Okay, so this is the end. I hope you guys like the ending. And I also hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and to those who reviewed it as well. I really appreciate it.


Lilly ran a brush through her hair and then looked in the mirror. The last 11 months had been a struggle. But she'd made it through. And now it was Christmas Eve.

She closed her eyes and thanked God she'd made it. The holidays were especially hard, but now she had Jackson Jr. to focus her attention on.

She went over to the baby's cradle and picked up her son. "Hi, J.J.," she cooed. "We're gonna go visit Daddy, Auntie Miley, and Grandma and Grandpa today." She bundled the baby up and put him in his car seat. Then they were on their way to the cemetery.

Sometimes Lilly was sad when she looked at J.J. He looked identical to his father. But mostly she was filled with awe and love for the little baby.

"You know, J.J., Daddy loved Christmas time. It was his favorite time of the year. He said it was the only time of year when adults are allowed to act like little kids." She glanced at the baby in the backseat and smiled as she pulled into the cemetery.

She took the baby out of the car and proceeded to visit each person's grave. First her mother, than Robbie Ray and Miley. And last, Jackson.

"Hi, Jackson. Look who I brought to say Merry Christmas," she said as she looked down at the ground.

"Lilly, he's beautiful."

Lilly was startled when she heard the voice. "Jackson?" She hadn't heard from him since the day in the car.

"Yes, its' me," he said.

Her eyes filled with tears as she saw him.

"He's beautiful." Jackson said again.

"He looks just like you."

"I think he has his mother's lips."

"Maybe."

"Merry Christmas, Lilly." Jackson said kissing her forehead and then his son's.

"Merry Christmas, Jackson. I love you."

"I love you too, baby."

And then he was gone, leaving Lilly standing there cradling the baby. She sighed. She would always miss Jackson. But at least she had a part of him. She looked down at the sleeping child in her arms and smiled. Jackson was right; he did have her lips.

'Well, come on, J.J. We're gonna be late for Uncle Oliver's Christmas party," she said as she put the baby in his car seat.

She hadn't seen Oliver much since J.J. was born. She'd found her own place and been extremely busy. He called to check up on her every now and again. She knocked on his door.

"Lilly!" Oliver embraced his friend and then helped her bring the baby's things inside. He admired how strong she was. "Did you go to see Jackson today?" he asked knowing she had. She'd gone on every special occasion. Her birthday (which was also their anniversary), his birthday, Easter, Thanksgiving. And each time she'd come back a wreck.

"I did."

"How are you holding up?"

"Surprisingly, I'm okay." For once Lilly didn't feel like she was going to burst into tears. Jackson had been right. She finally understood she could let him go and still love him. It didn't mean she was forgetting him and what they had. But she couldn't live in the past anymore.