Two weeks had gone by since their fight for their lives, and Shannon couldn’t be happier. Snow was falling again, and she turned to Cole, who had his arm in a sling, because of a gunshot wound. His other arm had had forty stitches removed yesterday.
Cameron’s body had healed nicely since the accident and he now sported a walking boot, so getting around was much easier. This upcoming weekend they had plans to go to Newport and visit with Amber and her father. Cameron was beyond excited. His cast should come off his arm in several more weeks. But all in all, they had much to be thankful for and not a day went by that Shannon didn’t remind herself about that.
“Come on you two guys, let’s bundle up and head to the beach,” Shannon said. “The snow’s beautiful, and I’ll bet big bucks I can whip your two sorry butts by making the best snowman this town has ever seen.”
Cole and Cameron glanced at one another and nodded. Cameron grabbed his jacket, carefully pulled the sleeve over his cast, struggled into one boot and put a plastic bag over his walking boot to keep his foot dry. He grabbed a hat and gloves and left Shannon and Cole in the dust as he waded through the knee deep snow. After Cole removed his sling, Shannon helped him into his jacket, then they headed down after Cameron and forgot about building snowmen as a snowball fight ensued. Cameron against her and Cole, and poor Cameron didn’t stand a chance as he they continuously pelted him with one snowball after another. Shannon was proud of the way Cole made snowballs with two injured arms. Too bad Cameron didn’t have as much luck, his cast hindered him big-time.
“I’ll get you next time,” Cameron yelled and laughed as he lay on his back, his arms blocking his face as snowball after snowball bombed him.
Then Shannon turned on Cole and threw half formed snowballs at him and it was music to Shannon’s ears when she heard him laughing. Really laughing and looking happy for the first time in an awfully long time.
Then Shannon watched with love bursting inside her heart as Cole and Cameron pounded each other with half-formed snowballs. They were acting crazy and laughing loudly, making her realize how fortunate she was to have these two in her life.
Her son, born during her teenage years, unplanned and not at a convenient time, was always wanted and loved. She would never do it differently if she could go back. He was the best thing that ever happened to her.
The second best thing was Cole Jackson.
Her body tingled as she watched him. And, regardless of the freezing temperature, she felt warm and tingly all over. Warm from the love she had that overflowed for him and from being loved by him. Loved with the kind of true love that would stand the test of time and never die.