When The Light Falls - Book 3 by N. Y. (big screen ebook reader TXT) 📖

pity.

 

 

Before they can say anything, they take it out as I suspected.

 

Each reflection paying a price to my eyes and what I got myself into.

 

My eyes look up at her across the street, she's staring me down and I stare back.

 

Some people, can't hold a grudge for long.

 

 

 

And some aren't what they seem to be. Looks can be deceiving.

 

But forever is never, at least in her world.

 

 

''Why can't she just let this go?'' Marybella finally interuppts.

 

 

I prepare my hands for them to be lifted up, and then I speak, probably for the last time.

 

 

''I have to suck it up to that bitch, and her hellish mother.'' I replied bitterly.

 

 

My arms shot up. I knew it wouldn't be a good idea to just leave.

 

But when the consequences kick in, there's no escaping.

 

 

I'm carried away slowly as the men hold on to me. I didn't even fight or bicker.

 

I didn't even get to say goodbye.

 

 

The one thing i'm not good at, saying goodbye.

 

I don't know how long it will be from now.

 

 

But I sure as hell knew what was coming to me, when that drop of water breaks.

 

Everything else falls.

 

 

Just like how it's always been.

 

Chapter Twenty-One: Tied

  

"Ms. Woods, Ms. Woods how does it feel to be out of jail?"

 

"Do you finally get to live with your family again?"

 

"It's been so long since the big murder scandel, how do you feel?"

 

 

 

Those words hung around in my head for a second as I tried to think of an answer.

 

I knew they would not stop, so I had to tell everything.

 

 

And most of it was scary, but some worth telling.

 

 

I answered.

 

 

"Well it started a long time ago, every single bit of my past had to do with how I got here in the first place." I said.

 

I looked to the crowd now, more confident.

 

 

"It was when I was writing a new blog on the metro bus on my way home, on a rainy afternoon. Leaving Rosewood was one of the most uncontrollable feelings i've had. But I did it for my mom, my dad and me. So that I could be on my own and retrace my way back to Paris, which was the last place I ever felt happy.'' I said.

 

 

Most of the people in the crowd looked a little confused.

 

Some just continued to listen as I stayed silent.

 

 

''From leaving home, finding peace-'' I said, looking over to Jacob.

 

 

There's no expression on his face, only a glassy hollow look in his eyes.

 

I turned back to the podium and put on a smile.

 

Inside I was dying.

 

 

But I kept it together.

 

 

''Living off the edge,...working with plenty of desperados.'' I continued.

 

 

Pictures were taken and snaps were constantly going off, yet I continued unaffected.

 

''Friends, along the way. Apathy and denial inbetween.'' I said softly.

 

 

I leaned on the podium as I tried to think of my words, it was hard to say.

 

But I knew in my heart. It was worth the talk.

 

 

''I was gone for 6 years, I served my time before. But I kept moving forward, no matter what happend in those past years. I kept going, it didn't phase me one bit.'' I said prompt.

 

A loud snap from a camer goes off.

 

''My father died, and I went on with life. I got arrested, and I kept going!'' I shouted.

 

 

''I survived, and none of this...makes sense anymore.'' I said with a shaky voice.

 

I reached my arms out, pointing at every inch of the conference room.

 

 

I felt my tears come in as I ducked my head down.

 

''My name is Elle Woods, it's been a while since i've last seen my kids and my husband. The last time I remember seeing all 3 of them was when Galleria was just a newborn and Kyile, Jake,.....my wonderful twins were just 3 years old. Someone I knew filed an arrest warrant against me and I admit, I did attempt threats. But after 6 years in away, I finally realized, that I needed to get my life together. For them." I stated.

 

 

''But I have heart, and I did what I had to do.'' I replied.

 

I looked over to Jacob and my kids. Standing motionless, just watching me.

 

A small smile begins to form in Jacob's face as I looked back to the podium.

 

 

''I know these words i’m saying right now will all be stories someday. And my memories will become old little things.'' I said softly.

 

''We’ll all become somebody’s heart and soul. But right now those moments that I experienced, are not stories. I am here. And i’m looking up ahead. I can see it. That one moment when you know, you’re not a sad story.'' I said aloud.

 

 

The room grew silent as everyone listened.

 

''You are alive.'' I said softly.

 

 

Soft claps went around as I cleared my eyes from the tears I felt. It was enough to say, that my so called story would make it big.

 

That it would change someone's appearance, once and for all.

 

 

Had I not survived those past few years, holding onto the cliff's edge,...I would not be me.

 

 

I stepped off the podium, as the press continued snapping shots of me.

 

Coversations piled back on again as I walk over to a certain press I hadn't recognized.

 

 

''Ms. Woods-'' says a reporter.

 

''Please, I prefer Mrs. Kensington. That's my name.'' I interuppted him.

 

He smiles for a split second, as i'm passed around with questions.

 

 

And just as the long minute of answers filled the room, I felt a soft touch tug on my skirt.

 

I turn around and looked down to Galleria. Her sweet eyes looking back into mine.

 

 

I bent down on my knees as my smile formed again.

 

Even after 6 years away from her, at 5 years old, she never looked better.

 

 

''My baby.'' I whispered softly to her.

 

She bites her bottom lip and rolls into my chest for a hug. I squeeze back tightly after a second.

 

I had long missed her, and I knew what I did before and what I said.

 

 

 

I closed my eyes then opened them as my tears streamed down my face. I saw Jake and Kylie approaching me as the reporter and tabloids dismissed themselves outside.

 

''Mom.'' Jake said.

 

''Come here.'' I replied to him.

 

 

I stuck out my left arm for him to curl up into. He gives in after a second thought and i'm squeezing onto both Galleria and Jake.

 

''My two sweet babies.'' I said to them softly.

 

 

I planted a kiss on both their heads as I smelled the soft hairs on their heads.

 

It felt right again to have them back in my arms, even after a long distance.

 

 

Kylie is left from the big hug. She's standing beside Jacob, quietly watching me.

 

 

''Baby, won't you join us?'' I asked her willingly.

 

 

She's still for a second, and I thought that she was angry with me. Or even worse, upset after this long time.

 

But she's not, her perfect pinch smile returns.

 

 

A smile I hadn't recognized for years, her grown face and personality before me.

 

8 years old and I already knew what I missed about her.

 

 

She finally gives in as her lips curve into a big dip and overrides her face. She launches herself to me for the hug as a little laughter left my mouth.

 

I was happy to have my kids back in my arms again and this time I wouldn't let go.

 

Not anymore.

 

 

 

As the hugs begin to fade, I finally stood up from crouching on the ground.

 

My legs grew tired. But I pulled myself up.

 

 

I wiped what's left of my tears and make the slow walk over to Jacob.

 

His hair had remained the same over the years.

 

Nothing too big has changed about him, the same boy I had fallen in love with.

 

 

I hugged onto the ends of my sweater where it rings around my wrist.

 

I hadn't thought of what to say to him.

 

Or even just seeing him again, until this fateful day.

 

 

I thought throughout this whole conference, that he must hate me for leaving.

 

Or even just for getting out and miraculously coming back.

 

 

''I knew how much it meant to you....about takig care of our kids and I want to let you know, even after these years,...i'm here all the way. No matter what.'' I finally said.

 

I was unaware of how I said it.

 

 

''Stop thinking.'' he says, finally breaking the silence.

 

 

I lifted my head up to gaze fully into his eyes.

 

I didn't know what he meant by that, but he knew that I was overthinking.

 

''Come here.'' he says softly.

 

 

Not even just a word in from my mouth again, and it meant my answer was complete.

 

Jacob pulls me in for a soft squeeze and our lips collide once again being whole.

 

 

No words could just explain how I wanted everything to go, to fall into place and nothing else.

 

 

Our lips finally part after a breif moment. I pull back with a smile wrapping around my face.

 

My arms are secure and wrapped around his neck as he holds onto to me.

 

 

''Ready to go home, for real this time?'' he asks me.

 

 

I couldn't answer, all I could see was the joy in my eyes and the dancing hearts in his.

 

Everything was one again, and everything felt right.

 

 

I just continued to smile as I searched his eyes, I could feel it in the air.

 

He missed me, and I did too.

 

 

''I'll take that as a yes.'' he finally replies.

 

A small laugh erupts from me as we pull our way out of the conference room.

 

The twins and Galleria follow ahead of us as we exit.

 

 

And after so much, it was safe to say that I was going home, and never leaving.

 

-- 

 

I played around with the key in my right hand as I felt the cool touch fill into my fingers.

 

I swayed it side to side before fully looking at it.

 

 

The plane ride to Rosewood took forever, but we finally made it. And it was time to let it go.

 

I stood silent looking into the crisp weather of the summer into fall.

 

 

As usual, fall came a little early here in Rosewood and it seemed so right.

 

 

''Do you think it's right for me to give it up?'' I asked Jacob.

 

He stands silent for a second to my right.

 

The kids just in front of us, bundled up in jackets.

 

 

''It's time, I think everyone has to say goodbye to their home. Even if it's the first one.'' Jacob said.

 

He pulls his arm around me for a second then brings it back down.

 

I was still debating if this was right or not.

 

 

My home, gone, into the arms and soul of someone else.

 

But it's about time, I had enough bad and good memories in this house.

 

 

 

Like the first time me, dad and mom moved here. The fights, and everything in between.

 

When I went off to college, my first christmas here and when I burned down the tree.

 

 

Or even the time I came back home and everything felt right again.

 

I wished that I had that feeling again. But something that you love dearly, has to be owned again.

 

 

And it's not mine anymore.

 

 

I took a deep sigh as I ducked my head down and continued to look at the key.

 

''I'm ready.'' I replied.

 

 

I looked up to Jacob as I smiled, this was the first time he had seen my home.

 

And for Jake and Kylie and Galleria, this was their first time.

 

But it was my last time.

 

 

''Now that you're ready, here they come.'' Jacob says, pointing ahead.

 

 

An engine roars in from a car approaching us. It's put into park as 3 people get out.

 

A woman, a man and young girl.

 

 

All of them seemed perfect