Loving You

Chapter 10

That night after rescue came to get them Sofia barely slept. Her thoughts drifted back to Laila and everything that was happening around her. The next day as she stayed laying in bed Faith handed her a letter. "It's Bea's will. Her lawyer had it sent to us to give it you" Faith said giving her a sad smile. Sofia took a deep breathe and read what her friend had left behind. As she opened the enveloped a letter had fallen out with Sofia's name written. Slowly Sofia opened the letter with trembling hands.

Dear Sof,

I had my will made up for a awhile now. I just didn't want anything to be out of order if something does happen to me. But there's something that I wanted you to know. Something that I couldn't tell anyone else because I know you would be the only one to go on this search. I'm writing this to tell you about Laila's dad. I know it's something that I never talked about, but I want you to know who he is. He was the first person I ever loved and I promised myself that he would be the last one to break my heart. He doesn't know about Laila, I never got the chance to tell him.

Do you remember the summer after graduation in June when I went down to Florida to visit my grandparents? Well it was that year when I met him. His name Sofia is Zack Peterson. Yes, the one and only Zack Peterson. The guy we went to high school with. The guy who was two years older than us. What a small world we live in. That summer I got to know everything about him. We started hanging out when he was stationed near the military by my grandparent's house. I met him at this beach party some kids from the neighborhood threw. As I was leaving I accidentally bumped into him. He was here to get his friend and his friend was drunk so he was the ride. That night Zack offered to drive me home as his friend was passed out in the back seat. We talked about high school and instantly clicked.

You remember him and know he wasn't like the other guys in high school. He was kind, smart and a total gentlemen. We decided to hangout the next day and soon after that we hung out the whole summer. He never once made a move. He was always so sweet and just someone there to talk to. I was starting to fall for him so hard and that summer I found out my dad was cheating on my mom. I was heartbroken, crushed and angry. I called Zack and he came to meet me that night. He held me in his arms until the tears stopped. That night I also told him how I felt. At first he doesn't say anything and I felt like an idiot, but as I turned around to leave he grabbed me my arm and kissed me. I don't have to tell you what happened next.

After that night Zack and I were always together. We would kiss and watch stupid old movies. Then in late August Zack asked me to met him at the beach near my grandparents house. I was so excited to see him that when I got there I ran into his arms and he kissed me so passionately , I knew I was in love with him. But that night Zack didn't look the same. I knew there was something wrong with him, but I didn't want to ask him. He held me so close to him like he was afraid to let me go. As it was getting late Zack held my hand and told me that he was being shipped off to Germany. I was sad, but I didn't care because I knew he was the one for me. I told him it was okay that I would always wait for him. But Zack said he couldn't make me wait for him that long. He told me he wanted me to live my life that he was going to be the barrier in our relationship. I saw how deeply wounded he was and so was I. I was heartbroken. It was so hard for him to let me go. But he did and so did I.

I didn't want to tell you Sofia because that was one of the hardest things that I had to do. I didn't want you worrying about me, but deep down that wound would never heal. When I got home I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to write to Zack so many times to let him know, but I was so angry at him that I couldn't do it. I promised myself that I would raise Laila the best way I could.

But there's one thing I want you to do for me Sof. Promise me that you would try at least. I want you to find Zack and tell him about Laila. I want Laila to get to know her dad. Can you do that for me? You know Sam reminds me a lot of Zack. After all those years I was able to let him go and start new with Sam. I was happy with Sam and felt safe with him.

I know Sof that you will try your best. You never once let me down. You were always my sister and I never once thought anything other than that. One more thing, when you go on this search I want you to find your happiness. That one happiness you once had years ago. It would radiant through you. I want you to find that again. You deserve your happiness Sof don't forget that. I miss you Sof and I love you so much always remember that.

Love, Bea

Sofia put the letter away safely inside of her bag. She thought about everything she read in Bea's letter. If that's what Bea wanted from her then that's exactly what she's going to do. She was going to fulfill Bea's one last wish. Sofia was going home.