Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 3: A New Love?

Three years had gone by. They lived at the top of the Baxter building with Sue, Reed, and Ben. Johnny was a great father now. He still lived with Sue but that was because it was to hard to leave. Spencer and Lucy were 3. They liked to play outside.

One warm May day, Sue was working and the kids were restless. Johnny was restless. Lucy wanted to go outside.

"Daddy?"

"What?"

"Can we go to the park?"

"Yea I guess we can." He put on their shoes and they went over to the park. Lucy was wearing a denim dress and sandals. Her curly brown hair was in lopsided pigtails that Johnny had done. Spencer was wearing shorts and a baseball t-shirt. They walked side by side, hand in hand with Johnny in the middle.

When they got to the park, they ran to the swings. Johnny pushed them for a while and then they went to play in the sand box.

"Stay where I can see you."

"Ok." Johnny went and sat on a park bench. A little while later, a young woman came and sat next to him. The little girl with her ran towards Spencer and Lucy. A small smile spread across his face. He couldn't remember the last time he smiled. "She's cute."

"Thanks."

"She yours?"

"Yea."

"Your husband working?"

"Oh. No. I'm not married. Her father left when I told him that I was pregnant. I've been on my own since. You?"

"No. Not married. My girlfriend, their mother, was killed three years ago."

"You've been raising twins by yourself?"

"No. My sister has been helping me."

"She must really love you."

"Yea. I guess she does."

"I'm Zoe."

"Johnny." They talked for hours. He felt different around her. He didn't feel the guilt that he has been for three years. He didn't feel the pain. His thoughts were interrupted by crying.

"What happened?"

"I don't know." Zoe said. They ran towards the crying. It was Gracie, Zoe's daughter. She was lying on the ground. Johnny knelt down beside her.

"She's got a pulse." Johnny said. He picked her up. "I can get her to the hospital but I need you to meet me there." He handed her the keys to his car. "And take them with you. Flame on!"

To be continued…