Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Xena's POV

Ryder nodded and typed in the address. 318 Mountain View Boulevard, Destin,

Florida. The address popped up automatically. We were only fifteen minutes

away from my dad's biggest secret.

Ryder grabbed my hand that was tapping nervously on the center console.

"Relax, baby."

"I'm trying." The traffic was heavy. I'd never seen palm trees before, and watching

them sway in the wind was amazing. The air carried a salty scent that told me we

weren't far from the ocean.

My heart was beating like it wanted to jump out of my chest. The GPS told us to

turn into a gated community. After stopping at the window, an older gentleman

leaned out. "Unit number?"

"Oh, um..." I wasn't sure what the number was.

"Should be on the key. Do you have a key?" The guard seemed a bit impatient.

"Yes." I opened the envelope and the key fell into my hand. There was only a

number four on it. "Um, four." I told him.

"Four?" He looked shocked.

"Yes, four." I handed the key to Ryder to see.

"Damn." The man disappeared into his little brick building and came back quickly

with a clipboard and pen. "Please sign here."

Ryder handed me the clipboard. It was a basic notification confirming I had

received the attached envelope. "What is that?" Ryder asked.

"Don't know. A few years ago we got instructions that when someone came to

access that unit, they would receive this letter. We just need a signature

confirming delivery and to provide assistance if you need it."

I took the letter and signed the paper, then handed it back to him. "Thank you."

"Your unit is all the way to the left at the end. Let me know if you need anything."

He bowed to us and then opened the gate.

"That's weird." I said once we were out of earshot. This place was very upscale.

White brick walls at least fifteen feet high with cameras everywhere.

"Very weird." Ryder drove slowly along the road until we saw number four. Ryder

turned off the car but didn't get out immediately. Instead, he reached out and

cupped my chin, making me face him. "Breathe, baby."

I immediately took a deep breath that I didn't realize I needed. "Sorry, I don't know

why going in to look around makes me so nervous."

"I'll be right beside you." Ryder looked directly into my soul through my eyes.

"Ready?"

I didn't speak, just nodded. "Should I read this letter first?" I asked.

"Yeah, let's read it first." Ryder put his hand on my leg.

Somehow I managed to open the envelope without cutting my finger on the

paper. The paper was very fine, and I carefully pulled it out. The handwriting

was elegant.

My Dear Daughter Xena,

If you are reading this letter, it means I didn't make it out of the delivery room

alive. When I told your father I had concerns, he thought I was

crazy. Even the doctors didn't believe me. So I took matters into my own hands

and wrote this letter.

I had so many expectations for your life. I wanted to watch you grow up, find your

mate, and become the best version of yourself. I hope you always remember that

you are my precious little girl.

I have given your father instructions on what to do with these items if I die and

these things are no longer safe in my home, Florida has always been a special

place in my heart. The beach was a place my parents took me, and I hoped to

take you too. So by moving all this here, I'm ensuring you'll get to go to the beach

at least once in your life. I hope you'll fall in love with it like I did.

There are many things in this storage unit that I hope you'll treasure, but there are

also some priceless items. Family heirlooms are irreplaceable and very valuable. I

had everything appraised a few years ago. Depending on when you find this, younoveldrama

may need to have them re- appraised. But I hope you won't sell them and will

keep them in your family.

Know that I'll be watching over you from heaven. I'm proud of you, and I love you.

Love, Mom

"If we have a daughter, can we name her Greer?" I asked. My tears were

gathering in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

Chapter Comments

Visitor

what type of ending was that! Definitely could've continued with the story!

Visitor

that's all? we wanted to know about kids something!

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