TRAVIS

Adrenaline still pumps hard through my veins. I’ve been anxiously pacing the floor for hours, unable to close my eyes without thinking of what could have happened tonight. Losing Elijah would be more than I could bear. No parent should ever experience such sorrow. I feel sick to my stomach at the memory of the scene played out in front of me.

I didn’t think anything of it when Eli didn’t come straight back in with his blankie. I figured he and Jules were messing around playing cowboys. She loves to chase him through the long grass, tickling him incessantly when the game is done.

It took me ten minutes to check on them… ten long minutes that they needed my help. I can’t even begin to imagine how terrified Eli must have been. Proud doesn’t even come close to how I feel. Since he was old enough to understand, I’ve been drilling him on what to do when wild animals are around. It’s a real concern in the mountains, although this is the first time he’s had to deal with something like this alone.

As I pulled back the drapes to see what they were doing, my life flashed before my eyes. The fear I felt the night of the accident, distilled down to its purest form and magnified exponentially seeing Eli face that bear and stand firm showing his unrelenting faith in me. He trusted my advice and fought his basic instinct to run.

If anything had happened to him… I could never forgive myself.

And then, I saw Jules—walking toward the danger.

I grabbed the shotgun I keep above the back door for emergencies. I don’t like hunting with it, but if an animal is threatening our safety, you better believe I’ll put a bullet between its eyes.

Cracking the door without startling the bear was challenging. Every creak felt amplified. I slipped out into the darkness forcing myself to stay hidden. As a father, I wanted to shout Elijah’s name and let him know Daddy would keep him safe. Watching from the shadows as Jules edged closer, beckoning Eli slowly back… was excruciating.

Stalking my prey, I was forced to focus on its every move and block out the people I love. I’ve never felt such unbridled rage before—like Hell’s fury had been injected into my bloodstream incinerating any trace of humanity. Becoming more beast than man in that moment, I could’ve killed the bear with my bare hands.

I’ve trained myself to take the shot in broad daylight or the dead of night. We’ve had our share of wild animals up at the cabin, but I’ve always been between Eli and any possible threat. The seconds felt like weeks as I crept toward them setting myself up with a clear vantage point—far enough away not to alert the bear, Eli, or Jules, but close enough to intervene if I missed.

What I wasn’t prepared for was discernable tremor of my hand as I stared down the barrel of the gun with the bear in my sights. One wrong move would spell disaster. Those next sixty seconds were life-altering.

My heartbeat hasn’t slowed—every time I look at Eli sleeping peacefully in his bed, it hits me all over again. I could have lost him. He was more distraught than I’ve ever seen him when I burst through the door with Jules limp in my arms. She passed out and has been asleep ever since. I put her in my bed and crawled between the sheets with Eli tucked close at my side.

He needed to be held as badly as I needed to hold him.

We lay there talking for hours, his little mind finding ways to process what happened. In the end, exhaustion took over and gave him the reprieve he needs. It’s going to take time, but we’ll get past this… together.

I couldn’t lie there for long after he fell asleep, my body vibrating with nervous energy. I’ve walked for miles in the confines of my living room. My muscles ache, but I can’t find peace. Instead, I deal with disposing of the bear, eager to eradicate any trace before Eli and Jules wake up. It’s a five-man job and should’ve taken longer than it did, but I seem to have the strength of ten men—fueled by fear.

I watch the sun rise on a new day and a fresh start. Deciding it’s time to end the current situation with Juliet, I pack an overnight bag for Eli. Swallowing my pride isn’t my strong suit, but I call my parents and ask them for their help. Eli could use a distraction, and I don’t want him to overhear the conversation I’m about to have with Jules. My mom chokes out an apology, but today it doesn’t seem so important.

“Morning, Daddy.” My little champ comes scurrying out of the bedroom throwing himself into my arms.

“There’s my brave boy. Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I set him down on the kitchen island while I prepare his breakfast.

“Do you want to talk about what happened last night?”

“Can I ask a question?

“Always.” He fidgets with the buttons on his pajamas.

“Did mommy send Miss Abams to save me fwom the bear?” My heart aches for him—trying to make sense of everything.

“I don’t know, champ. Maybe she did.”

“I think so. You said mommy is my angel. She pwotects me.”

“That’s right.”

“So, she sent Miss Abams. She sent her to be my new mommy.” My words escape me. How can I break his little heart when he’s already dealing with so much?

“Champ, no one can replace Mommy.”

“I know, but she’s my heaven mommy. I need a mommy for here.” His statement crushes my soul. I’ve told myself he wouldn’t miss what he never had, but deep down I know the truth.

“Your eggs are ready. Just the way you like them.” It’s enough to divert him for now.

“Yummy in my tummy!”

“I thought maybe you’d like to spend the night with Granny and Papa tonight. What do you think? You could go play trains and eat chocolate… hang out with them today?”

“Yay! I’ll go get dwessed wight now.” He wolfs down his eggs in record time and runs off to get ready. I take the opportunity to check on Jules, still fast asleep in my bed, curled around my pillow.

Five minutes later, Eli’s pulling on my hand, dragging me out the door, but the moment we step outside, his hand begins to shake.

“What if another bear comes wooking for its fwiend?” I lift him into my arms, holding him tight.

“That won’t happen. I promise. I’ll make sure nothing like that ever happens again. We can stay here and play inside if you want?”

“No. I don’t want to be here. Is that okay?”

“Sure.” Resting his head against my shoulder, I walk the short distance to my parents’ house humming his favorite song to soothe his unease.

When my mom sees us coming, she comes rushing out, wrapping her arms around both of us, her cheeks damp with tears.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. My precious boys.” For the first time since I was a child, I’m comforted by my mother’s warm embrace—letting myself enjoy the illusion of safety for a few short moments. “Come inside. You look exhausted.”

“I haven’t slept.” Eli holds out his arms attaching himself to my mom like a little limpet. With him taken from me, my limbs begin to weigh me down. It’s a struggle to lift my feet and conquer five porch steps.

As soon as Eli goes in search of my dad, I drop to the couch, my lack of sleep taking its toll. My mom sits across from me in painful silence waiting for me to speak, but I don’t know where to start. When she can’t stand it any longer, her questions erupt in a cloud of volcanic ash.

“Are you okay? Is Eli okay? What did he see? Why was he outside? Do you want to lie down? Can I get you something to eat or drink? How can I help? Do you want to stay here, too?” I breathe in the strength to relive the events of last night.

“I’m just so tired, Mom.”

“Lie down. I’ll get you a blanket.”

“I don’t mean like that. Sure, I’m physically tired right now, but… I’m emotionally exhausted.”

“I understand.”

“Do you? If you did, I don’t think you’d have treated Jules the way you did yesterday. You haven’t even asked if she’s okay.”

“I… I’m just worried about you, sweetheart.” She wrings her hands—the telltale sign that she’s uncomfortable.

“I almost lost him, Mom. Twenty feet was all that stood between that bear and my entire universe. I just started feeling like I’m moving forward… dealing with losing Angela. And now this? I can’t do this anymore.”

“I wish I could make it better for you.”

“You can. Give Jules a chance. She saved Eli’s life last night, Mom. She had no idea I was there, and she ran toward the damn thing to make sure my son got to safety. Do you understand? She was willing to die for him.” The shock on my mom’s face only solidifies what I knew in my heart as I watched Jules rescue Eli last night… I wasn’t surprised by her response. She’d walk through fire for him and me.

Juliet has been fighting for us this whole time, and I keep pushing her away, afraid to let myself love her. She’s proven how committed she is to Eli and me, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t shake her.

“I have to go.” Suddenly, I don’t feel tired anymore.

“What? We need to talk. I’m sorry.” I give her a peck on the cheek and head for the door.

“We can talk later. My future can’t wait.” A cold blast of air fills my lungs as I break out in a sprint, anxious to get back to the house. I thought I’d had my chance at love, but I’ve been given a second chance, and I’m not going to waste it.

I grind to a halt as the gazebo appears on the horizon. The site of my nightmares, picturesque as the sun splits the sky while the woman of my dreams sits staring off into the distance.

“Juliet!”