Forever:

Linn B. Halton

Dedication

Prologue

Alex

Chapter One – You Can’t Run From The Truth

Ceri

Chapter Two – Facing Facts

Chapter Three – A Message For Me

Chapter Four – Moving On

Chapter Five – A New Normality

Chapter Six – Pain

Chapter Seven – Learning To Forgive

Chapter Eight – Picking Up The Pieces

Chapter Nine – Just Another Rainy Day

Alex

Chapter Ten – Accepting The Inevitable

Chapter Eleven – Turning The Corner

Ceri

Chapter Twelve – Facing My Demons

Alex

Chapter Thirteen – Escaping Into My Dreams

Chapter Fourteen – Happiness Is Seeing The Person You Love Smiling

Ceri

Chapter Fifteen – The Circle Of Life

Chapter Sixteen – The Next Step

Chapter Seventeen – Pride Comes Before A Fall

Chapter Eighteen – New Friendships And Strong Bonds

Chapter Nineteen – Coming Clean

About HarperImpulse

Copyright

About the Publisher

I live in a small village in Gloucestershire with the man I fell in love with, virtually at first sight. We were at a party and our eyes met across a crowded room! My days are spent with characters who become friends and Mr Tiggs, a feline with catitude. I always knew that one day I would write romantic novels, but I never dreamed they would have a psychic twist! I’ve experienced many ‘unexplainable’ things, but it took a long time for me to accept the reality of what that means. Love, life and beyond…but it’s ALWAYS about the romance!

I would like to thank Kim, Heidi, Kate, JB, Erin, Susan, Shaz, Charlotte, Dizzy C, Nikki and Tobi for valued feedback throughout the writing of this series and amazing support - love you guys! Also Mandy and Janice - for being a listening ear and for constant support and guidance.

To my friends and colleagues at Loveahappyending Lifestyle emagazine - writers who share their knowledge and from whom I've learnt so much!

To all of the HarperImpulse team - for your energy, enthusiasm and the buzz you create that writers and readers are loving so much!

Lastly I have to thank 'my rock', Lawrence, without you by my side I wouldn't be able to devote all of my time to writing …

Ceri isn’t meant to fall in love, as she is here for one purpose only. Alex is supposed to cross her path briefly and give her the confidence to move on and fulfil her destiny. It’s meant to be a turning point for them both – but in opposite directions.

Ethan Morris, a well-respected medium, gave Alex a warning after receiving a message for him from the other side. Ceri receives her own warning when it’s made very plain to her that she is responsible for her own actions and will have to put right anything she changes in error. Alex begs Ceri to meet with Ethan, but she refuses to believe what he has to say and manages to convince Alex that he could be wrong. Psychic medium Mark Kessler becomes Ceri’s spiritual mentor. Her confidence begins to grow as she gains an awareness of her work on both planes of existence, something that can only be granted to an angel.

As Ceri and Alex cling to their relationship things begin to unravel and, at their engagement party, Alex’s past catches up with him. At the same time Ceri faces the stark reality that fate cannot be cheated …

“She’s gone, Ethan. Ceri’s disappeared and I think it’s because of Alicia.” There’s silence on the other end of the phone and I can’t stop myself from pacing back and forth. “Are you there? Hey man, I really need your help.”

Ethan lets out a sigh. “Alex, I tried to warn you. You can’t mess with fate and I know you both felt you were meant to be together, but clearly this is telling you something. You lulled yourselves into a false sense of security. Call it wishful thinking. I don’t know what else I can say to you.” He sounds grim.

“No, this is different. Honestly, this isn’t about our being together, it’s about the abortion that Alicia had. If only I’d told Ceri everything at the very start … I’m a complete and utter fool!”

“How did she find out? I’m rather surprised it should come to light after all these years. What were you, eighteen or something when it happened?”

“Yeah and I know it’s a long time ago, but my parents recognised Alicia at the engagement party. I think Ceri put two and two together, and then suddenly she was gone. When I went back to the flat some of her things were missing, but there was no note, as if she had been spirited away.” My voice cracks and I grit my teeth, trying to stop myself from shaking.

“I think you are forgetting one thing,” Ethan’s tone is forceful.

“What?”

“Ceri is an angel. She would be able to connect with Alicia’s emotions on a much deeper level. Nothing can remain hidden, unless she has a close and personal involvement with the other person.”

“How could I forget—man, I’ve blown it!”

The split second I bumped into Alicia it was as if the inside of my head had exploded. I saw the energy of a baby and felt the love. That bond between mother and child. It was only meant to briefly experience the wonders of those early weeks of growing, safe inside the shell of someone with whom she will forever be linked. Out of all of the zillions of energies, we each have a ‘family’ in tune with our own unique vibration who are with us forever. No matter what happens, or which plane we are on, that bond never weakens. That’s why the power of love is so strong and miracles sometimes happen, fuelled by an emotion that can transcend everything.