Justice Switch, page 8
“Listen Iris.” Milo whispered in her ear.
“We are going back to the real world tomorrow. We talked about it a few weeks ago, remember?” I sat across from them on the coffee table.
“Yes.” Iris nodded.
JerRic sat down beside of me. “We won't live in Angeline anymore.”
Milo's disposition was solemn.
“Will we have friends?” Iris frowned.
“Yes, you will have friends.” JerRic's handsome smile took over his face. “You both have a ton of cousins.”
“Will Auntie Z be there?” Iris leaned forward.
“Yes.” I nodded.
Zamfira and Zane showed up four times a year, like clockwork. I asked them about it once. Apparently, she had told a story that while we were in Angeline, they would show up once every three-months. To them, it looked like Milo and Iris were growing over night. They didn't want to miss out on too much of our lives. It had been Zane's idea. The kids loved them both.
“And Uncle Zane?” Milo's expression was doubtful.
“Yep, him too.” My husband nodded.
“I guess that will be okay.” Milo stood up and quietly left the room.
My heart went out to my son.
“He'll be okay.” JerRic put his hand on mine.
I nodded and swallowed.
Iris jumped up and gave us both hugs. It was her way of saying she was done sitting. She did this often. I tried not to laugh.
“I love you, bug.” I hugged her back.
“I love you, Mommy.” She kissed my cheek. “Now, it's Daddy's turn.”
Iris stepped on my toe. I groaned. She didn't notice.
“I love you, Daddy.” She wrapped her arms around JerRic's neck.
“I love you too.” He hugged her. “Now, apologize for stepping on your mother's toe.” He pointed down.
“Sorry, Mommy.” A slight expression of guilt fluttered across my daughter's face.
“It's okay.” It still hurt.
Iris put two fingers to her lips and kissed them and put it on the foot she stomped on.
“Thank, but.” I smiled.
Iris smiled and skipped to the door. Sometimes that girl left me speechless. She pulled open the door and went outside.
49
“It looks like we're back.” JerRic smirked.
I put my arms around him. “I love you, JerRic Write.”
We shared a sweet kiss as he pulled me closer. I couldn't imagine being married to anyone else. After 11 years of marriage, I was even more sure that my husband was the man for me.
“Ew.” My daughter made a face.
“Yuck.” Milo made puking noises.
I laughed and rolled my eyes. JerRic smiled at me like I was the only woman in the world. I decided to ignore my children and kiss him again.
“Daddy, this bed is really bouncy.” Iris jumped up and down on the bed.
“Come on, bug.” JerRic picked her up and carried her into the hallway. “Let's get you a room.”
“Is it going to be a big one?” Iris hugged his neck.
“Very.” He flashed me a smile.
“Is that mine?” Iris pointed to the nearest door.
“No, that's Mommy's art studio. You can have this one.” JerRic stopped in front of a door.
I rubbed my necklace and thought of a canopy bed, a white table for pretend tea, and a few toys. Milo opened the door and walked in. JerRic put our daughter down.
Iris took off running towards the bed. She started jumping up and down on the bed. “It's super bouncy Milo. You should try.”
Milo's eyes fell on us.
“Just a few times.” JerRic gave him permission.
I wrapped my arms around JerRic's waist. “I guess you were right.”
“I like being right, but what about?” He leaned closer to me.
“It really is perfect.” I smiled up at his handsome face. “You, me, and the kids. Life with you didn't turn out too bad after all.”
A large smile lit his face. “I love you, Beth.”
“Me too, Jer. Me too.” I returned his smile.
50
“Ican't believe my Mom was cool with all of this.” I lifted the covers and crawled into bed.
“It pays to be a Storyteller.” JerRic closed our bedroom door.
“I thought for sure that she would... I don't know... something.” I shook my head.
“She did do something.” JerRic flashed me a mischievous smile.
“Offering to take the kids out for ice cream isn't what I meant.” I laughed.
“Milo and Iris were a big hit with my parents too.” JerRic lifted up the covers and got into bed.
“All my goodness, Narina and Travis are so sweet!” I gushed.
“Them, what about me?” JerRic frowned.
I rolled my eyes and laid down.
“I'm sweet too.” JerRic complained.
I reached for my husband's hand. “You are?” I used my low voice, the one he had a hard time resisting.
He pulled free of my hand and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Mm hm...” He whispered in my ear.
I started giggling. “You're distracting me.”
“Don't forget we're going over to Peter and Maddy's for dinner tomorrow.” JerRic whispered. “Now, I'm reminding you.”
“And we have school tomorrow too.” I made a face.
“Don't worry about it, it will be a fun last year of High School.” JerRic was nonchalant.
“You don't worry about anything.” I rolled my eyes.
“Why would I?” JerRic smiled at me mischievously. “As long as you're happy and our kids are safe, there's nothing else left to worry about.”
“Jer, that was almost sweet.” I teased.
“Almost?” JerRic protested.
“So we're really taking the kids to school tomorrow?” I made a face.
“I messaged Tristan. His girls are two years older than Iris.” JerRic sighed.
I made a face. “What about Ginny?”
“Is that your niece?” JerRic made a face.
“Yeah.” I pulled out my phone. “I don't have his number.” I made a face.
JerRic reached for his necklace. “Now you do.” He smirked.
Felix's name popped up on my contact list.
“Thanks.” I grinned at my husband.
It's Annabeth. How old is Ginny?-Me
4- Felix
OK thanks- Me
“That is a no go.” I made a face.
“We can always go back to Angeline.” JerRic smirked.
I laughed. “You would.”
“That's why I offered.” My husband placed a light kiss on my lips. “Seriously, she will be okay. It's only Kindergarten. If she says or does something weird, her teacher will just think she's playing pretend or something.”
“I guess so. We can't exactly go and sit in the back row, can we?” My eyes met his.
An amused expression walked over my husband's face. “No, Beth. We can't.”
I let out a deep breath. “We better go over to the school a few minutes earlier just to make sure that Iris feels comfortable.”
“We can do that.” He nodded.
I was concerned. Iris had never been to a real school. This was her first experience in the real world. It was hitting me harder than I thought it would, for my daughter to go off to school for the first time. Milo too, for that matter. It was like a double whammy.
“And Milo? Do you think he will be okay?”
My oldest was a lot more... humble in nature, that and pessimistic. He was the last to speak up for himself and the first to speak up for someone else.
“My nephew, Zaden, is Milo's age.” JerRic was thoughtful.
“Zane and Zamfira's son?” I tried to remember if they mentioned a Zaden.
“Yeah.” JerRic pointed at me and made a clicking sound with his mouth.
“Aw.” I laughed. “Let's hope that goes okay.”
“Zaden means well.” JerRic made a face.
“Oh, no.” I made a face.
“He's a little hyper, but he will look out for Milo.” JerRic's tone was more reassuring.
“So you're saying Zaden will get him into trouble?” I put my hand on JerRic's chest.
“Probably.” JerRic grinned. “But he was born in Angeline, and everyone around here kicks in extra when it comes to family.”
“That makes me feel a little better.” I smiled softly.
JerRic kissed me. I felt warm from head to toe. His eyes sparkled.
JerRic rubbed his necklace. The light went out, and he cuddled closer to me. “You have my heart, Beth.” Love wrapped around each word. I knew his words had action. That meant more to me than anything in all of the world.
“I love you Jer. You're an alright husband.” I grinned in the dark, trying not to laugh. I knew when I said things like that he had something to prove to me.
“Alright?” JerRic's voice went up an octave.
I turned to face him. “Maybe a little better than alright.” I touched his face.
“What happened to handsome? Amazing? Sexy?” His voice went down an octave.
“Those things too.” I giggled as I found his face in the dark and shared a steamy kiss for a steamy night. Every moment after that added to the happily ever after I had been living with JerRic since the day he bumped into me in the hallway.
5 Months Later...
EPILOGUE
“Mommy, can I play with your dress when you're done? I can turn it into a fort.” Iris grinned.
“No, bug.” JerRic scooped her up.
I laughed. She was adorable.
There was a knock on the door.
“I got it!” Milo took off running. “It's Aunt Liv!” He called from the other room.
“Jer, look at you!” Livy whistled.
JerRic laughed. “Thanks for taking them for a few hours.”
Iris wiggled down. “Auntie Liv!”
Iris ran full force toward Livy and gave her a big hug. Livy hugged her back and smiled. Liv was one of Iris's favorite people since we arrived back in the real world.
“No worries. Mom and Dad are going to help me sandwich them in at your graduation. I'm just the walk over, buddy.” Livy laughed.
JerRic's sister was 13-years-old. She was turning 14 in three months. She was funny. Both Iris and Milo loved her immediately. She ran over here at least once a week and took Milo and Iris back to hang out and watch a movie.
“You mellowed out a lot after going to Angeline. It must be Annabeth's doing, because Angeline didn't do much for you the first time around.” She made a face at him.
JerRic pretended to throw something at her. Livy ducked, laughing. My husband revealed two empty palms.
“Careful, Jer. I will come up there and get you.” Livy wiggled her finger at her brother.
I laughed and put my arms around my husband's waist. His eyes immediately fell on me. JerRic's gaze became warm in seconds.
“Just tell her thank you.” I smiled.
“Thanks, Livy.” JerRic waved at her, but his eyes stayed on me.
“Come on, guys.” Livy walked to the door. “Don't trip on the stage!” The door slammed behind her.
“Words of wisdom.” JerRic rolled his eyes.
I grinned. “Will you catch me if I fall, Jer?”
“Of course, A comes before J. I'll be right behind you.” His eyes held a promise of love that lasted many lifetimes.
I stood on my tiptoes, and we shared a tender kiss. JerRic had a lopsided smile on his face. I couldn't help grinning. We may have children and be moving to the next chapter of our lives, but we would always be Beth and Jer. That was more than enough.
A few hours later, we were throwing our graduation hats into the air and hugging each other. Pictures were mandatory, but my husband made it bearable with his antics. Each face brought more laughter than the last.
“We survived High School.” I whispered.
“We survived a lot more than just High School.” JerRic's warm arms captured me for a perfect hug.
“Yeah, I guess we did.” I grinned.
“I get to be right twice in our marriage?” JerRic's eyes were teasing.
“Don't ruin the moment, Jer.” I rolled my eyes.
My husband let out a howl of laughter.
“What's so funny, Dad?” Milo came up to us.
“Private joke.” JerRic's warm eyes met mine.
“I love you.” I whispered.
“Me too.” He grinned, and we walked to the car with our two tag-a-longs. It didn't take us long to arrive at our graduation party with more people than I ever imagined possible.
Destiny
1
“Ican't believe we have to go to school on our birthday.” I complained to my sister Charity.
“It's the last day.” Charity finished putting on her lip gloss. “Besides, Mom and Dad won't count it as our birthday until tonight. You know how they are.” She rolled her eyes.
I let out a groan. “I hate the whole waiting until our birthday time thing. It sucks.”
“Mom and Dad said they're having 'the talk' with us tonight.” My sister stood up straighter.
“The talk? Oo gross.” I shivered.
“Maybe 'a talk'?” Charity put her hand on her hip.
“Let's hope there aren't too many details.” I put my shoe on. “I thought we already got that out of the way... you know?”
“Well, we get to start dating...” Charity shrugged.
I winced. “It's a stupid rule.”
My sister laughed and sat on her bed. Mom and Dad wouldn't let us date until we turned 17. Most of the time, it felt like I was the only one in school stuck in no dating purgatory. I wanted a boyfriend so badly. I wanted to cuddle with him and kiss him and...
“What if we fell for the same guy?” I put my other shoe on. “I wouldn't let you have my man.” I practically growled at my sister.
Charity laughed. “You have an imaginary man in mind? I don't see anyone in line yet.” There was a hint of challenge in her voice.
“Well, you don't either.” I threw a pillow at her.
My sister threw it back. “I bet I get a boyfriend before you do. You know they would choose me over you, sister dear.” Charity chuckled.
“That's not funny.” I put both feet on the floor in protest.
“It's kind of funny.” Charity was smiling. “Let's get real. We are completely different. There's no way we'd fall for the same guy... personality wise.”
“True...” I frowned. “What about...?”
“He doesn't count.” Charity shook her head. “We were like seven.”
“And then there was...”
“That doesn't count either, we didn't know he...”
“Yeah, he was.” I nodded.
“But then we did like...”
“He was cute.” I let out a deep breath and laid on my bed.
“Destiny, you need to stop being all extra.” Charity stood up.
“Extra cute.” I sat up and wiggled my shoulders.
Charity laughed.
“I plan on having a date by tomorrow night.” I stood up.
“With who?” Charity's mouth fell open.
“I don't know yet, but I will make it happen.” I gave her a wicked smile. “I'm having a man locked in as my boyfriend before the week is over.”
“Poor guy.” Charity dramatically put her hand on her hip again.
“Charity!” I shoved her.
Knock. Knock. Knock. We both turned toward the door.
“Mom said to hurry up. We have to leave for school in five minutes.” Elijah called through the door.
I opened the door and glared at my brother. “Perfection takes time.”
“Yeah, whatever.” My brother walked away.
Heidi Harris
Check Out My Website, and
https://linktr.ee/heidiharriswrites
Books by Heidi Harris: Storyteller
Books by Heidi Harris: Storyteller
Book 1: Emma's Quest
Book 2: Callie Flower
Book 3: Alison's Challenge
Book 4: Penny's Adventure
Book 5: Dastan Triplets
Book 6: Erica's Error
Book 7: Neira's Knight
Book 8: Kristen's Prince
Book 9: Gwyn's Return
Book 10: Nightingale Effect
Book 11: Twin Trouble
Book 12: Mr. Write
Book 13: Tru Angel
Book 14: Tristan's Chance
Book 15: Alenka's Move
Book 16: Princess Zamfira
Book 17: Justice Switch
Book 18: Destiny’s Choice
Carley’s Crush
Dashing Through
Dream Walker
Heidi Harris, Justice Switch
