Page 38 of Grim's Gem

“What's up, my little men? You been protecting mama today?” I ask and smile at the firm, their mouths in a serious straight line, nodding.

“Yup, no one got past us, daddy,” Grant says.

“We made sure Zara was protected, too. We so got this!” Grayson tacks on.

“Well, I’m so proud of you both. Now, where is your mama?” I ask, setting them down.

“In the living room. She’s finishing up Zara’s hair.”

“Alright, you two run upstairs and get ready for bed. Mama and I will come say bye before we leave,” I tell them, watching as they run away, wrestling the entire time.

I roll my eyes but laugh as I head toward the living room to retrieve my old lady. It’s our anniversary this weekend, and I’ve planned out a whole trip for us. We are riding the bike a few hours out east to the smoky mountains. I rented a cabin up there for three days, just her and me with nothing but trees surrounding us. Fuck yes. I walk into the living room just as Jade is finishing. Zara pops up, bending down and hugging Jade. I look at my beautiful baby girl and can't believe she is already thirteen years old.

She’s the light of our lives, her and her brothers. They spot me and smile, matching almost as twins. Although my Clover has a body full of curves that I still drool over to this day, Zara has an athletic build from her gymnastics training. She’s a natural. My baby could go into the damn Olympics, and no one on this planet could tell me different. They could try, but I would cut their tongue out.

“Hey, daddy. Hope you and mom have a good trip. Make sure you bring me back a souvenir,” Zara says, bounding up and kissing me on the cheek. Damn, she's got me so wrapped.

“You know it, baby. Now get up there and get ready for bed. Help your brothers if they need it. Paisley will be here any minute to babysit while we're gone. Make sure your brothers don't act up,” I say. When she’s gone, I turn back to my woman.

“You ready to have a whole three-day weekend to ourselves? Alone in the woods, what kind of trouble do you think we could get into?” I ask, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her to me.

“Oh, I’m definitely looking forward to the ride you are taking me on this weekend. The bike ride and… the other ride.” She winks at me, making me growl.

“What did I do to deserve a woman like you?” I ask, kissing her neck.

“Maybe walking under that ladder didn't give you bad luck after all. Or maybe all my good luck got cashed in. Either way, I’ll keep wishing on every candle, crossing every finger, picking up every penny, and keep knocking on wood,” she teases. I just roll my eyes, but behind my back, I secretly cross my fingers. Eh, what the hell? I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her. Even believing in the impossible.

Epilogue Two

Ophelia

Just run, don't look back, never look back. Hold on tight. You have to hold on tight, Ophelia.

I talk to myself the whole time I'm running through the cornfields surrounding our little community. I just need to get us out of here before they realize we’ve escaped. There is a bus stop in the town over if I remember correctly. If I can get there, we should be home free.

“Mommy, my wegs hurt,” Mabel says, slowing considerably.

She’s only three, so her legs aren't long enough to keep up with me, but after being locked away in a tiny basement, never being allowed outside that tiny room, I’m not as strong as I once was. Still, I bend and pick up my baby, trying to keep pace, but I’ve slowed considerably. I want to cry, but I don't. I keep running. I have to get us away. I have to get Mabel away. If they find me, I don't care.

They could lock me back up, or heck, even kill me. I wouldn't care, but Mabel deserves a better life. She deserves to live. To see the sun. This is her first time seeing the sky, and when we walked out, I could barely get her to keep her eyes on the path in front of us. She was mesmerized by the stars. Icouldn't blame her. After four years of a dark room, all I wanted to do was stare up at that sky, but I couldn't. I couldn't slow down; I couldn't stop. They will find us and drag us back. I run for what feels like hours. I start to worry I’m going to get lost. It’s been so long since I’ve come this way, and some things have changed, but luckily, I recognize most of my surroundings.

I finally make it to the bus stop. Taking out the letter tucked inside my dress pocket, the only thing I was able to carry out of that place, the only valuable thing I own, even if its contents did rip my heart out. I look at the sender's address. The letter was addressed to me, but that didn't stopthemfrom reading it. They were nearly giddy with the message inside, knowing it would crush my heart and soul. Even to this day, I swear the only reason my heart didn't give out and I didn't die that day was the knowledge that my baby girl was with me.

I buy a bus ticket to a small Alabama town, knowing I need to get Mabel there. He will protect her with his life of this, I am sure. He might not love me anymore, but if he looks at her beautiful baby blues, he’ll be lost. He’ll protect her as he did for me up until the day he left me.

Please just get us there… Alive.

The End