Grant held Maddie closer to his chest. He didn't want her getting hurt.
"Maddie,I promise one day you will change the world someday and if I'm not there to see you. I'll be watching you.. I'll see you in 6 years baby girl." He kissed her tiny forehead.
Maddie grabbed his index finger and and squeezed it.
"You are going to live with your Aunt Gracie while I'm away."
Mikey stood in the doorway and walked in.
"Grant,Why don't you let me raise her while you are gone?"
"I want you to see her but I just don't want you raising her. I'm sorry Mikey."
"No." he barged out of the room
Shane stood in front of the mirror looking at himself proud. Morgan walked into the room.
"Hey Morgan." He kissed her.
"I'm gonna miss you."
"And I'm gonna miss you too."
Shane turned back to the mirror and fixed his hat. He walked into the living room where all his family stood. They all clapped. Kyle ran towards him and hugged him.
"Shane,do you have to go?"
Shane bent down and put his arm on Kyle's shoulder.
"Bud,I do have to go. But I'll be back. I promise."
"You pinky promise?" Kyle smiled
Shane put out his pinky and pinky promised Kyle.
"You better come home Shane." Shane stood up and faced his little sister,she had tears flowing from her face.
"I'm gonna miss you big brother." She gave him the biggest hug. Brynleigh stood next to her parents.
"Bye bye Shane." Shane bent down and gave her a hug.
"Bryn,stay safe kiddo. I'll see you in a couple years." He smiled
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
He stood back up and faced Jay. He couldn't help but cry and smile.
"The day is finally here kid. The day you've been looking forward too."
"Yeah. I guess it finally has. Thank you for filling his shoes."
"I could never fill his shoes I filled them halfway."
"You still filled them. As best as you could and I am thankful for it."
"I love you Shane. I'll miss you."
Erin stood next to Jay. Shane got up and hugged her.
"Thank you for raising me when times got rough. I love you Mom and I'll miss you."
"Shane,come home for me please. I don't want to get a call saying you are hurt. I love you." Erin hugged him tighter.
There was one more person who hasn't sad goodbye yet.
"Morgan,I am gonna miss you so much. I promise once I come back you and I promise we are going to get married and have kids. I love you."
"Shane,I love you and please be safe."
"I have some good news." Grayson smiled
Jay and Erin got worried looks.
"What happened?"
"I'm pregnant."
Jay was pissed he grabbed Mikey's collar and put him against the wall.
"Whoa." Shane stopped him.
"Mikey,what did I tell you?"
"I'm not going to leave her. I promise."
Shane decided to visit one last person before he left. He got out the car and walked to the cemetery.
He stopped in front of his dad's grave.
"Kyle Ryan James. 1982-2015. Father,Son,Army Soldier 'Sometimes becoming that hero takes a lot longer than putting on your big boy pants and deciding to become one'."
The quote was his favorite. He loved it. Shane used it as his quote.
"Hey Dad,I know it's been a while. I miss you and I miss you a lot. I want you here for when I leave. I want you here for when I have my kids. I want you here for everything. I guess Uncle Jay told you about Grayson. She is your daughter and my little sister. Dad,I wish you were here. You would love Kyle and Grayson. She is my little sister and my best friend. Morgan my girlfriend is amazing. She is the best. Uncle Jay is doing a good job filling your shoes. He filled them good. I wish you were here. You should be here Dad. He tried filling your shoes and I am thankful for him everyday. I am thankful that he decided to raise me while you were gone and I am thankful you allowed him to be my guardian and let him adopt me. Honestly I don't know where I would be without him. He taught me everything I ever needed to know and Honestly Dad I miss you more than ever right now. I miss you because you missed my graduation and you are missing my deployment. I survived high school and I am going to survive the Army. I love you Dad. I'll see you soon I guess,until next time."
Below is "You Should Be Here" By Cole Swindell. Obviously I do not own the song.
"It's perfect outside it's like God let me dial up the weather
Got the whole crew here, I ain't seen some of them in forever.
It's one of those never forget it, better stop and take it in kinda scenes.
Everything's just right yeah except for one thing.
You should be here, standing with your arm around me here.
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer, saying cheers, hey y'all it's sure been a good year.
It's one of those moments, that's got your name written all over it.
And you know that if I had just one wish it'd be that you didn't have to miss this
You should be here.
You'd be taking way too many pictures on your phone.
Showing them off to everybody that you know back home.
And even some you don't yeah
They say now you're in a better place
And I would be too if I could see your face.
You should be here, standing with your arm around me here.
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer, saying cheers, hey y'all it's sure been a good year.
It's one of those moments, that's got your name written all over it.
And you know that if I had just one wish it'd be that you didn't have to miss this.
Aw you should be here.
You'd be loving this, you'd be freaking out, you'd be smiling, yeah
I know you'd be all about what's going on right here right now.
God I wish somehow you could be here.
Oh you should be here.
Yeah this is one of those moments that's got your name written all over it
And you know that if I have just one wish it'd be that you didn't have to miss this.
Aw you should be here.
You should be here."
"Dad,You should be here,cutting up cracking a cold beer with me."
Flashback
"So Kyle,what are you naming him?"
"Shane,it means God's gracious gift. And he is my gift."
"Daddy!" yelled Shane
Shane ran to his dad and hugged him tightly.
"Dad,I missed you."
"I know bud. Has Your Uncle Jay taken good care of you?"
"Yeah. He lets me have ice cream after school."
"Oh really now." Kyle smiled
"Kyle,We only have it once a week. I promise." Jay chuckled
Shane smiled as he remembered some bittersweet memories.
"I love you Dad."
Shane drove to the airport and walked onto the plane. He waved goodbye to all of his family...
The End...
Thank you for reading Filling Your Daddy's Shoes. I appreciate all the love I got. Thank you so much. It has come to an end and don't worry the sequel will be out Feb. 1st. Thank you so much!
I hoped you enjoyed this book.
It is over Thank you very much for reading it!