Forever Breathing (Just Breathe #3) (31 page)

She sits up and begins wiping her tears away.
Oh, so this is where I get all of my antics. Good to know.

“Ever, I’m not crying because you’re going to the sea, it does sound a little scary to me, but I’m crying because you have become a woman right before my eyes. You have found something worth fighting for and put your whole self into it. I am so very proud of you.”

I get up from the table, make my way around it, and hug her tightly. My dad and James get up and we all hug family style. My parents didn’t turn out to be a battle after all.

***

I’ve been officially living in the sea now for a week. Jack, Amber, Alody and I moved into the castle. All of Alody’s people moved to our city finding a new place where they are fully accepted. The Erebus caves are used for play now by the children. No one has to live in them. People are allowed to come and go as they please.

I found out that with the fall of Roman, Alex and Celia were next in line and they made some major changes as well to their city. I wish I could sayze= the same for the other cities scattered through the oceans but some sadly are still in the ‘dark ages’. Maybe someday they’ll move forward or they’ll
need some persuading. For now, though, life couldn’t be any better.

Today is James’ eighteenth birthday.  I took Alody home to surprise him this morning. Tonight Jack, Amber and I are going to surprise him. Garrett and Davis have found an old warehouse with cheap rent for the band to practice. I know from the couple of times I’ve seen him, James is glad to be singing and playing again.

We appear in the room as James and Alody are just getting here. He hugs us and tells us about his day. But then he smiles sneakily and tells me he has a surprise for me. The door creaks open and Gabbi walks in towing Reggie her boyfriend, behind her. I have a classic ‘Ever’ freak out, but instead screaming with joy. It is so good to see my girl. I think my life just can’t get any better.

Davis arrives with his girlfriend, Jenny. James decided they really did need to practice a little and we all agreed that would be an added treat. Of course, Garrett is late so when he strolls in with a giant birthday cake, I have to laugh. He places it on the table and punches James on the shoulder telling him, “Happy birthday, dude”.

Then it happens, I watch as Garrett asks James, “Dude, who is that? Introduce me to that beautiful creature over there.”

A blush spreads through Amber’s face as both guys glance her way. He makes his way over and shakes her hand, introducing himself.  They both jump backward suddenly as if shocked from the touch. I look to my brother and we both start laughing. I know with everything we’ve endured, that we will all be alright.

The End

Forever Breathing

Book 3 in the Just Breathe Trilogy

Acknowledgements

My Thanks!

I have complete gratitude for my family. You are my grounding place. Everything always comes back to you. Thank you to my boys for the many days and nights I was away, deep in the ocean and you took over in making meals and watching your sister. Thank you to my husband, Richard, for believing in me and encouraging my pursuit of a dream.ep i

Much more gratitude than I can utter to all of my first readers. My very first, Shannon Longarzo, you were the true test to whether this trilogy would work at all. My bestie... Rochelle Gilman, for all of your support and positive criticism, where would I be without you? Jessica Louise, for loving my story from the start and cheering me on the whole way! Your beta reading was invaluable and your friendship means so much even though we’re halfway around the world from each other. Heather Gunter, for helping me maneuver my way through this new world and talking things through with me when I had doubts. So thankful for our new friendship. Amber Hayes, for again, beta reading and loving Ever’s story. You’re the best sister-in-law a girl can have. Stephanie Hayes, for reading all three and offering encouragement the whole way through.

Thank you tons to Allie Brennan from B Design for having a vision and creating such wonderful covers to portray Ever’s story. They wouldn’t be the same without your expertise. Thank you heaps to Sherry Ashley, editor extraordinaire. I’m so glad we crossed paths in the real world so I could involve you in my make-believe world.

I want to thank the wonderful blogs that have supported me through this trilogy and loved the story. Thank you to Mandy Anderson from Ireadindie, Mary Tatar from Mandy’s Crazy Book Obsession, Stephanie Locke from Rude Girl Book Blog, Jennifer Noe from The Book Blog, Kristy Louise from Book Addict Mumma, and Tami  from Into The Night Reviews. It has meant so much in my journey.

About the Author

Heather Allen has just fulfilled a life -long dream by completing
and publishing the Just Breathe Trilogy. She loves to write and has many more stories to come. She lives in Melbourne, Florida with her husband of fourteen years, two sons and daughter. She loves to be outside whenever possible either at the beach or out in the boat.