She will rise with a spine of steel and a roar like thunder, she will rise. – Nicole Lyons
For the first time in longer than she would like to admit, Jolene felt free. She walked out of the courthouse knowing that she could go anywhere and do anything. There was no one watching her. No one was tracking her.No one had to know where she was unless she wanted them to know.She stood on the sidewalk with her face turned up to the sky. The warm sun felt wonderful on her face. Taking a deep breath, a small sob of relief escaped her. Helen placed a comforting hand on her daughter’s arm and held her close when she turned towards her.The princesses all moved off to the side and were having a quiet discussion. Bunny walked over and hugged both mother and daughter, squeezing her large belly between the two. Jaxon and JD stood close to the trio, between Reese and Neo, making sure that they were not bothered. Ty said goodbye to his aunt and uncle before taking up a post to proMay you always be surrounded by good friends and better barbecue. – AnonHelen and the girls arrived back at the house after getting their nails done. Dean had asked to go with them before she went back to school on Monday. Jolene had been invited for the last several weeks and this time, she finally felt comfortable going with them. Her necklace was still on and with the comfort that it provided; her nightmares were lessened.Dean bounded over to JD to show him her black tip French nails. Bunny waddled over to her own men while Helen moved to Reese. Jolene waved at Shelby with a smile as she tried to figure out just where she belonged in this large crowd.She didn’t know the majority of the people that were there. Even with her own brothers, she felt odd. While she had been kept away from her family, JD had grown up into a young man. He even seemed taller than what she remembered.And Jaxon had finally come out of the closet and was expecting a baby. Jolene knew abo
You can take your “I’m okay” hat off now. It’s just me. Fall apart. I’m not going anywhere. – Erin Van VurenHer nails were done. Her hair was pulled into a tight French braid. The outfit had been chosen specifically for the day. Dark jeans, long sleeve t-shirt for her mom’s favorite band, rocker boots with both laces and buckles. All the work that she still had to turn in was in her black backpack. Her phone was fully charged and in her pocket.There was no makeup on, and Dean had no intention of putting any on. She walked into the kitchen and JD stood up from the bar and opened his arms to her. He had returned to school at the beginning of the month. Last week, he had not gone in on the day of Jolene’s divorce.Dean was engulfed into a hug and rested her cheek on his chest as she listened to his heartbeat. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she took a deep breath. His cologne filled her nose, the scent was calming her.“Where’s your cologne?” Dean asked quietly.
I did everything he did but backwards and in high heels. – Ginger RogersJolene got home from classes and found a note taped to her door. There’s an outfit on your bed. Put it on and come to the gym. – NSmirking as she unlocked the door, she had two questions in her mind.Was Neo too long to write so it needed to be shortened from three letters to one?What was the point of having a lock on her door if he just let himself in whenever he wanted?Not that she was going to complain. He had chased away nightmares. Given her comfort when she needed it. Made sure that her favorite foods were stocked in the kitchen.She was pretty sure that he had even done her laundry a few times.What woman was going to object to that?Walking into the bedroom, she was expecting to see a new workout outfit. With her workouts and training sessions, her body was changing. It also changed after her hospital stay when it was discovered that she had her mother’s thyroid i
There has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food. – Ron SwansonReese pulled Helen closer to him and rested his hand over her belly. He nibbled on her neck as she began to stir. “Pancakes.” She murmured as she started to move.“Does my Kitten want pancakes.”“Mmmmmm….” She made a small purring noise that had caused her nickname. “With bacon.”“You want pancakes and bacon?” he lightly bit her ear.“I want pancakes with bacon inside them.” She rolled to her back and looked up at him. “That sounds weird, doesn’t it?”“If my Kitten wants pancake covered bacon, then that’s what she’s going to get.” He told her before he kissed her. Slipping her arms around his neck, she sank into the kiss. Reese groaned as he moved over her, settling between her legs as she wrapped them around his waist. He shifted to take a nipple into his mouth. Helen arched into his touch and let out a soft moan.“Monster!” JD screamed as Dean yelled no.It
Debt basically enables people to live a lie. – Rachel CruzeThe call that Alexander Devonshire dreaded came later than he had expected. With everything that had happened, he had expected to get the call before Christmas. And then after he lost his position. And every one of his specially chosen officers lost their jobs.But now, it had come.He made Regina prepare a full four course meal. They would describe the guests as old college buddies in town for the night. She made a large meal that the four of them enjoyed. After the dishes were cleared, the men moved to the living room.“You said,” Jose Gutierrez spoke with a cold voice as he sat on the brown leather couch, “that nothing would happen. You said that you had everything under control.”“It’s the damned state investigator and sheriff.” The former police chief complained.“We cannot take them both out.” Miguel Delgado pointed out. “You need to get our product back.”Alex shook his head. “I can’t. the
If you have to hurt other people to feel powerful, you are an extremely weak individual. – Bobby J. MattinglyHelen loved the new maternity dresses that Reese had gotten her. Today’s dress was an ivory cotton with large pink flowers and greenery trailing down about halfway down the skirt. She had given up her heels, afraid that she would fall with her new center of gravity. Reese had gotten her some kitten heel sandals with pearls going across her ankles and toes.She had met Joan for lunch and her friend had raved about how Helen practically glowed with her pregnancy. At the end of her lunch, she had almost floated back into the Cooper Stone building. She felt pretty and as she stepped into the elevator; she pulled out her phone to take a picture.Helen had just snapped the picture as someone else stepped into the elevator.“I’m surprised that you still come here.”Helen knew the voice without having to see who it belonged to. Tall. Skinny. Beautiful. And a
You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender. – John Mark GreenIt was March and the semester was half over. The weather was brisk but not cold. Mid terms were coming up along with final projects. JD and Dean had a swim meet next weekend and then all three of them would be on spring break. Jolene smiled at that thought. This year, all of them were going to Hawaii. The last time she had been there was for her destination wedding. She had wanted her mom there. Bob had told Jolene that there was an issue. She now knew that the issue was that Bob did not want Helen there.Summer had done all the mother of the bride activities. Jolene had hated it. The woman was only a few months older than herself. And it was the first time that they had ever met. Speaking of awkward.Playing the part of mother of the bride is the mistress of the father of the bride.But this time, Helen would be there. Originally, Reese and Dean were not going t
Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision. – Gina RodriguezJolene had a late afternoon class and study group afterwards. Neo refused to make her give up her social life even though he would rather have her at home with him. But she was finding herself, and that was more important than what he wanted.And what Neo wanted was Jolene.He knew it deep inside him. And he knew that those who knew him well, knew it too. Maybe even those who didn't know him well.Neo did not care.It had been a long time since he wanted something as much as he wanted Jolene. His Jo. He noticed that when he called her a pet name, she blushed and got embarrassed. So, he shortened her name and now she was just Jo. The few times that JD had called her Jo, she corrected him. She never corrected Neo.Neo sat in his office, Shelby had already left for the evening, and he would be leaving soon. Maybe he would go meet his Jo at the college and take her to dinner. The more he thought about th