Page 41 of The Lake House

I place the photographs to my left on the bed and once I do, I notice a white envelope in the box. On the front of it, my name is scribbled in my grandmother’s handwriting. I would have recognized her particular handwriting anywhere.

I flip the envelope over and see that it’s sealed. I slide my finger in between the flap and the rest of the envelope and open it. Inside is a letter. I unfold it to find it addressed to me, once again, handwritten in grandma’s handwriting.

I suck in a deep breath and read.

My dearest Giuliana,

I know I’m taking a huge chance on you possibly never finding this letter, but I’m hoping my intuition is right, and one day you will find your way back to Silver Mist. I just hope when you do find this letter, it is not too late.

The lake house has been in our family for many years. The women in our family could never stay away from here. It’s just something about this place that is so beautiful, makes us who we are, and brings us to life. I know someday you will understand, if you don’t already.

When I first met your grandfather, I knew that was it for me; I knew he was the one. And I was right. When it’s real love, you just know. There’s just this feeling you get that is hard to describe… but you just know.

I know you thought you found it all and more in Todd, but sweetheart, you’ve got to believe me when I tell you I never felt he was it for you. I never felt like he was the one you were meant to be with.

With him stopping you from coming around, trying to dictate what you guys should do, that was a red flag for me.

But please, try to understand. I wasn’t mad at you for no longer coming by. Now, of course, I always wanted to see you, but I was never mad at you for it. I know you did what you did to save your marriage.

If I’m right, and I have a huge inclination that I am, you’ll no longer be with him by the time you’re reading this. And I’m sorry you’re going through pain, if that’s the case. I wish I could take it away and that you wouldn’t hurt, but I promise you, it will be okay. And you, my dear Giules, will be just fine. It will take some time, because when you love, you love hard and with everything you have inside of you. But you will be alright, and things will work themselves out. This I promise you.

Once things settle down and you feel all better again, my sweets, you will be happier and even better off. You’ll see.

I love you and only want the best for you, and I’m praying that as you’re reading this, you’ll see my words hold true.

With all my heart,

Grandma Beverly

I close my eyes for a second, and as I do, the tears fall down the sides of my cheeks. How in the world did my grandmother know all of this? She was right. It did hurt, but now I’m at a place in my life where I don’t really feel the pain anymore. Of course, when I think about all that Todd put me through, it makes me mad and even a little sad that my marriage didn’t work. But that’s just it. I’m no longer sad that he’s not in my life anymore. I’m just sad that my idea of happily ever after came to an end.

But maybe the end of my marriage to Todd wasn’t my ending. Maybe there is more to my story than I know.

Instantly, Declan’s face comes to the front of my mind, and I know right then and there that my happily ever after never lay in Todd’s hands.

My happily ever after lies in mine, and I’m choosing the path to my happiness once and for all.

ChapterFifteen

DECLAN

Lily’s laughter is contagious. With each push that I give her on the swing, she tilts her head all the way back and lets out an explosive giggle.

“Higher, Daddy! Higher!”

“Okay, hold on tight,” I say, pushing her once more.

As she goes up, her smile widens, but it’s when she comes down that her laughter bursts out.

I stand back and watch her as she goes up and down a few more times. And then it’s on to the next thing. “I want to go on the slide!” she exclaims, jumping off the swing.

“Easy, sweetheart,” I call after her, but she’s already taken off, running like the speed of light, heading in the direction of the jungle gym.

It’s days like this when it’s just her and me that everything makes perfect sense. How she ended up being mine. How everything just worked itself out when never in a million years had I thought it would. Of course, that was back when her mother first left us. Now, all that doesn’t matter, and everything is as it should be.

But I wouldn’t mind enhancing and growing our little family. She deserves a mother. I know I always say this, but as I look around me, it’s evident. Mothers crowd around, looking after their kids.

I know Lily has plenty of people around her she adores and they love her back even more, but I know she wonders about her mother. And that’s what kills me the most. She’s too young to understand what happened back when she was a baby and why her mother took off. One day she’ll understand, but for now, I can only imagine what goes through her little mind. Sure, she’s asked about her a couple of times, but I know she doesn’t fully grasp everything yet.

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