Page 21 of Forever King

Marius joins Kellen in egging me on to open the envelope. “Then let’s see what it is!”

While I’m not sure it’s going to be much of anything, our mother did have a habit of making keepsakes for each of us, so maybe it’s a nice poem or something like that. “Okay. Let’s see what Mom had to say.”

I rip open the end and let the piece of paper inside fall out. As I unfold it, I feel suddenly nervous. It’s silly, but even after all these years, just a word from my mother would thrill me.

My eyes drift over the words on the paper, and I smile while all my memories of the times I spent with my mother as the youngest come rushing back. I thought maybe this might be just a general letter she left for when I grew up, but it’s so much more.

Clearing my voice, I start to read as my voice trembles with emotion.

“Dear Ronan,

I so wish I could be there today to see you get married. Even though I can’t be, I know it’s a day you deserve to be perfect. One of the first regrets I had when I found out about my diagnosis was knowing I wouldn’t make it to see this day. I don’t know if I saw your brothers get married, but I knew there wouldn’t be enough time to be here to celebrate with you.”

As emotion nearly overwhelms me, I look up to see my brothers waiting to hear the rest of the letter. As the youngestKing, I got so much less time with our mother. Matthias had nearly sixteen years with her, but I barely got ten before she was taken away from us. Because of that, I’ve always felt like I missed so much more than they did.

“It’s so like Mom to write you a letter for today,” Matthias says with a smile.

“Is there any more?” Kellen asks, himself like me in that he didn’t get enough time with her either.

Nodding, I continue. “When I think of my little boy being all grown up, pride fills my heart more than you can ever know. I loved you from the moment I learned I was pregnant, and even though I can’t be there with you today, please know wherever I am, I love you and miss you.

Ronan, I know you’ll be the kind of man who loves honestly and truly. I wish you and your new wife all the happiness a mother could hope for. Until we see each other again, know I love you, sweetheart.

Always,

Mom.”

I slowly fold the letter again and slide it back into the envelope. My mother always knew how to make me feel loved. Even today, she found a way to show me.

Kellen, of course, has to make a joke to lighten the mood. “You know she didn’t write one of those for me. Mom knew who I was.”

The three of us look at him and shake our heads. “You know our mother. Hope always sprang eternal. I bet she thought even you’d find a woman who wanted to spend time with you, Kellen,” Marius says.

“Hey, we better get downstairs. It’s just about time,” Matthias says. “Ready?”

I nod, stuffing the envelope and my mother’s letter into my tux inside pocket. “Ready.”

As he passes me on his way out of my room, Kellen pats me on the shoulder. “Let’s do this, right? Don’t want to keep Kate waiting.”

Smiling, I nod as the two of them leave just Marius and me standing together. He seems oddly quiet, which makes me wonder if something’s wrong. Maybe he’s worried about how his wedding day is going to go, especially considering what he told us earlier.

“You nervous? You’re not usually this somber.”

With a shrug, he answers, “Just thinking about Mom. She would have loved to see you get married. You were her baby, so today would have been a huge day for her.”

“Yeah, I know. I wish she was here. I wish Dad was here. Thanks for being my best man, Marius.”

He smiles and straightens the lapel on my tux. “I’m just glad you’re here to have this day happen. I didn’t know if you would be that day I found you.”

I think back to that day sometimes and can’t remember feeling so bad that I didn’t want to live anymore. I can’t imagine thinking that way now. I’ve got Kate, the Hope Forward Foundation with Marius, a new right hand, and a future I’m looking forward to.

And I owe it all to the man standing in front of me.

“This couldn’t happen if it weren’t for you saving me, Marius. I owe you my life. Thank you. I don’t think I can ever repay you for what you did for me.”

Tears fills his eyes as he smiles. “Just go and have a happy marriage. Kate’s a great woman. Even better, you like her parents and she only has one sister, which is great even though she’s not.”

Again with the slam on Kelly? Now I can’t stop myself from asking why he doesn’t like her.