Chapter 23 #2
I stood there and watched my brother disappear into the distance, wondering what his next chapter held. I prayed he’d make it out of all this alive, happy, and better than before.
I’d heard he’d been crashing at his dad’s house lately, and that gave me some peace. Even after losing Jo, at least he still had a parent willing to show up for him.
Sometimes that made all the difference. July 17th.
The day I lost both my parents. One I barely even knew, the other I had just begun to understand.
It hurts more than anything in this world.
But I knew Jo was watching over me. And I knew, too, that without the pain, there wouldn’t be any happiness.
I had my husband. My boys. Another baby on the way. Friends who had become family. A life full of love, of purpose, of moments I wouldn’t trade for anything.
A tear threatened to escape, and I quickly brushed it away as Noah disappeared from my view.
I let out a slow, steady breath. Locking the doors, I grabbed S3’s hand, feeling his small fingers curl around mine.
Together, we walked back toward the front, ready to step back into the celebration, into life; the messy, beautiful life that kept moving forward no matter what.
Even in loss, there was still love. And right now, that had to be enough.
“Hey, everything okay?” Seth asked, walking up to us with that easy concern he always carried.
“Yes,” I said, giving him a small smile.
S3 held up his action figures like he’d just discovered treasure. “We found ’em!”
Seth shook his head, chuckling. “They waiting on you, Boss Lady,” he said, leaning down to press a quick kiss to my lips.
I grinned, taking his hand as we started walking. “I see RJ rubbing off on you,” I teased.
“I like the ring to that, Boss Lady,” he said, flashing me a smile that made me have to hold my legs tighter together.
The crowd had grown since we’d left for the truck, voices buzzing with excitement. My family flanked me, Seth, and the boys to my right, and RJ and Ari to my left.
Ari handed me the mic, her eyes warm and encouraging. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight and the joy of the moment settle over me, and began to speak to the crowd.
This was my dream. My family, my life, and I was finally ready to share it with the world. The microphone felt heavier than I expected, but the weight wasn’t fear, it was purpose. I took a deep breath and looked out at the crowd, letting my heart speak.
“The little girl in me was afraid of this world. The teenager in me was ready to explore it. The woman in me wanted to grow in it. But the mother in me… the mother in me standing here today wants to change it.”
I paused, letting the words settle. The crowd was quiet, hanging on to every syllable. My hands trembled slightly, gripping the mic.
“We all have a story that shapes who we are and the decisions we make. I’ve been taking care of people since I was young.
I never thought I was making a difference until today.
I want to help women recover. Take back their lives, their bodies, and their families.
I want children and young adults to see their mothers working, growing, thriving in this world the right way. ”
Tears threatened to fall, but I kept going.
“Today, we open Jo’s Stormi Knights. This recovery home will be a safe haven for any woman who walks through these doors and needs help with their recovery, their lives, their dreams, and their families.
I decided to open this home because I was once the little girl who prayed her mom got help and I was the woman who watched her mom get that help.
My mother, Jolene Knight, would’ve been two years clean today. ”
I swallowed hard, fighting back tears as I spoke into the crowd. I felt Seth’s hand graze the small of my back, steadying me, grounding me.
“I’m honoring her and my community by helping women take their lives back. So, without further delay, let’s open these doors.”
RJ handed me the oversized scissors. My hands shook, but I forced my focus. I cut the red ribbon, and the crowd erupted in applause. I glanced back and saw Rich holding up a framed photo of Jo. My chest tightened, my breath caught.
Seth leaned close, whispering in my ear, “I made sure she was right here… watching you.”
I pressed a deep kiss on his lips. “I love you,” I said, my voice breaking slightly.
“I love you too, Boss Lady,” he replied, his hand on mine as we broke apart.
I stepped forward and opened the doors. Women and children, families, reporters everyone stepped inside. Cameras clicked, pens scribbled, voices asked questions and I loved every single moment.
Jo’s Stormi Knights wasn’t just a dream anymore. It was real. A life circle completed. A legacy of love, hope, and healing and I was forever grateful.
“Hey, girl,” I whispered as I stepped up to Jo’s headstone. The sun was low, casting long shadows across the cemetery, and the quiet felt as if it was holding its breath with me.
After dinner, I’d asked Seth to drive me by. I needed this, needed to talk to her, even if it felt one sided.
“Today was a success,” I said softly, settling onto the grass beside the stone. My hands rested on my knees as if grounding myself would somehow make her presence feel more real.
“I miss you,” I continued, my voice trembling. “The boys miss you too.” I swallowed hard and brushed a tear from my cheek, hoping it didn’t fall.
I took a deep breath. “Noah came to see me today. Well… we kinda bumped into each other while he was leaving me a note.”
I laughed softly through the lump in my throat, pulling the envelope out of my purse. “Want to read it with me?” I asked.
I carefully opened the note, the paper crinkling between my fingers.
My heartbeat faster, nerves and excitement twisting together.
I cleared my throat and began reading it aloud, my voice shaky at first, then steadier as I imagined her right there beside me, listening, laughing, and crying along with me.
Hey Stormi,
I’m sorry I missed your grand opening. I know it was amazing because you are amazing.
I’m not in the right headspace to be in big crowds right now, but I want you to know I’m proud of you.
I see the woman you’re becoming, the mother you’re becoming, and I wish nothing but the best for you and your family.
I want to be there for those moments with you. I just I don’t know how right now. But I’m figuring my shit out. And yeah, thanks for the ass whopping. Honestly, you should’ve done it a lot sooner. It probably would’ve saved us both a lot of heartaches and headaches.
I’m sorry, Stormi, for everything. For what Dre did to you.
For Jo’s death. For killing your father even though he wasn’t much of a father to you.
I know it still hurts. You’ve always been the backbone of this family, and I was so used to you being the strong one that I forgot how much carrying that strength really takes out of a person.
I’m glad you got Seth. I know I was hating at first, but I’m happy for you.
I’m going to be gone for a while. I need to change the scenery, get myself together.
I don’t want or need you worrying about me.
You take care of those boys and the baby on the way.
Congratulations again. I can’t wait to meet my niece or nephew.
By the time I do, I’ll be a changed man.
A better man. And I promise I’ll be the uncle they need, the brother you want, and the man you always knew I could be.
Listen, you know I don’t do this deep shit often, but I promise I’m going to get better.
I love you, sis. And I hope you kill it with the new business.
Love always,
Noah
I took a deep breath, trying to hold it together, but the tears came anyway. Once they started, there was no stopping them. I leaned forward and let my body collapse onto Jo’s grave, my fingers digging into the grass as I cried like I’d been holding it in for years.
“I made it, Jo,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I really did it but you ain’t here to see it.”
My chest ached as I thought about everything I’d lost and everything I’d gained over the years. I loved the woman I was becoming, loved the life I was building but what hurt the most was losing the people I wanted to share it with. The ones who were supposed to be right here.
I stayed there longer than I meant to, tears soaking into the earth, my thoughts heavy and loud. Then suddenly, arms wrapped around me and lifted me up like I weighed nothing.
“I got you, baby,” was all Seth said before I was in his arms and he was carrying me away.
We made our way back to the car and he placed me inside the driver’s seat as he leaned over watching me. I wiped away the tears and stared back at my husband. I wanted him. I needed him at this moment.
“What I do?” Seth looked around asking.
And with quickness, I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer to me as I stuck my tongue down his throat. I didn’t want to wait until we got home, I didn’t want to wait until Shiloh decided he wanted to give us some alone time, I wanted my husband now right here.
“Back seat now,” was all I said before I climbed in the back of the truck and Seth closed the passenger door and got in the back with me.
I snatched his pants until I had them off.
His mans jumped out glad to be free, and I took all of him in my mouth until his dick hit the back of my throat.
The saliva dripped down his dick from my mouth, and I used my tongue to coat every inch of this man.
Taking him in and out of my mouth, I watched him grow bigger until he couldn’t take it anymore.
He tossed me back, lifting my dress and ripping off my thong.
I felt his tongue lick my pearl as he got ready to lick kiss and suck every inch of my pussy.
My essences coated his mouth and all I could do was lay my head back and moan.
Everything Seth did to my body was amazing but the way this man ate my body, and I mean my whole body like I was the last supper, did it every time for me.
“Fuck me,” was all I said before I pushed him into the seat and climbed on top of him, slowly sliding down his dick taking every inch of him inside of me. A soft moan escaped my mouth as I slowly moved my hips.
Seth grabbed my face and our tongues began to wrestle as our bodies got lost in one another.
This man was everything I wanted and needed.
Just his presence took everything away. I felt safe and protected in his arms. It was an honor to be his wife and the mother of his children.
We stayed locked onto one another, even after our bodies collided together.
I felt loved, completed, and satisfied all at once.