AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His father continued, “I want you to all know that I love you. That I’m proud of you. That if I die serving my country, then it was worth it. Because … freedom isn’t free and you should know that."
Their mother had tears running down her face. “Of course, it’s always been a risk with your father doing the job he does, but I don’t worry because I know that with God, all things are possible.” Tears ran down her cheeks. "And that is the most valuable treasure we leave you kids; our trust in the Lord, Almighty. Never forget that Jesus Christ is the Savior. Never forget that God loves you."
Hunter could barely see, he was crying so hard.
Kensi was sobbing. “She always said that God loved us all, even through dad dying and even through her cancer.”
Trey pulled her closer. “Shh, it’s okay.”
Their father wiped his cheeks. “So listen to me. We love you. We’re proud of you. We trust you. I had some guys help me get rid of the gold. Trustworthy guys that I would lay my life down for and they have done the same for me. Believe me … the gold is gone. Quit looking.”
His mother was leaning into his father, cuddling into him and now she was grinning. “And you know I have to say it again, ‘You are our gold. You. All of you. Take care of each other. Love each other. That is the legacy we leave you. We love you.” She kissed her hand and then blew the kiss.
His father grinned at their mother’s gesture, then … he did something completely out of character for him. He kissed his hand and blew it. “We do love you. Bye now.”
The tape went fuzzy.
Everyone just stood there, watching the fuzzy screen for a long time.
Finally, Marshall moved to the television and shut it off.
All of them began looking at each other. Tears were on all of their faces.
Trey made a circling gesture. “Bring it in around Hunter. Link hands please."
Trent was next to him, then Kensi, Trey, Marshall, Brooks, Cheryse, all linked to him.
Hunter couldn’t believe that … it was over. "No gold," he muttered."
"No gold," Brooks repeated, a tiny smile on his lips.
Marshall grunted. "Wouldn't dad just love the fact he'd kept us all going this whole time?"
Kensi sniffed, then let out a light laugh. "Yeah, he would."
"So would mom," Trey said, shaking his head and smiling. "Man, mom and dad were awesome."
Trent nodded. "Yes, they were and so are all of you."
Again, reverent quiet filled the room.
No one spoke for a long time.
Cheryse gently squeezed his hand.
He gave her a little smile and she smiled back.
Kensi smiled at all of them. “Mom and dad. They never disappoint.”
Brooks shook his head. “No, they don’t.”
Marshall rolled his eyes. “Ahh, there’s no freakin gold.” He sounded pained.
Hunter let out a light laugh, then sobered. “But we have Trent, so we have it all."
Trent laughed and cried. Again, all of his siblings were surrounding Trent, holding him, talking and crying.
Hunter couldn't believe it. He didn't care about the gold or being shot or anything … he had his brother back.
