I tried like hell to hold back the tears, but seeing my mother standing in front of me, crying…I finally allowed myself to let it go.
I must have missed when Jefferson had pulled up, but I could see him now out of the corner of my eye. He was standing near his truck with Ari. I glanced over toward Ari, who was holding on to Luke. She covered her mouth with her free hand as tears rolled down her face.
My mother stopped right in front of me as she began wiping away her tears. “Ellie, I have so much to say to you, and I don’t even know where to begin. I can only ask for your forgiveness. I was in the dark for so long, but I’ve been sober for a while now. I have a steady job, and I’m finally seeing the light. I need your forgiveness to help me stay in the light. ”
“Mommy…please don’t ever hurt me again. I need you so much, Mom. Please don’t go. ”
She took me in her arms as we both continued crying.
“I promise, baby…I promise to never hurt you again. ”
When I looked over at Jefferson, I noticed he was wiping tears away from his face. Leaning over, Ari said something to him. She took his hand and led him over toward us.
“Um…” Jefferson tried to talk, but he had to clear his throat. “Mom?”
Mom turned around and sucked in a breath of air. Jefferson pulled both of us into his arms. After a few minutes, my mom started talking.
“I talked to Sue, and she told me about the babies, and I just…I’m so sorry. I just had to try and come see you. Come see both of you. I’ve been sober for over a year now, and I’m…” Her voice cracked as she looked between Jefferson and me. “I’m so sorry I hurt you both. I’d give anything to take it away. ”
When I looked toward Ari, she was smiling and crying, and in her arms, Luke was just watching the whole show. I had to smile. He looked exactly like Jefferson, but he had one hundred percent of Ari’s personality.
“As God as my witness, I promise you both that I’ll never hurt or leave either one of you again. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I swear to you, I will earn back your love with every ounce of energy I have in my body. ”
Jefferson took a step away and smiled at our mom. “Mom…I have someone I’d like for you to meet,” Jefferson said as he reached out for Luke.
“Dada!” Luke laughed.
Mom gasped and started giggling as more tears rolled down her face. I couldn’t help but smile.
I glanced at my mother. I needed her more than I ever thought I did. My heart actually felt like it was finally healing.
Jefferson grinned so big. “Mom, any special name you want him to call you?”
She shook her head as she wiped away the tears. “Whatever he wants!” she said.
“Luke, can you say hi to your Gramma?”
Luke looked right at Mom. It was as if he were looking into her soul with how he was staring at her.
“Well, hello there, my sweet baby boy! You look exactly like your father. ”
“I told you!” Ari said with a laugh.
Mom turned toward Ari and smiled. “Arianna, sweetheart, how are you?”
Ari let out a small chuckle. “I’m doing wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. ”
“Please, sweetheart, call me Sharon. ”
Ari nodded. “Sharon, it is!”
“Does he really look like me, Mom?” Jefferson asked.
Sharon smiled and nodded. “Spitting image of when you were his age. He might be just a tad more handsome though. ” She winked.
Jefferson threw his head back and laughed, and then he held Luke out toward our mother.
She looked shocked. “Are you sure?”