javi’s Reviews > Still Beating > Status Update

“Happy anniversary, Corabelle.”
“Happy anniversary,” I whisper back, the tears already threatening to spill.
I reach for my locket with my free hand, fisting the heart pendant between my fingers as my other hand clings to my husband.
And on the count of three, we rush into the ocean, tears mixing with laughter, love swelling higher than the tide, and we jump into the water.
Together.

they got their hea ❤️‍🩹

«But we held tight, fighting each surge, standing strong like we always do.
Like we always will.»

🥹🥹🥹🥹

“Gotcha!” they shout, doubling over in a fit of giggles.
Dean and I share another glance. Our mouths tip up into a smile, growing bigger and brighter, as we absorb the fact that we have raised devious little pranksters, much like ourselves.

ended up w 2 children & 4 dogs 😭😭 my family

But the only thing I wanted more was to see her smile.
I wanted to see her glowing and thriving and truly living her life.
I wanted to see her just like this, just like she is right now, happy and healing and learning to love herself again.

🥹🥹

He resists, keeping our eyes locked and stroking his knuckles along my cheek. “Corabelle… that was me fighting for you. That was me fighting for your healing, your joy, your smile, your laughter… your beautiful, broken spirit. I never stopped fighting for you and I never will.”

i love him sm 😕

“I haven’t been with anyone else.”
Dean studies me, unblinking, and replies, “Neither have I.”
My eyebrows raise up, startled by the admission. I was certain he was out there enjoying the bachelor life. “Seriously?”
“Of course I’m serious,” he says, rolling onto his side to face me fully, propping his head up with his elbow. “I don’t give a shit about other women.”

#demisexualking 🤏🏻

Dean reaches over the console to my lap, clasping my hand inside his palm. He brushes his fingers over my knuckles and says, “We fuckin’ made it.”
A grin spreads across my face—a real, big, genuine grin. “Hell yeah, we did.”

FINALLY 🥹🥹🥹🥹

“You really think so? You think there can be a happily ever after for a story like ours?”
“Are you kidding? A story like yours just makes the happily ever after that much sweeter.”

🥹🥹🥹🥹

Love is so many things… and one of those things is being the best version of yourself you can possibly be, no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. No matter how dark, how hard, or how painful the road to recovery may be. No matter how many blows or setbacks try to drag you back down into the mud.
We can’t give our heart to another without loving our own first.
And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

sobbing :(

«Love is so many things I never thought about,... being the best version of yourself you can possibly be, no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. No matter how dark, how hard, or how painful the road to recovery may be. No matter how many blows or setbacks try to drag you back down into the mud.
We can’t give our heart to another without loving our own first.
And that’s exactly what I plan to do.»

♥♥♥