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Fly free. I love you.
Momma
My tears soak the page while I choke on a hiccup, "Just one more thing, Momma." I wipe my tears and straighten my spine.
My shoulder heats, and I smile, knowing she is listening to me. I am no longer the girl who cowered and cried I am now the woman who fights and hopes.
"I changed my name. Evelyn Miller is no more...I think you will like what I decided." A wide smile spreads my scarred lips.
My name is Evelyn Faye Yvonne, and I fly free.
Epilogue
Korren
"Be right back, pretty girl." I give Eve a soft smile as Ry sits her on a bench with her half-drunk iced coffee. I hate how red her eyes are and the blotchiness of her cheeks...I wish I could bring her mom back, so she never has to feel this sorrow.
Turning from her sleepy gaze, the guys and I make our way down the path toward Camila's resting spot. We didn't tell Eve that we wanted a moment with her mom, but she just nodded quietly and sipped on her nine-dollar beverage in understanding.
My eyes burn, a sniffle sounds behind me, and my throat closes with emotion. We reach her resting place, and all take a knee.
I go first.
"I wish I could have met you, Camila, even though you probably would have disapproved...I'm told I can be kind of an ass." I take a deep breath. This is harder than I thought it would be. Eve's mom can't respond to me, but I believe she's listening, so I have to make a good impression.
Ryan's soft chuckle loosens my shoulders. "I'd like to think that I would have been able to win you over once you saw how much your daughter means to me. I need you to know that I love her with everything I am and will protect her until my last breath."
"I come here to thank you for raising the woman of my dreams and to ask for your permission to spend the rest of my days loving Evelyn Yvonne to my fullest."
A strangled gasp makes me choke when a weight settles on my shoulder. I duck my head as tears stream from my eyes.
"Thank you," I whisper between heaving breaths, for I know she has granted me her love and support.
Ryan
Korren's emotion steals the breath out of my lungs. It's so raw and real to be here on our knees in front of the woman who gave life to our Evie.
"Hi." I gulp. "I'm Ryan. I, um, I hope one day I can refer to you as Mom. I haven't had one in a long time, and you are one of the most wonderful women I have ever learned about." Pausing, I suck in another breath.
"I'm sure you know that I am in love with not only Nolan but your spitfire of an offspring as well." Nolan snorts and nudges me with his shoulder. I smile, some confidence restored at my joke, making someone laugh.
"I have two things I want to ask you." The burn in my eyes finally wins out and coats my cheeks in moisture.
"Please give me your blessing to make your daughter laugh every day because I don't know what I would do without her smile in my life. And secondly, please be my mother-in-law."
Curling over my knee, I sob as my heart is stripped bare...I don't have a mom worth anything more than a bottle of liquor, but this woman in the ground created a Goddess that sparked loyalty and love like nothing I have ever heard of...I just want her to love me back.
My heaving chest settles like a weight is forcing it to steady. The steady calm is accompanied by warmth on my shoulder.
Camila might not ever be able to hug her new sons, but she will, from here on out, be the woman I call Momma.
Amiri
As soon as Ryan calms, I rub my sweaty palms on my shorts. "I know I will never be able to take care of Evie the way you did, ma'am, but I would love your blessing to try my hardest." I swallow the emotion that builds.
I love your daughter far beyond this world. I swear she will never go hungry, never want for anything. I'll make sure she's always warm but not too hot or cold. I promise on anything I can that I will do right by you and the love of my life."
The words are out now, only to leave behind the crushing weight of uncertainty. How am I supposed to know if the incredible spirit of the woman that once was would be able to accept me without being here?
