Till this moment I never knew myself. – Jane Austen
That same odd feeling followed Jolene around all day as she walked across the campus. The odd feeling of being followed and watched never left her. She had convinced herself that it was because this was her first day back to classes from her vacation. That it was because in the parking lot over there, her eyes cut to the lot behind the science building, she had been drugged and kidnapped.“You okay?” Nichols asked quietly.Jolene nodded as she turned away from the lot and headed towards the language arts building. She heard the soft grunt that the man gave her. They were no longer wearing uniforms as a way of making other students feel more comfortable. And to make Jolene feel a little more normal.They both wore faded jeans and a t-shirt for the college football team. Jolene knew all about the football team. Her mother was such a contradiction. The woman loved all the girly things – pink, dresses, makeup, jewelry,But we cannot simply sit and stare at our wounds forever. – Haruki MurakamiShelby sat in the office of the therapist that Neo contracted with for his guards. He had seen how it could fuck with a person’s mind when they had to shoot someone. Much less knowing that they had killed another human being.Although she had insisted that she was fine, because she could not stand to see the guys looking at her like she was going to break, she knew better.She felt like she was going to break.The only reason she had not given in yet is because Nate was watching her. And he was watching because Zack was watching.Not that Zack was in a better position. He had been there, and she saw the way that his PTSD had taken over for a brief moment. But then the training and muscle memory took control. As Shelby stood there watching the puddle of blood grow just outside the warehouse, that was now on fire thanks to the same asshole bleeding everywhere, Zack grabbed the first ai
You can tell a bully from a leader by how they treat people who disagree with them. – Miles K. DavisTylenol.That was the mantra going through Douggie’s mind at this point. Tylenol.The last forty-five minutes of the meeting had to be the longest decade of his life.Tylenol.He usually had some in his desk. But he was not at his office. He could only hope that the city jail infirmary had some Tylenol. Ibuprofen. Acetaminophen. Aspirin.At this point in time, he would take a twenty-pound sledgehammer upside the head. As long as it knocked him out or just completely put him out of his misery.“Douglas?” special agent in charge David MacFarland called out as he followed Douggie down the hall.Douggie let the hand that was rubbing the bridge of his nose, he turned around and plastered his professional smile on his face. “It’s just Douggie.”“Mac.” He held out a hand and Douggie took it.Looking at the special agent in charge, Douggie was pic
In raising my children, I have lost my mind but found my soul. – Lisa T. ShepherdIn the last few weeks, Helen swore her belly had doubled in size every week. When they were in Hawaii, she blamed it on the rich foods and eating just about everything she wanted. But when they got back, her belly continued to grow.And grow.The stress of the fire and Jolene’s attack did not help any.A year ago, her life was completely different. She struggled to pay her bills. New clothes would have been a luxury. Another baby was not even a thought.And now, she lived with a man who too care of everything. Pampered her in ways that she still could not even imagine. And would give her anything and everything that she needed or wanted.Including his baby.Today, her heartburn was horrible. She had eaten so many antacid tablets that she was certain she was going to become a giant antacid tablet. She was getting more when Reese appeared in her office doorway.“Still bad?
Cinderella never asked for a prince. She asked for a night off and a dress. – Kiera CassHer muscles burned and her lungs ached, but Dean refused to stop. She had let herself go while she was at home. Midnight swims did not have the same appeal without her mom or Cheryl. Laps were not as soothing as they had been.She was determined to get back into shape. Back down to her time. Her legs kicked and her arms swung out in strong strokes pulling her forward. Every other left stroke she breathed in and on the ones in between she breathed out. At the end of the lane, she flipped and kicked off the wall and began her final lap.The wall grew closer and closer, and she knew she would make it close to her time. With her hand hitting the wall, she came up for a long and deep breath. Planting her feet under her, Dean took off her goggles and swim cap to look at the large timer by the side of the pool.Fourteen seconds over.“Looking good, Coppell!” the coach called, a
Love is meant to be an adventure. – Gordon B. HinckleyReese walked into the bedroom carrying a tray with fruit, lean bacon and scrambled egg whites. Usually when he walked in, she would smile at him with her hands on her belly that didn’t seem to stop growing. This morning, she sat up against the headboard with tears streaming down her face. He placed the tray on the dresser and then sat on the bed and gathered her close. “It’s okay, Kitten.”She shook her head as more sobs racked her body. He continued to hold her and murmur soothing words until she finally calmed down.“Tell me what has you so upset.” He whispered.“Your babies are going to be bastards.” She sobbed out and began crying again.“Oh, my sweet Kitten.” He grinned into her hair as he placed tender kisses.He had to wait for the tears to settle down again. “I’m sorry. You probably think I’m crazy.”Reese chuckled. “No more than I did yesterday.” He teased. “But let’s be honest, we
If you want to be happy, be. – Leo TolstoyPrep work for the new additions began a few days after their latest argument over who was in charge. Reese grinned at the thought as he looked through a website of maternity clothes. It had become a running joke with them since Frank had told her that she was now in charge.Not that his old friend was all that wrong. Since she had said that she was pregnant, he was wrapped around her finger. And speaking of fingers, the ring that he picked out should be arriving later today. And they had an appointment with the judge next week.And that was the reason why the man was looking at maternity dresses. With a few mouse clicks, the dresses were sorted down to Helen’s size and to a few colors. He loved her in burgundy, reds and dark pinks. He loved her out of those colors also.She would prefer a soft pink or lavender.Again, her groom preferred her out of those colors also.Unless they were ropes. Then the colors reall
I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding. - John O’DonohueAfter their quick courthouse wedding yesterday with only their kids and Dean, Helen knew that the rest of the month of May was going to be busy. Today, Reese and Helen were having their gender reveal. So far, only Dean and JD knew, and they were so tight lipped that the expectant parents were not even allowed in the big house. Everyone had been referring to them as the latest princesses, and no one even considered that they could be anything other than girls.Next weekend was the family baby shower for Bunny and her men. After the ones from each of the jobs, there was not much more that they needed. But that didn’t matter. The princess club insisted on the party. If for no other reason than the baby to know that she was loved.The last weekend of the month, JD would graduate. This next Tuesday was the athletics banquet with the swim team having theirs on Thursday.
I know a girl, she puts the color inside my world. – John MayorHelen and Bunny were both worn out. They had had fun at Bunny’s baby shower, ate more than any pregnant woman should and played games. Then once everyone was gone, they both said that they were just going to sit down for a moment and then they would help clean up.They had been asleep on the couch for nearly an hour in JD and Dean’s living room when the rest of the family joined them. Reese sat down on the couch and pulled Helen into his lap. Jaxon and Ty sat on either side of Bunny as Neo sat in the armchair and pulled Jolene down to sit in his lap. JD sat on the floor and leaned against the wall with Dean sitting between his legs. Wayne and Cheryl mirrored the younger couple a few feet down from them.“What do you need me to do?” Helen asked as she sat up.Chuckling, Reese pulled her back against his chest. “It’s all taken care of.”“We were going to help.” Bunny objected.“It’s okay.” Ty said