Chapter 29
Remy woke up the next morning, still wrapped in Avery’s arms. It took her a moment to remember where she was and what was going on. Her face broke into a huge smile as the memories of yesterday came flooding back. Avery was alive. They had finally made love. And now he was holding her close.
She sat up in bed and looked down at Avery, who was gazing up at her with those beautiful gray eyes she adored.
“Good morning, me love,” he said in a voice that seemed even deeper this early in the morning.
“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” she asked.
“I certainly did. Don’t think I ever slept so soundly in my life.” He thought for a moment, then asked, “I don’t snore, do I?”
Remy giggled and shook her head. “Are you hungry?”
Avery looked guilty when he said, “I really am.”
“Don’t worry. They’ve got free breakfast at the hotel. After that, well, we’ll figure something out.”
Avery nodded. “Do you want to get a shower first?”
“No, you go ahead. Do you, you know, know how?” she asked.
“Yes, but only because Jesse showed me how everything works.”
“Good,” Remy said with a smile. She leaned down and pressed her lips to his.
“Hmmm. Who needs food? If I get to wake up to your kisses every day, that’s all I care about,” Avery said.
“I promise to kiss you every single morning for the rest of our lives,” Remy told him.
Avery looked as if he might tear up. “How wonderful,” he said softly.
He got up, and Remy admired his chest as he headed toward the shower. He had slept in camouflage pants, so she figured they probably belonged to Sean.
If I can manage to scrape together a few bucks, I can at least take Avery to a thrift store so he can pick out some clothes of his own, Remy thought.
Remy washed her face and brushed her teeth at the sink that was outside the bathroom as Avery took his shower. She glanced at the television and was about to turn on the news when she spied an envelope on the floor near the door. It said REMY on it.
Anxiety welled up in her. What on earth could that possibly be? She hated checking the mail at home because it was usually nothing but bills; therefore she had a negative association with anything addressed to her. It was never good news.
Her hands shook a little as she opened the envelope.
It was a handwritten letter. Remy skimmed to the bottom and relaxed when she saw that it was from Theresa.
Another piece of paper fell from the envelope and fluttered to the ground.
Remy gasped when she picked it up. It was a check made out to Remy Waters for five thousand dollars.
Dearest Remy,
I was going to tell you this in person, but seeing as you currently have an extremely sexy Irish man in your bed, I figured it might be best to write you a letter…
I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am that Avery is back among the living and that you two can finally begin to build what I know is going to be a wonderful life together.
Rest assured, Sean is already working on getting Avery’s documents together.
His friend is going to have quite the side business going with all these soldiers coming back from the dead!
I also want to tell you how much I admire you for everything you have accomplished in your life already with absolutely no help from your family.
I could never have made it this far in my schooling and in my life without the generous support, both emotional and financial, from my family.
You’ve done so much all on your own, but I want you to know that you never have to be alone ever again.
You have a big family now. Jesse and Sean are your brothers, and Lucy and I are your sisters.
Avery is your best friend and now your lover (and girl, I want DETAILS!
!!) We all have your back, girl, now and forever.
I’ve been talking to my dad about you lately, and he was very touched by your story.
He is just as amazed as I am by your strength, courage, and incredible kindness in spite of all the obstacles life has thrown at you.
He is a man of strong Christian faith, and believes in helping others.
I told him the way you helped Ellis and believed in him when no one else did (leaving out the fact that the dude was dead, of course).
As I knew he would, my father wanted to do something to ease your burdens and reward you for the kindness you have shown to others.
That’s why he made the decision to pay off the rest of your college loan.
I know you have a hard time accepting help, but I assure you there’s no stopping my father when his mind is made up.
The man is LOADED, so please don’t worry about the money.
They paid for my college, just as Lucy’s parents paid for most of her schooling.
There’s no reason why you should have to shoulder the heavy debt of your education alone, not when you have family now.
Remy, please understand that you are no charity case.
You have earned this money, through every kind word you’ve ever said, every smile you’ve given to a stranger, and every person whose life you’ve touched with your tender grace.
You came from nothing, had nothing, and yet somehow you always found you had something to give to others.
Please, please, let others help you now.
The check is to help get you started on your new life with Avery.
The man is HUGE (and I did I mention sexy?) and you’re gonna need the money if you’re gonna keep that guy fed!
Love ya, honey,
Theresa Hetty
P.S. The college loan is a done deal, but I know I can’t force you to cash that check. All I can say is — please accept our help. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for Avery.
Remy had read the letter four times and was weeping by the time Avery got out of the shower.
“Remy, my God, what happened?” Avery said, fastening a towel around his waist and rushing to her side. He looked horrified at the sight of her crying.
She looked up at him, eyes full of tears but she was smiling. “It looks like your coming back to life wasn’t the only miracle.”
Avery’s face relaxed a bit when he realized Remy was all right. She handed him the check first.
“Jaysus,” Avery said as he saw the amount.
Then she handed him the letter, watching him as he read it. He smiled at the first line about the sexy Irish man. She watched his eyes as he scanned the letter. “My God, Remy…”
“I know!” Remy said, wiping her eyes.
Avery finished reading the letter and looked at her, stunned.
Then he said, “She’s right, ye know. About your kindness.
The way you just want to take care of everyone around you.
Even when ye don’t have enough to eat and you barely have the strength to go on, you still want to help everybody.
” He smiled fondly at her. “There are so many things that I love about you, a chuisle, but your kindness is what I love above all. First time ye saw me, you could see I was lost, a total mess, and ye came runnin’ up to me, wantin’ to help. ”
Remy stood up and grabbed a tissue from the nightstand and wiped her eyes. She walked over to Avery and he stood up.
She looked up and into his eyes and said, “Oh, Avery. Theresa’s right. We’re going to have the most wonderful life together.”
Avery bent down and kissed her softly and tenderly. Remy kissed back with forceful passion, making him stagger backward a bit.
“Avery, you were amazing last night…but I need more.”
Remy reached around his waist and yanked the towel right off him. He chuckled warmly.
“Tá grá agam duit, Avery,” Remy said.
“I love you, too, a chuisle,” Avery said with a smile.