Left Behind

Left Behind

Family by Choice

Book 18

By Robin Nadler

Copyright 2015 by Robin Nadler

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and plot are all products of the author’s imagination and are used as fiction. Nothing is to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition

For all of the soldiers and their families, thank you. …

Chapter One:

Chapter Two:

Chapter Three:

Chapter Four:

Chapter Five:

Chapter Six:

Chapter Seven:

Chapter Eight:

Chapter Nine:

Chapter Ten:

Chapter Eleven:

Chapter Twelve:

Chapter Thirteen:

Chapter Fourteen:

Chapter Fifteen:

Chapter Sixteen:

Chapter Seventeen:

Chapter Eighteen:

Chapter Nineteen:

Chapter Twenty:

Chapter Twenty-One:

Chapter Twenty-Two:

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Chapter Twenty-Four:

Chapter Twenty-Five:

Chapter Twenty-Six:

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

Chapter Twenty-Eight:

Chapter Twenty-Nine:

Chapter Thirty:

Chapter Thirty-One:

Chapter Thirty-Two:

Chapter Thirty-Three:

Chapter Thirty-Four:

Chapter Thirty-Five:

Prologue

How did everything go so bad in such a short time?

She reached to the envelope she put on the nightstand and picked up his letter. She sat up and held his pillow to her as she took the paper out and began to read.

My beautiful Jade,

I am smiling as I write this because I am watching you and the girls sleeping on the couch and it’s the most amazing image I could ever see. We all came back from a walk and you let them play dress up and put makeup on and the sound of their laughter filled the house. It is the sound of heaven and I feel so incredibly blessed that you have given me these two blessings.

But then I think about my life and I realize that you are my heaven. You are the greatest reward I could have ever wished to have and loving you has been my crowning achievement. When I met you, I was at the lowest point a man could find himself at and you came into my life and my heart and just made it better. I know it’s a simple idea, but you have made me better. I am a better man because you love me. I’m a better son because you taught me patience. I am a better father because you allow me to be your partner in every way. I am a better soldier because you have given me security. I am a better human being because you trusted me with your heart.

There are not enough words in the world that I could use to explain how much I love you. I need you to believe me when I say that I will come back to you. I know it seems dire because you’re reading this letter and that means something bad happened. What I can tell you is that unless you see my body, I will be fighting. I am not asking you to remain alone and sad, but I give you my word that I will move heaven and earth to come home to you and the girls.

I was not given such blessings to let them go without a fight.

And I will never stop fighting for you.

My love.

My heart.

My Jade.

WAML,

Mike.

Jade put the letter down and felt a new resolve build from within. She knew he was alive. He was right. There was no proof. She wouldn’t stop fighting.

She wiped her tears and stood up, getting ready for the girls to come home. She heard the doorbell ring and she smiled.

Their daughters were the biggest blessings in their lives and Jade would stay strong for them. She went to let them in when a sight stopped her heart.

Her girls weren’t at the door.

The Army Casualty Officers were.

Chapter One:

Naomi looked at her parents and tried to follow what they were saying.

So you were kidnapped and hurt?

Brittany took her daughter’s hand and held it.

I was, but it was a long time ago and everything is fine now. We just wanted you to know, but it’s nothing you need to worry about.

Tommy smiled at his daughter and nodded.

You know how much we love you, right?

Naomi nodded and looked at her hands, her mind racing.

What is it? Brittany asked.

You weren’t just kidnapped, right?

Tommy looked at his wife and she sighed.

It doesn’t really matter what happened back then.

Yes it does. You are HIV positive and it’s because of that, wasn’t it? They hurt you in that way? You were raped? she asked, her tears falling. Why didn’t you tell me?

Brittany wiped her own eyes and exhaled.

Because that moment isn’t who I am. It’s a moment in my life that was horrific and scary and then it was over. I have healed and found the best and most important reason to be happy and that is your daddy and you. My life is amazing and that’s what we need to focus on. What happened before is the past and I don’t want you to worry.

Naomi looked at Tommy and went to say something, but stopped.

What is it, baby? What’s on your mind?

Nothing. May I be excused?

Of course, he said and she took her crutch and went to her room.

Brittany put her face in her hands and Tommy pulled her to him.

It’s okay, he said.

No it isn’t. She’s crushed. What have I done?

He held her and they sat there for a few minutes before Naomi came back into the room.

I wasn’t going to say anything, but I knew already. Not all of it, but a lot.

They both looked at her.

What? Brittany wiped her eyes.

I saw the interview you gave to that reporter before I was born.

Tommy looked at her. They had tried so hard to prevent her from seeing any of the press.

How did you see it? When? Why didn’t you tell us? Brittany asked.

I got your password for the wifi and the block was easy to open. It was about three months ago and I didn’t tell you because I knew you didn’t want me to know. I didn’t know why you wouldn’t have told me.

Tommy ran his hand through his hair.

How did you even know to look for it?

She rolled her eyes.

I may be with the dumb kids in school, but I’m not a total idiot.

Naomi, you aren’t with the dumb kids. I hate when you say that, Brittany said.

Well I am. I’m 13 and I have to be in a class with kids who can’t solve simple problems. They always look to me for help because I’m far ahead of them. Anyway, one day, Jimmy showed me the headline from the paper when you gave your interview. He said his mom had it and said it was from a friend. I knew it was you and I looked it up and watched it.

Brittany got up and paced a little.

I wish you had told us you saw it, Tommy said.

I wish you told me what happened. I wish you trusted me.

We do trust you. This isn’t something I wanted you to ever know, Brittany said.

Mommy, I love you. I wish you believed in me like I believe in you.

What? How can you say that? I believe in you, Naomi. You are the most amazing person in the world, Brittany felt her tears fall.

I know. I didn’t mean it like that. I just know that you have a lot to handle in your life and you never tell me about it. You handle everything and never let it stop you and I want to learn how to do that. You and daddy are so smart and brave and strong and I want to be like that, too. I don’t want you to worry about telling me things. I want to make you both proud.

Tommy and Brittany hugged her tightly and she squealed as they squished her.

We are so incredibly proud of you, Mini Red. You are the best thing we’ve ever done in this world, Tommy said.