Chapter 36
THIRTY-SIX
Nash, Hunter, and Lio are already at Tally and Tim’s house, helping with the last of the renovations since it’s Saturday, and they all have the day off.
Tally can’t do much anymore since she’s already past her due date and should sit around all day, so the guys decided to lend Tim a hand, ensuring the house is ready for the baby.
North and I are loading his precious BMW with boxes of Lio’s old baby stuff to bring to them when I decide to push my luck.
“Can I drive?” I ask, my eyes hopeful.
It’s not a long drive, maybe two minutes, but I have to start small, right?
North’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline in surprise while his breath hitches.
Oh my God, this is priceless.
“Suuure,” he agrees slowly but doesn’t make any move or head toward the passenger side.
“You’d let me drive your car?” I ask again, grinning like a dork.
He fucking hates this.
“It would be yours if you’d taken it when I offered.” He sighs, but it’s obvious he’s definitely not keen on letting anyone else drive this beauty.
“I’m a good driver. I won’t make any dents in it,” I tell him confidently, knowing very well that it won’t do shit to reassure him.
“I fucking hope so for you, or I’m gonna spank your ass until you can’t sit anymore,” he mutters, making me laugh. “All right, just… be gentle with her,” he relents, finally stepping aside to give me access to the driver’s seat.
Sliding in, the leather’s luxurious feel and the scent of the car’s interior hit me. “Don’t worry, I’ll treat her like a queen,” I promise, adjusting the rearview mirror.
North sits in the passenger seat, looking slightly tense but trying to hide it. “Just remember, she’s more sensitive than she looks. And watch the mirrors when you park.”
I start the engine, the purr of it sending a thrill through me. “Relax, North. It’s just a car.”
It’s so not just a car, but I love to poke him a bit.
He lets out a small laugh, finally easing up a bit. “Just a car, she says.”
As we pull out of the driveway, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement. Driving North’s car, with him trusting me enough to hand over the keys, feels like a small victory. North trusts me with his son, his brothers, his car, his house, and his heart.
And yes, that’s the order of preference for him.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” he warns playfully. “I’m taking her back as soon as we unload.”
“We’ll see about that,” I tease, but we’re already turning into Tally and Tim’s driveway, and the fun is over.
Nash and Tim exit the house. Upon seeing us arrive, Nash opens the driver’s door for me and, looking surprised, asks, “He let you drive?”
Stepping out, I hug him around his waist and reply, “Hello to you too.”
“Hey, pretty girl,” he greets softly, his eyes locked on mine as he leans in to kiss my lips, slow and lingering, until Tim clears his throat.
“Should we just take the boxes and leave you two to it?”
Breaking away from the kiss, my cheeks tinged red, I retort, “Shut up, little Timmy.”
We each take a box and walk into the house, which looks finished, homey, and so pretty.
“Where do you want these?” Nash asks, and Tim leads us to the nursery.
After setting down the boxes, we walk back to the living room, where Tally is sitting on the couch, cradling her belly. Then, I feel a chill down my neck and notice Shannon standing behind the couch, looking at her with concern.
I lean down to hug Tally, asking, “How’s my bestie?”
“Tired,” Shannon utters softly, radiating concern, but I ignore her.
“So done being pregnant. This baby has to come now.” Tally sighs, clearly agitated.
“I’m sure he will grace us soon. He’s just waiting for us to make everything ready. The little prince doesn’t want to live on a construction site,” I tease.
“Ha-ha, everything is done. We only need to build some of the new furniture and bring our stuff here,” Tally responds.
Looking around the large room, I see Hunter attaching a leg to a table Tim’s dad, Rupert, is holding up, while Helen, Tim’s mom, rests a hand on Lio’s shoulder, who stands in front of her.
Hunter leans in for a kiss when I step up to say hello, and I tense up slightly, unsure if Tim’s parents know about my relationships with all the guys and what they might think of it.
Hunter seems to sense my tension and whispers in my ear, “They know. We’re fine.”
I nod and look over at Helen, who greets me with a bright smile. “So good to see you again, Sloan.”
“Same,” I reply, smiling back as we make our way to the couch, Helen siting next to Tally and squeezing her knee.
“You ready to fetch the rest? Or should I take Nash?” North asks me, standing beside me with his arm encircling my waist.
“Sure,” I reply, smiling up at him. I’m about to ask if anyone needs anything from outside when a sudden chill sweeps over me, and a shadowy blur dashes from my left to right.
What was that?
“You all right?” Hunter asks, noticing my fixed gaze on the floor.
“Sure, I just thought I saw—” I start, but then it happens again, and a wave of love and joy overwhelms me, making me smile.
A dog.
The spirits of pets don’t normally linger, so I don’t encounter them often.
Animals are much more in tune with life and death.
They know they have their time, and when it comes, they go easily.
But sometimes, they visit their loved ones.
And it’s always such a joy to witness. I can’t talk to them, of course, but they communicate with me through feelings and images.
Everyone falls silent as I continue searching the floor, and North’s gentle squeeze on my waist brings me back. “You all right?”
Looking toward the couch, I see a golden retriever next to Helen. Its loving gaze fixed on her head, resting on her lap.
“Bella,” Shannon whispers from behind the couch, her smile softening as she gazes at the dog. “She was Helen’s everything.”
I already decided that I won’t cower and hide anymore. Nan was right. My purpose is this, right here. And those around me aren’t just people. They are my people. Let’s hope Helen and Rupert are ready to receive this.
“Yes, I’m fine, sorry. We just got a visitor,” I announce, smiling at Helen. Beside me, North tenses up.
“A visitor?” Tally asks, perking up. “Please tell me it’s a pleasant one.”
Bella, still gazing at Helen, wags her tail. “A very pleasant one,” I assure her. “Bella’s here.”
Helen gasps, her eyes brimming with tears instantaneously, reflecting her deep bond with Bella. “She’s here?”
“Sitting next to you, her head is on your lap,” I explain, another surge of love engulfing me, almost bringing tears to my eyes. “She loves you so much,” I share, my voice trembling with emotion.
Helen bursts into tears, and Rupert wraps an arm around her, comforting her as she whispers, “I love her so much too.”
“She knows…” I reassure her, “… and she’s so thankful to you.”
Bella gazes at me, and suddenly, I feel a tightening in my chest, a brief struggle to breathe, then relief.
Understanding her message, I relay it. “She wants you to know that she can breathe again.” Helen’s sob is heart-wrenching, and a flood of images and feelings from Bella overwhelms me.
“She was fine, and then suddenly she couldn’t breathe.
It happened so fast. You got the diagnosis, and before you could act, she was gone. ”
Helen, tears cascading down her cheeks, nods. “I would have done anything, but there was no time.”
“She knows, and she’s sorry she had to leave. But now, she’s more than fine, feeling like a puppy again.” Bella stands, her tail wagging with renewed vigor. “You have some of her fur in a box on your nightstand,” I continue, echoing what Bella shared with me.
“Wow,” Rupert whispers, his eyes wide with awe as he looks at me.
“And you have a necklace with her name on it,” I add. Helen pulls a gold necklace out from under her sweater, displaying a little paw. “She wants you to know that she’s aware of it, that she still feels your love, and that you’re loved just as much from the other side.”
A stray tear streams down my cheek now. too, all the love radiating from Bella just too much to keep in.
North steps behind me, pulling me back into his chest, lending me strength.
I never had that during a reading, never had somebody standing up for me, supporting me while I do what I’m doing. And it’s an amazing feeling.
Bella positions herself in front of Helen, resting her head on her knees.
“She has her head on your knees now, Helen. I think she wants a pet,” I manage to say, my voice choked with emotion.
Helen reaches out instinctively, her hand finding the exact spot to caress Bella’s head.
Bella shows me how they always did this, how Bella would sit in front of her and demand pets.
No wonder Helen knows where to reach. It’s muscle memory at this point.
“I love you so much. You were the bestest girl, and I miss you every day.” Helen’s voice is a fragile whisper laden with longing.
“She misses you more,” I respond, my voice breaking. “She will be the first in line to wait for you in the light when the time comes to reunite.” North’s thumb soothingly strokes my side, his presence a comforting anchor.
“Thank you, Sloan. This means so much,” Helen acknowledges through tears, continuing to stroke where Bella’s head would be. Then, with a final wave of love, Bella’s presence fades.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, grounding myself. “She’s gone,” I whisper.
North leans down to kiss my temple, whispering in my ear, “I’m so damn proud of you.”
This is the first reading in over a year that was done with love and not a pinch of fear or hurt.
I’m proud of myself too.