The Consequences of Forever (1) (43 page)

             
I’d never been a selfish person, but I’ve never considered myself to be necessarily selfless, either. I’d had hopes and dreams for myself, but they seemed to dim in comparison for the things I wanted for Harper. I wondered if that were normal, if all mothers felt that their lives lost a little bit of importance in comparison to the lives of their children. All I wanted to do was take care of her.

             
I fell asleep soon after that, and dreamt of Harper as she aged. I watched her go from a newborn into a toddler, from toddler to child, from child to teenager. I dreamt she pursued all of the things I’d once wanted to, and found nothing but success. I dreamt that she found a man as loyal and loving as her father, and married him. I dreamt that her life turned out perfectly, and that she thanked me for it, because I gave up the ultimate sacrifice; I gave my life to her, something my own mother had never been capable of.

             
When I woke up another two hours later, Adam was asleep in the chair, and Harper was back in her bassinet, but she was awake. She seemed to sense me staring at her, and her eyes focused on mine. I smiled at her, and almost like magic, she smiled back. Her first smile.

             
“I love you, Harper Grace.” I whispered to her, and in my head, I heard her sometime in the future, whispering those words back to me.

Acknowledgments

              They say it takes an army to write a book. That wasn’t really true in my case, but there are a select few this book never would have come to existence without.

             
First and foremost, my husband, for being amazing every step of the way, with his endless love and support. It takes a special kind of person to be the way he is, and I’m grateful for him every moment of every day.

             
My best friend, for reading every chapter until I was dishing them out faster than she could read them, and reassuring me every time I felt doubt, and maybe most importantly, being completely honest, because every writer needs that.

             
My parents, of course. My dad, for passing on the creative gene his side of the family seems to carry, and my mom, for reading to me every night before bed, until I could read to myself. 

             
My idol, for writing the words that inspired me throughout this process, and for showing me that as long as you really believe in something, you can make it happen.

             
And last but certainly not least, everyone who took the time to read this, whether you’re doing it because you know me, or because you read the synopsis and it sounded like something you’d enjoy. I sincerely hope it was.

About the Author

Kaitlyn Oruska has wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember, but never thought it was possible, until the idea of this story wouldn’t leave her alone. She lives in a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, her cat, and her dog, and hopes to write many, many more books.

You can visit her anytime on her website/blog:
www.kaitlynoruska.wordpress.com