A Love Meant to Last

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Lanesra sat curled up on the couch, a thick blanket wrapped around her as she stared blankly at the television. The glow of the screen flickered across her face, but she wasn’t really watching. It had been two weeks since she walked out of that café, two weeks since she last saw Kade, and yet his words still echoed in her mind.

Eli sat cross-legged on the floor, absently playing with his toy cars. He had been quieter than usual, his bright energy dulled by Kade’s absence. She knew he had questions—questions she wasn’t ready to answer.

“Mom?”

She blinked, looking down at her son, who was now staring up at her with those big, curious eyes. “Yes, baby?”

“Where’s Kade? He hasn’t come over in a long time.”

Her heart clenched. She had been dreading this moment. Eli was only eight, but he was smart. Too smart. And he deserved honesty, even if it hurt.

She reached for him, pulling him into her lap and kissing the top of his head. “Kade… he’s going through some things right now. And I needed some time to think.”

Eli twisted around to look at her, frowning. “Did you guys have a fight?”

She hesitated. “Something like that.”

His little face scrunched up in frustration. “Is he coming back?”

Lanesra swallowed the lump in her throat. “I don’t know, sweetheart.”

Eli was silent for a moment before he whispered, “I miss him.”

Tears burned at the back of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “I know, baby. I know.”

Before she could say more, there was a soft knock at the door. Her heart leapt into her throat. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Her brothers would have called first. And Kade… well, she doubted he would just show up after she had shut him out.

She gently moved Eli off her lap and stood, making her way to the door. When she pulled it open, she wasn’t prepared for the person standing there.

“Mom?” she gasped.

Mara gave her a knowing smile, her eyes warm yet filled with concern. “You didn’t think I’d just sit back and let you wallow forever, did you?”

Lanesra stepped aside to let her mother in. As soon as the door shut behind them, Mara pulled her into a tight embrace. The dam broke, and Lanesra finally let the tears spill down her cheeks.

“I don’t know what to do,” she admitted against her mother’s shoulder. “I love him, but I’m so angry. And Eli… he loves Kade so much. What if I’m making the wrong decision?”

Mara pulled back slightly, brushing Lanesra’s hair out of her face. “You don’t have to decide anything right now. But you do have to ask yourself something—do you want to live in pain forever, or do you want to find your way through it?”

Lanesra sniffled. “What if he hurts me again?”

“Then you pick yourself up again. Just like I did when I lost your father.”

Lanesra let out a shaky breath, nodding. “I just wish I had answers.”

Mara smiled softly. “Then maybe you should go looking for them.”

Just then, Eli came bounding over, his excitement momentarily breaking the heaviness in the air. “Grandma!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms around Mara’s waist.

Mara laughed, kissing the top of his head. “Hey, sweetheart.”

Eli grinned up at her before turning to his mother. “Can we go visit Grandpa today? I think he’d know what to do.”

Lanesra’s breath caught. She hadn’t visited her father’s grave in a long time. Maybe… maybe it was time.

She met her mother’s gaze, and Mara nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, determination settling in her chest.

Because if there was ever a place to find clarity, it was where the strongest man she had ever known was laid to rest.

The drive to the cemetery was quiet, save for Eli’s soft humming in the backseat. Lanesra kept her hands steady on the wheel, trying to brace herself for the wave of emotions she knew was coming.

When they arrived, she parked under a large tree, taking a deep breath before stepping out. Eli grabbed her hand, squeezing it gently.

They walked the familiar path to her father’s grave, the air still and peaceful. As soon as they reached it, Lanesra felt the weight of the past settle over her.

Eli knelt down, tracing the engraved letters of his grandfather’s name. “Mom… what was Grandpa like?”

Lanesra smiled through the ache in her chest. “He was kind. Strong. He loved us so much. He used to carry me on his shoulders all the time, and when I was sad, he would play my favorite songs and dance around the living room with me.”

Eli’s eyes lit up. “That sounds like something Kade does.”

Her breath hitched. She looked at her son, seeing the innocence in his face, the pure belief in love and family. And in that moment, she knew she couldn’t run from her feelings forever.

Mara rested a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “You know, your father always said that love isn’t about never making mistakes—it’s about choosing to fight for it, even when it’s hard.”

Lanesra swallowed, nodding. Maybe it was time to stop hiding. Maybe it was time to face what she truly wanted.

She turned to Eli, brushing a hand through his hair. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home.”

As they walked back to the car, she felt something shift inside her. She wasn’t sure where this road would lead, but she knew one thing for certain—she was ready to take the next step.