Dear Layla,

I know that you cherish letters, and so instead of buying you a fancy gift, I decided to write you a letter. The day you were born, it seems like a lifetime ago, but it was the day all of our lives truly started. Your parents were so happy, and their tears were running down their faces. Your mom, she yelled and cursed and damn near broke your father's hand while she was giving birth to you, naturally of course. I was so proud, so inspired. When I had Calvin, I was hoping he would end up with either you or Meredith, and secretly I'm glad I'm not going to be tied to the Hastings for the rest of my life. I'm proud to call you my niece, and I'm even more proud to call you my daughter.

The day you and Calvin graduated from high school I could feel your father sitting next to all of us, smiling at you, cheering you on as you walked across the stage and with a grace that mirrored your mother's at that. I remember the late nights I could hear the three of you in my living room giggling, and I remember walking in on your first kiss. When you announced that the two of you were dating your mother and aunts and I did a small dance of victory. There was no way we were going to let Mona's kid sink her claws into my boy. I'm glad he chose you, albeit with a little prodding from us old hens.

You looked so beautiful tonight at the engagement party, proudly flashing the ring he slipped onto your finger six months ago. I remember the day he told me he was going to have your father's initials engraved into the band, I left the room and cried so hard before calling your mother, who also, proceeded to cry. It's small gestures like that that remind us that we raised you guys right.

I heard you and Calvin arguing the other day, and your fears are misguided darling. Your father would have approved, and he would be doubly thrilled to know that his grandchild is growing inside of you right now. Ezra would be proud of you, no matter what you have done in life darling. You could be a serial killer and he would be proud of you, jokingly of course darling.

I know, for a long time, you resented all of us for knowing him, for seeing him, for loving him, for remembering him, but darling let me tell you something…in his life, in the time that I knew him…he had eyes for two women only, and that is you and your mother. Their rough start is what made their love so strong.

We've never told you this, but in high school we, your aunts, mother, and myself, were stalked by a person who called themselves A. We gave A so much power by being afraid of her or him, one day we took that power back and A stopped. I was doing laundry the other day and I found a letter from A in your pocket, and honey, I don't want you to believe a single word that bitch says.

Calvin is not cheating on you.

Calvin will never cheat on you.

Calvin does love you.

I love you darling, my daughter, my niece.

Love always,

Aunt Hanna.


Dear Layla,

Hi my darling granddaughter; if I ever forgot to tell you that I love you…I'm so sorry. You were the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. Your parents were so proud of you and you were barely an hour old. I never told your father certain things in life, maybe some of those things I should have. And if there was ever a time to confess my sins, now is that time.

I actually had four children; three of which I kept. I know for most of your life it has been perceived by many that I hate you, but I don't. I hate your name and the fact that it reminds me of my biggest mistake.

At eighteen I got pregnant because like most teens I thought myself to be invincible, that was not the case, and contraceptives should have been used. During those long months I decided to give my baby girl up for adoption- and it was an open adoption until I met your grandfather. Giving my baby girl away was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but she went to a very deserving and loving couple. Richard and Tina Oliveria were everything parents were supposed to be, everything I was not. They named my baby girl, Layla.

When your father told me your were going to be named Layla, I broke down and cried. Sadly, he took those for happy tears, they were anything but.

My son dying, your father - that was also bard, but the fact that he left you and your mother behind was devastating. I want to apologize to you, since you're the one I hurt the most. I can't continue to live life with you having her name. A daily reminder of my faults, of imperfections, of my mistake. Grandmother loves you very very much, please remember that.

Ever since David's passing last year from that car crash, I just haven't been the same now that my boys are gone, I'm sorry I failed you. And I'm sorry I'm about to fail you all again.

Mommy is so sorry Layla May Oliveria.

Grandmother is so sorry Layla Ariel Fitz.

Lord, please forgive me my sins, keep them safe.

Goodbye Darling,

Grandmother.


A/N: There are two more chapters. One being the letter to Ezra, and the last being a letter to my father. For those of you who don't know a damn thing I've ever been through...let me tell you. I have lost 4 family members to Cancer. One to Suicide. One to a drunk driver. And a child to a miscarriage. When I speak of these things...they are not things I picked from the television, the are not things I heard on the radio, I have lived through the pain of watching a loved one die before your eyes, twice. I have seen someone on a Friday night, and learned he killed himself a half hour after I saw him.

Life isn't a happy place, it's dark and cold, the people in your life, your natural supports...they get you through each and every day. I wish, and continue to wish that the pain of life does not jade a single one of you, for I wake up each day with my fiance by my side and my sister/daughter two rooms over. My life is full of love, and that is to make up for all of the bad things that have happened.

Do NOT let life get you down, it's truly not worth it.