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Life does not always go according to plan. Sometimes you lose control. You know what's right and still do it wrong. You keep going, even though you are off track. Sometimes the people who save us are the ones we least expect.
Jay sat on the couch, his head heavily supported in his hands. Light tears rolled down his cheek.
The wedding photo was in front of him. He would give everything to visit his wife again. To experience happiness together again as it used to be. He wanted to hear her voice and thoughts. He needed her advice. Once again he wanted to hug her and feel her closeness. It was hard to live without her, every day at any time. He thought so much since she was gone. Only through her did he become a better person, because she showed him how valuable life was. She gave him the greatest gift - a family. He wiped his tears away, Life has changed, but the memory remains forever. He would never forget her. She will always be in his heart.
The ceremony took place in the closest circle. Likewise, Jay had always imagined his wedding. Together with the woman he loved above all, he finally stood before a registrar, but he barely heard his words. All he saw were the hazel eyes that looked at him lovingly.
While the registrar talked about love, luck, and fate, Jay and Erin could only remember that this was the moment they had been waiting for. It was spring and the sky was brilliant blue. Everything was perfect. Jay suddenly heard that the registrar spoke to him.
"Mr. Jay Halstead. Do you want to marry your present fiancé Erin Lindsay? - then please answer yes, I want."
"Yes, I want." Jay beamed.
"Now my question to you too, Mrs. Erin Lindsay. Do you want to marry Mr. Jay Halstead? - then please answer yes, I want."
"Yes, I want!" Erin smiled.
"By the power vested in me, I now declare you and you husband and wife…"
You are allowed to kiss the bride now he did not have to say twice. Erin put her arms around her husband's neck and the two gave each other a long kiss. Their families, colleagues and friends applauded with joy.
When Erin broke away from Jay, both smiled happily.
"You can swap your rings now!" the registrar said, smiling. Jay took the rings from his groomsmen Mouse. He was beaming with joy.
The wedding celebration took place in a nice restaurant with a big terrace and garden. Will and the intelligence and family were invited.
"As it should, you will not be around without a speech!" Said Voight, rising from his seat near Erin. The guests became silent and also the little almost 2-year-old Zachary who sat on the lap of his parents stopped babbling as if he understood what is coming.
Hank Voight cleared his throat. "Erin, Jay, I'm very proud of you!" He said smiling at his foster daughter and almost son-in-law. "Together, you have experienced many ups and downs in your relationship, and yet you have managed to grow your love for each other. From your relationship to each other I was initially skeptical and strict against it. And I am glad that you have defied my rules, otherwise the little man between you two would not exist. You both complement each other very well, Erin met you, Jay, at a time when she needed someone like you, and I quickly realized that you were more than just partner. And luckily you have noticed it too." Voight winked, "I'm really happy to call you my family. Cheers up! Erin and Jay!" Voight finished his speech and they raised everyone their glass.
Erin lifted little Zach to Jay, got up and gave Hank big a hug. "Thanks Hank." Erin smiled at her father figure. "You have a really wonderful family, kiddo."
"Mommy play." the little man said as Erin walked back to them.
"Do you want to play, Cheeky Monkey?" Erin asked.
"Yes. Mommy play along."
"Mommy does not want to, but would you like to play with Eva and Diego?" Erin asked.
"Yes." Zach said, climbing down from his father's lap and scrambling under the table to Eva and Diego, who were walking to the small playground with Zach.
Erin grinned at the sight. She really had everything she wanted - an amazing son, best friends, Hank and an adorable loving husband. Silently, Erin watched Jay talking to their friends. Jay's sight evoked wishes in her. Erin wanted to grab her husband and kiss him senseless. The wedding night belonged only the two of them. Zach will have a great time with Grandpa Hank for the next few days.
Finally, in the bedroom, they undressed each other, "played scrabble" and then cuddled in bed.
"Jay, you're everything to me that I've ever dreamed of. I love you and of course Zachary more than my life. It makes me happy to know that I will fall asleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning. You make me the happiest person in the world. When you asked me if I wanted to marry you, I could not believe my luck and now you are my husband and together we have a gorgeous son. I love you Jay!" Erin whispered. A single tear ran down his face. He was speechless. "I love you too, Erin. Every day I love you more and more." Jay smiled, pressing his lips to Erin's...
He looked around the living room slowly. It was so incredibly still. He longed for his children. He missed the constant screaming, the raging or even the quarrels. From his wallet he produced a crumpled image. It showed a happy family. Father, mother, son and daughter. Gently Jay stroked over with his thumb. These three were all his pride, his life and everything was destroyed within a year. His kids were right; they had not been family for a long time. Now both are with another family. A family that will probably give them the affection and love they deserve. He had failed as a father. He was not for Erin's kids there. Nothing ever made it good again. The slap in his son´s face, the neglect of his daughter ... he did not keep his last promise to Erin...
"Toni. What are you doing here?" Jay asked as he opened the front door.
"What does it look like?" Antonio mumbled and walked into the house. "Have you ever thought of cleaning up?"
"Why should I?" Jay asked.
"Do you think the DCFS leaves the kids to you when they see a chaotic house?"
"There is no way that I get the kids back. I beat my son."
"You're not trying, Jay. It's time for you to fight for your family. Get your kids back. "Antonio took a deep breath, "Erin never wanted you guys to fall apart like that. She would be mad at you for beating Zach. But she also understands. You could not do anything about it. A bad dream can happen anytime. It was bad luck that Zach wanted to wake you up in this moment."
"It's not that easy, Toni. The kids probably hate me."
"Then it's time to take back the hearts of your children. Clean up the house, dump the alcohol and bring the kids home."
"Take food! There is pizza!" exclaimed the foster mother or whatever that woman was supposed to represent. Stormy ran a football team of children to the dining table. Zach trotted slowly behind. When he arrived, the food was already devoured by the 17 other foster children. Even Zoey did not get a pizza piece anymore. Unhappily he sat down outside the house on the steps. He did not like this family. He wants to be pulled into a hug by his mom, play soccer with his father and Uncle Will while Grandpa Hank prepares the BBQ. He wiped away his light tears with his sleeve. He did not want that all to happen. He did not want Dad to be mad at him. Slowly he ran his hand under the bandage that covered his ear. It hurt from time to time. The worst thing is when the other kids scream so loud or listen to music. Zach glanced behind him to see if anyone was watching him. To see if anyone noticed his sadness. Mom and Dad would sit next to him for a long time and tell him that he can always come to them and that they love him. After all, Zoey was sitting next to him. She also wants nothing more than to go home. Zach grabbed his sister's hand and pulled her behind him along the street…