Dear Edward - Heather Parsons (smart books to read .TXT) 📗

of them looked happy. He heard them screaming for Brianna, calling her name over and over and not getting any response. Fear griped him, something was wrong. He'd seen the look in her eye when he was last with her but at the time thought nothing of it and now his mind was racing.
There were four others searching everywhere for her, John, Lindsey, Chase and Jason had joined together to find her. They all looked worn down but not ready to stop until she was safe. Edward joined in as well, feeling a duty to help, a responsibility.
Exhaustion took over, his eyes were slowly closing but John fought against them and told himself he wouldn't sleep until Brianna was safe, preferably in his house with him. He needed to keep a close eye on her, she wasn't stable and knew this. Even if she made you think she was, she wasn't.
“Dad, you don't need to be out here. You need to be at home, you need your rest, we'll keep looking and I'll bring her home. It's my fault she's gone.” Jason rubbed his dad's back trying to soothe him, without success. The look in his father's eyes caused his heart to shutter, he'd not only hurt Brianna but his dad as well. So much for keeping everything to himself, Jason thought.
“It's not your fault, we're all guilty of leaning on her when we need someone. She's the one who's been hurt the most but she's the one who will never let you know that. Brianna's good at hiding her feelings, has been for awhile so we all owe it to her to bring her back to us, safely.” John said sternly, looking at everyone's face and waiting to see if they said anything to repute him.
They all agreed, shaking their heads and went back to searching. Jason took what his dad had said to heart although he'd not been around, he still understood it all. Brianna had lost everyone she loved and what he'd said to her earlier was low. Kicking himself, he deserved worse for what he did but instead of dwelling on it, he walked away from the group and looked where he thought she'd be. The one place where she could go and feel loved.
He walked around the cemetery not knowing exactly where her parents were buried. Looking at different grave stones, trying to read what was written. Stopping in his pursuit when he heard her cries, her soft spoken words. Breaking his heart when he heard her plead for him to be safe and out of harms way.
Breaking off in a sprint, he found her curled up between two graves, crying. “Brianna, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of what I said, please believe me, I love you.” Jason fell down in front of her, begging for forgiveness, his heart pleading with her to give him another chance.
Without looking up or opening her eyes, Brianna reached out for him. Hearing his heart beat out of control, hearing his breathing become hitched in his throat, she cried harder. He wasn't okay and safe, she thought, he was far worse. Her own heart beat faster but she didn't let go. He was her lifeline, her source of strength, her everything.
“Babe I'm going to carry you home. There's so much more I need to do but for now this is all I can.” Jason whispered picking her up in his arms and kissing her. Letting her tears soak his face caused his own to fall. He'd been so wrong in his thinking, he couldn't live without her, she was his life and he'd give the world to prove it.

~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

Back at home, the home that forever held memories of days long past, some good and some bad. Jason carried Brianna into her room, laying her down softly on the bed but never letting go. If the world came to an end, he'd not let go, he thought, never again.
The look in his eyes, the love and admiration caused her to believe nothing else. He truly did love her and what he'd said before was only at of anger, it was the war talking. But she knew or should have, she felt blind not seeing that he needed her more than she needed him.
Their first kiss shared was out of desperation and need but this one was slow and gentle. Passionate and understanding and she loved it. Holding him close, feeling his breath on her skin, his touch, the smile she fell in love with. Tonight was a perfect night for this. He was perfect.
While kissing her neck, he kept his eyes opened. He didn't want to see the things he knew he would, wanting to only see her, he told himself, only Brianna. The internal battle had started again, forcing the shield back to hold off the nightmares, he wanted tonight to be perfect. Wanted and needed this time with her, to love her, protect her and would give anything to turn back time so she didn't have to see him this way. Broken, unable to be fixed.

FIFTEEN

“I'd like to welcome everyone here today. We all share something in common with the other and this is where we can all talk and sort though our feelings.” Miss Summers announced, she'd brought this group forward because of her own tragedy, her own loss and found it easier to cope around people with similar issues.
“I'll start, my name is Nicole Summers. About three years ago I lost my daughter in a car accident. She was only sixteen when she died and you might think it's easy for me to talk about it, but it's not.” She wiped a tear off her cheek, “it's still as painful today as the day it happened.”
The conversation came out of nowhere and surprising as it was, it was unexpected. Talking about family members, what they've done to help make life easier, what's happened to cause pain and heartbreak, everything. The group was brought together for one purpose, to help those that needed the help. Lindsey and Brianna held on to one another and listened to the heart wrenching stories of families that have lost members to tragedy.
Hearing all the stories about everyone's loss caused Brianna to cringe. She didn't know there was this much loss in her home town, this much pain. If she could she'd reach out to each one and help, she thought staring at all their faces and feeling their pain. Their town was worse off than anyone had known.
The support group was located in the same building as Jason's therapy. And every time he had a session Lindsey and Brianna would go to this group, to let go of her guilt or at least try to. But just like every other time just listening to everyone's stories was too much of a burden on their hearts to reveal their own pain. Brianna hid her pain away to endure the pain of others, to comfort them in their time of need. This group was wonderful, she thought, but it wouldn't help her. Letting go was asking to much of her right now, Brianna could hardly breathe.
Today Jason's session ended on a happy note, causing a smile to appear on Brianna's face , a smile to mask the tears and embrace him. Little by little he looked to be getting better, he even smiled today and his eyes showed the man she loved.
“Babe lets celebrate.” Jason exclaimed, nuzzling her neck and placing a soft kiss on her lips. He laughed at the look she was giving him and shook his head. “I believe I know the perfect place.”
“So everything went okay?” She questioned, smiling at him with fear in her heart. He'd had his good days and then his bad days but she hoped this was a good day. Prayed for it to be. Needed it to be because for her it wasn't that great of a day.
He shook his head, why did she always worry about it? Couldn't he have a good day without her questioning it? Why did he always feel on edge, about to fall over? Pushing the thought back, he smiled and nodded his head.
“Brianna if you'd rather celebrate here, that's fine.” Jason knelled down on one knee, drawing out a ring he had nestled in his pocket and held her hand. “Brianna Sampson, I know things have been difficult between us but I love you with all my heart....will you do me the honor....in being my wife?”
The question, the devote love that radiated off him had her clutching her chest. Tears that were already streaming down her cheeks fell more and her breath it caught in her throat. She started to shake asking herself if this is what she truly wanted, oh hell yeah. Couldn't see herself with anyone else, not that she was looking.
“Brianna, baby breathe!” Jason was standing again, holding her shoulder's between his hands with concern on his face. He believed she loved him but maybe not as much as he loved her. Hell, he couldn't see himself without her, ever. And watching her, seeing her face pale with lack of oxygen was tearing at his heart. Had he made a mistake? Was today not the day to ask?
“Brianna! Jason what's wrong with her?” Lindsey screamed running up to them and grabbing Brianna in her arms. “What did you do to her?”
Hearing Lindsey's words, her exaggerating tone caused Brianna to snap out of her state. Looking at her friend then at Jason's expression made her realize what had happened. Jason's proposal was something she's always wanted but right now it was too much or was it? Your overreacting, she told herself, answer the man, geez.
“Yes.” Brianna whispered unable to make it louder. Her eyes glistened with more tears as she turned to face him. “Yes!” It came out stronger this time.
Caught up in denial, it took Brianna's hand, her gentle touch to bring him back, to hear her answer. Holding her in his embrace, they kissed each other not caring that people were looking at them. The only thing that matter was this, was her exception to his proposal.

~♥~♥~♥~♥~♥~

Family, friends, neighbors, everyone was gathered tonight for yet another celebration. This time is was a happy, joyous time spent with music, dancing and laughter. Everyone was smiling, patting Jason on the back and saying things like 'bout time boy.
All their friends sat off to the side, conversing about their lives and how everything seemed to fall into place. Looking around the town gathering, Edward caught a glimpse of Brianna's face, seeing the love radiating