Chapter 11: Solomon - Beast of the Bayou

One Month Later

I'm standing in the hallway again. Only this time—I'm not stuck. I look down and see Edgar at my feet looking up at me with a smile. He gestures his head towards the door at the end of the hallway. "She's waiting," he purrs.

Letting out a slow breath, I walk towards the door. As I near it, it opens wide. Instead of the darkness, a blinding light pours out. I pause at the door. Edgar nudges my foot. With my hand on the doorway, I step in.

My mother is at the vanity—beautiful and young with her back turned to me. My heart clenches in my chest and tears spill from my eyes.

She turns with a smile on her face. "Hello, my love."

"Mama?" I choke out.

She stands and opens her arms wide. I stumble into them, wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace. She feels so small and fragile, but the strength in her hold matches my own. I cry into her hair. Years of grief pour out of me.

She rubs my back gently. "I'm so sorry I had to leave you. But it's okay now, my love. Everything is going to be alright now." Pulling back enough to look into my eyes, she gives me a warm smile. "Listen to me, son. I'll always be here for you. But you can let me go now and go and live your life."

"You're leaving me?" I choke out.

"Never. I'm always right here." She touches my chest, the warmth of her touch radiates through my body. "But you have a full life to live. This isn't the end of the Mournes. This is just the beginning." She tilts her head, eyes crinkling in the corner in amusement. "Name one of the babies, Lucinda after me. And name the other…Solomon III."

Understanding hits me and my shoulders drop in disbelief.

"He's so proud of you. We both are."

Taking her other hand, I press it to my cheek. "Thank you, Mama."

"I love you, Solomon."

"I love you too."

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She begins to fade, leaving behind a warm glow.

In the distance, I can hear my name being called—

"Solomon. Solomon."

My eyes snap open…

Lila is propped up on her elbow watching me, her face etched in concern. "Solomon. Baby, are you okay? You were crying in your sleep." Tenderly, she wipes my cheeks. "Did you have a bad dream?"

I exhale, shaking my head. "No. The opposite, my love." I pull her back into my arms, resting my hand on her belly. "I got closure, and some beautiful news."

She peers up at me. "Care to share?"

"I have a feeling you'll find out real soon." Kissing her, I pull back, getting lost in those warm brown eyes of hers.

She smiles gently. "What?"

"I absolutely adore you. I love you so much."

Her face softens and her eyes fill. "I love you too, baby.

We share a kiss. Deep, long, and full of promise and a love that I never thought I would be blessed to experience. I no longer feel cursed by what I am. I have Lila in my arms, a future waiting for us, and a full life to lead.

Who knows…maybe one day we'll leave Bayou Mourne.

But for right now, this is home.