I set the bouquet of flowers down infront of the gravestone swiping my tears away. I was barely there two minutes and I was already crying. It was an emotional moment for me though, Nathan and the kids were meeting my mom for the first time ever. Yes I was back in New York City and I had brought my whole family with me. It was summer and the kids had refused to go to any camps so we were taking a family road trip around the country. It was more for me than for them since Nathan wanted to show me the country more but we couldn't leave the kids behind.

"Mama I knew I said I would never be back but I wanted to introduce you to some very special people. This is my boyfriend Nathan and our kids, Luke, Daniel, Ivy , Ethan and Clara."I introduced.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Watson."Nathan expressed laying a single rose next to my bouquet.

The kids did the same laying single rose stems infront of the gravestone paying their respects to my mom. They were being so sweet and understanding even though a trip to the cemetery had not been on our itinerary.

"Savannah did your mama look like you?"Clara asked me.

"Yes but she was a bit shorter and with longer hair."I replied.

"Then she must have been very pretty."Clara declared making me smile.

I squatted to her level and pulled her in between my legs as we stared at the gravestone.

"She was very beautiful, kind and loving."I replied recalling a random memory of my mom.

My memories of her had faded over the years but some of them were forever ingrained in my mind.

"So she's in heaven with our mom and dad and our grandparents."Clara added.

"Yes sweetheart she is. They are all up there looking down on us wishing us well and taking care of us. They are like our own personal guardian angels."I answered.

"Kids why don't we give Savannah some space, I'm sure she wants to rant about us to her mom."Nathan chided making me laugh.

He was making light of the moment but he knew I needed some time alone with my mama. The kids especially Clara seemed reluctant to let me go but eventually Nathan managed to convince her.

Once we were alone, I lay my back against the gravestone running my fingers over the soft slightly wet grass.

"Hi mama, I've missed you, scratch that, I miss you."I confessed closing my eyes and concentrating as if listening for her reply.

I didn't hear anything but a soft wind did blow against me ruffling my curls so I took that as a sign that she listening and that she missed me too.

"I know you already know this but as you can see I'm happy mama. I found my family, my happy place, my people. They are the best thing to happen to me in a really long time and I love each and every single one of them. It's been close to a year since I was released and it has been a great year for me. The kids are amazing, Nathan is a romantic gentleman who treats me like a princess and my bestfriend Freya is the most loyal person ever. I'm lucky to have found them."I expressed feeling overwhelmed by all the love from my family.

Loosing my mom had been the hardest thing especially because of the circumstances behind her passing. The Lancasters were my second chance at having a loving family and I would be forever grateful for them.

"Nathan and I have been talking about expanding our family. He's thirty and I'm twenty five now which is the perfect age to bring life into the world. He doesn't know this but I'm pregnant. Freya and I confirmed it before we left for the trip and I've been looking for the right moment to tell everyone. I know they are all going to be excited. I know I should be worried that I'm carrying the child of a man who hasn't even asked me to marry him yet but I don't doubt Nathan's love for me. We will get married, when the time is right but for now I'm happy where our relationship is."I confessed rubbing my tummy.

I was not showing yet, it was too early as I was only a few weeks pregnant but I had life growing in me. I had been so scared when I found out but Freya had been so good and helped me calm down and rationalize. My baby, sorry our baby was conveived by two people who were crazy about each other. Nathan would make a great dad and the kids would love to have a baby sister or brother to dot on. I never knew motherhood suited me until I took care of five kids all on my own. The baby growing in my belly would be loved by his parents, siblings and his many aunties and uncles.

"I know you would want me to be smart mama, to learn from your mistakes and I am, that's why I always put away part of my salary into the savings account your lawyer opened for me. I've never touched any of that money, keeping it for a rainy day. I love Nathan and he loves me but any smart woman always has a backup plan, you taught me that."I admitted.

Nathan still paid me my monthly salary, he had actually increased it saying that just because we were dating didn't mean he would stop paying me. It was a sweet gesture and I was like a paid housewife and I liked it. I also put my degree to us by helping him run the ranch, especially with the finances part. The man hated paperwork but I didn't mind it so I was always happy to help.

"Thank you for always looking out for me mama. I love you so much."I said leaning my head back on the gravestone and looking up at the sky.

The sun caressed my face, it's warmth spreading through me like a gentle caress. I stayed like that for a couple of minutes until Nathan came to get me.

"Ready to go?"He asked holding his hands out for me.

I linked my hands with his and let him pull me up.

"Yes let's go."I replied with a smile.

"Actually can you give me a couple of minutes alone with your mom?"Nathan requested.

It was an odd request as I had no idea what he wanted to talk to her about but I couldn't say no.

"Of course. Bye mama. I love you."I said kissing the tips of my fingers and laying then on the gravestone.

I left Nathan alone and walked to the parking lot where the kids were. We had rented out a 429 square foot RV to tour the country with and it actually fit all of us comfortably. We had our moments of disagreement as a family but other than that it was a pretty fun trip.

"Where's papa?"Ivy asked me.

"He's coming sweetheart."I replied helping her fix her hair.

Nathan came back a few minutes later looking very happy for a man who had been talking to a dead woman. It was a private conversation though since I wasn't invited so I did not ask him about it.

"Guys I know we've already seen enough of New York but there is one more place I would like to go before we leave. Your dad already said yes but if you kids are uncomfortable I'll just go on my own and we can meet up later."I addressed them.

"Where?"Daniel asked.

I looked at Nathan and he nodded at me giving me the go ahead.

"You guys have seen me write letters and send books to someone. Well that person is in the women's prison where I was incarcerated. She's like my second mom and I want to visit her while we're still here. I would like for you guys to come with me but if it's too much for you, you don't have to."I explained.

"Will we be allowed to go to the cells?"Luke asked.

"No just the reception area."I replied.

"Bummer but I'll still go. It'll be cool to visits a women's prison."He declared.

I had no idea what he wanted to see in the cells but I let that go.

"What about the rest of you?"I asked.

I at least expected Ivy and Clara to say no but they all surprised me by agreeing to go. Nathan, the girls and I got into the truck since its the one we were using to haul the RV headed for Taconic Correctional Facility. Luke, Daniel and Ethan stayed in the Caravan which they swore was much more fun than driving the in truck with us. How could it not be fun though? They were in a moving house, that definitely had its own charm to it.

It was quite the drive but thankfully there wasn't much traffic so we made it to the prison within visiting hours. We signed ourselves in and were led to the reception while a guard called Leona for us. It felt so strange being back especially being on the other side of the bars and without the orange jumpsuit. I wouldn't have come back were it not for Leona. I would have felt extremely guilty if I left New York without paying her a visit.

"You guys okay? If you're uncomfortable say the word and your dad will take you out."I asked them.

"We're okay Savannah, this is so cool."Ethan declared speaking on behalf of all his siblings.

I looked at all of them keenly and realized they were telling the truth so I relaxed and stopped fretting over them.

Leona was brought out twenty minutes later looking exactly the same way I'd left her. She had a scowl on her face since she didn't receive any visitors but as soon as she saw me her face lit up in a smile. I got up to hug her wrapping my arms around her frail body.

"Well look at you blooming like a flower in the spring."She complimented holding me at arms length giving me a once over.

"And you're still my beautiful old lady. How are you doing Leona?"I asked her.

"Better now that you're all here."She smiled.

I stepped aside to introduce her to my family but she beat me to it.

"Hello everyone I am Leona and you must be, let me guess. Clara the adorable one whole loves hugs and cuddled, Ivy the beautiful graceful one, Ethan the talented musician, Luke the football player and Daniel the cute nerd. It's so nice to meet you all. I've heard lots about you from Savannah's letters ."Leona said shaking each of the kids hands.

I talked about the kids a lot in my letters so it was no surprise that she knew so much about them.

"Tall and handsome, built like Henry Cavill, you must be Nathan."Leona addressed.

"I don't know about the Henry Cavill part but yes ma'am, I'm Nathan. It's a pleasure to meet you."Nathan replied shaking his hand.

"There's that southern charm I've heard so much about."Leona commented with a sly smirk.

We made space for her at the table so she could sit with us. Physical contact was prohibited but the nice guards were on duty so they turned a blind eye as long as everyone behaved.

We had been given a limited amount of time to visit so we took full advantage so my new family could meet my old family. The kids warmed up to Leona very fast which I knew would happen as Leona was great and so were the kids.

"We only have a couple more minutes together. I am going to miss you old lady."I confessed starting to feel sad.

It had been awesome catching up with Leona but now it was time to say goodbye.

"I miss you everyday but the books and letters you send keep me company."She replied.

I had not told Leona that one of my letters and book packages is what had led to Edgar finding me. She didn't need that kind of burden on her shoulders so I let bygones be bygones. Edgar was already paying for his crime anyway and I was fit as a fiddle.

"Before we leave there is something that I would like to ask Savannah. Leona you're like the only family that Savannah has that is still alive so I wanted someone she cares about that isn't Woodcreek related to bear witness."Nathan announced.

"What are you talking about?"I whispered.

"The kids and I talked about this and they love the idea. I already talked to your mom and she gave me her blessing so..."Nathan replied retrieving a ring box from his jacket and going down on one knee infront of me.

I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand. The whole hall went silent noticing what was going on as the kids looked at us with big smiles on their faces. Leona didn't looked surprised at all which meant she was in on it too.

He popped open the box to reveal a halo engagement ring with a natural deep blue Australian Sapphire vintage style.

"I'll keep this short and simple. Savannah ever since you walked into our lives nothing has been the same. You make us happy, you take care of us and you love us. Now it's our turn to make you happy starting with making you an official Lancaster. So my darling will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife and the mother to my children?"Nathan asked.

I was a crying mess at that point but it didn't stop me from saying yes and holding my hand out as he slid the ring onto my finger. Nathan got up and kissed me as everyone clapped for us and the kids cheered loudly. A prison reception might not have been the best place to get a proposal but for me it was perfect because I was surrounded by people I cared about.

"I have a bit of new myself. I'm pregnant."I announced after everyone had calmed down.

Nathan was shocked, Leona just smiled while the kids got over their surprise really fast and started cheering.

"Really?"Nathan asked looking at my stomach.

"Yes you are gonna be a daddy."I replied.

"Yes! Whoohoo."Nathan yelled happily picking me up and twirling me around.

He set me back on my feet and cupped my face kissing me soundly.

"Thank you for making me the happiest man alive."He whispered hugging me.

"Thank you for giving me they family I never knew I needed."I smiled at him.

Nathan kissed me once more until the kids pushed us apart demanding hugs of their own. The guards were kind enough to give us an extension on the time but eventually we had to say our goodbyes and go. I now had one more positive memory at Taconic and I would definitely be back to see Leona.

"I'm not losing my last name by the way. It's my last connection to my mom."I informed Nathan admiring my ring.

"I would never ask you to do that darling. Savannah Grace Watson Lancaster sounds good."He smiled at me.

"Yes it does."I grinned feeling happier than ever.

We all got into the truck driving onto the next adventure as a happy family that would be growing bigger soon enough.

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SAVANNAH is officially over. This book was inspired by a Netflix show called "Country Comfort". It has the whole single dad, five kids, nanny dynamic with a Western touch. The show is completely different from the way I wrote my book but I did borrow the family set up from there. Anyway you can watch the show and tell me what you think. It's only a ten episodes, twenty five minutes each.

Away from that, now that Savannah is officially over we are moving on to another book. I always publish my books at the beginning of each month but I missed my window this time so I am going to publish it on my birthday which is this Saturday on 7th.

I was torn between two books but today I had an epiphany and finally settled on one. Some of you who follow me on Tiktok saw a video of me deciding which book to publish next and I settled on one called "Fleeting Love" however I didn't like that choice since I blindly chose it. It's a recent book idea and I wanted to give one of my older book idea a chance. So I finally settled on, drumroll please "WARIDI".

It's a Kenyan based book but it's a wwbm trope. Y'all know me and interracial relationships, I couldn't help myself. Anyway the book goes up on January 7th but here's the blurb and book cover to give you guys a taste of what's coming.

In this contemporary modern love story, River the Italian Mafia princess runs away from home after finding out she's being married off to the son of the head of the Russian mafia in order to unite the two families. She ends up in Kenya, a third world country where she meets Dean, a taxi driver who is just trying to make ends meet in a country where corruption and dirty politics rules. Their meeting was unexpected and it blooms into a relationship neither of them was ready for but they couldn't escape it. It was more than fate, it was destiny.

It's goodbye for now, see you in the next one. I love you all and thanks for all your support on Savannah ❤️❤️.