I pull us apart momentarily to slide the two carat tear drop shaped diamond onto her finger. I knew the second I saw it that it was for her. If she only knew how happy she makes me every day of my life. I plan to spend the rest of my days being the best person I can for her.
There are a lot of words that can be used to describe Ember and I’s love. Beautiful, heartbreaking, redeeming, and consuming. In life sometimes you only get one chance. You only get that one chance to get it right, but Ember and I were lucky enough to get a second. We were lucky enough to find each other again. Every day I thank the man above for bringing me back from hell. I thank Ember every day for redeeming me. I once thought my heart was black and cold, but that’s not true. There’s no way my heart could ever be cold and black with something as beautiful and pure as Ember inside it. They say that your soulmate can find you anywhere you are, no matter what part of the world you’re in, no matter how far apart. That they seek each other out as a part of life. That’s the type of love that Ember and I have. An all-consuming, once in a lifetime type of love. I know we aren’t perfect. We treat each day as if it’s the last we will spend together and don’t bother fighting and arguing over things that won’t really matter in the end. When you have the one thing that your soul seeks ripped away from you, you never take that for granted again. Some may not understand the love that we share, or even try to, but the important thing is, is that you understand that nothing in life is guaranteed. Just take the ugly, broken, bruised things, and make something beautiful from the wreckage.
THE END
Epilogue
Lennox Renery Jarreau was born on August seventeenth at seven pm after twenty four hours of long, hard labor that my sweet girl took like a champ. The second I heard her cry I knew my life was changed forever. Those first moments we spent together as a family is something I will never forget, not as long as I live. Gazing down into those pretty blue eyes that she got from her mama, she had me wrapped around her tiny finger. I knew in that moment there wasn’t a thing in the world I wouldn’t do for my girls. I’d cherished each day with them as if it was my last because I know just how quickly it can be ripped away. I’m still seeing the PTSD therapist once a week and I’m slowly learning to cope with the shit floating around in my brain. It’s still hard to know my brothers lost their lives and there wasn’t more that I could do. It still haunts me, but every day that I see Lennox smile and laugh, gives me even more to move forward for. Ember is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on, she brings me to my fucking knees. When I walk into the nursery and see her fast asleep with our daughter curled into her chest, I lose my breath.
Today, I get this beautiful, breathtaking woman as my wife. Looking back I never thought I’d have the chance to stand where I am today. I still feel like she deserves more than me, but fuck if I won’t spend my entire life devoted to her and my daughter. There was a time in my life I didn’t even think of what tomorrow would bring, let alone a future. Ember brings peace to my life. She shows me every single day that I am worth fighting for. I didn’t ask for the shitty things to happen, but I can show everyone that I’m a fighter. I won’t give up. Our love is a testament. It’s full of sacrifice and redemption. Our love shows that no matter what; never let the fight leave you. Fight for love. Fight for happiness. Fight for the person that breathes the air into your wounded soul. Fight for them even when they don’t believe they have the fight left inside of themselves. Every love has a story, this one was ours.
Acknowledgments
Holy shit.. It’s over. My first book is written. My pride and joy is in your hands right now and I hope you fell in love with Hale Jarreau just like the rest of us have. I have more people than I can possibly even list to give thanks to. Honestly, I would be nothing without the amazing support system that I have behind me!
First off, I have to thank my insta girls. You girls are the most amazing women that I have EVER met and I am so thankful for each and every one of you! Without you, Scorched wouldn’t exist and Hale wouldn’t get the happy ending that he so deserves. I won’t list every single person because there are so many but please know how much I appreciate you!! Every teaser, every share, every sweet comment.. They mean the world to me! Love you all so much!
Portia- (My bestie/editor/soul sister/ sister from another mister) You made my words beautiful. I can’t ask for a better friend or possibly trust anyone else with my baby the way that I do you. You have been my backbone through this all and I am forever grateful. Sometimes, I think what I did to deserve such a beautiful soul as my best friend. Thank you times a million for the countless hours and hard work that you have put into this. I love you.
Karrie- There isn’t enough thank you’s in the world to express how thankful I am for everything you have done for me. I can’t tell you how many times you have talked me down from the ledge. You have been one of my biggest supporters and have been by my side every step of the way. You are such a sweetheart and I love you so much!! Thank you.
Meghan- Thanks for giving me the courage to start this. Thanks for supporting me and for being my sister. I don’t have to type a paragraph for you to know what you mean to me. You’re my family. I love you.
Chelsea- Sister. I love you. Let’s keep it short and sweet and just say that you are one of the most important people in my life and I would be absolutely lost without you by me. You’re my soulmate.
Brittany T- BABE! You’re so adorable and I just love you. You’re the peanut butter to my jelly. I can’t wait to read what beautiful words you write.
Renery- Thank you for always being positive and always offering me honesty. Thank you for letting me use your name for Lennox. It’s beautiful, just like you.
Dee- My tough love. You’ve always been honest with me and given it to me straight and I am so appreciative for your guidance. So much love for you.
LUCY JAYNE- I feel like I could type an entire book on my love for you but that sounds super creepy so I’ll just stick with a few sentences. I don’t care how many miles apart we are you are literally like the other half of me. Who cares if it’s an ocean that divides us… You just get me and all my weirdness. Thanks for being my writing partner and the person I can bitch to 24/7. Without you I would be a whole lot more cray than I am now. Love you more than life P. Sawyer<3 P.S. Roman is mine and I will fight bitches for him. Thanks.
Kelly- My Canadian babe. You are seriously my twin and I love you. Thank you for always being there to listen.
Meghan March: When I say I wouldn’t have done this without you.. I mean it. From the bottom of my heart. When I first decided to start writing you were the first person I even told. You have been nothing but patient with me as I ask the billions of questions I have on the daily. You are truly an inspiration to me and I am so thankful for our friendship.
Mo Mabie: I FLOVE YOU! Thank you for being an inspiration to me.
Mama & Reanne: I love you. Thanks for always believing in me. Even when I didn’t believe in myself.
Justin Crawford: You’re awesome. I couldn’t even believe that you took the time to read a romance book. I am so thankful for your knowledge and the time you took to look over this for me. You are the best Justin!!
To all my readers, you will never know my appreciation for you. Thank you for picking up my book and taking a chance on Hale and Ember. All of this is for you!
<3