Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 656(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 437(@300wpm)
“The princess is confused. The prince is everything to her, but she doesn’t know what to do or how to handle it. She thinks the prince understands, but she’s afraid that he’s going to get bored and he’s going to want more. He’s going to want a future, and the princess doesn’t know if she can give him that. But she doesn’t want to lose him, so she is taking whatever she can get.”
I leaned in closer to peek in, and Brooke was sitting on the bed with Skyler’s hand in hers; looking down at her adoringly.
“So, now the prince and the princess are in some sort of limbo. Where they can’t go back and they really can’t go forward. All she can do is hope and pray, that everything works out the way it’s supposed to. So, the prince and princess can live happily ever after.”
I smiled and watched as she stood up and pulled the sheet higher on Skyler’s tiny sleeping body, kissing her on the forehead and pulling back her hair. I quietly made my way back to the party. Thinking the entire time about Brooke being a mother.
And not just any mother.
The mother of my children.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
<>B<>
“You love him don’t you?” I heard a voice ask from behind me, and I immediately turned to see his mother standing there.
Devon was talking to his stepdad and I stepped outside, needing a few minutes to myself. I didn’t realize how much being around him and his family would affect me.
I didn't know how to respond, so I didn't say anything at all.
“My son is an amazing man. He had to grow up too fast and I will always blame myself for that. I didn’t make the right choices for him, for me, or for them. I was scared and that made me weak. Their father was not a good man, and I knew that going in. But like every woman… I thought I could change him. I was stupid and naïve. I should have left the first time he hit me; I was going to. Devon was a few months old, and he had been crying all night. I was exhausted; his father never helped me. I can’t recall one time he helped with any of our children, which is interesting because he kept getting me pregnant. I prayed with each pregnancy that he would change, but he didn’t… he got worse,” she spoke so soft and eloquently. Even though, I could see and feel her pain, clear across the foot of distance that separated us.
“Anyway, he wanted Devon to be quiet, he needed his sleep to provide for his family. He came into the nursery and I just knew… I don’t know what came over me, but I laid Devon in his crib. Not even a second later, he backhanded me across the face so hard that I flew across the room.”
I wanted to cry for her, but I didn’t; I just listened.
“The next morning I had our bags packed to leave, but he came home with roses and a million apologies; I believed him. I believed he was going to change, I believed he was going to try. He never did. The physical and verbal abuse got worse over time. Our house was hell, but Devon… God, Devon, protected us in every way he could. He still does,” she stated with tears in her eyes.
“We all have choices in life, Brooke. They may be good ones or bad ones, but they’re ours to make. My son has always wanted to save us, and I know a part of him doesn’t think he did. But I’ll die knowing that he has. So please… if you’re going to hurt him then just walk away, he's been hurt enough for several lifetimes. I don’t want to watch him go through that again.”
I bit my cheek.
“He loves you and I can see that you love him, too. But I can also see something in your eyes and it’s the same look I used to have,” she stated.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything that you had to go through.” Was all I could say.
She smiled. “Thank you.” She hugged me and then walked away, leaving me more confused than I already was.
If that was even possible.
We said goodbye to everyone and went back to my condo. I took a shower and put on a green nightie with matching panties. Devon was watching television when I came out.
“Are you okay? You were quiet the whole ride home. I don’t think I’ve heard you say a word since we left.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Home?”
“What?” he answered, confused.
“You said home… I’ve been quiet the whole way home.”
He shook his head, brushing it off. “Bambi, you know what I meant.”
“Do I?”
“Where is this coming from? What’s going on?”