He was right on that account. My sister was cheering us on wherever she was. I'd always believe Holly was looking down on us, and I had a feeling in my heart that she’d brought Avery into my family to remind us of her love and our love for each other.
It was time I brought my parents, aunts, and uncles into the light with me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Avery
Rex, Holden and Holly’s father, read letters from my fellow recipients to the family, and everyone in the living room was in tears. It was quite moving to hear how Holly’s donations had changed lives, and how grateful her recipients were for the generosity of the Rose family.
I glanced at Holden, who was sitting in the chair where I was perched on the arm. He had his left arm around my waist, and as he reached up to dry his own tears, I knew I had to be honest with his family.
His father finished reading the last letter. “I’d very much like to meet the people who raised and loved Holly Rose. Her liver has kept me alive and helped me create a beautiful family of my own. I have a daughter and a son that I’d love you to meet. Sincerely, Charles Summit.”
Rex reached up and dried his cheeks with a tissue. “That’s the last one. So, what do we think?” Rex folded the letter and reverently put it into the folder Holden had given him when they were outside.
I glanced at Rex, and he lifted an eyebrow at me before he sat down on the couch next to an uncle. After meeting the whole family, I could easily see they were close. Hearing the letters from the other recipients touched them deeply. Maybe an in-person appeal from a recipient would make them more receptive to meeting the others?
Giving Rex a small nod. I stood from the arm of Holden’s chair. “Those letters are a beautiful expression of gratitude for the selfless act all of you did for strangers. It was a noble thing. Uh, I’m not speechmaker. I leave the flowery language for my friend, Brooke. I’m just speaking from experience.
“I was fourteen when I was running down a soccer field and started feeling short of breath. Before I could pass the ball to the striker, I dropped on the field and my heart stopped. Luckily,one of the assistant coaches was also an EMT, and he was able to keep me alive until I got to the hospital.
“After my diagnosis, Dr. Latham became my cardiologist. For three years, he kept me alive with meds, lectures, chewing gum, and duct tape.”
A calloused hand reached for mine, so I took it. Holden’s show of support meant everything to me. I curled my fingers around his and glanced his way, seeing the love of a good man shining in his eyes.
“My cardiologist practices at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, so I spent a lot of time in the city. It influenced my decision to start my company in Baltimore. Anyway, I’d just gotten out of the hospital to be at home, and we had to go right back to Johns Hopkins because they had a heart for me.”
Carol, Holden’s mother, gasped and reached for Rex’s hand. He pulled her close and turned to me, nodding. I was guessing I had his approval to continue.
“I didn’t write a letter for the folder. I decided it was best to tell my story in person after I met the most remarkable man who had saved me after a car accident and took care of me after cranial surgery to repair a brain bleed caused by that accident. Someday, in the not too distant, future, I plan to marry your son.”
I turned to Holden. “That’s not a proposal. It’ll be better, I swear.”
Holden pulled me to sit back on the arm of his chair before he slid me onto his lap. “That was perfect.” His hot breath in my ear sent shivers down my spine.
Carol stood from her seat on the couch and stepped next to me. “May I?” She held her hand up, hovering over my heart.
I unbuttoned my shirt and took her hand in both of mine, placing it over my undershirt. She held her breath for a moment before she closed her eyes.
When I glanced over to the corner of the living room, I saw Happy and EZ standing together. His arm was around Happy’s shoulders as she smiled.
“I never got to say goodbye to my baby,” Carol whispered.
I sniffed to keep the tears from falling down my face before I responded to the mother who was still in pain. “Now you don’t have to, Carol.”
Holden held me tight as his mother knelt next to us, not moving her hand from my chest. If she found comfort by touching me, I wouldn’t stop her.
No doubt she missed her daughter very much, and I hoped knowing where Happy’s heart ended up would be the healing balm her soul needed.
The fact I’d been the person to get Happy’s heart was still unbelievable to me, but I’d take care of it as if it was my own. We shared a heart, and I would be forever grateful for the sacrifice Holly Rose had made.
Epilogue
Avery
Valentine’s Day the next year…
I rang the doorbell of Holden’s childhood home, and, without waiting, turned the knob. Carol never locked the door, which always pissed off my boyfriend and his father but she swore that everyone who came to her porch was welcome. None of us could convince her otherwise.
