When Lightning Strikes

Chapter 11- Epilogue

Before you read this part, I just wantt to say how proud I am of my best friend for believing I could right a short novel, and of my little story that is in terrible need of editing. Bare with me and it wil be edited soon. I will be taking a break before the next nbook, but it is coming. I also would love for at least one of my readers to let me know what they think. Please leave a coment. Enjoy the chapter and get readyy for the next book.

Thank you all!!!!  Gabby :)

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Epilogue- Future

     The soft quit and the warm sheets of my bed felt good against my skin after a long, hot day of doing laundry and trying to teach Savannah the alphabet. I laid down stretching my limbs across the surface of the bed. Garrett wasn’t back yet. It was normal for him to not be back until late at night. Sometimes he would get a ride from the people he worked for that day, and other times he would take a bus as close to the woods as he could.

     After he comes home, Garrett would get to spend many days with Savannah and I. It was nice having him home a lot and he wouldn’t have to go into town for supplies unless we needed something that we couldn’t live without.

     Since the wedding I have been content with keeping our house clean, watching Savannah, and even tending my own little garden. I loved to be outdoors watering the small green shoots sprouting out of the rich soil. One day Garrett brought home some sunflower seeds that we planted together.

     I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, after all your just reading to find out what my life became like after the battle, but this is what it’s like. Long walks through the forest with my family, rainy days inside by the fire playing patty-cake with my little girl, but there is still dark cloud of fear hanging over my head.

     I would wake up often screaming in the middle of the night form horrible nightmares. Sometimes they were as simple as seeing Sarah’s fragile face dead in the grass. Other occasions they involved my father returning to life and finding our house, and Savannah. 

     My screaming would immediately cease once I knew I was in the safety of my home. On nights when I get my nightmares, Garrett always wrapped me in his strong arms and I would rest my head against him as I drifted to sleep.

     The door swung open with a puff of chill evening air. I sat up in bed to welcome Garrett who stood in the doorway carrying a bag of groceries.  I rubbed my eyes because I had almost fallen asleep waiting for Garrett to come home.

     “It’s alright, you can go back to sleep Light,” murmured softle so he wouldn’t wake Savannah.

     “No, its fine I wasn’t even asleep. Let me help you with the food,” I explained attempting to take the paper bag from Garrett’s arm.

     “You go back to sleep I can handle it,” Garrett persisted lightly.

     I sighed and brushed back my hair. “Actually… I think we need t talk,” I suggested lowering my voice in the quiet evening.

     “Okay,” Garrett murmured in return, meeting my gaze.

     Together we sat down close to each other in an armchair by the fireplace. I lifted my head t look at him and speak. Garrett’s shining green eyes had dark circles under them, and he sat hunched over, his elbows resting on his knees.

     “What’s wrong, anything happen today?” he asked rubbing my back soothingly.

     “Well, no, I was just thinking.” I paused taking a more relaxed breath, “How much did you get today?”

     “I got ten dollars from cutting the Miller’s lawn, and fifteen from fixing the plumbing at the Lawrence’s house. All in all a pretty good day, but your changing the subject on purpose Lightning,” Garrett mocked me playfully.

     “I know, well, that’s just it. I want to just start going by Claire again,” I tell Garrett trying to convince him this is how it had to be.

       “Claire? Why?” he asked sounding a bit shocked at my request. “I still remember the day you told me everyone called you Lightning…” Garrett trailed a off clearly lost in thought about long ago.

     “It’s just. When Savannah gets old enough to be curious about the past, you know she’ll ask why her mommy’s name is Lightning,” I finally conclude leaning back in the chair.

     “Your right honey, but we could just tell her when she’s old enough to really understand,” he suggested pulling me close in his arms.

     I think about this long and hard. Could I really expose my child to the horrors and tragedies of my past? No, I wasn’t strong enough. I had spent the last year hiding from my father’s death, from my mother and Caitlin, and mostly Sarah’s fate.

     “We can’t. It would be easier if we never told her, besides it’s not like Savannah’s going to grow up knowing any of my family,” I explain trying to hold back tears of frustration.

     “Okay, I guess your right, but if she asks about anything, then were going to have to tell here,” Garrett adds sitting up straight.

     “I promise,” my words come out as a faint whisper near the crackling fire.

     “Good night, Claire,” Garrett mutters kissing my cheek. I silently stroll over to Savannah’s small bed and pull the blankets up around her a little tighter. To my surprise I find one ear of the stuffed rabbit tucked into her mouth. She must have fell asleep sucking on her favorite toy.

     I smile to myself before I give her a kiss on the forehead, like I did the day of the battle. I can’t help it, but whenever I look at my precious daughter, I see my friend Sarah. I know she is looking down on me and watching over my family, even now.

     I will always cherish these small moments in life. I never had these tiny glimpses of happiness when I lived with my parents, and now I finally know what it felt like to be part of a family, to be free. I would do anything to keep Savannah out of harms way, even if it meant hiding the truth from her.

     Life s made up of every second you breathe, work, and interact with the world. You sometimes get placed at the bottom, but if you take every chance you get you can work your way to the top. Along the way you should never forget or loose hope about your loved ones.

    No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you look like, it shouldn’t stop you from causing lightning to strike once in your lifetime.   

                                                                          The End