“So…” he takes a deep steadying breath, “I just wanted to thank her, because it takes an incredible woman to not only save lives in life, but also in death.”
He raises his glass to the sky now.
“To Daisy, thank you, even though you’re gone, you’ve somehow managed to do what you’ve always done – you gave me a life worth living.”
The group surrounding us erupts into applause and I feel myself being pulled into embrace after embrace.
Tears are flowing freely down my face, along with everyone else in the room.
I glance up at the daisy chain I painted on the welcome banner and smile. They’re the same ones from my vision, the ones I never really understood until that final connection between Rylan and I was made.
The daisies are for Daisy.
I’ve dreamt about this moment for so long – the moment where I’m brave enough to share my work with the world, and also where we can pay tribute to the woman who saved my life on more than one occasion, and now it’s finally here.
I’m eventually released by my friends and family, and right on cue the doors are opened to allow everyone into the gallery to witness my exhibition for the very first time.
I’m terrified of what people will think, but with Rylan looking at me like I’m everything, I know that I have what it takes to be exactly that in this world.
I run my fingertip gently over the cover of the booklet in my hand.
The two words looking back at me, much like the beating organ in my chest, are as much hers as they are mine.
It’s the introduction to my life’s work, to everything I’ve ever kept hidden, and it’s simply titled ‘My Heart’.
The end
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.”
-Seneca
Thank You!
Thank you for reading Every Last Beat, I hope you enjoyed it.
If you did enjoy it, please consider leaving a review; they give authors valuable feedback, help other readers find new books, and I’d really, really appreciate it!
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Please remember:
This book has been written using UK English and may contain euphemisms and slang words that form part of the New Zealand spoken word.
Please remember that the words are not misspelled. They are slang terms and form part of everyday, New Zealand vernacular.
I.e: I’m from New Zealand and sometimes we say weird things down here… please try and be cool about it.
Thanks again!
More Information
If you are interested in reading more about this condition or supporting a charity for those living with conditions such as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, please visit their websites below.
United States of America
United Kingdom
Australia
New Zealand
Other Titles
Love like Yours Series
Rushed – Book 1
Pierced – Book 2
Hunted – Book 3
Chased – Book 4
Rock Games Novels
Paper, Scissors, Rock: Vol. 1
Hide and Seek: Vol. 2
My Heart Duet
My Heart Needs
My Heart Wants
Calendar Boys
Mr. January
Mr. February
Mr. March
Mr. April
Acknowledgements
I couldn’t have even begun to write this book without the help of Kate, the mother of the little girl whom inspired this duet.
Kate, thank you so much for being so open and helpful and for answering my many, many, strange questions without complaint.
I’ve learnt so much while writing this book – most of which is knowledge I’ve gained from you.
To Angela, for being so friendly and accommodating with answering questions and sharing a bit of your daughter’s precious life with me – I really appreciate you taking the time.
I’d like to take a minute to acknowledge all of the children, adults and families living with congenital heart defects. I’ve read so many stories about those of you whose lives conditions like this effect, and I’m in total awe of the things you’ve overcome.
Stacey, my editor, thanks for working so fast and doing such a great job, I really appreciate not only your work, but your support.
To my readers, thank you, I hope you enjoyed reading Violet and Rylan’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you all for the support!
Playlist
Before:
This Is Me – Keala Settle
Praying - Kesha
Hurt Somebody – Noah Kahan & Julia Michaels
Fight Song – Rachel Platten
Who Says – Selena Gomez
Part Of Me – Katy Perry
Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys
Never Gonna Let You Down – Colbie Caillat
His Daughter – Molly Kate Kestner
Tell Me You Love Me – Demi Lovato
Photograph – Ed Sheeran
Most Girls – Hailee Steinfeld
The Only Reason – JP Cooper
I See Fire – Ed Sheeran
Wish U Were Here (Acoustic) – Cody Simpson
I’m A Mess – Ed Sheeran
Team – Noah Cyrus & MAX
Even My Dad Does Sometimes – Ed Sheeran
Skyscraper – Demi Lovato
What Now – Rihanna
Give Your Heart A Break – Demi Lovato
Nothing to Regret – Robinson
God’s Plan – Drake
All The Ways To Say Goodbye – Mitch James
Supercut – Lorde
Lie – Shallou
Heartbeat Song – Kelly Clarkson
Girl’s Just Wanna Have Fun – Miley Cyrus
Listen – Beyonce
Mamma Knows Best – Jessie J
This Girl Is On Fire – Jessica Mears
Boom Clap – Lennon & Maisy
In My Blood – Shawn Mendes
Grateful – Rita Ora
Written in the Stars – The Script
Bubbly – Colbie Caillat
Flashlight (Sweet Life Remix) – Hailee Steinfeld
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis
Better in Time – Leona Lewis
Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
I’ll Be There – Jess Glynne
Remind Me to Forget – Kygo & Miguel
Different – James TW
Think Before I Talk – Astrid S
High and Low – Sam Feldt & Joshua Radin
One Call Away – Charlie Puth
Fix You – Coldplay
How to Save a Life – The Fray
Scared to Be Lonely – Boyce Avenue
Chasing Pavement – Adele
You’ve Got The Love – Florence + The Machine
She Will Be Loved – Maroon 5
Barbie Girl – Aqua
S Club Party – S Club 7
After:
Ain’t Love Strange – Stanaj
So – Ed Sheeran
One – Ed Sheeran
Closer – Six60
Heartbeat Song – Kelly Clarkson
All The Things She Said – t.A.T.u.
Anywhere – Rita Ora
Dangerous Woman – Ariana Grande
The Heart Wants What It Wants – Selena Gomez
Eyes On You – Chase Rice
Love At First Sight (Acoustic) – Blame Jones
Rewrite The Stars – Zac Efron & Zendays
You Are The Reason – Calum Scott
Meant to Be (Acoustic) – Be
be Rexha
Perfect Duet – Ed Sheeran & Beyonce
No Promises – Cheat Codes & Demi Lovato
The Blower’s Daughter – Damien Rice
I Have Questions – Camilla Cabello
Issues – Julia Michaels
Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Stay – Rihanna & Mikky Echo
Wherever You Will Go – The Calling
Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
Wasn’t Expecting That – Jamie Lawson
The Reason – Hoobastank
You And Me – Lifehouse
Remind Me To Forget – Kygo & Miguel
You Will Find Me – Alex & Sierra
Feel The Love – Rudimental & John Newman
Honest – The Chainsmokers
Please Keep Loving Me – James TW
For You – James TW
False Alarm – Matoma & Becky Hill
The Only Reason – JP Cooper
Kiss Me – Ed Sheeran
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
Gravity – Sara Bareilles
XO – John Mayor
Naked – James Arthur
In My Blood – Shawn Mendes
Amazed – Lonestar
H.O.L.Y – Florida Georgia Line
Tangled Up – Parade of Lights
In Case You Didn’t Know – Boyce Avenue
Put Me Back Together – Grace Grundy
Collide – Boyce Avenue
Always – Gavin James
Love Lies – Khalid & Normani
Today Was a Fairytale – Taylor Swift
Let Me – ZAYN
Chasing Fire – Lauv
I Love You – Alex & Sierra
Feels Like Home – Chantal Kreviazuk
Somebody Like You – Keith Urban
Love Somebody – Maroon 5
For You – Liam Payne & Rita Ora
Wish U Were Here – Cody Simpson
Never Gonna Let You Down – Colbie Caillat
In Love Again – Colbie Caillat
Borrowed Time – Thompson Square
Fallen so Young – Declan J Donovan
About the Author
NICOLE S. GOODIN is a romance author and mother of two from Taranaki in the North Island of New Zealand.
In mid-2015, she started to write about a group of characters who wouldn’t get out of her head. Her first book, Rushed, was published in mid-2016.
Nicole enjoys long walks on the beach, pillow fights and braiding her friends’ hair. She dislikes clichés, talking about herself in the third person, and people who don’t understand her sense of humour.
Please feel free to contact her either via her website, email, Instagram, Twitter or on her Facebook page, she would love to hear your feedback. If you’re feeling really game, you can even sign up for her newsletter HERE.
Upcoming Titles
Calendar Boys Novels
Mr. May
Mr. June
Mr. July
Mr. August
Mr. September
Mr. October
Mr. November
Mr. December