Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

June, three months later

Jack

T he school is closed for the next two weeks, allowing me to be able to take Bee and Dolly away for a vacation we sorely need. Today is her birthday, and I bundled them both up at three in the morning, letting them sleep as I borrowed Greg's private plane for this special trip.

While they grumbled a little, both of them fell asleep so quickly that neither registered that I’m essentially kidnapping them.

My team has the key to my apartment, and are going to pack it all up for us, so movers can come in and move us to our new home. I told the girls that the remodel would take another few weeks, but the truth is that they finished yesterday.

By the time we come home, I’ll be driving them to our house instead of the apartment. I’m thinking of renting out the highrise apartment because I don’t think I’m ready to let it go yet.

It’s a great investment, and I don’t want to make a mistake.

I sold the home I originally bought for Dahlia and I’m still regretting it, even though the riverside home is a better fit for us in this stage of life. There’s room for everything that we want to do.

I’m so happy we found it.

The plane takes off without either of them waking, courtesy of the king size bed they’re sleeping in. Deciding to follow suit, I snuggle in next to them to take a nap. Cocoa Beach is waiting for the three of us when the plane lands, after all.

“Bee, we’ve been kidnapped,” Dolly says with a laugh, and I open my eyes hours later to find she has her face pressed against the window as we get ready to land.

“Surprise, birthday girl. What better way to celebrate your twenty-first birthday than with two weeks away?” I ask her, sitting up.

Bee moans as she starts to wake up, and I gently rub her back. I need coffee for both of them soon, because neither of them are at their best without it. Though, Dolly appears to be letting adrenaline override her need for caffeine at the moment.

The sun is just beginning to rise, allowing for lots of time to enjoy the day.

“This is incredible,” Dolly says, sighing happily. “I don’t even know how you made this happen, but thank you so much.”

“We need the time away,” I tell her. “I asked a few friends for help, and they came through. Once we land, we’ll get our rental car and head to breakfast.”

I have suitcases for the three of us on the plane, and gifts for Dolly. I didn’t see any bathing suits when I was searching through her closet, while Bee and she were at work, so I made sure to fix that by buying her cover ups and several different suits.

The plane lands in Melbourne, Florida, and I send Dahlia and Bee to change into street clothes instead of their pajamas.

The only reason I was able to get away with this is because they both sleep so hard. Snorting to myself, I also change, but I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks, and drove to the airport in a long-sleeved green shirt and black joggers. The girls were too sleepy to tease me about it when they woke up.

I’m calling it a win.

Wearing a pair of board shorts and a T-shirt, I walk to the front of the plane, my sandals comfortable on my feet. I’m excited for sun and fun without any worries.

“Hello, Mr. Katz. Your rental is waiting for you, and you’ll be able to leave as soon as you’re ready,” the flight attendant says.

Dolly giggles at something Bee says, and they join me, wearing sundresses and looking relaxed and happy.

“I believe we’re now ready,” I say with a smile. I packed a duffel bag with a change of clothes for the three of us, and Dolly hands it to me now with their pajamas.

We debark from the plane, the bright sun causing me to slide my sunglasses over my eyes. I’ve noticed that Dolly hasn’t been wearing her contacts anymore, but is happy enough keeping her pseudo identity.

I make myself a note to update her identification paperwork so it’ll match her natural eye color. There’s someone from the car rental agency by the car, and he hands me the keys to it.

I don’t often use my money like this, but will if it eases the stress sometimes induced by travel. Bee and Dolly get into the SUV as I load the suitcases into the truck, and then we’re on our way.

“I used to spend a few days at the beach whenever I could,” I confess to Dolly as I drive. “I always wanted to take you with me, but your mother told me she didn’t want you to burn. I think there were times where she didn’t like that you got so much attention from me.”

It’s been easier for her to talk about Lucia, and I have to thank time and therapy for that.

“I don’t doubt it,” Dolly sighs. “Mom was really weird about that, unless it worked for her that I wasn’t around. Either way, you made my childhood better, Jack.”

I find the small parking lot of a restaurant that’s been around for years that I love, happy that I’m able to find a spot. It’s right on the beach, and Dolly and Bee grab sunglasses and the wide brimmed hats I bought for the trip for them. Even though Lucia complained, I do know how to take care of them.

“It’s so pretty,” Dolly says, breathing in the salty air. “I’ve really missed Florida. I haven’t been back in years.”

Smiling, I usher them into the restaurant, where we order food, and mimosas for the newly turned twenty-one year olds. We have a blast, and then walk along the beach before returning to the SUV to head to the hotel.

“Do we want to walk downtown, or go to the pool?” I ask, opening the door to our room. It’s a beachfront room with a balcony. I didn’t spare any expense, because it’s a trip that I’ve been wanting to take for a while.

“Downtown would be fun,” Dolly says, looking around the room. “This view is incredible, Jack.”

“We’re so spoiled,” Bee murmurs, kissing my cheek before going to hug Dolly from behind.

“You have no idea,” I murmur, pocketing the engagement rings I have for the two of them. It won’t be legal in America, but I’ll travel wherever I need to, so I can get married to them. “Let’s load up on sunscreen and head out.”

We have fun walking downtown, fully protected by sunscreen, window shopping in the little shops, and getting ice cream. The rings feel heavy in my pocket, but I know I don’t want a grand, over the top gesture.

I just need the two of them, with the word “yes” on their lips.

There’s a butterfly garden here, and we head inside, enjoying how gorgeous they are. We can see the beach from here, and it's not busy. We are here on a Tuesday, but this works for what I want. The girls have butterflies in their hair, landing on their arms.

They’re absolutely in awe as they stand still, simply taking it in.

Dropping to my knees, I gaze up at them, amazed at how different they both are. They fill spaces in my soul that were empty before them, and would have remained so without them.

“Jack?” Bee asks, blinking as I pull out the jewelry boxes.

“I would be lost without you,” I rasp, blinking hard as I push up my sunglasses. “Bee, you remind me to be mindful and present, even in the midst of being busy. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past, and that was one of them. Thank you for pulling me back when I was hanging on the edge.”

Bee's eyes begin to fill with tears as she begins to realize what’s happening, and I turn to Dolly.

“You and Bee are twin flames that always were meant to be together. I tried to keep the shards left behind intact, but I needed you for that,” I tell her. “You make everything better. I would be nothing without the two of you, light and dark, you fill the recesses of my soul and heart. I want to be better for you, give you the world, because you’re mine.”

Opening the boxes, each ring as different as they are, the tears overflow my eyes as I ask, “Will you both do me the honor of marrying me?”

The girls drop to their knees before me, the butterflies alighting into the air as they do. It’s beautiful, and I take a second to freeze the moment in my memory forever.

“Yes, I will,” Bee cries as Dolly nods furiously. They hold hands as Dolly gasps, trying to find her words.

“Yes,” she sobs. “We would love to. God, you’re full of surprises, Mr. Katz.”

Pulling out a diamond solitaire ring with two emeralds on either side, I slide it onto Bee’s finger. Smirking, despite the tears as I pull out Dolly’s black diamond engagement ring with two red rubies on either side, I shrug as I push it onto her finger.

“I promise I always will be. Speaking of, I have another,” I tell her as I pull them both into my arms. The three of us are a mess of tears, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s no one to witness this other than the butterflies, and they aren’t telling a soul.

“Another?” Bee asks, sniffling. “You crazy man, what else could there be?”

“The house is ready,” I confess, sniffing as I hug them. “The apartment is being packed up as we speak and we’re moving into our house as soon as we get home. I didn’t want any of us to worry about packing up. I just want us to move in.”

“Oh my God,” Dolly breathes. “This is the best present. Holy shit, Jack.”

I know they were both worried because Dolly will be starting her internship soon, but it’s all been taken care of.

“I love you,” I breathe, loving their watery smiles as they repeat it. I don’t care what we do after this, it’s already the best vacation ever.

5 years later

Dahlia

I’m standing in the audience in the VIP section at an arena in Detroit, living a dream I never thought possible. The Midnight Lights are performing, and Layla sent Jack, Bronwyn, and I tickets for this specific show in Detroit.

I had no idea why, but since I love their music, I accepted. My twenty-sixth birthday just passed, and I’m pregnant with our first child.

We have things to celebrate.

Three months ago, Music Horde Records made a deal with me for a few of my songs. I had no idea who would be singing it, until now as I hear her announce her next song, Bereft in the Wind .

The record label was looking for really edgy, emotional songs, and I have to say I have a lot of those types of songs.

While my life is filled with so much happiness that I could burst some days, there are still days where the music takes me to some dark places. Thankfully, I have Jack and Bee to pull me back up when I come up for air.

“Deidre Demarco is the songwriter to this song, and also in the audience tonight,” Layla says, grinning alongside her band members.

“I write a lot of my own songs, but I fell in love with her energy. She reminds me so much of my sister, who dances in the shadows regularly when she writes music. I needed to sing this song when I was presented with it, give it the traction to fly the way it’s meant to. But, I want to sing it with her. It’s only right, don’t you think, Detroit?”

The screams that surround me are deafening, and I put my hand to my mouth with trembling fingers, overwhelmed and as grateful as I am terrified. While it’s a smaller venue, there are so many people I could fuck up in front of.

Jack wraps his arms around me, pulling my back to his chest. “Your call, baby girl,” he says in my ear. “Color.”

Bee gives me a wide eyed look, her gorgeous green eyes sparkling with pride and excitement. She thinks I can do this. I can do absolutely anything when I see myself reflected back through her lens.

“Green!” I yell, my lips curling into a smile.

A man with light-brown hair and glasses pushes through people, his arms covered in colorful tattoos.

“Hey, you ready to do this, Dee?” he asks, grinning. “You can be brave for thirty seconds, right?”

I nod, knowing that I can. Looking past him, I place my hand on my stomach, biting my lip.

“I’m three months pregnant, how are we going to get through all of that?” I ask.

“I got you,” he promises, raising his hands to his mouth. “Coming through!”

He’s loud as fuck, and people immediately move as he walks me the fastest way to the stage. Placing his hands on my waist, he says, “I usually introduce myself to people before I boost them onto stage with my girl. I’m Tyler. I’ll make sure you get back safely, okay? Go sing your heart out, Dee.”

Tyler lifts me up onto the stage, and as I turn to stand, a tattooed hand comes into my vision. There are musical notes along his fingers, and I gaze up, giving him my hand. Draven Hendricks smirks at me, helping me stand.

“You’ve got some powerful words in you, girlie,” he says, his accent heavy in his words. “You play the guitar too, right?”

I nod, my own words robbed from me as he walks me to where the band is standing. A chair is brought out and a guitar, and I sit down, taking a deep breath as I keep my eyes on Layla.

Thankfully, the bright lights won’t allow me to see anything else, which is exactly what I need.

“What do you think of when you sing this song?” Layla asks, the mic in front of me.

“Hopelessness, and the way the world can sometimes batter us in the wind,” I say, my voice stronger than I thought it would be. I don’t think about how I probably don’t look stage ready, even though I love these ripped jeans and long vest top.

My hair is a mass of layered curls because I’ve kept it shorter, loving the length, but this is me. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it.

“The only thing to do is wait for a single moment where the silence finds us, where we can think, and hold onto it. The storm can’t last forever, even when it lies to us.”

Layla presses her lips together, blinking furiously, and I worry that I’m going to make her cry. Swallowing hard, she nods.

“It’s funny you say that,” she says, taking a deep breath. “I always hear the rain when I sing this song.”

Turning, she counts off, and I pretend what I always do. I’m having a jam session with one of my favorite artists, there’s no pressure, just the music and us. The world falls away as we sing together, the notes dancing in perfect harmony. It isn’t until the song ends and the words fade away that I hear the roar of the crowd.

Grinning furiously, I look around, feeling as if I’m not too much.

I’m not the sad, emo girl whose emotions are too big. My words have power, movement, and energy. Just like Bronwyn helps people heal in her sessions, maybe my songs can do the same.