Total pages in book: 7
Estimated words: 7034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 35(@200wpm)___ 28(@250wpm)___ 23(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 7034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 35(@200wpm)___ 28(@250wpm)___ 23(@300wpm)
We wish you all the comfort in the world, sweet boy.
Much love,
KC and Noa
FROM THE CARTERS
From Lucas
This entry was the last one Lane and I worked on. As in, I’ve written and rewritten it a dozen times; I even erased two. For the same reason Cam did. It’s understandable, of course, that we all have the same wish. We want you to come home safe and sound. We believe in you—and in your strength.
How many have called you a fighter by now?
I could do a word search, but…
To follow Cam’s lead in an attempt to sound less repetitive, I hope you’ll cry a lot upon your return. I hope you’ll keep your guard down and let it all out. I hope you’ll let yourself grieve. I hope you’ll have an outlet for pent-up anger and hurt.
Knowing River and Reese, you do. Don’t shut them out. They love you so, so much. You are as important as the air that they breathe. I know that for certain, Shay.
As Corey said, I also believe you’ve undergone a big change. How can something horrific like this not change someone irrevocably? But we are looking forward to meeting the new version. I’m sure you will be as amazing and extraordinary as the first one.
Just different.
Kit and I went out and bought you something too. It was Kit’s idea, so I will let him tell you about it in his entry.
Love,
Lucas
From Kit
Hiiii, Shay. Daddy Lucas and I bought you a gift! Daddy Colt wanted to come with, but he was busy building tech stuff with Ty.
Before I joined House Mclean, I was lonely a lot. I had nightmares sometimes too. And I found that wearing headphones with music at night helped me a teensy bit. Those headphones that look like a headband so that your ears don’t hurt? Yeah, those. We bought you a pair! So, if the nightmares become too much, maybe you can listen to music when you sleep?
If you need a song, you can borrow my Daddies’ wedding song that they danced to. It’s called “Grave” by Thomas Rhett. It makes me smile a lot.
EDIT: Lane suggested “You Got Me” by Gavin DeGraw. It’s also good! That was nice of him. The lyrics are very lovey-dovey, though.
Last but not least, I wrote you a poem!
Here it is.
HUGS,
Kit
From Colt
Hey, kiddo.
It’s much easier to write to you now.
I know where you are. Help is real close.
Hang in there just a few more hours.
You’re coming home.
At long fucking last.
Now, when I hug you next time, I will have just finished chopping at least four onions, okay?
See you soon,
Colt
SCRIBBLES FROM FRIENDS WHO ARE CELEBRATING THE RESCUE
YOU’RE COMING HOME, SHAY! YES, YES, YES! I WILL HUG YOU SO HARD.
I CAN’T FIND MY WORDS, I’M SO HAPPY.
At long last, sweetheart.
I’m not crying. You’re crying.
I told youse. Never doubted for a fucking minute. Fuck yeah.
Oh God, finally. It’s the only word going on repeat. Finally, finally, finally.
FUCK YEAH!!! Go Tenleys and Master Greer and everyone involved!
I can barely believe it. Excuse me while I go bawl my eyes out.
YOU DID IT! I’M SO HAPPY FOR EVERYONE AND MYSELF!
You’re safe! We just found out. Now we can celebrate. And relax. And smile again. Oh, the best news ever.
Goodness, Tate is really sobbing. I’m just crying like a normal guy. BECAUSE WE ARE ECSTATIC!
FINALLY! RIVER AND REESE AND GREER, YOU ARE MY HEROES. AND SHAY. SHAY, SHAY, SHAY, HERO OF THE CENTURY.
You’re coming home, pet.
You’re coming home.
Ivy can’t come to the phone right now because she’s crying her eyes out, but leave a message after the beep and she will get back to you.
We love you so much.
TO RIVER AND REESE
Get ready to squirm, boys. This is for you.
Our brothers, our friends, our partners, our Founders.
We couldn’t be prouder of you—or more impressed.
We’re also here for you. What comes next won’t be easy, so please let us be part of that journey. Let us help. Let us fuss.
You’ve told us so many times that you can’t live without Shay.
He can’t live without you either, which means you have to take care of yourselves. You can’t carry every burden on your own. This wasn’t a broken leg or a minor accident.
You’ve been to hell and back.
We know you’ll hate this word, but you are heroes. Brave, resilient, forceful, loyal heroes. Don’t worry, we won’t put you on pedestals. But we will show our love, probably in higher doses than you’re comfortable with.
Deal with it.
All our love,
Lucas, Colt, Kit, Lucian, Cam, KC, Noa, Tate, Kingsley, Ash, Nathan, James, Jordan, Greer, Archie, Corey, Sloan, Jack, Franklin, Penelope, Nora, Macklin, Walker, Ty, Lane, Santiago, Gael, Dean, August, Ivy, and Ev.
TO MASTER GREER
Don’t think we forgot about you, Greer.
You’re a hero too.
We admire your strength, your loyalty, and your determination.
And we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts that you helped bring our Shay home.