Epilogue
Today has beena countdown on the calendar for the last eight and a half months.
My life hasn’t always been easy. Complicated. Stifling. Planned. Not fun at all. That changed last year when I moved to Texas. That turned out to be the best damn decision I’d ever made. Not only did I get a new start, I found the love of my life. A true love that was beyond special.
Today, as I pushed down the skirt of my dress, running my hands over my small baby bump, I couldn’t help but wonder how things would have turned out if I’d have gone anywhere else. Then, I slapped myself, mentally of course, and gave thanks to the fates. They might have stuck it to me at one point, but they straightened themselves out.
“Hey, pretty girl, are you ready for this?”
I turned to see Sawyer at the door. “Yes, but no. I’m nervous.” He chuckled and came into the room. I fiddled with my skirt more. Jersey pushed against my leg again, her warmth a calming comfort.
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Believe it. You’ve earned this praise. You’ve become someone who got away; you’re inspiring thousands of women, and some men, to do the same thing.”
My book, Finding Safety, has been a bestseller since it was released. The memoir of the life I once lived has been in the hands of so many. I was still in shock, awe, and disbelief.
“I love you so much. Thank you for being there for me through everything. Even before you knew what was happening, you were the rock I needed.”
“I will always be here for you.” He smiled, leaning down to claim my mouth. “I even put a ring on it to prove it.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his silliness. “You did, and then you put a bun in the oven. You’re full of surprises, sir.”
“You have no idea.” He kissed me again before stepping back. “We should go out there now, they’re waiting.”
“Okay, ready as I’ll ever be.” I took his hand, my other full of Jersey’s leash.
I was going to be speaking to a large assembly tonight as a guest speaker. The fundraiser, inspired by the book, for a new abuse shelter to be built just outside of town was my newest project. This facility would be a safe haven for anyone to come and seek help. Women, men, teens, children—there would be no one left behind.
It was a way to pass on the knowledge that no matter how bad things got, you could always start over. And this way, we’d be here to help them do just that.
There was always hope. You just had to dig deep to find it when you were at the bottom of the hill we call life.
The struggle to get back on top was real. With us here, we could help make that journey a little less tough.