Yours Always (24 page)

Fletcher was right about some things; others I’m forced to figure out on my own.  I discover that a person can have more than one true love.  Fletcher will always be my first true love, whereas Robert is my here and now.  Fletcher flew into my life like a tornado, turning upside down everything I’d ever thought I’d known about living.  I needed that jolt—that proverbial kick in the pants.  He was the shock to my system that got everything flowing, working, and moving forward.  He showed me how to truly live all the way until the day he abandoned his own life because of the incessant pain he kept hidden from us. 

I miss him every single day.  I’m absolutely convinced that if he hadn’t died, we’d still be happily married and raising our sweet little family together.  There would have probably been set backs, but we would have dealt with them as they came along, and we would have overcome them—of that I have no doubt.  I wish Fletcher would have had the same confidence.  We worked so well together because where one slacked, the other was strong. 

I don’t feel that we got a fair shot.  We were both damaged goods when we entered our relationship, and we needed to confront our pasts before we could move forward. I found relief by releasing my inner demons.  Unfortunately, Fletcher’s consumed him.  Regardless, I can’t go back and rewrite history, though I wish every single day that I could.

Robert is such a good man: patient, kind, caring, loving...  I can’t even begin to list all of his admirable qualities.  I love him dearly.  It’s not the way I loved Fletcher, but still the love is pure, true, and powerful.  I call it mature, or grown-up love.  It’s the anti-Fletcher, and by that I mean it’s not spontaneous and raw, but it’s right for me at this point in my life.  For instance, Robert and I started our relationship slowly.  We spent time truly getting to know each other.  I told him all my history in one fell swoop.  I wanted to get it all over and done with before progressing past the whole friend/boss-employee situation.  He shared his history with me, though his was considerably less tragic, and once that was out of the way, we determined that we were interested in more.  It wasn’t until our pasts were shared and resolved that we finally decided to begin a romantic relationship.  I’m doing things conscientiously, contemplating decisions thoroughly before moving forward, and it’s all because of the children.  I have them to consider with every decision I make because they are my everything. 

It was six months into my new job before Robert and I had our serious conversation about our pasts.  Another six months passed before we made the decision to move our relationship from friends who occasionally have dinner together to formally dating.  A year later we were engaged, and a year after that, we were married.  Having my five-year-old sweethearts beside me when I pledged my love to Robert was one of the most special moments of my life.  Three months after that, when Robert officially adopted my children, we became even stronger as a family.  Don’t misunderstand me; Fletcher still plays a large role in the children’s lives even with Robert raising them.  Fletcher will always be “Daddy,” whereas Robert is “Poppa” to the Reilly-Goodman children.  Robert always wanted children of his own, but since he couldn’t, he throws every bit of paternal love into helping me raise a couple of wonderful children, and he’s absolutely amazing at it.

My once empty heart is filled. I love my life, and I do my best to live each day to the fullest.  Happiness has found me, and it’s not fleeting; it’s forever.  What I have with Robert is the real deal.  I’ve finally found my way, but it never would’ve happened without that random phone call from a stranger who turned out to need me just as much as I needed him.  Old Maebelle was right.  Marriage sucks, but only because one day it will come to an end.  Fletcher, our ending came far too soon.  Thank you for sending me the signs.  May you rest in peace, my love.  Until we meet again, a special piece of my heart belongs to you, and will remain yours always.

The end.

Also by
Rhonda R. Dennis

The Green Bayou Novels
(Romantic Suspense)

Going Home

Awakenings

Déjà Vu

Unforeseen

Between Four and Five: A Green Bayou Extra

Deceived

Green Bayou After Five: Connie’s Wild Night

Between Five and Six: A Green Bayou Extra

Vengeance

Magnolia Blossoms
(Romantic Comedy)