What The Heart Wants (Stereo Kicks/ James Graham)

Chapter 68

I woke up a few hours later to the sound of my phone ringing. I seen that it was Caden who was calling. I sat up and took a deep breath before answering. "Hey." My voice cracked. "Hey, how are you?" Caden whispered. "As good as can be expected. What about you?" I asked. "I'm strangely okay now. I mean yeah it's terrible and I'm still sad, but when you think about it, we lost mom a long time ago." He said. "Yeah but Caden, she's actually gone now. Not metaphorically, but seriously gone." I rebutted. "I know, but...Aria, there's something I need to tell you." He quickly changed gears. "What is it?" I asked. "Before mom...I mean, before it happened, mom was lucid." He sighed. "What do you mean?" I was confused. "I mean that before mom killed herself she wrote a suicide note." He explained. "So? It's not like it could have made any sense. She had no idea what was going on." I stated. "But that's the thing. It makes perfect sense. I talked to the doctor and he said Alzheimer patients occasionally become aware from time to time." He said. "Become aware?" I understood what he was saying I just didn't believe it. "Aria. Mom woke up and knew what was happening. She wrote us a letter before she forgot everything again." He explained. "But...if she knew what was happening, why did she do that to herself? To us?" I breathed. "She explains in the letter. Do you want me to read it to you?" He offered. I nodded my head, but quickly forgot he couldn't see me. "Yes." I whispered. I could hear him unfolding the paper on the other end, and then clearing his throat getting ready to read.

"My dearest children, I know your lives have been more than difficult for the past few years, and I know I am to blame. I just want both of you to know that I am extraordinarily proud of both of you. Aria, you are the most amazing woman I have ever known and will ever know. One day you will meet a man who takes your breath away, and who makes you a better woman. I can't wait for you to find that person, because you deserve every happiness in the world. I'm just sorry I won't be there to witness it first hand. I love you princess. Caden, you are the best son a mother could ask for. Kind, intelligent, curious of the world. That curiosity will take you far in life, so never lose it. You will make one hell of a husband someday, and just as I said to your sister, I am very sorry I will not be there to see it. However, I am still expecting some grandchildren from both of you. I'm sure that by now you're wondering why I am writing you this letter. Let me start off by saying, I know that you two are all each other have. I also know that you are in charge of taking care of my medical bills. That is a burden I never wanted for you children, and now that I know where I am, and what is going on, I have the ability to make a decision. A decision that should have been made long before I even checked into this place. Once I am no longer here, the medical bills will no longer be an issue. If I cease to exist under the watchful eye of the employees here, they will have no choice but to terminate any debt that you may be in. I would not be able to live with myself if I denied you the simple pleasures of being teenagers and living your lives. So go fall in love! Go to college and major in something that you can't make a career out of! Be crazy and spontaneous! Travel the world, go skydiving, go scuba diving, go swim with the dolphins, visit the great wall of China, and then the Eiffel Tower, do what ever you want! Just promise me that when your time comes, you won't look back on your lives with regret and 'what-if's'. When you look back on your life, I want you to think 'oh my gosh. I can't believe I did that.' Because it's true, you only live once, but if you do it correctly, once is enough. The only thing I regret in my lifetime is having to leave you two behind, but I know you will look out for each other. We'll see each other again someday. I love you both, to the moon and back."

By the time Caden had finished the letter we were both crying again. "Sh-she did it for us." I cried. "Yeah. And it worked. I got a letter from the nursing home apologizing about what happened and for compensation they are no longer making us pay her bills." He said through his tears. "You mean...we're free? We can get normal jobs and have normal lives?" I beamed. "We're free Aria. You can quit stripping and I can stop working for Jason and go back to school." I could hear the smile on his face. "You know, I've been thinking, and the U.K. has some pretty great schools..." He said. "Wait really?!" I exclaimed. "Why not? I could sell the house and then we could get a little two bedroom apartment out there." He said. "Oh my god, yes. Let's do it." I said excitedly. "Ok. I'll book my flight and start packing tomorrow." He chuckled. "This is crazy. We're gonna live in the U.K." I gaped. "I know. It's a big change, but I think it will be good for us. A fresh start in a new country." He said. "I cant wait to tell the boys." I smiled and he just laughed. "I know what you meant now." I said, changing the subject. "About being better, I mean." I added. He didn't say anything so I went on. "Knowing why she did it helps, but also, the letter was sort of closure for us. It's the last thing she'll ever say to us, but it doesn't feel like the last time we'll talk. I'm just glad that she went out on her own terms and I know that, wherever she is right now, she's happy, because we're happy." I smiled a small smile. "Yeah..." was all he could say. Just then, I heard the door downstairs open and knew that the contestants were home. "Hey, I have to go. I'll talk to you later. I love you." I rushed. "I love you too." He replied and we hung up. I was so consumed with thoughts of my mom I didn't even think about the show. I don't even know if we're still in the competition or not. I ran in the hallway just in time to see the boys stepping up the stairs. "What happened? Did we make it? Are we through?" I looked down at the boys over the railing and they looked up at the sound of my voice. "We made it!" Tom yelled and threw his fist in the air triumphantly. "Yes!" I smiled and let out a sigh of relief. When the guys reached the hallway they each gave me a quick hug before filing into their bedrooms to go to bed. The only person left in the hall with me was James. "How are you?" He grabbed my hand and looked at me worriedly. "I'm actually okay." I tried to reassure him. He looked at me quizzically and I smiled a little. "My mom left me and Caden a note before she...you know. It was enlightening and it lifted a weight off of both of our shoulders. She uh, she did it for us. Now that she's gone, we don't have to pay for her medical bills. That was her plan. Now Caden and I can get normal jobs and live normal lives. She gave up her life so we could live ours." I whispered the last sentence. James grabbed my hand a little tighter and brought it up to his lips before kissing it softly. "I never got to meet your mom, but from what I know, she sounds like an amazing woman, and I could never thank her enough for what she's done for you." He whispered. I smiled and pulled him in for a hug. "There's one thing I forgot to mention." I mumbled against his chest. "What's that?" He asked as he stroked my hair. "Me and Caden are moving here." I said softly. He put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me back so he could see my face. "Seriously? He asked. I nodded my head and he smiled and pulled me in for an even tighter hug than before. "Everything is falling into place." He said. "Yup. There's just one thing left to do." I smiled. "What's that?" He asked me. "I need to quit my job." I said, and we both laughed. James agreed, so I pulled out my phone and gave Robert the great news. Only, he didn't think it was great, but who cares? I then texted Layla.

Me: Hey Layla, I just quit, so I won't be there to pick you up. Sorry, it was a spur of the moment thing.

Layla: Good for you! No worries, I can find a ride! :)

After I read the text, James walked me the seven feet to my bedroom door where we both said good night, and went our separate ways to our separate beds.

UNEDITED. SORRY FOR ANY MISTAKES, ITS 5AM AND I'M TIRED LOL. SO CADEN IS MOVING TO THE U.K.!!! :D YAY! ON A DIFFERENT NOTE, I'M THINKING ONLY A FEW MORE CHAPTERS AND AN EPILOGUE BEFORE THIS STORY IS FINISHED. WE'LL SEE HOW IT GOES. YOU GUYS KNOW I JUST MAKE THIS STUFF UP AS I GO SO IDK WHAT THE HELL IS GONNA HAPPEN NEXT xD I HOPE YOU LIKE IT AND YOU CONTINUE TO VOTE AND COMMENT. YOU GUYS FREAKING ROCK! ♡