Perfect Storm

Prologue

TW: The following scene features the death of a parent.

"Bree? Where are you sweetheart?" The pain etched in her voice gutted me.

Yesterday, she had gotten a little burst of energy and had actually gotten out of bed. Today, she was much worse. I knew it wouldn't be long now. The hospice nurse and told us all of the signs to look for to know when the end was near. However, nothing can prepare you for when it actually happens.

My father had already said his final goodbye and now it was my turn. He had taken a few steps back to give me my moment, however he didn't want to leave the room, and I couldn't blame him. I didn't really want him to leave anyway.

"I'm here mama. I'm not going anywhere." I took her hand and squeezed it, noticing it was not nearly as warm as usual.

"You are such a blessing to me honey. I want you to know that life is a gift, never a burden, and you are my greatest gift."

"I love you mama." I cried softly.

"I love you too, my Breezy girl. Did you get yourself checked out? Are you okay." Her voice was now barely a whisper. Even in the end, her only concern was me.

"I'm gonna be just fine mama. I don't want you to worry about me."

"Okay. Good. Now I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will go back to North Carolina and you are gonna marry that boy."

"I promise mama."

It was a lie. Everything I had told her was a lie. I was not okay, and I was not going back to North Carolina. Ryan and I had no future together, but she didn't need to know that.

"I'm so tired baby." Her voice had grown even weaker.

"Then rest mama. It's okay." I fought to hold back a sob as she closed her eyes for the last time and took her final breath. Finally giving in to the cancer that had ravaged her body for so long.

Nothing was okay. Nothing would ever be okay again.

A/N: Guess who's back? Well, I hope so anyway lol. I took a break because I was so burned out, then developed some writer's block, so it's been a hot minute.

This is something that has been on my back burner for a while now, and I'm so excited to finally share it with y'all. I have missed everyone. I'm hoping to post the first chapter this weekend. Not sure how regular the updates will be since I'm still dealing with some writers block, and I do not want to burn myself out again, but I'm really glad to be back.

XOXO Layla 💋
Also, thank you to
BlaneysBabyGirl12 for the cover design!