We are Forever (Book 6 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 35 (final chapter)

Demi

About a month after Nick's pool incident, the community we lived in, was having a ceremony honoring men & women who did great things for the area we lived in. They were also honoring Mercy & Jerry for their heroic actions when Nick fell in the pool. Nick & I sat in the front row of the audience, with Mercy & Jerry on our laps. Our parents were both there as well & Ally, who was in town for a while, was there as our videographer.

The twins were called up on the stage by the mayor & the chief of police. The mayor was the one who spoke about our story. "On July 2, 2023, one of our residents, Nick Jonas, who has been a diabetic for 18 years, had a drop in his blood sugar & passed out, landing in his backyard pool. His two children, four year old twins, Mercedes & Jered Jonas, saw their father fall into the water. While Jered ran inside the house to get his mother, Mercedes went to her father's side & held his head above the water, so he wouldn't get water in his lungs. Once Nick's wife, who was 7 months pregnant at the time, came outside, she was able to pull her husband to safety. Being that she was pregnant & her husband is a bit bigger than she is, Mrs. Jonas suffered an intense pain in her side. Young Jered was a huge help & went to get his mother's phone & called 911. He also let the paramedics in the front door. Both Mercedes & Jered have shown what true heroism is & we all are very proud of them & I know I feel much safer having both of them in our community. Great job, Mercedes & Jered Jonas."

Nick & I helped Mercy & Jerry up to the stage to receive their plaques & medals of honor. I was bawling with pride & I know I saw the hint of a tear in Nick's eye, too. I was never more proud to be Mrs. Nick Jonas or Mercy & Jerry Jonas' mother than I was at that moment. Nick & I were smiling, his arm around my waist as we watched the mayor bend down with the microphone to talk to the kids.

"How did you get to be so brave?" The mayor asked Jerry, holding the microphone up to his mouth.

"My daddy." Jerry said, watching his audience as there was a collective sigh & an "awww" that could be heard in the audience.

Nick pulled me a little closer & I looked up at him to see the most adorable look on his face. He was so proud, his face was beaming. "You're his hero, too." I whispered.

Nick looked down at me & smiled, then kissed my forehead. The mayor asked, "How did you know that your daddy needed help?" He asked Mercy.

Mercy looked down at the floor, shifting on her feet. "He wasn't waking up & you don't seep in the pool." Mercy stated into the microphone. The entire room erupted into a fit of laughter. Nick & I smiled, even bigger, if that was possible.

The mayor asked, smiling, "What do you two want to be when you grow up?"

Jerry looked over at me & Nick before he answered, "A rock star." He replied with a big smile on his face. "Just like my daddy." The room laughed again, but their faces were all expressing how cute they thought Jerry was.

The microphone went to Mercy, for her to answer. "And Mercy, what do you want to be when you grow up?" The mayor asked

"A mommy, so I can marry my daddy." Mercy smiled & there wasn't a person in that room that didn't smile from that response. I felt my own heart melt as I looked at Nick. His eyes were both filled with tears & I saw him swallow a small lump. My arms went around his waist & he looked down at me, a soft smile on his lips.

"She's a smart girl." I whispered, fighting a waterfall of tears, myself.

Nick kissed my forehead, then pulled me closer, resting his cheek on my head. "I have to agree those are some smart kids."