Page 104 of Fighting Shadows
“So that plan?” I ask him, knowing this is the perfect time to go ahead with it while Autumn is out.
Chapter 50
Autumn
‘Lost Boy – Ruth B’
I’m finally free.
My monsters are finally gone, and I feel like I can breathe for the first time in years.
The drive to Kathleen's house takes no time at all. When I pull up on my own, and she shuffles out to the porch, seeing me alone, a broad smile breaks out on her face.
Chase comes rushing out of the door, and I bend down to catch him in my arms. I swing him around, and I have a carefree smile on my face.
I take his hand, leading him to the porch stairs, and Kathleen sniffles. “You’re free then,” she says, and I nod my head in agreement. “I’m free,” my voice cracks.
“Oh sweet girl,” she soothes, pulling me into her arms, “You get to live your life finally.”
“I know. Is it bad that I’m scared?” I ask her, tears leaking from my eyes.
“No, sometimes the best moments of our life can be the scariest,” she says softly.
Chase tugs on the hem of my t-shirt, his brown eyes staring up at me with so much love in them, “Why are you crying?” he asks, his little voice concerned.
“It’s happy tears, buddy, I promise.”
He nods his little head, his brow furrowed as he thinks, “I need to show you something.”
“Okay,” I say, letting him lead me into the house and into the living room.
“This is Clover.” He stops in front of a pink bassinet, a beautiful little girl inside with bright green eyes and jet-black hair.
My heart stutters in my chest as I look at her, and my eyes widen when Chase pulls me closer, “The girl in my dream told me that she’s going to be my sister soon.”
“Did she now? Did the girl tell you anything else?” I ask him.
“Uh-huh.”
“And what was that?” I ask, kneeling on the floor and holding his hands in mine.
Chase stares at me for a moment, then lifts a hand to my face. " You were the best mommy to her, and you will be the best Ma to me and Clover.”
I choke on a watery laugh, pulling him into my arms and holding him close for a moment, “Are you ready to be my Ma now?”
“I think your Ma needs a little while longer, but yeah, buddy, I think she’s nearly ready,” Kathleen says, walking into the room with a pot of coffee and some cookies. “Go play with the car track for a moment, so Autumn and I can talk.”
Chase runs off, leaving me, Kathleen, and baby Clover in the living room.
“She’s Atlas’s double, don’t you think?” she says, nodding to the baby in the bassinet.
“Yeah,” I croak, “When did she arrive?”
“Today. Chase woke up adamant that his little sister was going to be delivered today, and I thought he was being silly until the emergency call came through,” she says, sipping her coffee.
“What happened? She doesn’t look more than a week old.”
“Abandoned at the fire station with a note and a blanket. The note had her name and birthday, but her mom requested that no one try to find her,” she says, peeking over to Clover, who’s starting to fuss.
