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I close my eyes and let her words wash over me. “I love you too, baby girl, so fucking much.”
Epilogue
Reli
Four months Later
It's been just over four months since Havers. I’ve healed from my cracked ribs and even though being in his clutches brought back my nightmares, talking everything through with my counselor and with John helped me get back on track. I still have nightmares every once in a while, but they’re easier to come back from.
Havers is in prison; he’s turned rat, and from everything that John tells me, he’s not going to last much longer in there. There’s one thing people hate and that’s a snitch. Havers thought he could get less time by giving up his criminal friends; now they want him dead.
Lance is still at my side. He recovered quickly and came back stronger than ever. He’s more determined to keep me safe than ever before. Being in that place has brought us closer together. So much so, that he’s staying in our guesthouse permanently.
I’m thankful for the day I met John again; who knew that knights-in-shining-armor actually existed. In the past few months things have moved at full speed between us. I was a little worried in the beginning. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do; go from being in that fucked up situation I was in with Talia to being in this full on relationship with John. But I couldn't resist him, he's the sweetest man in the world. He'll do anything for me and I love him for that. He's helping me become the best woman I can be.
The past four months have been crazy busy for me. I’ve been traveling all of the US trying to get donors for Maine Foundation. I’ve spent weeks at a time away from John, the distance has made our relationship stronger. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m in love with him. I’m not with him because he saved me, I’m with him because I love him.
I’m currently having my house renovated. John pulled some strings and got the project approved. Not only is my house being renovated, the two houses on either side of it are too. They're joining as one. Lance somehow managed to sweet talk the owner of the other house into selling to me. I paid a little over market value for that, but I saved enough on the other house to make up for it. Once the house is renovated and expanded we'll end up having a huge compound for victims of abuse. As the project stands we'll have thirty rooms; twenty rooms will be bedrooms, each having their own private bathroom. There will be four separate living rooms, a huge kitchen, a dining room and four 'soft' rooms. These will be rooms that will hold counseling in them.
Counseling is something that I think is so worthwhile. I’m still seeing mine and she’s agreed to come on board as part of the foundation. It’ll mean that I’ll have to find a new counselor, it’s something I’m not looking forward to but I need it. I’m not healed and I’m not sure I ever will be, but I’m getting stronger with each passing day.
John won’t let me spend any money on him; he’s adamant that the money that my father left me be spent on only me or the foundation. But his birthday is today and I went all out. I needed it to be special. I had Lance help me locate it, I didn’t think he’d be able to find it. But he did and I’m so excited to give it to him.
John told me about a car his father had but had to sell it when Sharon became pregnant with Cage. It took three months for Lance to locate, the 1969 Buick Skylark is the sweetest ride I’ve ever seen, and I’m so excited to see his reaction.
He's thirty-four today and right now we’re in the middle of his party. We’re sitting around the table having dinner. His family have been really welcoming and I love them all, his mom more than the rest. I'm thinking that John may have told her about what I went through. Sharon's always checking in with me to make sure I'm okay. She feels guilty about Havers taking me from the mall.
I tap my glass and everyone around the table quiets. All their focus turns to me, heat rises in my cheeks but I push through it. "I want to say Happy Birthday to John, without you I don't know where I'd be right now. You have shown me compassion, love, honesty, and sweetness. I'd be lost without you."
A chorus of "Ahhhhh's" go around the room.
"I love you," I whisper as I bend and kiss his lips. "I have a present for you."
His eyes light up, "You do?"
"Of course," I reply.
"Oh, Reli, what did y
ou get?" Sharon asks with a smile.
"If you'll follow me outside, you'll find out." I quickly move away from the table knowing that John may be pissed that I spent so much on his present. I hear the murmurs and whispers of wonder, only Lance knows what I bought and he's outside waiting with the car.
Opening the front door, I'm met by Lance. He's got a wide grin on his face. "It drives like a dream."
"Holy shit," Cage cries walking out behind me. "Reli-beli, you did awesome. Can I test drive it?"
I laugh. I hated that name when they first started calling me it, but John told me the more I protested the more he’d call me it. It's stuck now, and I've gotten used to it. "John first."
"Holy fuck."
"Matthew Princeton. Language!" Sharon admonishes him and I can’t help but smile.
"But mom, it's amazing.” Talin’s eyes are wide as he stares at the car.
"I see that, Talin, but it doesn't mean you can use foul language."
"Yeah, asshole," Cohen says, and this time I giggle.
