Still Beating

by Jennifer Hartmann

It was only three weeks, but it’s burned into every cell, every vein, every tainted pocket of my soul. Forever. And so is she.

Still Beating

We rescued this dog together, and I’ll be damned if I’m not with Cora when Blizzard takes her last breath.

Really did the dog have to die when she was needed the most 😩

In walks an angel. Seriously. I think she’s a real-life angel with wings and a halo and maybe even a harp.

“Every love story is worth writing, no matter how messy it might be,” Holly says absently, still stroking my hair. “I would like to read your book.”

Cilantro has cleansing powers.” “That’s because it tastes like dish soap.”

Disagree! Cilantro is amazing 🤩

“So, what fucked up shit were you forced to do?”

Mandy is truly the worst, like your fiancé and sister were tortured for damn near a month and its like all she thinks about is herself 🙄

“If you need space, I’ll give you space. If you need time, I’ll give you time. If you never want to see me again, I’ll pack my bags and move to fuckin’ Mexico, all right? But don’t you ever try to take away the one thing you fought so goddamn hard to keep.”

“Exactly. It’s time to put yourself back out there.” Lily shoots me a mischievous wink from across the bistro table. “Jason will be there.”

I’m so tired of people suggesting for her to date, she was literally raped repeatedly for a freaking month in front of her almost brother in-law 🙄

You can’t tiptoe around your heart in fear of pissing people off or hurting their feelings. Sometimes we need to be a little selfish in order to avoid a life of complacency.”

“I wish you fought for me as hard as you fought to get out of that basement.”

love doesn’t exist without sacrifice. Sometimes those sacrifices are waking up ten minutes early to make your partner coffee. Sometimes it’s taking on a second job to support your family. Sometimes it’s staying up all night with a newborn so your significant other can finally sleep. Sometimes it’s shoveling the other person’s car out of the driveway after a snowstorm.” She places her palm against my wet cheek and smiles softly. “And sometimes it’s making the ultimate sacrifice and walking away for the greater good.”

Maybe love is singing her favorite song in the dark, just so she can sleep. Maybe love is giving away the shoes on your feet to help keep her warm. Maybe love is coming over in the middle of the night when the power goes out because you know she’s afraid of the dark. And maybe love is walking away because it’s the only way she’ll find the light again.

“Just get better. There’s no shame in the struggle, but you can’t stay there forever. We’re all here for you.”

It’s still beating. You’re still okay. And I still love you. - Dean

We can’t give our heart to another without loving our own first. And that’s exactly what I plan to do.

“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.”

“Are you still mine?” Cora doesn’t hesitate. She reaches for my hand, placing it above her heart. “It’s still beating,” she says. Her face lights up with a radiant smile that looks exactly like how her heartbeat feels. “As long as it’s beating, I’m yours.”

“How many books are you bringing?” “Five.” “Jesus…” I huff. “It’s a series, Dean.”

Me af 😂😂