Bikeriders Serenade

A New Day

The next morning, Ashley woke up to the familiar sensation of Lora moving around inside her. She smiled, placing her hand gently on her belly, feeling a connection that filled her with warmth. “I promise you, little one,” she whispered softly, “as long as I’m alive, no one will hurt you.”

Just as she finished speaking, a voice broke the quiet. “And as long as I’m alive, Uncle Austin won’t let anyone hurt you and Mommy.”

Startled, Ashley looked up to see Austin standing by the door, a soft smile on his face. Relief washed over her, and she returned his smile. “What do you have there?” she asked, noticing the book in his hand.

Austin raised the journal, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. “Mama’s journal. I thought you would like to read it.”

Ashley’s heart swelled at the sight of it. “You found it! I can’t believe you brought it.” She gestured for him to come closer, eager to see the pages filled with their mother’s thoughts and feelings.

Austin walked over and handed her the journal, his expression serious yet tender. “It’s really something special. I think it might help you, especially now.”

She opened the journal, the pages slightly worn but filled with their mother’s beautiful handwriting. As she began to read, the words seemed to leap off the page, wrapping around her like a warm embrace. Each entry was a glimpse into Lori’s heart, her hopes for her children, and the love that never faded.

“I can’t believe how much she wrote,” Ashley said, her voice thick with emotion. “It’s like she’s speaking directly to us.”

Austin nodded, leaning against the wall. “It helped me so much. I thought it might give you strength, too.”

Ashley continued to read, her eyes scanning the pages filled with memories and wisdom. “She talks about how important family is and how we should always look out for each other,” she said, her voice trembling. “It’s exactly what we need right now.”

“Exactly,” Austin replied, his gaze steady. “We have to keep her spirit alive, especially for Lora. She would want us to be strong for her.”

Ashley looked up from the journal, her eyes shining with determination. “We will be strong. For Mama, for Lora, and for each other. We’re a family, and nothing will break that.”

Austin smiled, pride swelling in his chest. “That’s right. And I promise, I’ll always be here to protect you both.”

They shared a moment of understanding, the bond between them deepening as they embraced the legacy of their mother. With the journal in hand and the promise of a brighter future ahead, they felt ready to face whatever challenges lay in their path. Together, they would honor Lori’s memory and build a life filled with love and resilience.

Hidden Letters

As they continued to read through the journal, something suddenly slipped from between the pages, catching Ashley’s attention. She bent down to grab it, her heart racing with curiosity. When she sat back up, she realized it was two envelopes—one addressed to her and the other to Austin.

She looked at him, her eyes wide. “Did you know these were in here?”

Austin shook his head, his expression mirroring her surprise. “No, I never got that far.”

Ashley handed him the envelope meant for him, her fingers trembling slightly. “Let’s open them.”

They both carefully tore open the envelopes, the anticipation thick in the air. Inside were letters written by Lori just a few months before she passed away. The familiar scent of her favorite perfume lingered in the paper, bringing a rush of memories flooding back.