Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

respect them because at least I know if I can’t be there, Reese will be there. But I’ll do everything and anything to be there for her and Emma.

“You’re good enough for her Eli, don’t ever let anyone tell you different. And I’m so fucking glad that it’s Sina and not someone else. She’s still too good for you, but for some crazy ass reason she completes you. Don’t take her for granted, man. You can’t find women like her anywhere nowadays, so be good to her. I’m happy for you Eli.” Reese says. And he’s right. Sina is still too good for me, but she makes everything in my life fit in all the right places.

I give him a side hug. “I love you too, man.”

He passes me a shot and raises his, “To love and have a good life” he says.

I chuckle. I’ll drink that, “ To love and a good life.” Damn that shit burns.

“They’re pulling in,” Lei says.

Fuck. Why am I so fucking nervous?

“She’ll say yes” I look over my shoulder and see Luka giving me the cheesiest grin.

“Thanks bro.” I say as Luka hugs me, then they all make their way to the dock.

Luka, Daniel, Megan, Mona, Reese, Lei, Becca, Michael are all here with Marino on facetime. Everyone is here. We all come from different walks of life but somehow we all make sense together. These are the people who have gone from being complete strangers to being people who have fought alongside me and on my behalf when I couldn’t fight for myself. They are the people who stood by me when I thought I was losing the battle and helped me push through. These people became my family. If I haven’t said it, I’ll say it now. I don’t deserve them, but I am so fucking glad that I have them in my life and I’ll never take my family for granted.

“Are you ready Eli?” Emma asks. The back of my eyes are fucking stinging and I think I might throw up but I am so, so ready for this moment. Hold it together man.

“Are you ready to have a family sweetheart?” I ask her as I take her hands in mine.

There are tears in her eyes. “I’m ready,” she says as I wipe her tears with my fingers. “Eli, thank you for loving me and Mama” she cries. I’m a fucking goner.

I pick her up and hug her. “I love you sweetheart.” I say as I cry softly into her hair.

She kisses my forehead and says quietly, “I love you too Dad”

My heart feels like it's going to explode with all the love coursing through it. I set her back down on the ground as Michael walks towards us.

“She’ll need two dads if she’s anything like her mother” he says with a smile. He holds Emma’s hand and they start making their way to the dock where everyone is waiting.

Chapter Seventy-Eight

Sina

I can’t wait to get home. I need a shower so freaking bad. “Any plans for tonight?” Mama asks.

“We’re probably having a movie night.” I say and Mama smiles.

I pull into the driveway and say, “You ladies want to come in for a little bit?”

“Sure” Mama Hunter says with a grin.

“Do you have tea?” Mama asks.

I laugh, “Yes ma’am, six different kinds.” They both laughed together and I kind of feel like they have some kind of inside joke going with the little looks they keep sneaking at each other. I turn Mama’s car off and we get out. The house is in darkness and it doesn't look like anyone’s home. Hmm, that’s weird. I grab the house key from my purse and open the door. I hang my keys up and toss my sweater in the coat closet.

“Are they home?” Mama Hunter asks.

I check the rooms and they’re all empty.

“Honey, I’m home!” I call out. Where are they? The garage? I walk to the kitchen so I can check the garage and I stop in my tracks. What the hell? Why is it so bright in the back? Instead of checking the garage I make my way to the backyard. They’re probably roasting marshmallows for S’mores or something. I push the sliding door open and I think my heart stops beating, or I might have stopped breathing.

“Oh my God!” Both of my hands cover my mouth because I’m about to lose it. Dressed in washed jeans and an off white button up long sleeve shirt with both sleeves rolled up and a fresh haircut I see Eli standing in the garden waiting for me. How did I get so lucky to have such a beautiful man? But why does he look like he’s going to throw up? Then I remember that I look like garbage. Fuck my life.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

He holds his hand out. “Come here Baby,” he says and I walk all the way out the door and I’m blown away. Firefly lights are everywhere. The patio is covered in every single one of my favorite books, from when I was a little girl right up to today. I take his hand in mine and I follow him to where the new gazebo. I see more firefly lights and more books. I turn and spot my bookcase nestled in nicely with everything else that’s in here. Sobbing. Yup, I’m losing it.

“Eli? What’s happening right now?” I cry.

“I remembered seeing your bookcase when we were at your parent’s. I had asked your brothers about it, and they showed me. This bookcase tells a story, and I didn’t like it being in the garage. So, I had the guys bring it here because it needed a home.” He says, still holding my hands and I cry harder.

He opens it and I forget how to breathe. He’s filled it with more of my favorite books. “I made you a promise to fill every space with a million books, and I plan