To Not Let Go

Chapter Eight

      "You know, I just realized something..." Renne started, glancing over at Swayde as her handsome boyfriend sat behind the wheel of his truck, driving with one hand since his other was preoccupied holding Renne's, his thumb tracing little circles on the back of her hand. 

       "Yeah, what's that?" Swayde asked, looking to Renne, his blue eyes covered by sunglasses, his black Stetson on his head. 

      Looking back out the dash, Renne continued, letting out a breath. "I haven't seen Doug or Mallory's kids since the funeral." Her voice was quiet at the mention of the passing of her sister, who had passed after a long battle with cancer. Growing up, Renne and Mallory had had their moments, but at the end of the day, they were best friends. 

       "That's not your fault. Things have been crazy since you got back." Swayde defended his girlfriend. 

        "I made a promise to my sister that I would take care of her kids, yet I haven't seen them since I got back." 

       Swayde, slowing down at a stop sign, lifted Renne's hand to his lips, kissing it before reassuring her, "It's okay. We are on our way there now to see them. I know that Doug understands." 

      Renne didn't reply. Instead, she let out a heavy sigh, looking out her window as Swayde drove them to the last place her sister called home. 

                                                                    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

         Renne dropped her clenched fist onto the wooden front door of what used to be Mallory's house. After knocking a pattern of three knocks, Renne took a step back, tucking her hands into her back jeans pocket. Feeling a hand on each of her shoulders, Renne was thankful Swayde was with her.

        Feeling Swayde's presence was enough to make Renne relax some under his strong, comforting hands that he rested on her shoulders. As they waited for someone to answer the door, Swayde dropped a kiss on the top of Renne's head. "It's goin' to be okay." He said, sweetly, reassuring Renne. 

       Growing up, Doug, Renne, and Swayde had all been close friends. However, Doug and Mallory never really got along well; everyone said it was just a front to mask their true feelings for each other. Those rumors ended up being true; shortly after Renne had left her family, fleeing to Montana, her sister and Doug got married. They were married for just about five years before cancer took over Mallory's body. Shortly after Renne had come back to Alpine Ridge, God called his daughter home to spend eternity with Him. 

       "Doug did say to meet him here at noon, right?" Nerves took over Renne's body as she turned to give Swayde a concerned look. "Should I knock again, or ring the doorbell?" 

       A small smile rose to Swayde's lips as he gave her a look. "Yes, sweetheart. It's all good. He's probably tryin' to rassle up the kids." In reality, it had only been about twenty seconds since Renne had knocked on the door, but to her, it seemed like an eternity.

       Sure enough, mere seconds later, the large wooden door creaked open, revealing an exhausted, worn out looking Doug. On his hip was his daughter, Hope, a spitting image of her mom. 

       "Hey, y'all. Come on in." Doug greeted, his voice tired, depressed. 

        "Thanks, man. Good to see you." Swayde greeted Doug, shaking his hand after Renne walked in. 

        "Hey, Doug." Renne forced a smile, giving him a side hug, mindful of the sleepy four year old he was carrying. 

        Before Doug could form a response, the sound of giggling and screaming filled the entry way where the group stood. All eyes were on the two kids that were running through the house. Nine year old MJ, Mallory Junior, was screaming, chasing after her ten year old brother, who was having a giggling fit. "Taylor, I'm serious, give it back! It's my turn to watch TV."