I’m enjoying my last coffee when Lizzie moves to sit next to me. The table emptied as the teenagers left to look at the shops in town. Jenny went back to work behind the counter, and Stacey took Poppy to change her.
“Lizzie,” I smile. She’s the exact copy of her mom, even though from the stories I’ve heard she’s far wilder than her mom had been. I guess that comes from growing up with two older brothers.
Lizzie returns my smile. “Hi, Em. I wanted to check on you and see how you’re doing now that dad’s railroading your life.”
I chuckle and turn in my chair so that I can face her. “I should really ask you that question. I know Maestro is fine with me and your dad but what about you? How are you handling it? I know you and your mom were close. I want you to know that I’d never take her place in your dad’s heart. He’s got room for both of us.”
Tears fill Lizzie’s eyes, and she blinks rapidly. “Oh Em,” she chokes out, reaching out and gripping my hand. “That right there is why I don’t have a problem with your relationship with my dad.
“You’re perfect for him and I couldn’t have chosen a better person for him to spend the rest of his days with. I’m thrilled for you both. Mom didn’t want dad to be by himself for the rest of his days. And truthfully neither do Maestro or me. Welcome to the family.”
Now I’m the one blinking tears as I reach out and hug Lizzie. “Thank you. I never in a million years thought I’d have a chance at having a family. Thanks for sharing your dad with me.”
Lizzie squeezes me tight. “You’re welcome.”
We break apart when Stacey clears her throat. “Is everything okay?”
Lizzie and I swipe at the tears under our eyes, chuckling as we do it. “It’s all good,” I reassure Stacey and then ask, “What are you ladies up to for the rest of the day?”
“I need to go get groceries. Having two boys back in the house as well as Roman means we’re going through food like no man’s business,” Stacey says.
Lizzie stands up. “I need to get groceries too. RJ is a bottomless pit at the moment. Emily, what about you?”
“I’ve got someone I need to see but I can walk there. Shouldn’t take me more than an hour. I’ll meet you back here and wait. Is that okay?” I look at Stacey.
“Sounds like a plan,” she agrees, gathering up Poppy’s things and stuffing them in the nappy bag. Lizzie and I help, so it doesn’t take long, and we’re waving goodbye at Jenny.
I wait until they’re both gone, then I turn towards the flower shop and buy two posies of wildflowers before walking towards the cemetery. I have a conversation to have.
It doesn’t take me long to find Ruthie and Luca’s graves. Kneeling down, I clean the tops of the graves, emptying the vases of dead flowers. I replace them with the new ones I’ve bought, then I sit down in front of their graves.
Peacefulness steals over me as I close my eyes and take a deep breath, centering myself before I speak.
“Hi Ruthie, I thought I’d come and introduce myself to you and Chains. First Chains, I’m not sure if anyone has told you but you have a son. His name is Ford. I’ve known him since the just after he was born. Let me tell you about him.” Turning, I lean against his gravestone and I fill him in on all Ford’s milestones and achievements. When I’m done, I tuck a baby photo of Ford against his gravestone, putting a stone on it to stop it blowing away. “I know that one will blow away but I’ve got more printed and I’ll bring another the next time I visit. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry you never got to know him but I’ll be forever grateful to you for bringing him into my life. He’s been my greatest joy. Thank you.”
I wasn’t expecting anything; this was more for me, but when the wind picked up a little and a warm breeze touched my face. I smiled. Turning my attention to Ruthie, “I’ve heard so much about you, Ruthie. You are missed and you are loved. I’m sorry you had to leave Red and your family the way you did.”
I’m quiet for a bit as I think about what I want to say to Ruthie. Some might think it weird that I’m doing this, but I didn’t give a fig what they thought. This was for me.
“He’s asked me to be his Old Lady and I’ve accepted. I thought it was only right that you know. I love him from the bottom of my soul. I never expected to have a chance like this and I promise you that I’ll look after him for you and love him until we have no more days left.”
Standing, I brush the bottom of my jeans off, looking at the two graves; my heart aches. They aren’t my family, but I feel like I know them from all the stories that people tell.
“I’m glad you’re together. I’ll be back and I’ll fill you in on everything that’s happening in the MC. See you both soon.”
As I leave, I swear I hear a soft voice whisper, ‘Thank you.’ But that could be my imagination. Either way, I feel much lighter as I close the gate to the town graveyard behind me and start the short walk back into town.
I’m so in my head that I’m not paying attention to my surroundings. If I were, he may not have got the drop on me. I was close to the diner when a hand reached out and grabbed mearound the back of my neck, shoving my face against the wall. I gasp at the pain as my cheek’s shredded by the walls roughness.
“Wha…?” I stutter in shock. I’m in shock, but I also know I need to catalogue everything that I can about him.
“Shut it, bitch, and listen.” His voice is not one I know. He’s approximately my height or just a little taller, but he’s strong, so strong. I can’t move. His fingers are tight around my neck, and they hurt. His body is pressed up against mine, and I’m horrified to feel the beginnings of his cock stirring as if this is turning him on.
“What do you want?” I whisper.
“I want what your Old Man hid. We shared a cell for years. He’d go on and on about a fortune he’d left with his greatest treasure. I want it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
