Page 47 of Empower

Skylar met us at the front door, her big body shaking, and her tail wagging.

I gave her the cuddles she needed and then before I could let her out, he said, “I’ll let her out, you go ahead and get changed.”

After I changed into sweatpants and a long-sleeved t-shirt, I walked out of my bedroom to see Storm already had his boots off and the TV on.

He had it on Swamp People, one of my favorite shows. I went into the kitchen and began the makings of the hot chocolate. I got out the kettle and poured in enough milk.

Next, I grabbed a can of cocoa mix and some sugar. I then poured the right amounts into two mugs.

Once the milk was just right, I poured it into the mugs. Then the second to last thing I did was put tiny marshmallows in the cups and out next, yes came my red and white swirly straws. I freaking loved them.

I carried them both into the living room, placed them on the coffee table then pulled out a blanket. I grabbed the remote control for the fireplace and cut it on. It was getting colder first of November here in the Carolina Mountains.

I cuddled up to him on the couch after he patted the area right next to him.

As soon as he saw the tiny marshmallows and the red and white swirly straws I had used, he smiled.

God his smile was one of the things I loved about him.

As badly as I wanted to bring things back up, I didn’t, I waited.

And as I waited, my dad’s words came to me. I can’t remember what we were talking about, but I recalled the words he had said, clear as day.

“Doll face, if you don’t go after your dreams then you’ll never learn to fly, and believe me, the flying is the best part.”

What I hadn’t realized was that I hadn’t just recalled the words, no, I had spoken them aloud.

I realized that when Storm put his mug on the coffee table, then he tagged mine and did the same thing.

I felt his finger under my chin pulling my face to his.

When I finally had my head turned around, he looked into my eyes and said, “I always want you to go after your dreams. And if I need to find a way to grow wings and carry you on my back to get you there, then I will. I’ll do anything for you, Lena.”

I didn’t say a word.

Because I didn’t know what to say.

I mean who would? Seriously.

He would find a way to grow wings to carry me so I could chase my dreams.

I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

His eyes caught it, and then I felt his thumb brush the tear away.

“I know I’m older than you, I know I’ve done a lot more than you, but honestly, I don’t give a fuck. I know what I want. And I want you. I just hope you want me back.”

“If you want me, then why haven’t we had this conversation before now?”

“Because I got a story I need to tell you. Need to give you time with that story. I need you to take in every word that falls from my lips. I need you to inspect them, dissect them, all the things.”

A hundred different things about Storm and his past ran through my mind.

But nothing could have prepared me for the words that were about to fall from his mouth.

Because never in my wildest dreams could I have ever imagined a past like his.

Him. This amazing man.