Chapter 31

Hello! I feel like I’ve been away for longer than typical of me and I apologize for that. I hope you enjoy these few ending chapters that are a bit short, sorry. I actually intend to make some changes to them later on but I really wanted to get this out to you for some clarity! Thank you for reading lovelies! Also these chapters are not expertly proofread so please feel encouraged to correct mistakes.

I was lying awake in bed, unable to sleep. I was not tired at all and I was in an endless cycle of trying to find a soothing position. Ellie was fast asleep behind me, her arm slung over her head, lying on her back, her breaths soft in the quiet of the room. I finally sat up with a huff, deciding to get up and grab a glass of water and a snack. I tiptoed to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and rummaging through the hoard of snacks we had bought on a Walmart rampage when we arrived. I snatched a bag of chips and went back upstairs, sitting in bed and staring out at the moonlight.

Still, I was bored and wide awake.

I walked to my suitcase, leaving the chips open on the bed and the water bottle on our nightstand. I opened it up, rummaging around inside for something that would entertain me, flipping through my books with an unamused frown. My hands brushed something velvet and I felt around again. My hand settled on the little drawstring pouch Mom had given me before I left. She told me ot wait, to open it in Caliornia.

I suppose now was the perfect time. I opened it up, and inside I could feel something delicate – a piece of paper. I pulled it out, alongside a silver ring with a diamond in the middle. The paper was lightly crumpled and smelt of age. I sat the ring into my palm, opening up the folded paper. The front side read ‘These were my first vows to your father, before I re-wrote them. Never make yourself smaller or weaker for a man as I have done. I wish I had kept my witty attitude as my amazing daughters have done.’ I flipped the paper over, thinking to myself this was a bit small for vows. However, I laughed to myself as I read what they said.

“Fuck you. And I don’t wear silver. Open your eyes, David Wells, or I will never marry you.”

“I wish I could know someday whether you’d be proud or disappointed that it will never be a man for me, Mama…” I murmured quietly to myself.