Chapter 24
Flora grabbed another hamburger bun and smiled at Zip as he placed the burger patty on her plate. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you for this great idea. A celebration was what we all needed.”
“Yes!” Talia cheered.
Ellis nodded. “I’m so happy that the judge sentenced the leaders of that cult to thirty years to life.”
Q hugged her from behind. “We were thrilled. They took Flora’s testimony seriously.”
Her lips spread into a wide smile. “I’m thrilled. It was scary having to sit across from him, but it was worth it. It’s over now, and I can relax.”
Clove stood from the chair she’d been sitting in and waddled over to give her a hug. They both laughed as Clove’s belly prevented her from getting too close.
“How much longer?” Flora asked her.
“Two weeks max. I hope. I’m ready to be done with this part.”
Neo was right there, her hand on her mother’s arm, helping her. “She needs at least two weeks. For the best gestational outcome, the baby should stay in for fifteen more days.”
Clove snorted. “If she’s as stubborn as you, she won’t stay in that long.”
Neo gasped. “I’m not stubborn.”
Bud came over and directed Neo’s attention to the kites that were being flown closer to the water.
Clove shook her head. “She’s a great kid, but she doesn’t hold back.”
Flora nodded. “I like her. She’s sweet.”
“She is.”
“I’m glad I escaped and found Q and found you all. This is better than I ever imagined. Thank you all.”
Q squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve made my life better. I’m glad you ran into me out there in that forest. You could have gone anywhere else, taken a turn, or not taken one and never found me. We were meant to be together.”
Flora hugged him close, knowing he was right. Somehow, through all the messed up stuff she’d lived through, she’d found a wonderful man. That she also found friends who had her back made it even that much more special. This was her life, and it was amazing.
The End