BK 5 - Chapter 47 - More Letters
Emma and Asher were sitting in their bedroom, looking at the letters in their hands. They hadn't opened them yet. Emma's heart was broken. Asher held her in his arms as she cried.
"I knew she wasn't doing well, but I thought we still had more time." Emma signed. Asher kissed her forehead.
"Do you want me to read my letter first?" Asher replied. He figured his letter would be easier to read because he'd only seen Grandma Valerie twice. Emma nodded. Asher opened his letter and held it so they both could read it.
*Dear Asher,*
*I didn't get to spend as much time with you as I would have liked, but I could already tell you're an amazing young man. The way Emma looks at you makes my heart so happy. I know there will be difficult days ahead, as I'm sure Emma has already told you how special she is. I'm positive you young people will come out on top.*
*I know your life hasn't always been good, but you're in our family now, and I promise it will be better from here on out. You will never be alone again. You have an entire family here to love and support you for the rest of your life.*
*Love,*
*Grandma Valerie*
Asher wasn't expecting her words to make him cry, but they did. The part about him having an entire family to love and support him spoke to his heart. That's all he'd ever wanted. He'd just wanted a family his whole life, and now Emma has given him that.
Asher clung to her as he cried. Emma was terrified to open her letter even more now. She was happy that her grandma had said words that she knew Asher needed to hear. After he dried his eyes, he looked into her eyes and mouthed his words.
"I love you. You have made all my dreams come true." His lips were on hers before she could respond. Emma loved how he was gentle yet possessive when he kissed her.
"I love you too." She said when he pulled away. Emma looked down at her letter and sighed. She figured it was best to get it over with. Asher moved onto the bed so his back was against the headboard and pulled Emma so she was sitting between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her and peered over her shoulder as she opened the letter. He knew hers would be a lot harder to read than his was.
*My dearest Emma,*
*You and your brother were the first of the great-great-grandchildren I was blessed with. I was never fortunate to meet your Grandma Cat's mother, Emma, but I know you're living up to your namesake. As I write this letter, I can picture you running around the house telling everyone you would use your magic on them. You were so tiny, but your little legs never seemed to stop running.*
*My biggest hope for you was always to find a mate who would love and support the special young woman you are. I see that you've found him in Asher. He loves you so much I can see it in his eyes every time he looks at you. It reminds me of the way your Grandpa Roger would look at me.*
*You are going to be faced with a difficult challenge soon. No one knows what's coming, but I have faith in all of you to prevail. I wish I could be there to see your success. Just know that I will always be with you. Maybe not in the way we both want, as I won't be able to hug you or listen to all your wonderful plans for the future, but I will be all around you. I will be there in the laugh of your first cub. I'll be there when the sun sets and warms your heart. I'll be there when you look up at the sky and wish upon a star. I love you so much, my little bear.*
*Love,*
*Grandma Valerie*
Emma cried as she read the final words from her grandma. Asher slid down so they were lying down and held Emma as she cried. He kissed her forehead and stroked her head, but his mind kept wandering to the letter. What exactly were they going to have to face?
Meanwhile, Roger and Mariam were in his room down the hallway, preparing to open their letters. Mariam had been overwhelmed by the kindness of Rogers family. She had taken time off work in order to support him and other members of the family while they grieved. She was still in awe of them and everything their family had accomplished. Miriam felt honored that she was now part of this incredible family.
"Do you mind going first?" Roger asked Mariam, who was sitting across his lap as they sat on the loveseat in his room.
"Of course." She replied, opening her envelope. She pulled out the letter and opened it; the first sentence brought tears to her eyes.
*Dear Mariam,*
*We didn't get to know each other as much as I would have liked, but you are still my granddaughter, all the same. The work you do is so important. I spent years as a therapist focusing on abused children. Roger is following in my footsteps, being there for the kids in our group homes. It's my hope that you will join him in developing therapies for all those in our group homes. It's my hope that you will join him in forming therapy for those in our group homes. I believe you will do great things together.*
*You told me about your mom and the struggles you had with her over the years. You have so much strength to be able to care for someone with a severe mental illness as a child. I admire you. You have such a beautiful heart and will go far. Let the love you and Roger have lead the way, my dear.*
*Love,*
*Grandma Valerie*
Mariam's tears streamed down her face as she looked at the letter from a woman she had only met a couple days ago. She would cherish the letter for her entire life. Roger hugged her, kissing her forehead.
"Your grandmother was an incredible woman," Mariam said against his neck.
"You saw what she wrote. She was our grandmother. Are you ready for mine?" Roger asked.
"Yes," Mariam kissed his cheek and snuggled into his strong, warm embrace as he opened his envelope.
*Dear Roger,*
*Your letter is one of the hardest I had to write. You didn't know your Grandpa Roger besides the stories your dad and I shared with you, but I can see him in you. In the way you give yourself to others, no matter the sacrifice or the toll it takes on your heart. In the way, you love wholeheartedly your family, friends and all those in the group homes. You have such a gentle nature.*
*Mariam is such a lovely young woman, and I know the two of you will go far. She hides the pain well, but I can still see it. Don't let her fool you into thinking she's okay. She needs to deal with some things she's kept hidden inside for a long time. Encourage her to open up to you, she needs it, you both do.*
*I must go now, my gentle giant. Telling you goodbye isn't easy as I cry over the words I'm writing. I will always be with you no matter how far you fly. I love you.*
*Love,*
*Grandma Valerie*
Roger sobbed as he read the letter. Grandma Valerie had shared so many stories of his grandpa that he felt like he'd known him. Ever since he was little, she had called him her gentle giant. Seeing those words and knowing he would never hear them again broke his heart.
