On my lap sat an envelope I wasn't sure how to open. Marcus told me the deed to the house was in there and access to a certain amount of funds. That wasn't the part that had my hands shaking as I touched the seal. It was the letter from my mom written specifically to me. The date was exactly one year before her death.

"Are you coming in?" Kinnick looked at me.

I hadn't realized we were sitting in the driveway. "I'll be in soon."

"I love you," he leaned over the console, kissing me. "If you need something, we are inside."

"Love you, momma," Chase pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"I love you both," I smiled as they stepped out of the car. "I won't be long."

Even though they were shaking, my hands broke the seal barricading the stack of papers from me. The first thing to fall was notebook paper. It didn't take me long to see my name was etched into the top with the spill of ink from a blue pen. Tears were already welling in my eyes as I stared at the words written over the paper.

"Boston,

Something told me I needed to write this. For months I have been trying to find the words, but as I read over the printed pages of Pride and Prejudice, I think I found them. Boston Bennett, you were the only thing I ever got right in this lifetime. As I look at you, I pray that you don't make half of the decisions I have. When you find a man in which your heart flutters around, I hope you ask yourself if he makes your heart flutter from nerves or love.

You were never a planned baby - that doesn't mean you were never the best thing to ever happen to me. What this means is, I didn't want to have a child with Seth, but it happened. How could such a beautiful girl come from a man like him? Now, this letter isn't going to be about the life I have endured at the hands of your father, but my direction of guidance for you.

Somewhere in this package, I leave for you, there is a sum of money that will help you start this beautiful journey in which we call life. This home I have created of laugh and love has been built around your future as it is yours. Your dad wasn't aware but this house wasn't in our names. He thought it was in mine, but as written on the lease, your name is signed at the bottom.

Now, you are wondering how this happened, and I am going to tell you. Your mother is smart, beautiful if I can even add - we both know that, though. Haha. Boston, do you remember the day you wrote out your first signature? That long piece of paper you asked me about was the lease of the house. You were too young to understand and I was planning out the perfect set-up.

I was never strong enough to kick your dad to the streets, even during the affairs he had. Although I knew he wasn't faithful, I never left him. I lacked something I know you don't - power. Someday, you will see for yourself that you don't owe that man a thing. It is in your jurisdiction to sought out what happens to that man. Maybe you will fix him in ways I couldn't, even though it isn't your job.

When I look at you, I see the light in my life. I see the joy you bring to me, and how every day has been easier knowing you are going to be there. My little Bo, you are the reason for the smile on my face and the fire in my bones.

The first time I noticed you reading, I knew you were going to be just like me - a bookworm. It warmed my heart. Barb at the local bookstore and I are on a first-name basis from how often I visit. Sadly, I haven't found your It book yet, but she told me the moment it arrives, it is mine.

Nothing makes me happier than sitting on the porch swing with you, reading books, and discussing their endings. Nothing makes me more proud than to see a girl who isn't afraid to be the most intelligent one in the room. Keep being that girl. Let that grow with you as you transition into a woman. It will be a trait worth keeping.

As of now, you want to be a writer, and god I know you will be great at it. Boston, you will be great at anything you choose to do, but I have never seen you look so happy as you are when you are telling stories. Please write those stories. Please never let them die. They deserve to be told, and ears deserve to hear them. You just have to stop overthinking, love.

I know when you grow older, you will find someone who loves you like those men you read about in stories. I know you will have a family of your own, and you will lend them the traits I have given you without realizing it.

When you start a life, you will leave traces of yourself on this world through your kids. Make sure you leave something worth remembering. A child won't remember everything you do, but late at night, they will think about the times you raised your voice at them. Don't be the reason your child can't sleep when they rest their head.

Be their number-one fan like I am yours, Bo. Make sure you are the voice cheering in their corner because the only acceptance they are looking for is yours. Don't forget to listen to them when they have a story to tell, even if it is one you don't want to listen to. Sometimes kids need someone to listen to them. You have no idea how much of an impact it will leave on their life.

When your child does something wrong, don't scold them. Understand them and figure out why they acted out, to begin with. Raising you was never a problem for me because I was patient. You and I never had an issue because we were on the same level of understanding. Make sure it is the same with your child.

And when you find the love of your life, realize it is never the man who makes you feel uneasy. You aren't in love with the man who makes you feel alive. You are in love with the rebellious things he does to make your heart accelerate. That is adrenaline. Not love. It is breaking the law that makes your veins pump, not him.

When you find the one, it will be familiar. You will look at him or her as if they are a place you have been to but haven't seen in all of your years of life. When you find the one, you will know, but please, don't search for that person in everyone you meet.

Also understand you do not need somebody to be worthy. You are you and that is enough. All you are ever going to need in this world is the woman looking back in the mirror. I hope that you don't go searching for love, but that love finds you.

Bo, your heart is going to be broken. Sometimes it will feel as if your soul has shattered, but remember I am not far away. If I am not next to you, I am in your heart. When you need me, I am one call away. When I am gone, talk to the sky and know that I am listening because even after this life, I will follow you.

One day, I won't be here. That is a reality you and I have to face, but a part of me will always live in you. I will be by your side, guiding you until we meet again. Heaven wouldn't be the same without my curly-haired girl's smile and infectious laughter. I'll make sure my directions lead you back to me.

Just know that no matter what you do, even if you feel like no one is behind you, I am. I love you and I will be with you until the end of time.

- your mom, Elizabeth."