~Sheo~ It Takes Time {ON HOLD}

Chapter 26

Shailene's POV:

I was able to buy a couple of Christmas gifts but I have to finish Christmas shopping.

I walk out to my car.

"Hey Shai, where are you going?" Ansel says startling me.

"Ansel! You scared me," I say.

He laughs.

"Oops, sorry," he says.

"I'm going to the mall."

"Allow me to assist you."

I think about.

I already bought Ansel's gift.

"Sure," I say.

We get into the car and drive to the mall.

December 13, three days before Theo's birthday, 12 days before Christmas.

"He's going to miss the boys' first Christmas," I say.

"Aww. Shai, don't think like that. Think positive. You have to stay strong for Theo and the boys."

I sigh.

"You're right."

----

Shailene's POV:

I call Theo and it goes straight to voicemail.

"My love,

I've spent hours trying to come up with something nice and creative to say to you today,

but nothing sounded more true than wishing you a happy day,

because happiness is the key word for success, contentment, joy and achievement," I say.

Tears start falling down my face as I continue.

"Today I wish a lot of things. I want you to receive this message as a confirmation of my so often declared love.

I want your soul to be filled with the hope to face the many years to come.

I want you to have all the reasons in the world to smile and none to be sad.

I want you to have the best, always.

But, what I want the most,

what I would really like,

is to be close to you as soon as possible, so that, with a big kiss from me,

you would also receive the wish for happiness that lies in my soul in this very moment.

Again, happy birthday, my love.

Yours Truly,

Shai."

I let out a sob.

"I love you, Theo."

I quickly hang up.

I fall to the floor sobbing.

"Mama?"

I open my eyes to see Brent.

He toddles over to me.

"Mama crwy," he says.

He puts his hand on my cheek.

"It's okay, Mama."

He kisses my cheek.

I pull him into an embrace and kiss his head.

"I wuv you, mama," he says.

"I love you too, baby."

-------

Theo's POV:

I listen to Shailene's messages.

It breaks my heart when I hear her sob.

I open up the package she sent to me.

It's a collage.

In one picture,

Brent holds a sign that says, "We,"

while Shailene holds up a sign that says, "Love,"

and Ian holds a sign that says, "You."

In a another picture,

Ian and Brent kiss both sides of her cheek.

And theirs one picture of me and Shailene kissing.

Deeper into the box is a watch.

I call Shailene.

She answers.

"Hi Theo," she says.

"Thank you for the gift, love."

"No problem, love."

"Shailene, are you alright with me coming after Christmas?"

She sighs.

"I'm not okay with you coming after Christmas but what choice do I have?" she states. "Theo, you've been gone for almost a year and I miss you."

"I miss you too."

I hear crying.

"Theo, I love you but I have to get to the boys," Shailene says.

"I love you, too."