When I asked who people would most like to hear from, the overwhelming response was Naomi. I love that so much, because Naomi is the backbone of the story. The child who never stopped fighting. The one who entered the world against all odds and never looked back. She is the epitome of what family by choice represents.
When I think about Naomi’s beginnings, I remember doing hours of research on an HIV positive woman carrying a child. I knew the statistics and I knew the probability of her being born positive was miniscule, but I never wanted it to be a forgone conclusion. I never wanted to make light of the concerns, but I wanted them to be excited about their growing family.
So much of Brittany’s pregnancy was fraught with problems, most stemming from her health issues caused by Megan and the near death experience she caused. I knew it would take all of Brittany’s strength to grow and nurture a child and there was never a moment when I doubted it would happen. I know you guys may have worried, but I always knew Naomi would be born. How could she not?
Tommy and Brittany were born to be parents. I couldn’t wait to see him hold his daughter and I always imagined the beauty in seeing Brittany holding a child she ever thought would ever be possible.
Writing Naomi as a baby was so much fun. Through all of her struggles and health issues, her personality was growing and shining through and I adored her. Some of my favorite moments were writing Naomi when she began to speak and of course her connection with Tramp. Some of my favorite lines are below:
“Tamp?” Naomi said as she crawled to the couch. “Tamp pway wif mimi red?”
“Daddy, Mimi Red loves yoo,” Naomi said softly as she looked at him through the bars of the crib. She reached her arms to him and smiled. “Daddy want hug?”
“Dada has hairy balls!” Naomi told Evan like they were having a conversation. They all stared at her and Evan smiled.
“Well thank you for sharing that information,” he said.
“Mini Red lub yoo,” she said softly.
As the story progressed and the years went on, Natalie became less and less an extension of her parents and more her own person. I started to see who she wanted to be- her hopes and dreams and her fears and worries.
The first mention of Naomi baking was in a dream sequence. I did it on purpose- I always saw her as a pastry chef.
This “dream” was in book 9, One Final Kiss. It was the first reference to my future vision of Naomi.
Tommy walked in carrying a cake and Naomi and Brittany followed him.
“You finished it?” Josie ran to Naomi.
“I did,” the 15 year old said.
Tommy put the cake down on the table and Naomi walked over to David.
“Happy birthday David,” she smiled.
David walked over and saw the beautiful cake with amazing detail and gorgeous decoration.
“Did you make it?”
Naomi beamed as her mother put her arm around her shoulder.
“It’s my first torte. My teacher said I was ready and I really loved making it.”
Tommy looked at his daughter with such pride. She was the youngest enrollee in a prestigious culinary program and she was completing it along with a tutor for high school. She had a real talent for cooking and baking and she dreamt of owning her own restaurant.
Brittany smiled at her daughter and they all gathered around to have dinner.
As the story progressed and the years went on, Naomi became less and less an extension of her parents and more her own person. I started to see who she wanted to be- her hopes and dreams and her fears and worries.
There is one aspect of Naomi which is a direct reflection of me. Her love for cooking and baking. I tried to give each child something that I was familiar with. Tessa’s love for animals is mine. David playing hockey came from me. Josie’s love for the Military came from me. Sabrina’s attitude was all mine. Desi’s need to be alone was me as well. Naomi was the one who took it the farthest.
A diabetic transplant survivor with numerous health issues becoming a chef was a challenge. I knew that. The hours and time on your feet as a chef are grueling. I also knew that she wouldn’t let anyone stop her from doing what she was born to do.
Jimmy and Naomi’s young romance was fun for me to write, but I never saw them ending up together. When I brought Bryan into the series, I found a connection I hadn’t anticipated.
They were connected through a mutual understanding of having famous parents. They both lived somewhat sheltered lives, although Bryan had more of the LA life thrown upon him.
The series ended with a lot of unknowns for Naomi. Her mother had been deathly ill and her dad was focusing everything on trying to help her. Bryan was heading off to the culinary institute and Naomi was left trying to figure out what’s next.
Moving the series ahead six years allowed me to fill in the gaps slowly, while showing you where the kids (now adults) were and who remained in their lives.
Naomi has not has an easy road over the last six years. Her health has not been great and her relationship with Bryan is complicated. She has always been full of fire and strength, but moving into her 20’s has been a whole new world of surprises.
Moving out on her own, living her own life, pursuing a career are all things she wanted.
Sometimes life doesn’t work the way we hoped.
Sometimes we have to make new dreams.
I can’t wait for you to see who Naomi has become.
On a personal note, I received so many beautiful emails full of well wishes and positivity for me. I can’t thank you enough for sticking with me and for reading my stories. I am hanging in there. Things are getting better, but I’m still adjusting to a lot of changes.
I will be posting soon about the first book in the new series and I will reveal the cover and the release date.
I am truly excited for this series. I hope you love it, too 🙂
