This is book 11 in the Forever Series, so if you haven't read the previous ten books, you may want to do so!
Today, Tomorrow & Forever will follow Nick & Demi as they head into their 40's. Their kids are getting older, & they are, too. As they hit...
When I first saw Nick & Mercy cuddled together on the couch, my heart felt like it might explode out of my chest. Instantly, I was transported back in time, to when I'd catch Nick staring at Mercy as he held her, in his arms, when she was a baby. It warmed my heart then & it still warmed my heart. He adored his little girl. She was the apple of his eye & even though he loved all of our kids equally, he & Mercy always had such a special bond, from day one.
Their bond got even stronger when she was diagnosed with Diabetes & sometimes I was envious of that bond. Now, as I watched my blissful husband cuddle with his baby girl on the couch, much like he used to not too long ago, my heart ached. He had no idea what was truly going on & I didn't want to tell him the truth & break his heart.
I swallowed the lump I felt forming in my throat, blinked away the impending tears & turned to leave the room. I couldn't watch them anymore. I hated what I was seeing. I hated what I was remembering, from when I was much younger & early on in my downward spiral. I hated that my bond with Mercy was because we were both troubled girls. I hoped we could have more than that. I didn't want her to be like me. I didn't want to pass that part of me, on to her. I stood, holding onto the railing of our staircase, trying to catch my breath as horrifying thoughts filled my head. After a few deep breaths, I wiped away the tears that filled my eyes, but that I never let fall, then I marched upstairs.
I heard giggling, coming from one of the bedrooms, which made my heart feel whole again. I went into Reid's room & laughed when I saw Reid playing with Avery, pretending to be a tickle monster. When they noticed me, they both smiled up at me. Avery waved as a cute little smile formed on his lips.
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"You boys are having way too much fun in here." I declared, leaning against the door frame.
"Reid is tickling me." Avery gushed, looking up, adoringly at his big brother.
"I see that. It's almost time to get ready for bed."
"Mom... it's not a school night." Reid argued.
"I know. You can stay up til ten, like you normally do. I was just letting you know if you want a snack, you better go now."
Reid & Avery both darted past me, then I heard their loud footsteps on the staircase as they made their way to the kitchen. Jerry was coming out of his room when I turned around & he smiled at me. "I'm going to get a snack. If there's anything left after those two raid the cupboards." Jerry rolled his eyes as he started walking toward the stairs.
"Jerry?" I called out to him & he turned around. "How has your sister been acting at school?"
Jerry, quickly, looked away & I took in a deep breath, because I hated asking him about his sister. I felt like I was asking him to betray her. "She's been fine. Pretty normal I guess. Why?" He asked, looking back at me.
