HELLFIRE - Old Flames Burn Brightest [a specterverse valentines day short story]

Chapter SEVEN

~Harley Greyson~

... a few weeks later ...

It's amazing what a near death experience can do for perspective.. Before the warehouse blaze, I had been so caught up in my fears and self-doubts that eventually they became the paralysis that kept me from doing all the things that scared me..

But now I am reborn.. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, forged in fire, I am determined.. I am the designer of my own destiny and I get to manifest the life that I want.. And maybe it won't be perfect, there might be heartbreak and tears or there could be a happily ever after waiting for me.. But I'll never know if I don't take the risk..

Maybe it will all go wrong or maybe I'll get everything right, but whatever happens will happen because I took a chance.. At least I can say that I gave it my everything..

When my time finally comes, all that matters is that I lived and loved as hard as I possibly could.. Because everyday is precious..

"Harley! Finn's here!" Dad calls out to me from downstairs as I hurry around my parents bedroom in a rush to finish getting ready.. I take one final look in the full length mirror as mom smiles at me from her seat at the end of the bed.. I feel a little ridiculous in the glamorous dress that I had borrowed from her closet, but I want to look pretty tonight, because I want it to be memorable.. I need everything to be perfect..

"You look absolutely stunning, Sweetpea.." The stars in her eyes twinkle as she gazes at me with an adoration that actually makes my heart ache in a good way..

"Really?" I brush my fingers through my hair and fix the twisted spaghetti strap of the tight black dress, posing awkwardly in the front of the mirror.. "You don't think the dress is a little much?"

"No.." She shakes her head, the cute messy bun atop her head bobbing from side to side.. "It's perfect.. You're perfect.."

"Ugh, God, I'm so nervous!" I blow out an anxious breath, reaching into my bra to pull out the shiny platinum ring that I intend to give to the man I love.. "Do you think he'll say yes?"

"He'd be crazy not to.. There's nothing about you not to love, Harley.." She beams back at me with loving reassurance and the sparkle of a star in her eye.. "You've grown into such a brilliant and beautiful young woman, I'm just so proud to be your mother.."

"Aw, mom! You're the best!" I cross to give her a quick peck on the cheek and she grabs my hand to stop me from leaving, offering one last observation..

"I always liked him, you know, Finnegan.. He's a good man.. The way he looks at you, Harley--" She sighs softly.. "I'd have to be blind not to see how much he cares for you.."