What astounded him was that she still looked the same.
Catherine was gorgeous, and truth be told, Elizabeth had a lot of her characteristics. He’d picked a woman who was just like his mom.
She moved closer.
“Hello, my baby.”
At her voice, tears filled his eyes. They were the words he’d been called as a child.
At one point, he’d been someone’s baby.
He’d simply been EJ, when the weight of the world wasn’t on his shoulders.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, moving toward him. When she did, Timothy held out his hand, and helped her down off the rock and to the ground where her son stood.
Ethan just stared at her.
It had been so long since he’d seen her. Honestly, his memories were slipping away. All he had was one worn photo in his wallet that had been there for so goddamn long it was wearing out.
“Mom,” he said, meeting her halfway.
Like any mom, she opened her arms, and enveloped them around him. Hugging him to her body, she let him find some peace.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered.
Timothy backed up, giving them time alone. This was what Ethan needed, and he only hoped that he’d find peace in it.
For his sake.
And for Wyler’s sake.
When she broke the hug, she took his face in her hands, and stared into his eyes.
Her eyes.
“You’re so handsome,” she admitted. “God. I can’t believe how you grew up, EJ. You’ve grown into a very good-looking man. I made this,” she said. “You’re my most perfect son.”
As she spoke to him, he could smell her.
It all came back to him.
It was the scent of roses and mint. She always smelled like it, and he’d never realized how much he missed it until that moment.
Because he had.
As a grown man, he hated to admit it, but he missed his mom so damn much.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She held out her hand.
“You need me. Let’s talk, Ethan Jackson.”
Leading him, they took a walk, and he knew where they were heading. He was astral projecting toward the burial grounds where her physical remains were.
Her grave called to her.
“I do need you.”
