tidal wave

~ chapter 17 ~

"I told the boys I'm gonna do the trial" Susannah whispered to Laurel. All Bre could think was if she did the trial it gives them a chance. It gives Susannah a chance.

The memories that the two women had made in this house and with their children were the bond that kept their hope alive. Seeing their kids make mistakes and live gave them hope for themselves.

"Now can we talk about how beautiful you looked today Miss Breanna," Susannah said turning to Bre.

"Thank you, you look Beautiful yourself," Bre said getting up and giving Susannah a long overdue hug.

"Have you opened the box yet?" Laurel said turning her head away from the cooker top.

Bre shook her head, with everything going on she'd forgotten.

"Go and get it we can open it with dinner" Laurel said smiling.

For some reason, Bre knew that it was the best time to ever open it.

"All right everybody down here. We still have to eat" Laurel called up just as Bre had grabbed her box.

All of the children stumbled downstairs sitting at the table. The chatter and laughter began to fill the house once again.

"Can I open it now?" Bre asked out of the blue.

"Sure sweetie," Laurel said smiling.

As Bre opened the box, it had papers filled in it all neatly sealed. And baby photos.

There were photos of her dad holding Conrad. And Susannah holding her. Photos of her dad holding her in hospital. With Belly and Steven.

"How did he prepare all of this?" Bre asked wiping a tear that had formed in her eye.

"Read the letter" Laurel said pointing to the one with a blue ribbon around it.

"Hi Bee,
If my sister has done this properly then you would've graduated a few days ago if not today. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for it. I love you more than you'll ever know. You're my only child. My Angel.
Enclosed in this box is my savings for you. It has enough for you to go to a good college and even a bit more.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to see you grow up.
Laurel has probably been a great mom, well Susannah.
I want you to know that I fought my hardest, but cancer is a bitch. Sorry for that. There are a few other things in this box I saved for you. I hope you live a life full of fun, love and happiness.
Because you were all of those for me.
Love your Father"

Bre couldn't hope back the tears anymore. Her dad died of Cancer he didn't just leave her as she'd thought. He made sure she was taken care of.

"He was a good dad," Bre said laughing and crying.

Bre continued to look through all of the photos and began to smile. She saw how happy and proud he looked in a lot of the photos. Even the ones of Bre crying or just playing.

"What does Marise mean?" Belly asked pointing to her middle name on the box.

"It's translated from Japanese, It means Infinity" Laurel said, she was smiling.

"Thank you, for keeping this safe and for being my mom," Bre said across the table.

The group spent the rest of the evening looking through all the photos in the box that Susannah had at the house. Bre wondered throughout if she'd even be here if her dad was alive but she didn't care because she was where she always needed to be.

"So Breanna Marise Conklin would you like to come watch the sunrise with me?" Conrad asked, everyone else had either gone upstairs to sleep or was asleep on the couch.

"Of course Conrad Beck Fisher I would" Bre said smiling, holding his hand as they walked out to the beach.

"It's so pretty" Bre said looking out at the sun.

"Can I tell you something?" Conrad asked looking at Bre.

Bre nodded looking back at Conrad.

"My Moms gonna do the trial," He said smiling, Bre could see the hope in his eyes.

"That's amazing" Bre shielded leaning her head on his shoulder.

Conrad looked across at Bre and kissed her. It wasn't like any time before. They both had fireworks going off in their hearts. It felt right, right time, right person.

"Are we going to try this?" Conrad said pulling away.

"I'm up for it if you are" Bre laughed.

"Makes it sound like a business deal" Conrad said laughing. Bre couldn't help but think what if it all went wrong again? What if she lost her best friend, or worse lost all the Fishers?

"But please can we promise that if anything happens we feel each other, any thought, any feeling? And we are there for each other" Bre said brushing her hands through his hair.

"Promise" Conrad said pulling her into a hug.