A/N: I'm sorry for the late update. I felt unmotivated to write (which I shouldn't be because there are only a few more chapters left in this story 😭) but I will try my best to write better and come back to these stories. Thank you, and have a great time!

Gray wasn't sure what to expect when he came to finally see her. He half expected to travel across the world, fighting tooth and nail to pick up his beloved daughter. It almost made him cry to see how not so small she was. She was absolutely beautiful...just like her mother. Gods. She looked exactly like her mother. 

And to see her tackling him in a desperate hug, he couldn't help but let solemn tears fall and hug her back. She grew up...without them. He knew damn well that she went through hell and back to be where she is. 

Gray couldn't help but look at his gift in front of him. She grew up to be a beautiful young lady. Oh, how the years have passed, making regret fill his core to not fight harder to have her in his arms sooner with the love of his life. 

Brook whimpered, hugging him tightly as warm tears fell as she gripped his loose pale shirt specked with mud and water. Gray sniffed, tearily chuckling as he hugged her just as tight and pulled back to cup her face. 

"Let me look at you," Gray tearily smiled, seeing her golden eyes shine brighter than the sun and her hair was short and crimson as blood. Her small round baby face was shaped nicely to a more accentuated expression. 

Brook couldn't contain the tears from falling as she couldn't stop looking at him. Even though she recalled vividly the man who had slight wrinkles near his eyes from exhaustion, she could see some faint bruises on his jaw and how pale he was. But his eyes were ever so loving through the heavy tears when looking at her. 

"..." she gulped, grasping his shirt. The moment when Gray rescued her from the cave, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She truly believed it was a hallucination playing with her eyes from the sea salt. She wasn't able to comprehend most of it until she realized what was happening to her husband and ran off to get her bow and arrows to help him. 

And to really see her father in her home, she couldn't help but want to hug him desperately, feeling the want of his absent warmth come back to her. 

Tarzan was a little farther away and couldn't help but be confused. Although Brook was heavily crying, she couldn't contain the large smile on her face as she and the man stood in the entryway. Tarzan stood silently, glancing beside him to see Archimedes tearily smile at them. 

Brook sniffed, smiling widely at Gray, and grabbed his wrist, dragging him inside. "Please, come in," she rushed over to Archimedes and smiled. "This is Archimedes Q. Porter, the man who raised me."

Archimedes wiped away the tears and shook the man's hand. Gray smiled at him, "I've heard when you took in my daughter. Thank you so much for protecting her and keeping her safe all this time."

Archimedes smiled, glancing at Brook and seeing her happy. He doesn't recall seeing her so happy in a long time. "Brook is truly a gift. You raised her to be a proper young lady. But may I ask, how are you here? Where did you come from?"

Brook's eyes dimmed and looked up at the man, seeing the sad smile on his expression but only held her hand, conserving her warm hand. Oh, how it grew. 

Brook grabbed his hand, "Papa," she spoke, getting their attention. "Please, rest for the night. Perhaps, it is best for you to sleep before you speak."

Gray smiled, stopping to see a familiar blue scarf wrapped around her waist. He reached for it, feeling the familiar fire burning him and the screams from the particular night. He closed his eyes, shutting it off, and looked into his daughter's eyes. 

"That...would be nice, thank you, Brook," Gray smiled. 

Brook smiled too and later dragged him towards her husband who had been taking in the information in front of him. This man is Brook's father. His eyes softened and stood up in his two feet to greet the man. 

"Papa," Brook smiled as she grabbed Tarzan's hand. "This is Tarzan. My husband."

Gray stopped, blinking, and took in the man in front of him. 

"It's an honor to meet you," Tarzan smiled and gave out his and for a shake. "Brook told me many about you."

It's a man in a loincloth. When Gray heard that she got married to a man who loved her and protected her. He did not expect his daughter to marry...a man in a loincloth. All dark images popped into his mind, causing him to be protective of Brook. 

"Gray Quinn," Gray introduced himself, grabbing his hand and giving a firm but tight shake. Tarzan took notice of this and clenched his hand firmly back, causing Gray to laugh. "Well, you got a strong grip, son. What did you say your name was?"

Brook stopped, looking at both of them, unaware of the small tense environment between them. 

"Tarzan," Tarzan replied as they had yet to stop competing for their strong grip on their hands. 

Archimedes, on the other hand, took notice immediately of Gray's eyes darkening when looking at Tarzan while Tarzan's dominant instincts came in and fought back with his eyes. Archimedes turned back to Brook, sweatdropping to see her smile at them. 

"Uh, Brook, dear. P-Perhaps it is almost dinner time," Archimedes spoke up, getting Brook's attention. 

She blinked and turned to her father and Tarzan. "Oh, that's right. Papa, do you have any preference on what you would like to eat?"

Gray stopped the staring contest and turned to her with a smile, "I'm happy with anything. I could help prepare dinner, too. Don't work yourself too much." He then turned to Tarzan, "Do you also help around Brook with dinner often? It is a man's job to help around the house too."

Tarzan nodded, "Of course. Brook usually prefers to work on her own while I bring a hunt."

Brook chuckled, "Tarzan also taught me how to hunt while living in the jungle. Why don't you two be acquainted while I bring some meat? You both should be resting after the tiring day." She walked over to her bow and arrows and turned back, blinking to see her father and Tarzan already running out of the house. 

"Where are they going?" Brook frowned.

Archimedes sighed, chuckling at the situation. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook blinked owlishly, seeing Tarzan carry a boar while her father carried a dear. "Um...That's a lot," she nervously chuckled as Gray laughed, carrying the deer over his shoulder like nothing. 

"A large feast is expected," Gray grinned as Brook's eyes widened in glee. She grinned too and clapped her hands. "Of course! I'll get dinner started," she walked over to them to prepare the dinner but Gray patted her head, causing her to stop. 

She looked up at him and smiled to see a smile on his face. 

"Do you still like ribs, Brook?" Gray chuckled as Brook enthusiastically nodded. "It has been a while since I've eaten ribs. Some friends of ours actually created this sauce for the ribs."

"Did they?!" Gray's eyes widened and followed her to the kitchen as they started preparing dinner. 

Tarzan smiled, following after them and helping to skin the boar. Brook excused herself, rushing to her room to grab a string for her hair, leaving the two men in the kitchen. 

Gray chuckled, interrupting the silence. "She's as energetic as ever."

Tarzan glanced at him and glanced back at Brook, his eyes softening at the mention of Brook. Gray took notice of this and chuckled. "If I may be so bold, how did you meet my daughter, Tarzan."

Tarzan hummed, "I was raised by gorillas. I didn't know anything about the human body until I saw the professor coming to Africa to learn about the gorillas. Brook encountered a panther and sacrificed herself to save the professor's daughter." Tarzan explained as his eyes filled with nostalgia, recalling vividly her bright golden eyes and crimson hair he grew to love. 

"I saved her but I ended up hurt in the process. She healed me," Tarzan stopped, hearing Gray chuckle. 

"She healed you, a complete stranger?" Gray's eyes softened. "That's Brook, for ya. She can't help but help others. What happened next?"

"I started learning more about their language and culture from them, realizing I am human too. Not long after that, a man, Clayton, attempted to hurt my family and Brook."

Gray noticed his eyes darken and turned back to the meat, "What happened to him?"

Tarzan felt the guilt surfacing, especially with what happened earlier today with Clayton's sister. "He died," he confessed, turning to Gray but saw indifference in him. "Not long after that, Brook had the option to leave and never come back...but she didn't. She chose me."

Gray chuckled turning to Tarzan. "Although I don't know you much, son. I can see how Brook holds you dear to her heart." He laughed, slapping his back as Tarzan stiffened, turning to him. "I'm glad Brook met someone like you. You seem to have a big heart, son."

Tarzan grinned, getting back to work. Not far from them, Brook stayed hidden behind her room, hearing their conversation, and couldn't help but smile. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Gray sighed, savoring the feast they prepared. "The sauce is amazing," he took another bite while Brook served them some plates and sit between them. She giggled, "It was spicy for Mr. Porter when he tried it."

Tarzan also tried it but it was too spicy for his tastes. Brook also made sure to prepare seasoned ribs for that occasion. Brook smiled, still feeling it unbelievable to see her father beside her, eating dinner like she wished when she was younger. 

"Papa," she turned to him. "Do you...do you know where Mama went? I've been meaning to ask you that."

Gray stopped, silently placing the food on the plate. He sadly smiled, seeing the small ring on his finger. He turned to Brook and hesitantly grabbed her hands. Brook stopped, turning to him and seeing his eyes dim for a moment, and felt heartbreak. No words were needed to be spoken. 

Her mother was gone. 

Tarzan stopped too, placing a hand on her shoulder and she was thankful for his support and leaned on him. She composed herself and looked up at her father. 

Gray sadly smiled at her, cupping her cheek. "You look exactly like her. Even through her hazel eyes, I can't help but see so much resemblance you have with her." He sighed, squeezing her hand to prepare himself. Brook noticed and went to speak up but Gray only shook his head. 

"That night," he started, looking at her hands while they stayed silent. "After they took you, your mother...she wasn't herself after that. She fought back, screaming and crying which not only shocked Vincent but everyone around, including me. I've never seen her react so wildly before. 

"Vincent tried to de-escalate the situation, by trying to take her too but she kicked him away. I wasn't able to see well while I lay on the ground, but I felt the blasting flames envelop our home, burn it wildly. I could still hear her screams...her pain...her wails," Gray's eyes teared up, feeling his hands trembling, unsure if it was his or his daughters.

"More screaming came as the sky stained in red and I felt everyone running away while your mother cursed to the sky, scaring everyone away," he continued. "I was able to get to her but she was gravely burned to be unrecognizable. I tried...I really tried to get her to go away but before I knew it, Vincent knocked me unconscious," he trembled. 

"Vincent took me prisoner in the old factory for years, unsure where my family is or what happened to them. I had to deal with uninvited visits from Vincent himself, giving some 'parting gifts' as he would say," Gray removed one of his hands from Brook and unclasped some buttons from his shirt, revealing gnarly slashes on his chest and bruises on his back. 

Brook gasped in horror, eyes welling up in tears as she stared at her father's wounds. Tarzan stiffened, not expecting such a horrid way to torture someone. 

Gray put on his shirt, not bothering to clasp it as he grabbed Brook's hand again. He sadly smiled, "I begged to know what happened to you and your mother but to no avail, receiving my 'gifts' as an answer. It wasn't until your mother finally found me. She...her mind...she was unwell when she found me but strong and beautiful like I remember."

Gray removed his hands from her hold once more and went through his pocket, pulling out a makeshift doll. Brook softly gasped through her tears, seeing the familiar doll slightly ripped and stained over the years. 

"She knew..." Gray continued, looking at the doll. "She knew she didn't have long and I regret every single second of my life of not being there for her. She made sure I gave this to you. She held onto it for years," he handed her the doll, making some warm tears fall from her eyes. 

Brook's hands trembled, as she held the doll. Memories of her mother flooded her mind, making her lips quiver. Recalling the smiles and hugs. Recalling when Brook would blame herself and her mother would do absolutely anything to make her feel better. 

"Unfortunately, that night also happened to be Vincent's visit and caught her. I couldn't do anything," he whimpered. "I couldn't do anything as he dragged her away from me again. Even when her face is unrecognizable, I can still see her smile from her pain. That was the last time I saw her. I'm sorry, Brook. I'm so sorr–"

Gray's eyes widened as Brook tackled him in a hug. She held him tightly as Gray stood up and stabled her. Tarzan immediately stood up and went to them but stopped as Brook cried to her father's chest. 

"I'm so glad you're here, Papa," she cried, holding him tightly. "Don't you dare apologize for something that was out of your control. Vincent will pay for this. Mama deserved that much and I know that she didn't blame you for everything. You fought all you could. So please..." she trembled. "Don't blame yourself for this. It wasn't your fault!" she exclaimed. 

Gray's eyes widened, his hands trembling as he hugged her to him. His eyes welled up in tears, not expecting to hear such words coming from his daughter's mouth. He was willing to take the entire blame and the scrutinizing glares from her, even some punches from her but no. She doesn't blame him. 

"I'm so sorry," Brook whimpered. "If I was more different, no, if I didn't go outside to see others, none of this would have happened."

Gray shook his head, leaning his chin on her head as he rubbed her back. "I don't want you blaming yourself either. Don't think like that. You have been a true blessing to our family. Don't forget that."

Brook sniffed, silently nodding as she sobbed in his arms. 

Gray smiled, "Your mother," he continued. "Left a note for a young man, Oliver, I believe he was called."

Brook and Tarzan stopped, looking at him and seeing his smile. Gray smiled softly at them, happy to see Brook wasn't alone this whole time. "Oliver broke me out and told me you live in Africa. I sailed my way to you, to see you." Gray's smile slowly dimmed and looked down at his daughter. 

He came to warn her. Vincent is coming. But seeing her in front of him, he refused to bring any burden on her. Gray's eyes darkened as he held her to him. 

He'll deal with Vincent himself. He will not bring any more trouble to his daughter. Not when she's finally free. 

"I love you..."

Gray stopped, looking down at his daughter and smiling as she accidentally slept while leaning against him. He softly kissed her head and snuggled to her. "I love you too, Brook."

Tarzan's eyes softened, he walked over to them, helped Brook off his arms, and carried her bridal style. Gray sat back down by the table while observing Tarzan lovingly take Brook to their room. Gray sighed, he can't count the number of regrets he has in his life. But he'll never regret the moment he fell in love with Fiona and Brook. 

He chuckled, standing up to clean the mess. Gray heard footsteps following him and continued working. Tarzan helped, placing the leftover food on a separate plate, knowing Brook or the professor would want some the next day. 

Tarzan wasn't sure what to make of Brook's father from the beginning, seeing the man protective over Brook and he completely understood it. Especially now with the horrid wounds on the man's frame. Glancing at the man, he can faintly see some scratches on the man's nape but the man stood straighter and worked nonchalantly like he wasn't wounded. 

He was strong. 

"Tarzan," Gray spoke up, stopping washing dishes and turning to him. "How far would you go to protect Brook?"

Tarzan frowned, seeing the man's eyes dim but strong and sharp to look him in the eyes. "I would do anything to protect her and make her happy."

Gray softly smiled, slapping a hand on his shoulder and nodding at him. "Good. Keep her safe for me."

Tarzan further frowned, "You're leaving."

Gray shook his head, turning to the task. "Vincent is coming. I will be ready for him," his eyes darkened. 

Tarzan's eyes widened, "You're going to kill him? Quinn–"

"Don't," Gray spoke. "I am not going to say more. I will not drag Brook with me on this. I just ask you to protect her if things go south. She's truly happy here with you, I don't want that to change."

Tarzan hesitantly looked away, spotting the doll from earlier, and picked it up. Walking over to the water basin, he picked up some water and cleaned the doll more, seeing the red yarn for hair and some yellow yarn for her eyes. 

"Brook will know," Tarzan murmured, turning to him. "I was in dangerous situations and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. She saved me," his eyes softened, recalling every precious moment with her. "She's stronger than you give her credit for. She will not let you go easily."

Gray's eyes softened, "I know. But it's worth a try."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Brook gasped, sitting up from her bed. The sun bloomed over the room, looming over her brightly. Her heart raced and looked around, finding the other side of the bed empty. She frowned, turning to the window and squinting at the light. 

It was day already?

It took her a moment to recall the previous day and gasped, jumping out of the room to find him. It can't be a dream. That is too cruel. Her lips quivered, she looked around the living room and to the kitchen, sighing to find her father drinking coffee. 

"Papa..." she murmured, rubbing her eyes. "I thought..."

Gray chuckled, placing the mug on the counter, walked over to her, and pulled her in a hug. "Good morning." He ruffled her hair and chuckled to see her hair all over the place. "Your hair is untameable as always," he joked as Brook sighed. 

"It gets worse in the jungle," she chuckled as she grabbed her hair and smoothed it down. "Have you seen Tarzan, Papa?"

Gray shrugged, "He mentioned going to see the professor but I waited for you. I was hoping to get a tour from you around your home."

Brook beamed, running off to her room to change and run out, grabbing his wrist and pulling him out of the house. Gray yelped, not expecting her strength as he left his coffee forgotten. 

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Terk and Tantor's eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Tarzan as he explained yesterday's occurrence. Terk shook her head, "Back up, back up. You mean to tell me that Red's father came back from the dead and told you their tragic story about her life? Without me?!"

Tarzan stopped, turning to her but she shrugged. "What? We bonded. She fights, I fight."

Tarzan turned to the professor who sighed, leaving his flask and turning to them. "I'm glad he's with her. Brook deserves to have someone by her side."

"You're upset, aren't you?" Terk deadpanned while Archimedes gloomed, leaning his head on his table. 

"Not particularly. I am sad to know that I wasn't able to keep her safe from everything. I am her guardian...or I was. But I only care that she stays happy. That's the least I can do."

He stopped, glancing up as Tarzan placed a hand on his shoulder. "Professor. Brook is thankful for having you take care of her. She does not think of you less."

Archimedes sighed, smiling at him. "Oh, you're right. It was a pleasure to take care of her all this time. It's almost upsetting to see her grow up so fast."

Tarzan smiled and looked up, heard footsteps, and saw Brook and Gray walking towards them. Gray's eyes widened, seeing a gorilla and an elephant near the men. "You weren't kidding," he blinked. 

Brook laughed, hugging his arm and tugging him towards them. "Terk, Tantor, I wanted to introduce my father to you guys," she hoots, making Gray's eyes widen and turn to her in disbelief. 

"Papa," she turned to him. "This is Terk, Tarzan's cousin," she gestured for the ape who waved. She then gestured to the elephant. "This is Tantor, our dear friend."

"Nice to meet ya," Tantor nervously chuckled, waving his trunk as Gray hesitantly waved back and turned to her. "Since when do you speak–wait, you understand them?"

Brook smiled and nodded, "It took me most of a year to understand and speak their language thanks to Tarzan."

"Amazing," Gray gasped. 

Archimedes chuckled, "Living here in the jungle can bring several surprises. You'll eventually get used to it. I am still trying."

Gray continued conversing with him as Tarzan stood by Brook's side and hugged her side, rubbing his nose on her cheek. She lovingly smiled at him and hugged him back. "I didn't see you this morning," she murmured. 

"I had to see the family for a moment," he murmured. "I also wanted you to spend time with your father."

"That's very thoughtful of you, darling," Brook kissed his cheek. "Well, I better clean the house after yesterday, come find me when you can?"

"Of course," he nodded as she walked away. She glanced back, seeing her father talk to her father figure and smile, walking further away. 

Climbing up the treehouse, she couldn't help but feel relief and happiness. Her father is alive. He's with her! She tearily smiled, spotting her doll in the kitchen. She immediately took notice the kitchen was clean and couldn't help but chuckle, knowing how her father used to help her mother with what he could. 

Her mother...

Brook sadly sighed, picking up the doll and hugging it to her chest. "Thank you, Mama." She walked over to her second room, pulled out some yarn from Jane's gifts, and started patching up her doll. 

She hummed a small tune as she washed her doll gently, not wanting it to break more. It was the last gift her mother gave her, she didn't want anything to harm it. Things have finally started looking up and she can't wait to see how things turn out. 

Brook will finally spend more time with her father, and talk to him for hours like she wanted. She giggled, already feeling excited about that. 

"Brook?"

Brook stopped, standing up and placing her doll on the bed, and walked out of the room after hearing her husband calling her. "Tarzan? What is it?" she smiled but stopped to see a man and a young girl by the door. She blinked and hastily hid in the room while wrapping her hair with her scarf before walking out. 

"I didn't realize we have visitors," she lightly smiled and glanced at Tarzan.

The man was handsome. His brown hair was bombed and his suit was proper. A young woman stood by his side. Her skin was slightly darker and her medium dark brown hair was in a low ponytail as she wore a navy blue suit too. She seemed more in her early 20s. So young. 

"Please, make yourselves at home," Brook smiled as she walked to the kitchen. "Coffee? Tea? Water?"

The man smiled, "Sorry for the intrusion. Coffee would be great, do you want coffee, Tia?" he turned to the young woman and she nodded, "That would be great, thank you."

Brook nodded, starting the coffee, and gestured for them to come in and sit by the table. "I'm Brook, Tarzan's wife. What brought you guys here in the jungle?"

The man sat down and opened his journal by the young woman's side. "My name is Edgar. But please, call me Ed. This is my assistant, Tia. We are actually here in the jungle, wanting to know more about the Missing Link," he turned to Tarzan who sat in front of them.

"Nice to meet you," Tia smiled at them. 

Brook smiled at her, "You look so young. Where are you from, if you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all," Tia chuckled. "Ed is actually from the United States, I'm from Mexico. We met by chance from working in our literature. I'm still currently in college."

Brook's eyes widened, "That's great, isn't that lovely, Tarzan?" she turned to her husband who smiled and nodded. 

Tia gushed, waving off their compliments. "I'm actually here to assist Ed with his book. I'm only making sure he doesn't get into more trouble than usual."

Ed laughed, rubbing his nape nervously. "I hope we don't intrude to know more about you, Tarzan."

"Not at all," Tarzan smiled and answered most of the man's questions. 

Brook couldn't help but take notice of how most of the questions were just about how Tarzan fights off animals and how he survives ruthlessly in the jungle and couldn't help but worry. If they're writing about Tarzan, they'll never know his gentle side of him. He's much more than his strength. 

Brook stopped, feeling a tap on her shoulder, and turned around, finding Tia behind her. "Sorry," Tia smiled. "I was actually hoping to interview you too. Ed has been hearing a lot about your husband for weeks and I've been wanting to know people around him. But what's your story, if you don't mind me asking."

Brook wasn't sure why, but she felt an odd connection to the young girl. "Tell me," Brook started. "What made you into literature?"

Tia blushed, looking away in embarrassment. "It's a weird story, actually," she chuckled. "I was in biology when my teacher wanted everyone to write a small story with genes of random characters. I accidentally ended up writing more than the requirement and it inspired me to write short stories. I attended college started on literature and worked on a part-time job with Ed. He gave me such inspiration."

Brook smiled and lightly tugged her scarf, removing it from her head. Tia's eyes widened in awe, seeing her crimson hair fall to her shoulders. "You have beautiful hair! Is it natural?"

Brook nodded, "I can explain for your book. I've...I've been wanting to talk to someone about it."

Tia grinned, "I won't let you down, miss."

Both girls chuckle as they start with their own interview. Tia couldn't help but marvel and gasp at the woman's words, inspired to hear her challenges and the devotion she has for her family and Tarzan. They truly love each other. She's almost jealous!"

It took them a few hours for both interviews to be finished. Tia already started preparing her notes for her books while Ed continued interviewing Tarzan. He looked down at his notes and spoke up. 

"So, let me get this straight. You fought snakes, apes, rhinos, hyenas, alligators, elephants, hippos, leopards, panthers, and dinosaurs?!" Ed's eyes widened in disbelief. "So the dinosaur stuff is real?"

Tarzan nodded, "Yes."

Ed and Tia sighed, "I guess I owe Doc Philander an apology."

Brook frowned, walking over to them with a basket of fruits and abruptly placing it on the table. Tarzan and the rest stopped, turning to her in worry. Tarzan gently grabbed her hand, worried for her. 

"Brook? Is something wrong?"

Brook hummed, "Well..." she hesitated. "Yes, a little. Ed," she turned to the man. "You seem to be fascinated with all the fighting all the action, but if I may be so bold, I think you're missing the point."

Ed blinked, turning to her confused. "I am?"

Brook nodded, "Yes. There's much more to Tarzan than fusty cuffs and fury. You see, I certainly never expected to find myself living in the jungle with a wild man who'd been raised by apes, and sometimes, jungle life has been harder than I ever imagined it could be." She recalled the year of struggling to adapt to the jungle and trying her best to catch up. 

She still has yet to do so. 

"But Tarzan has been there every step of the way," she lovingly smiled at Tarzan who smiled at her back and held her hand. Tia saw and sighed, loving their love for one another. "Sharing the adventure of his world. You see, Tarzan isn't the brute so many so-called 'civilized' people think he is. Quite the contrary. He has the gentlest heart of anyone I've ever met."

Brook smiled and turned to them. "And if you don't understand that, well you don't understand Tarzan," she explained. 

Ed frowned, looking back down at his notes. These past few weeks, he has been trying to see what everyone makes Tarzan seem. But Ed didn't realize how gifted and special Tarzan is from within. He pulled out the old article about Tarzan and crumbled it, not seeing any point in looking at it, and turned to the couple. 

"Well, it appears there's much more to you than I initially thought. I was looking for a savage wild man but I found a lot more," Ed smiled. "I found...an inspiration."

Brook smiled as Ed and Tia thanked them for their time and left. Tia smiled at Brook and grabbed her hands. "Thank you, Brook. You're really nice. Don't let anyone bring you down when trouble comes your way. You're stronger than you look."

Brook smiled, "Thank you, Tia. What are you going to name your book?"

Tia grinned, holding her book to her chest. "I'm still thinking about it but you'll see. I'll make sure to send a free copy to you, bye!" Tia grinned and ran after Ed. 

Ed smirked, looking down at the young girl. "You already thought up the name, haven't you?"

Tia chuckled and looked down at her book. "Yes, I have, Edgar Rice Burroughs. I will name them. I'm planning on two books. My Heart is Truly Yours and Your Heart is Truly Mine. What do you think?" she looked up at him. 

Ed chuckled, "It's perfect, Tia."

Tia only grinned, excited to know if the readers would love her stories...nah. Who would read her junk?

Published: September 24, 2023

Word Count: 5272