. I didn’t even hear Cason get out of the car, on top of walking all the way over to me, but he was suddenly behind me with his hands rested on my shoulders in support.

“Do you remember… umm… where he was… buried.” Cason asked tentatively, as if he thought I would break down.

At his question, I realized that this was reality. I was really here.

I was at the cemetery where my father had been buried just short of a year before.

I took a couple of breaths to try and calm down my heart, which was accelerating slightly with nerves and anxiety, but I was trying to fight it as I replied to Cason.

“Yea,” I whispered, “It’s near the back.”

I felt Cason nod and stand up, resting against the gate as he waited for me.

My eyes took their focus off of the gates inscription and wandered past the black metal, to where the dead were buried. I couldn’t see any other people in the near vicinity, but I could see the tombstones and flowers, resting peacefully amongst themselves, as though there was an order to the dead.

As the wind picked up slightly, a few buds and pollen pieces tumbled through the cemetery, and as if it was planned, the last gust of wind snuck up behind me quickly and swayed the metal gates slightly – unlatching the small lock and opening up just the smallest amount.

Standing up, I ran my hands down my jeans to clean the dirt and grass off of them before turning to Cason.

“Are you ready?” he asked, offering his hand to me.

My silence was my reply as I took his hand slowly and brought my body closer to his as we walked through the metal gates together; into my hometown’s cemetery in search of my father’s tombstone.

Row after row, we slowly walked on the damp afternoon grass, walking down a path that ran through the tombstones. The feelings that were thrust upon me last time I was here – for the burial - were threatening to jump back at me, but with Cason beside me and the strength I’ve gained over the past months in Avondale, I kept my tears at bay as my breathing slowed and calmed.

My memory was coming back to me, the scenery that surrounded me as I watched the closed casket, which contained my father, be brought six feet under. I vaguely remembered a cherry blossom tree – one that I sat and cried under for hours after the funeral as I watched the guests place flowers and pray, before leaving me alone with the groundskeeper as he filled in the six foot hole.

In the distance, I could see a cherry blossom tree near a pile of tombstones, and after directing Cason over in that direction, I realized I was definitely in the right spot.

Looking down at the space, the one that had been completely dirt the last time I was here, I saw that grass had grown and there was even a small amount of daisies growing in front of the marble tombstone.

David Hartley

1968-2012

In loving memory

A loved father, husband, and friend

Seeing the words inscribed on my father’s tombstone, his name and the day of his tragic accident, it evoked emotions inside of me, and I felt the tears start to fill up my eyes.

With my watery vision, I slowly let my hand fall from Cason’s as I crunched down in front of the tombstone, running my hand over the words I wish I didn’t have to see.

“Hey dad.”

This was the first time since his funeral that I had visited the grave, and it was proving to be just as difficult as I thought it would be. I would love to have the chance to have one last conversation with my dad, but how did I have this conversation with a headstone.

“I don’t exactly know what to say right now, but I’m here dad. I’m finally back in Merriville.” I said, and I didn’t even try to keep the tears at bay. They were freely flowing down my face as I spoke, choking up my words as I continued. “The first few months after your death were some of the hardest times I’ve ever experienced dad, and I didn’t think I would ever get over the fact that you weren’t here anymore.”

“I was still getting bullied and teased, which apparently you and mom knew about but never mentioned, and knowing I didn’t have you to go home to was depressing. Mom was still mourning and I didn’t want to rip her from her chance to mourn just to take care of me. I thought I was fine, fighting and ignoring the feelings like I always had.”

“You probably already know this, since you’re up there in heaven watching over both me and mom, but we moved to Avondale at the end of the summer – both of us hoping for a new start, and we definitely got it.”

I couldn’t understand half of my words, as my tears were now coming out at full force, but I kept talking, not knowing what else I could do.

“I remember when the three of us used to sit at home on Friday nights for family night, watching movies or playing board games as you cooked a quick, but delicious meal for us.” I reminisced through the tears. “It was always a good time, and those were the times when I didn’t think about the bullies at school or the fact that I didn’t have any friends, I just enjoyed the time with my family. I knew you always wanted me to be able to make friends, but my anxiety was getting in the way and I just wasn’t social. When mom moved us to Avondale though, everything changed.”

“I met this guy on the first day of school, and at first, he would’ve been every parent’s worst nightmare. He was rude, he was sarcastic, and he just looked so brooding and bad-ass that you would’ve made sure he stayed the hell away from me.” I chuckled through my tears as I continued, not looking up at the boy who I was speaking about. “Then something happened; he helped me heal.”

“He was the one that I went to first when I had to talk to somebody about you, he was the one that got me up in front of a room full of strangers to sing karaoke with him, and he was the one to break my shell. I didn’t think that I could ever meet a guy that would accept me for who I was, let alone help me become a better me, but Cason does that dad. If you were here I hope that you would be happy that your daughter found somebody that she loves, that loves her back.”

At my words, I reached back up to take Cason’s hand and pull him down beside me, for both support and an introduction.

“Dad, this is my boyfriend, Cason Michaels.”

I felt Cason’s body tense beside me, but he quickly shook it off as he stumbled through his words. “Umm… yes, hello David, or umm… Mr. Hartley.” Cason spoke nervously, shooting me worried glances as he continued. “I’ve heard a lot about you, and umm… I really wish you were still around so I could meet you. Your wife and daughter are both great people, and I’m glad that they seemed to grow with you.”

“Actually, I don’t agree with that.” I said, patting Cason’s knee as I crossed my legs in front of me and sat on damp grass, not caring if the water soaked into the back of my jeans. Cason seemed to move as well, even though he was confused by my words he shuffled behind me, resting his legs on either side of me as he rested his chest against my back.

Bringing up my arm to wipe the expanse of tears off of my face, I let the new tears fall quietly as I explained. “Somehow your accident gave me a new life in Avondale.” I started. “I made friends quickly, meeting a girl that was similar to with me, along with Cason and one of his friends, and we all got along. I was able to relate and talk to them unlike I did here, and I was thankful for that. Then Cason started breaking my walls, and even though you might not have liked watching me grow up and break out of being daddy’s little girl, I know you would’ve been happy that I was happy.”

“Your accident was tragic, and if there was a way to bring you back to life and see me now, I’d do it without a thought, but there isn’t, and I’ve learnt that I have to accept everything that happened and move on stronger than I was before.”

My tears were still falling as I looked up at the sky, leaning farther back into Cason’s hold as his arms wrapped securely around my waist.

“I love you dad, and I miss you so, so much, but I know you’re up there watching over me. One day we’ll all be together again; me, you, and mom, but for now all I can say is… see you soon.”

My eyes wandered from up in the sky to the trees, and to the other tombstones in the cemetery which were resting in silence

As a warm wind swept by me and invaded my senses, it was as though my dad was beside me, telling me that everything was going to be okay. I had changed over the year that he had been gone, and it never would’ve happen if I didn’t meet the guy that was holding me, because up until I met him, I was a different person – a different and much shyer girl.

Now that I sat here in Cason’s arms, I knew that my dad was watching over me, and I knew that he loved the woman I was becoming, the daughter he always wanted me to grow up to be.

I was becoming me.

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The final chapter of Until I Met You is finally up, and in only a week! BUT don’t worry, as there IS STILL AN EPILOGUE LEFT TO BE POSTED!

I really hope that you all enjoyed this, a treat for the humor side of the story, as well as the serious part that wrapped up the whole journey we took with Jessalyn. I would love it if you’d leave your comments below about how you thought this chapter was developed, and what your favourite part of this chapter was!

The epilogue shouldn’t be too long a wait, but I would also love to hear what you think the epilogue will focus on, because I do already have the idea planned out, but it’d be fun to see what all of my fans think it’ll be.

Finally, as this will be entered in the Watty Awards very shortly, I need ALL the support I can get – whether that be casting votes on the chapters or commenting at your favourite parts/every chapter, and even sharing this story with your friends, I appreciate all the work you guys do to make this story so successful!

Until next time