I am usually up and gone before the sun is up and rested and settled after the sun sets. My days are long and stressful. I am surrounded by many people and all of them depend on me to save the day. I try my best to make all of them happy, but some days I can't. What I do is never easy. I have the whole world on my shoulders and it's pushing me down.

Before the island I was a wreck. I was broken. After the island I was still broken. I thought the island could fix me. I believed that I could fix the island. I suppose it did fix me in a way and I fixed it. My eyes were finally opened and I saw the bigger picture.

We are all broken who need fixing. It's inevitable.

I tried so hard trying to fix myself that I was too blind to see that others were trying to help fix me. I was too busy trying to prove myself to my dead father, I lost myself. All I wanted was to be good enough for him, to show that I am something. Then he died and I still couldn't let go. I guess I was that big enough of a lost cause.

Then I was given something to live for. The first time I looked at her I was gone. I couldn't believe the beautiful being that was right in front of me. I literally lost my breath. She was mine for the entire world to see, to have, to hold, to protect, and to love. Everything in my life that was negative was now pushed aside and to never be thought of again.

I made the decision to rearrange my life. Decisions were to be made, even if others weren't going to like it. I told myself that, if I was going to make it in this world, I couldn't be the old me. Long days at the hospital were cut, unless it was an emergency, and no more thinking that I don't have what it takes. I do, and I made it.

Today was a short day. I walked through the front door placing my keys on the table. I loosen my tie and remove my jacket while I walk through the house. I make my way to the back and find what I've been waiting for all day long. I stop and look at the most beautiful green eyes and unruly dark hair smiling at me, watching as she walks over to me. I smile greatly as she walks over to me and I take her into my arms hugging and kissing her sweetly.

I then meet another gorgeous pair for green eyes and unruly dark hair. She closes the space between us and I greet her with a kiss. "Hi." "Hi." I smile. I take her hand and lead her to the couch. We sit and the little one is leaning on my chest, I kiss the top of her head and hold her there. I listen to her breathing while smiling at my wife. This is what I was living for. This is why I was broken and why I was fixed. To be given the chance to start fresh with Kate, and later added, Leah.

They are the band-aide to my wound. I live and breathe for them. Without them I would still be broken. I live and breathe to wake up next to the wonderful wife and mother that is Kate Shepard, and I live and breathe to hear the laugh and smiles of our daughter Leah.

I am a man of many things. You can call me a leader, a hero, or even the villain. You can say that I am demanding, stupid, or a genius. It doesn't matter what you call me. The only ones that matter now are husband and father. I sit here with my family just in time to watch the sun set.

Do I have what it takes? Yes I do.

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