I stood in the hallway of our house that we had been living in for almost 4 years now. I was looking at the picture of my family on the wall, noting how much my life has changed. For one, I was a mother of a boy and twin girls, Felicity and Ruth who were now 5. I guess the twin gene really did run in the family because Cecilia had twins of her own. Danielle and Steven who were the same age as my own twins. I looked up on the wall, looking at all the monumental moments we went through as a family. The twins first birthday, Elias's first soccer game, Jordi and I's wedding in Mexico. I smiled at the memory.
''I miss you so much Jordi.'' I murmured.
Today was my baby boys 7th birthday, and we had a surprise party planned for him. I was so excited for him, but it also made me sad. My baby boy was growing up. Sure I was only 26 and had three kids, being a mom at this age was young, but I wanted as much time as I could get with my kids. It seemed to me this time was going by too fast.
''Felicity! Ruth! Get in here, before your brother sees you two!'' I shouted up at the stairs.
''Get out of the way Ruth!'' I heard Felicity yell.
''That's not how a race works Felicity!'' Ruth retorted.
The girls were laughing in no time, racing down the stairs to greet me at the end.
''Mama who won?!'' Ruth asked anxiously.
''It was a tie, now go by Reese.'' I instructed, ushering them to the kitchen.
I followed close behind smiling down at my girls. If only Jordi could see them right now. A lump formed in my throat at the thought of him. I quickly pushed it away. Today was about my boy.
''Hey, there's my favorite little nieces.'' Reese said, getting a hug from the twins.
I took a chance to look at my baby girls. Reese was now 16 years old, looking more and more like my late mother each day.
My mother had commited suicide when Nadia had just turned 5, Reese was only 12. For me, I was 21, and I was already raising Elias who was only 3 at the time. Nadia barely remembers our mother, but unfortunately, that's not the same story for Reese. She was the one that found my mother, sitting in the corner of her room dead. The girls had moved in with me shortly after the incident, and I raised them like my own. I managed to raise them with the money I made as a physicians assistant. It was good pay, and I even got to work at Ocean Park Hospital, so I still got to see the people that saved my life.
Reese's once blonde hair was gone, turning into a light brown as she aged. Reese went through phases, and couldn't quite decide on what she wanted to do with her appearance. She was drastically changing it because she hated looking like our mom. It reminded Reese of her, and that was hard for her. She decided to chop her once beautiful long locks, making a drastic change when she turned 16 a couple days ago. Her hair came to her chin, making her look much older. Her piercing blue eyes still remained the same, and she even started wearing makeup, something she had sworn she wouldn't do when she turned 13.
As for my Felicity, she was a fiery personality, with red hair to match. She had deep brown eyes just like her daddy, but she had my skin complexion. She also had my lips and face structure. She was a beautiful young girl, and she would grow up to be like that too. She was born to be a leader. Felicity was a smart little girl too, excelling in school for her age. She was a lot like me, which wasn't all good. Felicity had anxiety problems too, and she always wanted to be right. Since I've been through the whole counselling thing, I'm helping her through a lot of her stress.
Ruth was a lot more like Jordi in terms of personality. Ruth was athletic, even at her young age. She loved art, and she could sit in her room for hours drawing the same flower over and over again. She loved to learn, but the arts were her strong suits. She had the voice of an angel, like Jordi. She was more reckless though, and I caught her in trouble much more than my timid Felicity. She was caring though, and understanding. She was beautiful too, with her thick brown hair and her pale green eyes to contrast. She had plump pink lips, perfect for pouting. She too would be beautiful when she was older.
''You guys, where's my hug?'' Nadia asked, coming through the backyard door into the kitchen.
Felicity and Ruth ran over and gave Nadia hugs too.
Nadia was 9 now, and she looked a lot like my grandmother. She kept her brown hair in natural waves down her back. Her brown eyes could read anyone like a book in a matter of seconds. She loved nature, and it showed in her actions. She was outside most of the time, planting flowers, humming to herself. She was still my hope in the world, she always gave me hope.
''Come on guys, Grandpa is bringing Elias home now.'' My grandmother said through the screen door.
''Yea you should all listen to your grandma.'' Emma spoke up, her baby bump now visible.
''I wouldn't mess with Auntie Emma either.'' Leo stated, taking her side.
''No one does.'' Kara joked, her adopted daughter clinging to her skirt.
''Yea, no one in the Red Band Society would.'' Dash said. ''Not even Jordi.'' He said, giving me a quick glance.
Why was everyone mentioning Jordi! It was frustrating because every time I heard his name I wanted to cry. Stop it Livia, today is about Elias.
We all hustled outside into the back where Nadia and my grandmother, and the Red Band Society had decorated. Cecilia, Ethan, and their spouses and children came through the fence seconds later, hiding with us. I made sure everything was in place until I hid too.
''This is just hard on the knees now.'' Dash complained next to me.
''What you're old now?'' Charlie teased, nudging him.
''Not old, just tired.'' Dash said, searching for an excuse.
''Yea, I bet that wife of yours makes you pretty tired.'' Charlie joked.
''That I agree with you about.'' Dash said with a chuckle.
''Both of you shhh!'' I laughed, holding a finger to my lips.
Soon after crouching for a couple of minutes I heard Elias's voice ring through the house.
''Mama, we won the game today! I scored a goal!'' He shouted. ''Mama?'' He questioned once he realized I wasn't there. I smiled to myself trying not to laugh.
''Maybe we should check out back.'' I heard my grandpa advise Elias.
''Yea good idea!'' He exclaimed.
I heard the small click of his cleats hitting the kitchen tile before listening to the creak of the screen door.
''Now!'' I whisper shouted to the crowd.
We all jumped up, looking at a very shocked Elias.
''Surprise!'' We all hollered.
''No way!'' Elias shouted, running over to give me a hug.
''Happy Birthday Elias!'' I congratulated, hugging him back.
When I pulled away I knelt down to his eye level looking at my boy. To say he reminded me of Jordi was an understatement. He was a clear spitting image of him. Except Elias's eyes were more hazel, rather than brown.
''Well what are you waiting for? It's time to party!'' I said.
He gave me the biggest smile he could ever give, and soon we were all having the time of our lives.
(Later that Day...)
''Happy Birthday dear Elias...'' We all sang. ''Happy Birthday to you!''
''Make a wish!'' I instructed, patting Elias on the shoulder.
He nodded eagerly, closing his eyes and mumbling to himself. He blew out the candles in one clean breath, and then opened his eyes.
''Cake time!'' Ruth shouted, lunging for the cake.
''No Ruth, we don't do that!'' Felicity scolded like a mini me, pulling Ruth back.
''She's right.'' Reese pointed out.
''Oh, c'mon Auntie Reese.'' Ruth pouted.
''Hey, the real reason Reese told you to stop is because she wants all the cake to herself.'' Nadia teased.
''Oh, haha.'' Reese fake laughed.
''Auntie Nadia, you're funny!'' Felicity and Ruth said together.
I started cutting the cake, giving Elias the first piece. I handed out cake to everyone else.
''So what did you wish for?'' I asked my son, sitting down next to him.
''If I tell you it won't come true.'' He reminded me.
''Oh yea, sorry.'' I threw my hands up in the air. ''I forgot.''
''Mommy forgot something?!'' Elias teased. He got that from his dad always teasing me about me being so type-A personality.
''I guess so.'' I said with a smile.
I dug into my cake, but that didn't last long until Ruth was trying to shove the cake in her sisters face. I had to separate them, but I couldn't stay mad at them. I could never stay mad at them.
Once cake was done, all the kids went back into the tree house they were playing in before. That left Emma, Reese, Kara, and I to clean up the mess. We were done pretty quickly due to the fact most of us were working at a fast pace. When we came back out everyone split up, wanting to socialize with everyone at the party. I stayed back, looking at the scene.
''You kept your promise.''
I turned to see Reese standing at my side looking up at me.
''What?'' I asked confused.
''Your promise. You promised to take care of me. Look at us now. We're all happy.''
''Yea we are.''
I pulled Reese in for a hug, and for awhile we stayed like that.
''Well I should go probably talk to Cecilia. She won't stop obsessing over my hair.'' Reese rolled her eyes.
''You know Cecilia. Beauty queen she is, she just wants to show you some pointers.''
Reese laughed it off, walking away towards Cecilia who was trying to burp her baby girl, Ava, over her shoulder.
''Hey Livia.''
This time Nadia was at my side.
''Hmm?'' I questioned, picking her up.
Yea it was babyish, but I could still hold her and Nadia didn't mind.
''Do you miss him?'' She prodded.
I swallowed a lump in my throat. Jordi.
''Of course I do.'' I stammered out.
''I do too.''
We stayed silent for a while before Nadia managed to jump out of my arms.
''Hey Livia, he told me to tell you he loved you a lot.'' She mentioned.
''I already knew that.'' I said, tears running down my face, but I still managed a smile.
I looked back at the perfect scene that laid ahead of me. A huge family, together for a birthday. We were all happy, and most of all together. There was an absence though, and I knew everyone noticed it. Jordi wasn't here to sing for us anymore. He wasn't here to cheer anyone up. He wasn't here to love me. It hurt every single day since he left. I cried a lot at night, in my empty bed. Most nights, I prayed to God that Jordi would come back home, but a part of me sort of knew he wouldn't.
''I miss you so much Jordi.'' I mumbled, closing my eyes. ''You're in my heart forever.'' I added.
''Why in your heart when I can be right here?'' A voice questioned.
I turned around quickly and the first thing I saw were the eyes.
''Jordi!'' I screamed throwing myself in his arms.
He caught me, holding me tight.
''How did you get here!'' I shouted, clinging to him tighter, hoping this wasn't a dream.
''Well I had some help.'' He whispered by my ear.
I pulled him away only to literally attack him with my lips. I kissed every inch of him that wasn't covered with his military uniform.
''I. Missed. You. So. Much.'' I managed to say between kisses.
I let myself melt into him again, burying my head in the crock of his neck.
''I told you I would never leave you forever.'' Jordi whispered into my hair.
When I pulled away I turned back around at my family who was now watching. The kids didn't notice yet though, which I was excited for them when they did.
''You all planned this!?'' I cried out, happy tears falling down my face.
''We did.'' My grandmother spoke up smiling at me.
''Thank you! Thank God!'' I bellowed.
I turned back around, kissing Jordi again, and again, and again, and again.
''My wish came true! Daddy's home!'' I heard Elias yell.
I moved away from Jordi so our kids could say hi to daddy.
''Daddy!'' Felicity shouted out, following her older brother.
''Daddy! You're home!'' Ruth screamed, racing to get to him first.
They all collided into Jordi, who had open arms awaiting them. Our kids starting crying and so did Jordi. They clung to each other while Jordi whispered how much he loved them. I moved my way over to them joining in the group hug.
''No more leaving.'' Jordi stated. ''Daddy's home for good now.''
This only made them cry harder out of joy. I looked at all my kids, and then at my husband.
''How did I get so lucky?'' I asked out loud, kissing Jordi one more time.
We stayed like this in a perfect moment of pure bliss. We pulled away from each other when we had to gasp for air. I could hear the applause of our group when we all stood up together.
''Well, let's party!'' Jordi exclaimed, dropping his military bag on the floor.
(That Night.)
''We have a lot of cleanup to do huh?'' Jordi asked as I nuzzled into him.
I was craved the warmth he had which always seemed to make me feel at home.
''Yea, I can deal with that tomorrow, I just want to be with you right now.'' I whispered, pulling the blanket up higher.
The party ended shortly after 10. I had to put the kids to bed, which wasn't hard. They were beat tired, and exhausted from seeing their dad. It was emotionally draining. I said my goodbyes to people as they left, offering their kind words.
Reese ushered a goodnight as she took Nadia upstairs to their room for the it was just me and Jordi and the first thing he did when the door closed was come towards me. He carried me all the ways up the stairs, kissing me passionately. That's where we left off.
''You know I couldn't stop thinking about you and the kids while I was gone.'' He said, moving to hover over me.
''I couldn't stop thinking about you and neither could the kids.''
Jordi moved down to kiss my neck that sent me chills the same way it did when we were 16.
''It got me thinking about family.'' He muttered against my skin.
''Yea?'' I moaned out.
''I was thinking...'' Jordi trailed off. He moved back from me, taking off his shirt. I lifted mine off too staring back up at him.
''What?'' I begged, wanting him close again.
''I was thinking we try for number four?'' He asked, eagerness in his eyes.
I laughed out loud, watching him smirk.
''Yes.'' I answered after a while.
''Hmm?'' He asked shocked.
''Let's do it. Let's make another kid.'' I laughed out, pulling him onto me, kissing him.
''I love you so much Livia.'' He almost cried.
''I love you more than you'll ever know Jordi.'' I chocked back a cry too.
He leaned down and gave me the same kiss he did when we were in that janitors closet. Soft, passionate, tender, everything you hoped for in a kiss. I was happy with the life I had. I was happy I had the love of my life back. I was happy that I had the three forms of joy to grow up with me guiding them. I was happy for the next child to come into my world too.
I never suspected any of this when I woke up in Ocean Park Hospital that one day. This seemed like a dream, this life I was living now. I laughed in the middle of my kiss with Jordi, causing him to move back.
''What's so funny?'' He teased.
''This. This is our New Reality.'' I stated.
''Write a freaking book.'' He joked, moving his lips back onto mine.
Thank you Dad, for giving me strength. Thank you Mom, for giving me wisdom. Thank you kids, Nadia and Reese included, for giving me hope. Thank you Cecilia and Ethan, for giving me companionship. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa, for giving me help. Lastly, thank you Jordi, for giving me love. It's Jordi I owe this all too.
''I love you.'' I whispered again under his lips.
''I love you too, forever.''
Author's Note: I didn't get much feedback so I decided no sequel. So this is sort of the last chapter. An Epilogue, but I'll probably write a part two. I will update every once in a while to give you the scoop on Livia's life. So keep commenting and everything. THANK YOU GUYS FOR READING! This book means a lot to me because it's my first work. So keep on learning with me!
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