This chapter was a very tough chapter for me to write, emotionally. I'm sure you'll figure out why as you get into it and you might even shed a tear or two. In fact, I didn't do my job very well. Grab a tissue and proceed.
Killian (2012)
It was a beautiful fall morning and Killian was still feeling brilliant about the fact that he had actually 'met' Emma. His Emma. And even though she didn't know who he was, hadn't even heard of him, he knew she felt the pull between them. Just being close to her, smelling her skin and feeling her silky blonde hair was a little slice of heaven. He had wanted to bury his nose in her hair but knew she would have run faster than she did anyway. Her reticence to engage in conversation, holding those walls in front of her like a barrier.
Emma liked to hold those walls up and thought they were off-putting but for him, they presented a challenge. A challenge to see if he could tear them down, even if for a moment. And he had. When her lips had touched his, he had wanted to pull her into a dark corner and kiss her and never let her go. He had wanted to put her into the car with him and drive away from everyone and everything that prevented her from being his. Thankfully, however, he had retained a bit of sanity knowing that any major change in her behavior during his time, that had not occurred during her time, would likely change her path.
He needed to remember that as difficult as it was to think about, changing her path, even a small amount might not allow her to be where she needs to be in her year, 2014. That place that caused her to write the letter, that started the journey that led her to him. And her journey was allowing him to finally fulfill the destiny of discovering the love that his mother had mentioned in her letter. What was it that brought her to him? Had it truly been fate, like he had thought many times in the past eight months? The improbable had become probable. But why?
He heard the clicking of Rumple's nails on the tile before he saw him. As if sensing the rather pensive mood of his new master, Rumple decided it was time to play. Killian looked at the dog who had his arse in the air, tail waving madly, front legs splayed, chin between them, flat on the floor, and laughed. "Want to run, do you?"
As if he knew exactly what was being said to him, Rumple jumped up, galloping to the door excitedly. As soon as it was opened, off he ran. Sprinting down the walk, around Killian's truck, back to the walk, and then around the truck the other direction. All that could be seen was the black and white flash racing in circles in front of him.
Leading the way down the path to the beach, Killian left his shoes behind and started walking. Rumple was busy sniffing everything in sight and periodically bringing pieces of driftwood to be thrown for him to chase. Killian enjoyed the gentle breeze blowing his hair, but after almost an hour, he'd had enough and the weary Rumple was walking along next to him, with his tongue hanging out panting, a good indication that maybe he needed a rest too.
Killian felt his pocket for his cell phone, to check to see if he missed any calls and realized he had left it on the counter. Jogging back up the beach path, he washed off his feet, and dog and man raced to the front walk of the house, both breathing heavily. "You win boy." Rumple wagged his tail and with his tongue lolling out of his mouth, looked as if he was smiling and feeling quite proud of that fact.
On the way to the shower, Killian glanced at his cell and noticed he had a few missed calls from Liam. Deciding to clean up first, he showered, changed and continued with his happy Emma thoughts while he made himself a cup of hot cocoa, but without his Swan's cinnamon. He wasn't sure where she had picked up that habit but he would leave it for her.
Flipping through his contacts he put a call through to Liam and waited for him to answer. Thinking it was going to go straight to voice mail, he almost hung up when he heard his brother answer, his voice sounding frantic.
"Killian, finally. Where have you been?" But not waiting for an answer, Liam continued, "It's dad. He had a heart attack and is in the hospital."
Killian almost dropped the phone but then recovered, "Heart attack? When?"
Liam answered, "I'm not sure. All I know is he was able to dial emergency and they came straight away. He's awaiting a room at Bayside General. Can you come?"
As Liam was talking Killian had been putting on his shoes, grabbing his keys and jacket and was out the door before even asked. He tried to keep his mind on the road as traffic was heavy but with a huge sigh of relief, finally turned into the hospital parking lot. Once parked he entered the hospital to see Liam waiting for him. Together they got into the elevator and pushed the button for the seventh floor.
Emma (2014)
Sitting in front of the windows that overlooked the Bay, a place that had quickly become a sanctuary of sorts, Emma thought back over the past few hours. Loss. Death. Sorrow. Regrets. All of these often a part of what she saw daily working in an emergency room, but several so close together had taken a toll on her emotions and regrouping was in order. The first case had been a 90-year-old male who had pulled out in front of oncoming traffic and been hit on the driver's side and then his car had spun around before crashing head first into a light pole. While his car had airbags and they had opened, he had been pinned against the center console. Walter, the paramedic told her that the Jaws of Life had been used to extract him, which had taken no more than 10-15 minutes. And the trip to Bayside General had been relatively smooth, but during the ride, it had been touch and go, with the gentleman's heart rate and blood pressure steadily dropping. Once in the ER and transferred to a treatment table, his heart had finally ceased to beat. He had been pronounced dead at 8:45a.m.
A family forever changed as he had been someone's father, grandfather, great-grandfather and as miraculous as it seemed, someone's husband of almost seventy years. Emma had heard that he had been going to the store to pick up something for his wife, who had been feeling ill, and fate had stepped in, changing their lives forever, and not only the lives of his family but also of the man's who had hit him, who while alive, had sustained such severe injuries, he was currently in ICU.
But as sad as that case had been, it had been the case that had arrived 30 minutes later, that made her question her desire to be a physician. That made her question life and decisions and fate and destiny. She remembered a quote, Leo had used often; One change in thought leads to a change in your destiny, and in this case, that was certainly true. Thinking about the tearful scene she had left behind in the ER gave her the chills. Leaning her elbows on her legs and burying her face in her hands, she sat there taking deep breaths, managing to keep the tears at bay, until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up into the face of someone who knew her, who cared about her, and understood the depth of loss in her life was what broke her.
Feeling strong arms surround her, she allowed herself to be pulled against his muscular chest, and as she wept, he sat silently, running his hand up and down her back, comforting her as only someone who really knows you can. When she had run out of tears, she lifted up her head and looked at his shirt, where wet spots showed up on the dark chambray material, "Seems I got you a bit wet."
He smiled his gentle smile as he handed her a cloth handkerchief to wipe away the tears, and responded, "It will dry. Tell me, Emma, what happened? This isn't like you."
Thinking that maybe he could help her understand she opened her mouth to explain but then realized she was still holding the handkerchief he had given her, and said instead, "How about I tell you about my morning, if you tell me why you are carrying this?" And she held the cloth up between them.
He laughed softly and his cheeks got a little color, "Oh that's easy. I started carrying one of those after I started dating your sister. She's an "any reason" tear shedder and to keep my shirts dry it became necessary." He pointed his finger at her, "And if you tell her I said that I'll deny it till my dying breath."
She had gotten herself under control until the last few words and then she shuddered and her eyes welled up again, "Sorry, it's been an emotional day. I know I'm a doctor and as such not supposed to have feelings but sometimes a case really hits me hard, you know?"
David leaned back on the sofa, pulling Emma with him and against his left side, "Let me play detective here. You lost a patient, right?"
Nodding her head, yes, she composed herself as much as possible, and started her story, with as little emotion as possible. She told him that there had been a basketball game at a local high school the night before and after the game, there had been a party. Sadly, though the party hadn't been at a restaurant, nor had it been at a classmate's home, but out in the Everglades. The teens had built a bonfire, which surprisingly hadn't spread, and had gotten drunk. As the party broke up, and everyone left, still hoping to make curfew, four girls decided to stay a little longer, and party some more.
The sheriff had told her that what they had pieced together was that as the girls were driving home, they were driving too fast. The roads out there were very dark and as the driver was rounding a corner, she lost control, tried to over correct but that had caused the car to flip over and over several times, before landing upside down, off to the side of the road. Because the girls were impaired, none of them were wearing seatbelts and two of the girls had been ejected from the car, their broken bodies lying on the road. The other two girls had sustained massive head injuries from hitting possibly, the front windshield as well as the ceiling once the car had landed. And then on top of that, they had lied to their parents about where they were all spending the night, so no one was reported missing until early this morning. One of the girls hadn't shown up to watch her siblings while her parents went to work, which started frantic phone calls and the whole sad story was pieced together.
"David, I've lost patients before. I've seen families grieve but this is the first time I've had to look mothers in their eyes and tell them their 16-year-old daughters will never come home again. Never get to help them choose prom dresses, see them wear cap and gowns or watch them get married. Four families who will never be the same. They were juniors in high school and their classmates will never be the same. I close my eyes and I can't get the horrible sound of these girl's parents out of my head."
David leaned his head back on the sofa and looked at the ceiling for a few minutes, trying to come up with a word or two of wisdom to share with her, and finally just settled for the truth.
"Emma, it sucks, it really does. I'm not going to tell you that it will get easier to talk to families who have lost loved ones, nor am I going to tell you that you will ever understand, but those qualities are what make you shine as a doctor. Your empathy makes you unique. Don't ever change being whom you are or feeling sad when someone dies."
Taking a few deep breaths, she smiled at her almost brother, "Thanks, David, you sure you aren't a twin?"
He smirked at her, "Not that I know of but next time I talk to my mom, I'll ask. Who knows I might have a brother out there."
"Oh really? So what would his name be? Josh?"
"Josh? What kind of pansy name is that? Probably, James, it's much more manly."
Emma snorted and rolled her eyes, "My hero."
Speaking of heroes, M&M said you had someone new in your life, "Should I go into my protective dad mode?"
Shaking her head before he even finished, she told him, "You've done enough for one day. I'll be alright. I am going to sit here for a few more minutes then go finish my shift. Thanks for the shoulder and the handkerchief."
"Any time Emma." And with a fatherly kiss on her head he left her staring out the window at the waves.
After David left, Emma realized she had been gone longer than she had planned so stopping by the lounge she washed her face and repaired her makeup. Needing to get back to the ER, she stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for her floor but just as the door was about to close, she heard "Hold the door please!" and was lucky enough to stop it. Without a word of thanks, a woman walked on, a cloud of strong perfume surrounding her, and after looking to make sure the button for the bottom floor was pushed, buried her nose in her phone screen.
Emma kept having to rub her nose since the perfume smell was so overpowering and she kept feeling like she was going to sneeze. While she didn't get a good look at the woman's face she did notice long curly hair, a short tight skirt, short tight crop top that fit a few pounds ago, too many gold bangles to count on one arm, a diamond on her left hand, that was so large it was gaudy and skin that was brown enough to be leather. Obviously, a sun worshiper thought Emma. Plenty of those down here in Florida. And then she rolled her eyes at herself for sounding just like Ruby.
The elevator reached her floor and as the doors opened, Emma couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a big sneeze. The woman, whose perfume, was really the culprit for causing her to sneeze, looked over her shoulder with disgust and marched out the door. Emma looked up to see Ruby watching the woman with a frown on her face as if she was trying to figure something out. Shaking her head Emma washed her hands and went back to work.
Several hours later, the waiting room was empty and Emma was completing the last of her chart notes before her replacement arrived.
"Hey Ems," Ruby called from just outside the door, "Who was that lady that got off the elevator in front of you?"
For a moment Emma had no idea who she was talking about but then it donned on her, she was talking about Ms. Tight Skirt who wore an entire bottle of perfume, and not just a spritz, shrugging her shoulder, "I don't know, but my head hurt for quite a while afterward, why?"
Ruby looked around to make sure they were alone, "I'm not sure exactly but there's just something about her that's…" and before she could finish her sentence, a flurry of activity was centered around the doors as the paramedics wheeled in an obviously pregnant woman, in pain. Pushing the chart, she had been working on toward Ruby, she rushed after the paramedics to take care of the new mom.
Killian (2012)
Getting off on the 7th floor Liam led the way to their father's room. Killian was shocked to see his vibrant father looking so pale and hooked up to so many wires and needles. He was being given some medicine through an IV in one arm, his heart rate was being monitored and EKG leads were attached to his chest and an oxygen mask was also present. Killian's first thought was that the beeping of the machine, while probably supposed to be comforting was rather loud and disturbing, which made him want to turn and run, but he knew he couldn't. He needed to be here for Liam, and yes, for his father also. There was so much that had been missed while he was growing up and he was determined to make the most of every moment he was given these days.
They walked into the room but hesitated to get too close to the bed, both behaving as if the machines were walls and not just small inconveniences that could be moved.
Liam spoke softly, "Killian, Dr. Hopper, said he would be by shortly to let us know the results of the tests they've run on him." As he finished that sentence, the door opened and the red-headed, bespectacled man with the kind face, walked in.
"I'm glad you're both here. I'll get straight to the point. Brennan suffered a mild heart attack earlier today and after running tests we're going to keep him in the hospital for a few days and use blood thinners to break up some blood clots we've discovered. This will prevent the clots from blocking veins, which could lead to a much larger heart attack or stroke.
Liam and Killian looked at each other, concern evident on both of their faces, "What are the risks? Do the benefits outweigh them?"
Dr. Hopper looked down at Brennan's chart, that he was holding, taking a moment to flip through the many pages, "As with any procedure there are risks, and that's true with blood thinners. But the cardiologist and I discussed our options and your father is young and he was quick about dialing 911, which allowed him to get help quickly. I think all those are positives, but there is also the possibility that there could be some bleeding, which is why we are keeping him in the hospital so we can monitor him closely."
As he finished speaking, he checked the numbers on the EKG machine and logged them into the chart. "I'll be back to check on him later. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks, Dr. Hopper," both Liam and Killian murmured.
"Why the long face's lads? Your father's not dead yet," quipped Brennan from his place on the bed.
Liam was startled to hear their father's voice and moved closer so he could be next to the bed. Brennan held his hand up and Liam gently took it between his larger ones before asking, "How are you feeling? Dr. Hopper said you're going to be in here for a few days so you can get better."
Brennan looked up at Liam, "Better now my son. I'm glad you boys are here. There's so much that needs to be said, so many regrets."
Killian took a step forward, and clasped his hands around Liam's and his father's, "We'll discuss whatever you want to discuss dad, but not tonight. Tonight can we just be a family?"
Smiling at his sons Brennan nodded, "I think we can do that. Your mother would be proud of the men you've both become."
The next few hours passed pleasurably. For the first time in their lives, Brennan opened up to Liam and Killian and talked about the early years of his career. Talked about meeting and falling in love with Anna and how happy they were when they found out she was pregnant. As the day wore on and he got tired, they let him nap and walked to the cafeteria to get something to eat, before settling back in for another visit. As visiting hours ended and the nurses started motioning for all visitors to leave, Liam and Killian left Brennan and went their separate ways.
As Killian drove home, he thought about everything that had transpired, and how fate had once again stepped in. Thinking about the saying everything happens for a reason, he had to wonder about the truth to it. He hated that Brennan was having health problems but he was thankful that something had stepped in and allowed there to be talk without words being said that may not be able to be taken back. Now he just needed to believe what Will Shakespeare had meant when he said it's not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.
Once he reached the beach house, he had never been happier to see a new letter from Emma had arrived. Needing to feel that connection that her letters always brought he carried it into the house. Pouring himself a splash of rum, he sat in his easy chair, and while scratching Rumple's head that was on his thigh and read. Her letter caused his heart to hurt. He had known for a while that even without knowing what she looked like or sounded like that he loved her. But after meeting her at her birthday party, talking to her, and even better, holding her and kissing her, he knew that he was 'in love' with her. Remembering an old Chinese Proverb, he had once read that said, fate brings people together no matter how far apart they may be was going to be his motto. Sitting down to write, he shared a little piece of his past.
Emma (2014)
Emma was lounging on her balcony idly flipping through the pages of the latest medical journals, seeing if anything caught her attention enough to read. The week following the teens' death had been difficult as it was all the staff spoke about as well as on the news, and now that she had a day off, she was more interested in which movie stars were having affairs than she was in the latest medical finding. A day of doing nothing sounded pretty good. Thinking that she might have another cup of cocoa, she was disappointed when there was a knock on the door. Looking down at herself, she guessed she didn't look too bad in a pair of yoga pants and a long t-shirt and padded in to open the door. M&M stood there, a bright smile on her face, bag in her hand from Emma's favorite donut stop, and barging in, pushed Emma aside. Looking her up and down, she handed her the bag and pushed her toward her bedroom, "Get dressed sister mine, we've got a busy day."
Emma had opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to figure out where to start, when her phone chimed. Looking at the screen she saw it was a text from David, "Don't argue. Just do as she says."
Feeling a pucker form between her brows, she looked up at M&M, "Is this David Nolan's idea of therapy? Sending my sister after me?"
M&M had the decency to blush but didn't let Emma's off-putting behavior deter her, "No. He told me what happened, and I'm so sorry that it did, but this is my idea of therapy. We have a full day. We're meeting Ruby, and Belle at the salon in an hour, then we are having lunch at a new place I've wanted to try and then it's to Adventura Mall for some retail therapy. Now go!" Deciding that she wasn't going to win, she went to get dressed, preparing to make a dent in her checkbook.
Getting ready for work the next day, Emma had to admit to herself, she had enjoyed her time with the girls. They had gotten manicures, pedicures, facials and massages and had a quiet lunch at a new deli. Afterward, they had hit the mall and she had spent money on new lingerie. Wondering if Killian was a boob, butt or legs man made her giggle, because how could it ever be, but letting him go wasn't an option she was ready to accept. Leaving that thought for later, which she realized she did quite often with thoughts about him, she bid Rumple farewell and left for work.
As November was in full swing, the snowbirds, or as the retired individuals who lived north of Florida and wintered there, were called, arrived in full force and the ER seemed busier than usual. Having learned that there was an ebb and flow of the traffic through ER, she had learned to take time to chart when she could instead of leaving it for the end of her shift. As she was finishing up the last of the morning charts, Ruby popped her head in the room, "Emma, remember that woman you rode down the elevator with a week or so ago, who had the really strong perfume?"
Thinking back on that day, Emma had a vague impression of the individual, "I think so," she responded, "Why do you ask?"
Looking behind her to make sure no one was listening, Ruby whispered, "I found out who she was. She was here visiting her husband, a man by the name of Gold, I think. I can't remember her name, it was unusual though, Lily, Milli, Lila, Milah, something like that, but that's not really the news," And then she stopped to take a breath and make sure they were still alone, "Rumor has it that Gold caught his wife "doing it" with the pool boy in their bed and that's why he had a heart attack. "
Emma looked up at Ruby and slowly shook her head, "You know Ruby, if you ever get tired of being a nurse, I bet you could go to work for one of the rag mags." She laughed. "Ugh, thanks for the information, I guess. I'm not sure how I could have lived without it."
The sarcasm going right over Ruby's head, she preened at the compliment, "You're welcome, Em. Anytime." Turning around to see who the paramedics were pushing through the door she called, "You're up Dr. Swan." Emma took the chart and swung into action.
Jay Hyde, and his wife were out for a drive when they had been side swiped after Mr. Hyde had attempted a left turn from the center lane. He didn't seem to have any injuries but since he was slow to respond the paramedics had brought him in, just to be sure. Emma took his vitals and asked him a few questions. He just looked at her, a blank look on his face, but always watching her mouth. Finally, after repeated tries, and not being successful, she turned to his wife, "Mrs. Hyde, does your husband wear hearing aids. He doesn't seem to be able to hear me."
"Oh dearie, he's deaf as a post, but stopped wearing his hearing aids because he said the horns were too loud."
Emma looked at the woman a little longer than necessary, "Really?" Shaking her head at the idiosyncrasies of people, she went back to finish up her check of Mr. Hyde.
Feeling a need to drive down to the beach house after her shift, to see if Killian had left her a response, Emma loaded up Rumple and they took off. As always arriving at the beach house, felt like coming home and seeing the flag on the mailbox up, was just the icing on the cake. Wanting to prolong the anticipation, she took the letter, drove back home and after feeding her dog, laid down on her bed to read.
Killian had written more than he had ever written before. She learned about his father building the beach house for his mother and how they had lived there as a family before his mother took him back to England where he grew up. He told her about some of the family times and how when they were separated how he had really missed his brother and father but had resented his father, blaming him for the distance between them. When she came to the last paragraph, she sat up, and took hold of the paper with both hands. Killian had written,
My father had a mild heart attack at the beginning of November. Originally they told us it would just be a few days of blood thinners and we would be able to take him home, but it was a tough first week. He had a setback and angioplasty had been performed, placing a stent in the other coronary artery and then the blood thinners were continued for a fewdays. Afterward, he required physical therapy to strengthen his muscles but I'm to pick him up from Bayside General this week.
Finally, Swan, things are looking up. I wish you were here with me.
And he closed his letter Love, Killian. Emma sighed and read back over the letter again, and checked the date. "I wonder when he was discharged" she murmured, "It could have been about now". Glancing at the clock and noting the time, she knew her curiosity would keep her from relaxing. Picking up her keys she drove back to the hospital, wondering if she would be able to check old files in medical records. The time was 4:30p.m.
Killian (2012)
Killian had been feeling guilty about leaving Rumple cooped up in the house so much so he took him for a walk. It was Tuesday, finally the day when Dr. Hopper, had said they could take his father home. The medication seemed to have taken care of the clots and he had had all medications stopped and was no longer wearing the EKG leads, 24-hours a day. His heart beat was regular and steady and Brennan was anxious to return home. Finally, the call came from the hospital and he was told he could pick up his father at 5:30 pm. Checking the time, he noted it was only 4:30 pm. Making plans to leave in less than an hour, Killian went to clean up.
Emma (2014)
Arriving at Bayside at 4:55, Emma was hoping to get in and out without running into anyone she knew but as with most times when you are in a hurry, luck was not on her side. Thinking it would be quicker she took the stairs to medical records and as she came out of the stairwell door, almost ran into Regina. "Regina, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you."
Regina smiled, and waved her hand, holding her cell phone, in the air, "Partly my fault. I was reading a text from Robin and wasn't paying any attention to where I was going. You see, Roland has a t-ball game tonight, and daddy is a bit anxious."
"T-ball? That's terrific. Let's hope he doesn't lose any more teeth."
Regina groaned. "Oh, please don't put that thought into my head. I'll be worrying the entire time he's out there."
"It will be fine mama bear. Boys and girls have played t-ball for years and survived. But changing the subject, look at you! You look terrific. Were you able to get an appointment with Dr. Arende? I definitely detect that baby glow."
Rubbing her hand along her baby bump, Regina smiled serenely, "Yes, I've seen her several times. Since I'm considered high risk, I'll go in more often as well as have more ultra sounds and there is still a possibility that I'm going to have to go on bedrest so I'm trying to lessen my work load, although that has proven difficult."
Rolling her eyes, Emma nodded her head, "Yes, I can imagine that. Do you know what you're having?"
"So far no. We are scheduled to have an ultrasound soon, but we don't care as long as he, or she, is healthy. And now so I don't make my 6-year-old mad at me I better run. Let's talk soon." And she was off.
Walking into the medical records office, Emma filled out a slip of paper to request a file and waited. As she handed the slip to the clerk, she noticed it was 5:10. "
The clerk finally came rushing around the corner of some large shelves, "I'm so sorry Dr. Swan but the record was misfiled so it took me a few minutes to locate it. Here you go, Brennan Jones, from November 2012.'
For some unknown reason, Emma felt anxious, but took a deep breath and opened the file to read through the records. Closing it, she pushed it back across the counter and ran out the door. It was 5:15pm.
Killian (2012)
At 5:00 Killian jumped in his SUV and started the drive north to Miami and Bayside General to pick up his father and take him home. Brennan had been in the hospital for almost two weeks and Killian guessed stopping for some 'decent' food would be the first order of business, as hospital food was deemed 'rubbish.' Turning into the hospital parking lot and finding a close place to park proved a tough task, so he just pulled into the first spot available. Turning off the car, he opened his door just as his phone rang. Noticing the exchange, he assumed it was his dad, asking where he was, and answered. It was 5:20 pm.
"Killian, this is Dr. Hopper. I'm calling with some difficult news?"
Killian assumed that his father was complaining about something, which had been pretty typical over the past week, so he responded with, "Is my dad complaining about the food again, Dr. Hopper?"
Killian could hear the doctor sigh into the phone, "I'm sorry to bring you this news but, Killian, your father was pronounced dead 5 minutes ago, at 5:15p.m."
Killian dropped his phone and sat there in shock. When it rang again, he jumped, and after looking around on the floor located it so he could answer. It was Liam, who had just received the call from Dr. Hopper and was on his way to the hospital. Once Liam arrived the men went in together to meet with the doctor and figure out what the next step was. It was an exhausting ordeal and after making plans with a local funeral home, they went to their perspective homes.
Arriving back at the beach house, Killian noticed that the postbox flag was up and opening it found, not just a letter but a parcel. Taking it inside he ripped open the paper and found a book with a picture of a beach house, his beach house actually on the cover. The book's title was "My Life's Works by Brennan Jones. Opening Emma's letter, he read;
Killian,
I'm so sorry. I wish that some way I could be there for you. We could walk together on the beach we both love and I could be a shoulder for you to lean on, in your time of need. If I could do one thing for you. One thing from the future that could help you, it is this. Even though it won't be published for a couple of years, I want you to have it today. I hope this helps you know how much you were loved. When you are ready to talk Killian, I'll be here waiting.
Emma
Killian opened the book to see a picture of the beach house and in the picture in front of the house stood his father with him on one side and Liam on the other. He looked to be about 5. Flipping through the pages, he saw buildings his father had designed, many of them from the days when he and his mother lived here, in this house with him. There were pictures of them as a family too, some he never remembered taking. And in all of the pictures, his father was wearing a look of love, especially when he was captured looking at his mum. He loved her, Killian thought, all those years, he loved her.
Killian flipped back to the front and as he was closing it, his name caught his eye. In small print, was written:
This book is dedicated to my family, Anna, Liam, and Killian.
I wanted to be a better man for you three, in the end, did I succeed? You all brought me great joy. While Anna and I were not fortunate enough for our destinies to remain intertwined forever, I treasured each and every moment we shared. Once I'm gone, I know our souls will be together again, as one without the other is incomplete.
Liam and Killian, if I can say one thing to you two, please remember this, even though we don't have the power to choose where we came from, we always have the power to choose where we go from here. Remember it's your life, and you control your destiny. Find that path my sons and hold on with everything you have inside.
It was signed, Your loving father, Brennan.
Killian closed the book and pulling it closely against his chest, wept.
So did I succeed? Did you shed a tear or two? Please let me know if you enjoyed the chapter. Stay tuned for Chapter 10.