Memories [Book 2] [A Langson Fan Fic]

Thirty-Five: New Memories

Four Years Later

Ember stood in front of her mirror as she curled her long black hair. She didn't realize, but she was being watched from her open bedroom door by her mother. 

"You look absolutely beautiful, Em." Olivia breathed tearfully. Ember turned and smiled at her mother.

"Thanks, Momma..." Ember smiled. She turned her curling iron off before moving over to where her mother stood. Ember was quickly pulled into a hug. One that was warm, tight, and filled with love. The last four years haven't been easy, but as a tight family group, they managed to survive.

"I can't believe you are graduating... It's scary. My little girl isn't so little anymore... the only little girl I really have is Clare." Olivia spoke. Ember was now eighteen, Adalee is seventeen, Ainsley is thirteen, Garrett is six, and Clare is four. Her kids were growing up way too fast, but Olivia was completely thankful that she got to watch her kids grow up.

"Has Dad called you at all?" Ember asked, as she moved back to the mirror and started to pin a few strands of hair back.

"He hasn't. But I'll keep calling him. But I hate to say it, Em... but I don't know if he'll come." Olivia frowned. Ember nodded slowly before shrugged as she watched her mother through the mirror, as she padded across the carpet and settled onto the bed.

"In the end, you are my only legal parent. You are the one that stuck around, and even though I wish that you'd start dating again... I'm glad that you were my mother through this all." Ember smiled.

"So Gran is bringing over her gift for you. You are allowed to open it before we head off to the graduation." Olivia spoke. She knew what it was, and she knew that Ember would be so excited.

"Do you know what it is, Momma?" Ember asked, and Olivia was saved from answering the question because Adalee was coming into the room with a crying Clare in her arms.

"What happened?" Olivia asked, as she stood quickly and took her youngest daughter from Adalee.

"Garrett smacked her. She's got a bruise on her cheek already." Adalee frowned.

"Of course he did." Olivia sighed, before cuddling Clare close as she moved from the room and yelled her son's name.

|*|

Serena gave Ember her old car for her graduation gift. Ember and Adalee had been sharing a car since Adalee started to drive, so this car would help Ember drive to and from college without having to drop her siblings off on the way. 

Ember packed Adalee and Ainsley into her car and drove them to the graduation, while Olivia drove Garrett, Clare, and her mother.

"So, is he coming?" Serena asked as she looked back to see that Garrett and Clare were both sleeping.

"No. He isn't coming." Olivia frowned, as she glanced over at her mother.

"Did he tell you that, or is he still ignoring you and that's how you figured it out?" Serena asked.

"Uh, I got a call from him right before we left. He said he isn't coming. He doesn't want to be there." Olivia frowned.

"He's such a jerk," Serena grumbled.

"He doesn't want me reaching out. He still thinks that I forced Ember into asking him to sign away his rights to her. He wants Ember to reach out, but she isn't ready. Garrett and Clare are far from being ready to have a relationship with their father because he doesn't even try to check in on them. No birthday gifts, no letters, and he only sends over the child support. He could hand deliver it to see his kids, but he won't. And it sucks ass because he hasn't even met Clare. He's too busy with his new family." Olivia frowned.

"How many kids does he have now?" Serena asked.

"Uh, four. Three boys and another girl. He's completely moved on, Mom. He literally doesn't care." Olivia frowned.

"You should move on, Olivia. Find another man-"

"Mom, I'm happy. I like what I have. I love just being able to focus on my family. My kids. You. I like being able to work on focusing on what's most important to me, instead of trying to mix a relationship into my schedule." Olivia replied. She glanced over at her mother again who was smiling.

"What are you smiling about?" Olivia asked with wide eyes.

"I'm just proud of you, Olivia."

|*|

The graduation was beautiful. No one expected it, but Ember managed to outrank all of the other students and took Valedictorian. She proudly said her speech and made sure that she thanked Olivia personally for being there and helping her succeed in high school.

Afterward, everyone gathered outside to take pictures before the graduates took off for their senior party.

"Uncle Felix!" Ember smiled, as she quickly walked over to where her family was standing. Felix moved to Ember and hugged her tightly.

"Congrats, kid! I can't stay any longer though, because one of our guys called off sick and I'm covering for him. So I love you, and you'll have to update me on what your plans for college are." Felix smiled before he ran off. 

"Did you finally decide on what you want to be?" Serena asked, and Ember smiled and nodded as she lifted Clare up and held her close.

"I'm going to become a teacher. Adalee and I were talking last night, and she helped me to realize that that is what I'm drawn too." Ember smiled.

"You are going to be an amazing teacher." Serena grinned.

They took a bunch of pictures before Olivia sent the kids and her mother to the car so she could have a few moments with her eldest daughter where no one could interrupt them.

"Ember, I love you so very much. I'm so very proud of you. I'm the luckiest person because I get to be your mother. I get to watch you grow into an amazing young woman. And even if you are going to college and growing up, I will always be there for you. Our home will always be there for you. Trust me." Olivia breathed as tears slipped down her cheeks.

"I love you too, Momma," Ember whispered, as she stepped forward and clung to her mother.

Hey guys! Thank you all so much for sticking around for two full books. This series is done, but I absolutely love how it went.