A Tattered Love (36 page)
Authors: Nickie Seidler
Dustin flew down the stairs holding way more things in his hands than he should have. He wore a blue button down shirt with a black undershirt. His jeans were ripped at the knees, and they hung in that panty-dropping sexiness. Five years later, this man turns me on more now probably than ever. This whole “daddy” experience between raising Molly and Jordan, he’s like a completely new hotness. This side of him I want to keep forever. He’s that kind of dad to sit there at the table with Molly and help her with her homework. The kind of dad to lie on the floor and sleep in made up tents all around our house. The kind of dad who enjoys playing with Barbie dolls and trucks, planes, trains, cars, and anything Molly and Jordan could get their hands on. I honestly couldn’t have picked a better soul mate to spend the rest of my life with.
“Molly, get your jacket on, honey.” Dustin handed Molly her polka dot raincoat and her matching umbrella. He looked at me and smiled and began to pack a few snacks into the backpack.
“Babe, it’s just a talent show, not a road trip.” I laughed at him as Molly giggled.
“Jordan is going to be a class president someday, babe, he’s so smart and talented. What five year old does a talent show by performing some kick ass magic, my boy, that’s right!” Dustin raised his hand to high five Molly and me. Completely ignoring my comment to make fun of him.
We gathered everything we needed and got situated in the car, and Molly tapped on her flat screen built into the seat in front of her and started a movie up. I leaned over and placed my hand on his as we drove off to the school. A few minutes later, we took our seats in the auditorium with all the other kindergartener’s parents. We waited impatiently to see our little boy up there. Surprisingly, Molly sat with us, and she was actually paying attention as the show started. Every year she gets older, and Jordan gets older, she tends to like him more and want more to do with him. I think the big sister protecting little brother act has finally settled in. She used to pick on him quite a bit the first two years. I think she was just trying to fit in with her other friends who had siblings.
We hear Mrs. Michaels speak over the microphone and introduce Jordan. Of course, we clapped outrageously loud, and Dustin added a few whistles in. Molly screamed his name and then the crowd became quiet. My little man was up on stage being braver than most, not a nervous bone in his body. He was like Dustin’s little mini me, and he could never deny his kid, that was for sure. Standing three and a half feet tall, dark brown hair, the brightest blue eyes you had ever seen, stood what I called my handsome son. Jordan and Molly were my world.
Jordan had gigantic cards on display and had a girl next to him that was going through his moves. He said what he did through a microphone with each move he made. He showed the audience like a pro. Hard to believe this little man was only five and was doing such an amazing job entertaining a huge crowd of adults. Once he tricked the girl and fooled everyone with the oldest trick in the book, but Jordan didn’t know that, and neither did Molly. Everyone applauded him loudly. He bowed and exited the stage. I didn’t know who was more proud—Dustin or me.
Dustin nudged me in the side then whispered in my ear, “That’s our boy!”
I smiled at him and then noticed as he reached in his pocket and grabbed his cell phone. A message displayed across the screen. It was from Carter, his partner.
“Babe, I got to go. They need me at the station, there was a code blue down on Lamar Street. I love you. Tell Jordan he rocked it.” He leaned down and gave Molly a kiss, and then leaned into me and kissed me hard. He gave me goose bumps—that was how good his kiss always was.
This was our life now. Dustin finally had his dream job at the police department. He was fighting crime as he made life easier for Delaware residents. He was my man in uniform doing what he always dreamed of doing. Does it make me restless at night? Sometimes, of course. Would tonight be one of those nights? Yes, Lamar Street is the worst area in town with the highest drug rate known. I worried about him, but I knew he could whoop ass and handle his own.
I grabbed Molly’s hand as we went to get Jordan. His smile lit up when he saw us. I couldn’t help but open my arms wide for him as he ran into them. Then he turned from me and ran behind me. As I turned around, I looked back as he ran into Abby’s arms. I sighed with a sigh of relief that she had made it in time. I knew with her being pregnant that she has been late a lot with having to take it slow and easy as she was about ready to pop. Evan was more cautious than ever, and I was surprised he even let her come out tonight.
“Glad you could make it, Aunt Abby.” I winked at her. “Is that baby coming any time soon, because I’m dying to hold it?” I embraced her in a warm hug. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen her. If I thought she was big then, she looked as if she were about to have twins now!
“Hold your horses. You'll have plenty of time to hold her!”
“Her!” I gasped and jumped up and down. “You said her!” I pointed at her embarrassment.
“Crap, Abby, you gave it away!” Evan laughed nudging her arm.
“Oh my god! I’m so excited that you’re having a girl!” I squealed in happiness.
“Ah, hell, I guess it slipped. Yes, we’re having a girl, soon, I hope.” Abby rolled her eyes.
“Mom, can I name her?” Molly tugged on my shirt.
“Sweetheart, this is Aunt Abby’s baby. She’s going to name her. Maybe she’ll let you help.”
I was so happy that Evan and Abby moved out here. They were family now and awesome with our kids. Granny, Galena, and Seth fight over who gets the kids for a weekend sometimes. Just when I thought I didn’t have any family at all, I had all the family I needed. I have a wonderful husband with two fabulous kids. More than I could have ever asked for. They were all adjusting to living out here, and we truly enjoyed each other’s company. I couldn’t wait to be an aunt to Abby’s soon to be born baby girl. We are all grown up now, things were very different from what they used to be, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Dustin’s Mom—yeah, let’s just say his parents were now divorced, and we haven’t heard a peep from her since that night. Her reputation went downhill and fast after her husband, well ex-husband now, exposed her in embarrassment to their rich friends. He called her out on her shit and made sure everyone knew that I was innocent, and indeed Mrs. Lori Boyd was standing by
the criminal,
Sabrina. She was voted down off her high horse at the golf club and demoted from being President. She ended up moving away, last I heard. Dustin didn’t associate with her anymore, but occasionally talked with his Dad. He sees the kids every now and then, and he had already moved on with another woman. Dustin and he probably would never be close, but it was a start.
Carla, she moved to New York to be with her new boyfriend. She doesn't talk to Dustin very often anymore, she keeps herself too busy to concern herself with her family. Hell, I don’t blame her. I hoped she succeeded with her life.
As for us, well, we were just your typical family living in Delaware.
The End.
I hope you enjoyed
A Tattered Love
! I highly encourage you to write a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and/or Goodreads! Send me a message on Facebook, and let me know what you thought!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in the Chicago-land area, Nickie Seidler is a up and coming young author. Her new-found dream of being a romance writer has now led to the completion of her second book "A Tattered Love". Nickie is married, and when not writing, enjoys cooking new recipes, water aerobics, car racing and spending quality time with family and friends.
Other books by Nickie Seidler
A Lucky Second Chance
available through Amazon and Barnesandnoble.com
Feel free to social network with me,
keeping up-to-date with the latest news on my books:
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/N.M.Seidler
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https://twitter.com/AuthorNSeidler
If you or someone you know has been a victim of bullying, below are some organizations in no particular order, that may be able to help.
Nova
- Network of Victim Assistance - Hotline at 1-800-675-6900
http://www.novabucks.org/bullying.html
KidsHealth from Nemours
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/bullies.html
The National Center for Victims of Crime
Helpguide.org
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bullying.htm
theguardian
http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2013/aug/23/support-cyberbullying-victims-at-school
Cable in the classroom
(Kids.cable.learning - Stand up … be in control!)
http://www.ciconline.org/DigitalCitizenship/InCtrl/LessonFive
If you enjoyed the character, Austin, he came from the book
Conflicted
. It’s part of the Battlescars Series, Book Three by Sophie Monroe.
Conflicted
When you think about your life, are there things you would reverse?
Derek Scott is the twenty-six year old drummer of Battlescars. With a past marred by tragedy, he has a hard time letting people in. He's also made his share of mistakes. Now, he's trying to come to terms with the choices he has made recently and what they mean for him.
When someone from his past comes back into his life, Derek thinks maybe he can get back on track. However, things unravel, leaving him more unclear than ever. When long kept secrets find him and force him to decide what really matters in his life, will he be able to choose a path - or will he always be conflicted?
Available through Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Conflicted-Battlescars-III-ebook/dp/B00F7KLNFO