Finding a Way to You (Book One of The Finding Series, going through revision)

Epilogue.

Epilogue

~2 years later~

Annabel/Becca

Two years. It has been two years since my life was changed. Two years ago the woman I called my mother tried to kill me. Two years ago I found out many secrets about me. Two years ago, I found the love of my life; and we are getting married tomorrow.

And today I am about to do something. Something for closure. Over the past two years Jamie and I have grown closer to God than ever before. After we both graduated high school, he went to a bible college and I went to school to become a counselor for girls who have been raped, or sexually abused.

Jamie knows what my plans are today. He told me before I left how proud he was of me.  Today is going to be hard, but I know God is with me. Today I have the strength I didn’t have the past couple years ago.

I drive up to the State Women Prison and bow my head. I silently pray for God’s grace to cover me and that I will not lose it. I open the door and walk up to the front of the Prison and tell them who I am here to see. My hands are trembling. I am scared, nervous; all the things I don’t need to be. It has been two years since I have seen her; two years since I found out she wasn’t my mother. I am going to tell her I forgive her today. Over the years God has shown me I can choose to forgive, but if we don’t forgive; how can God forgive us.

A guard takes me by the hand and leads me to room. The room is divided by a glass.  You can see through to the other side. The guard shows me where to sit and so I do; and I wait. Few minutes later I am greeted with Tami. Her face is lifeless and her eyes hollow.  We both pick up the wall phone at the same time.

“Hello Becca.” I cringe. No one has called me that in years. I clear my throat.

“Tami. I don’t go by Becca anymore.” I say and her eyebrows shoot up.

“Oh.” Is all she says. “Well what do you go by then?”

I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and take a deep breath.

“I started going by Annabel. You know since I thought it would be right to honor my mother.” She stiffens and straightens her chin.

“Well, why did you come here Annabel?”  I put my hands on the table; eyes focusing on my engagement ring. I don’t look up as I speak. “I just wanted you to know I forgive you. I want you to know that I love you too. You may not be my biological mother, but you helped raise me. Even though you were mean and abused me, I still love you. I learned that we have to love our enemies; even when it hurts the most. And Tami please forgive me too.” Her eyes are solemn and she looks shocked.

“Why would you ask that, you didn’t do anything wrong; you never did. I was so angry, and full of hatred towards my sister. Every time I looked at you I saw her, and that pain would rise up. I know I will forever pay for my mistakes. I know you will never see me as your mother again. But please except my forgiveness and my apology.” Tears begin to fall and I feel God’s peace wrap around my body.

I laugh a bit. “Look at me. I come to forgive you and you ask for forgiveness.  I didn’t expect this.” I wipe my tears and cross my arms. “Tami I will never see you as my mother but I will always love you.” A tear fell down her face. She glances at my ring finger, where the three carat sapphire diamond sits.

She smiles a little. “When is the big day?” I smile thinking of Jamie, and I get Goosebumps thinking about spending the rest of my life with him.

“Tomorrow.” I say.

A timer buzzes and I know our time is up. “Annabel?” Her eyes are glassy and she presses her hand to the glass. “Congratulations. And I am sorry.”