The Fear Of Falling Apart

Epilogue

For those who forgot, Ashlee was Brendon's girlfriends daughter waaaayyyyy back in book one.

If you've made it this far into the series, you're probably wondering what happens in the end. Honestly, I could tell you what happens in short, but I'm not going to give you the basics. This story ends with a new beginning and a new hope.

Violet was only three years old when her uncle was forced to leave her in the hands of Joanne Becker, a woman who cared for orphaned children. To him, it was the hardest thing he could even think of doing, but Violet didn't think twice about waving goodbye and heading into her new home. She was so blissfully unaware of the world, and that's what made saying goodbye the hardest - the knowledge that it would all change someday.

Joanne was a kind woman. She cared for every child as if they were her own, and was incredibly careful about who she let adopt. From the minute she laid eyes on Violet, she knew that she could protect her. She knew that she was the only one who could give her a family some day, so she took on that task.

Much to her dismay, Violet didn't get a single interview until she was four. Joanne tried and tried again, but for almost an entire year was met with rejection at every turn. Violet was not aware of any of the conversations taking place. She was happy and content living with Joanne and the various other children in the home.

When the day finally came, and Violet finally got an interview, things did not go as planned. The couple were nice enough, in Joanne's eyes, but a terrible fit for the young girl. Violet left the interview without an understanding of what she had done wrong. Why didn't they like her? She had done everything right.

Unfortunately, things only got worse from there. By the time she was five Violet stopped attending interviews. She was so hurt from the constant rejection that she found herself crying whenever another child was chosen. And despite Joanne's constant encouragement, it just wasn't enough.

Violet didn't make any friends in the foster home. The sad fact is, that she was one of the only children that had been stuck in foster care for so long. Few had been there as long as she had, and she found it hard to associate herself with any of them.

Her sixth birthday was the day things changed for Violet. Joanne had made a it a tradition to take every child in her care to the mall on their birthday and let them choose something nice for themselves. And Violet was no exception.

The pair wandered around for almost an hour, checking out every place that sold toys or books. But not one thing in any of the multitude of stores caught Violet's eyes.

Eventually they found themselves in the music shop. Joanne was happy to let Violet go and look at all the shiny guitars and drum kits, giving her attention over to the rack of magazines that sat near the counter. She smiled as she spotted a few familiar faces, not noticing as Violet made her way over to a dark blue drum kit.

The shaky drum beat that echoed through the store caught her attention, though. She whipped her head around to find Violet sitting behind the kit, a drumstick in either hand as she tapped along. A man stood behind her, guiding her movements gently. The duo finished off with a cymbal crash, and Violet giggled as he congratulate her and stepped back a little way.

The stranger looked up and smiled at the parental figure. "Hi, I'm Trent. I own the store. Your kid's sure got a sense of rhythm.m"

Joanne smiled at Violet. "You think so?"

"I reckon." He nods.

"Jo, did you hear that?" The six year-old exclaimed. "I played the drums!"

"Yes you did." Joanne chuckled. She turned back to the man and smiled some more. "I'm Joanne, and this is Violet."

"Can I get this one?" Violet asked innocently. Trent watched carefully, the hint of a smile still lingering around on his face. "It's my birthday." Violet informed.