Creative Writing Short Stories/Prompts by Kayla Weber (snow like ashes series .TXT) 📕

“Yes, there are two people,” he replies to the person on the phone. “We only want one room. You have a vacancy? Great! Thank you so much. We will be there in about half an hour.” He hangs up and looks over at Chloe to check if she is still okay. “I found a hotel. They’re about half an hour away. It’s the Marriott. The front desk clerk said that the hotel would be on the left side if we come in from the southeast side of Richfield.” Chloe nods, leaning her seat back to curl up and fall asleep.

“Honey,” Zach whispers, gently shaking Chloe, “we’re here. I’m going to get the bags out, if you want to go check in.” Chloe slowly stretches out and nods, rubbing her eyes. Zach helps her crawl out and she goes to check in while he grabs a few bags out of the trunk.

“We’re in room 26. The lady said it’s on the second floor. Here’s the key,” Chloe hands him the shiny plastic card and they head up to find their room.

“Zach,” Chloe whispers the next morning, shaking him, “do they have breakfast here? I’m really hungry.”

“I think they do. Otherwise we could always go somewhere to eat,” he replies, tiredly. He sits up, stretching his arms above his head and yawning.

“Ooh, going somewhere to eat sounds great. Do they have a McDonald’s around here?” Chloe claps her hands and bounces on the bed excitedly.

“Yeah, I saw one on our way here. We can go back to it and then get going again.” They get ready, check out, and go have breakfast. “Are you sure you’re okay now?” Zach asks, concerned, when they get back on the interstate.

“Yeah, I think it might have just been the stress of yesterday,” Chloe replies, dismissing it with a wave of her hand.

“Okay, if you think so,” Zach agrees, still slightly skeptical. Hopefully she doesn’t have the flu or something. I wish she would tell me what’s wrong.

“I think I’m going to go to sleep again. Let me know when we reach Nebraska and I’ll help navigate to my sister’s house,” Chloe states through a yawn. She curls up and goes to sleep, her head resting just slightly off the edge of the seat.

“Chloe,” Zach reaches over and gently touches her arm, “we’re in Nebraska. How do I get to your sister’s house?”

“Okay,” she readjusts herself into a sitting position and pulls out her phone, “you have to turn right…” Twenty minutes later, they turn into her sister’s driveway. There are already more family members and friends at the house. They get out and are greeted by everyone with hugs and condolences.

“Amber!” Chloe yells, catching sight of her sister in the crowd. She squeezes her way out of the mass of people and greets her sister with a big hug.

“Oh my! You look amazing,” Amber gushes, looking Chloe up and down. Her smile drops when she notices the sad look on Chloe’s face. “What’s wrong sweetheart?”

“I miss mom. I wish I could have been here for her. I had no idea,” Chloe sniffles and Amber pulls her in for another hug. “Where’s Trevor?”

“Oh, you know our little brother. He just can’t be bothered when he’s on vacation,” Amber retorts, making them both laugh. Zach and Chloe stay at Amber’s house for the rest of the week, attending the visitation and funeral three days after arriving.

“I’ve got everything packed and in the trunk, whenever you’re ready,” Zach says, coming back into the house a week later.

“Okay, I’ll just be another minute. Wait for me outside,” she turns back to Amber and giver her a hug. “I’ll miss you. Please call sometime.”

“Absolutely. I’ll call. Oh, and don’t wait to tell him too long please. He needs to know,” Amber squeezes her tight and kisses her on the cheek. “Don’t hesitate to come visit anytime you’re around.” Chloe nods and smiles, heading out to the car. They wave goodbye as Zach pulls out of the driveway for the ride home.

“I think I’m going to need to buy new clothes,” Chloe remarks, getting out of the car at their house.

“Why’s that?” Zach wonders, grabbing their bags and lugging them inside.

“Look at how big my belly is getting,” she replies, rubbing her hands on her belly.

“Is this a trick, Chloe?” Zach inquires, looking at her belly.

“No, this isn’t a trick. It’s an announcement,” she gives him a knowing look.

“No way,” he shakes his head in disbelief.

“Yup. I went to the doctor’s when you were at work. I didn’t want to tell you just yet,” she smiles. “We’re having a baby. He’s due in six months.”

“That’s great!” Zach celebrates, embracing Chloe. “I think now is the perfect time.”

“The perfect time for what?” Chloe asks, curiously.

“This,” Zach steps back and gets down on one knee. “Chloe Rae Stryker, I’ve been in love with you since the moment I saw you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life and I want to raise our child together. Will you marry me?”

Tears of joy pool in her bright blue eyes and run down her cheeks as she covers her mouth and nods, her wavy blonde hair bouncing up and down. She pulls him up and throws herself into his arms. “Of course I will marry you,” she whispers in his ear a thousand times.

They set the date for the next year on July 18th. The whole year they plan for the wedding and it finally arrives. They decide on an outside wedding at the spot where they met with chairs decorated in ivy and roses. The altar is a blue arch decorated with matching ivy and roses. The colors are blue and white.

“I’m so excited for you guys!” Amber exclaims, hugging Chloe.

“Thanks sis,” Chloe says, breaking the hug when James, Amber’s husband, walks over carrying Chloe’s baby boy.

“Hi my little man,” Chloe smiles and kisses Ajax, her and Zach’s six-month-old son.

“You ready? Zach’s waiting for you,” he informs Chloe. She nods and gets ready to walk down the aisle. The wedding goes smooth and they are married within the hour. After the wedding is over, they pose for pictures with their families. The reception after is at their house. They have a three tiered wedding cake and a catered meal.

“I love you, Chloe,” Zach announces, “and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. A toast, to my new wife and child!” Everyone raises their glass in a toast and cheers to the new couple.

Text: Kayla R Weber
Images: Kayla Weber
Editing: Kayla R Weber
Translation: Kayla R Weber
Publication Date: 01-31-2017

All Rights Reserved