“ Heath I understand, but we have never forgotten who you are. William and Debra have filled us in on a few things. We are worried honey for all of you, and the babies that will be here in a few months.” Gina states getting my attention
“ How did you know?” I ask seeing her point over to Renee
“ Sorry Heath, but I thought Auntie Gina needed to know just in case.” Renee says while I nod grinning
“ Heath no matter where you are close or far you will always be family to us. May was my best friend and took us in as family also. The day she left this world I took it upon myself to watch over you sweetie. We are just glad you found what May had always wanted for her and you…..love and a big family.” Gina tells me with a few tears
“ I know Aunt Gina as her house was the point in which gathered us all.” I stated giving her a hug
“ I think this calls for a toast.” Adam says picking up his glass before standing getting everyone that sat to do the same before he spoke continuing “ To one brave woman that ever walked this earth. To someone that took in three college kids as grandsons to show them what family was. With a heart full of love she gave us a place to come together as that family she so very much wanted. To you Grandma May, let those that stand in this living room that you so very much sat in thank you from the bottom of their hearts.”
“ TO MAY, SHALL YOU ALWAYS FEEL OUR LOVE AND THANKS FOR SAVING OUR HEATH!” They all yelled in unison before I felt myself drop to one knee
“ HEATH!” I heard my Latina woman yell before I felt hands on me
“ DADDY! DADDY!” Lindsey yelled running over to me placing her hands on my face before she continued “ Are you ok daddy?”
“ He is ok honey give him a little room to breath.” I hear Diamond say as I sit on my butt
“ What…what is wrong with my daddy?” Lindsey asks again before sitting in front of me on the floor
“ Um honey he has a condition that he can’t get overly upset or emotional. When that happens it’s best to let him rest to recover.” Adam answers telling his niece
“ Please Uncle Adam help my daddy I can’t lose him now.” Lindsey states with tears moving up into my lap
“ You won’t lose daddy sissy. Just let him relax and love him. The man at Disney told me if I believe in love as the strongest magic daddy will always be ok. Do you believe love is the strongest magic?” Karen asks her sister with a smile
“ It is but..” Lindsey tries to say
“ No but’s sissy just believe in daddy’s love for you and all of us. Just hold him like I always do with my brothers.” Karen says getting in my lap also
Both wrap their arms around me while everyone else settles down letting me rest on the floor. The boys come over as does Lil Heath and Serena.
“ Uncle Heath you ok?” Lil Heath asks with concern
“ Yeah I will be just sit on the floor by me.” I say as Serena takes a seat in front of me just staring at me before I continue “ I take it she still hasn’t spoke yet?”
“ No not yet Heath. She has seen some of the best, but even they are confused by it as her vocal cords are strong she still hasn’t talked.” Tracey tells me as I look back at Serena
Jamie and Renee get Gina and them something to eat as they find places to sit. My five loves return to where they sat before just to keep a eye on me every so often. The kids start talking as I see Serena only nod to what is said. As conversations travel amongst those that are my family. I just relax upon the floor facing them all. The godfathers, Nick, Ron, and my brothers make there way outside to get some air.
The moms, godmoms, my loves, Gina, and Tracey start talking about the babies that will be here in April along with Sierra’s and Mandy’s in May. They all also talk about the wedding in which Gina and Tracey can’t wait for. Gina tells Momma Verna that she knows a few churches that might be willing to provide cover in case it’s cold on the beach. While all this was going on Serena stared at me before standing up coming to me. She was not much younger then the twins Dakota and Lil Greg. Before Lindsey and Karen could move she hugged my neck saying one word that made Gina and Tracey gasp.
“ Love.” Serena says as I wrapped my arms around her
“ Oh my she…she spoke.” Gina says coming over to squat beside me to only continue “ Serena what is it baby girl?”
“ Love him.” Serena says responding to her other mom
“ You love Heath baby girl?” Gina asks getting a nod
“ Yes mommy I love him. He needs love for his heart to heal. Papa Greg told me.” Serena says as I lean back from her as it’s a rain man moment as she speaks as if she has never been mute
“ You….you know my father?” I ask her getting a nod
“ Yes, he talks to me in my dreams. He said you need love to heal you fully. He says the nightmares are not over yet Papa Heath.” She says as my eyes grow wide
“ What does she mean Heath? What does my daughter mean?” Gina asks being very concern
“ I don’t know unless.” I say looking up at Serena real quick
“ Unless what Heath please tell me honey.” Gina asks getting me to look at her
“ I have had this dream that I am on the beach. I am fighting for my life against a dark figure. I can’t see his face, but when it get’s to the end I am flat on my back looking up at him before I feel my life leave me.” I explain getting gasps
“ Baby why have you not told us this?” Jasmine asks getting everyone else to listen with concerned ears
“ I didn’t want to scare you all. Look I vowed to protect this family regardless of my heart. You all mean more to me then anything that is in this world.” I say answering my Latina flower
They all look at me with sad eyes accepting my words. My five loves get up as I stand to only come to me with arms wrapping around me.
“ Heath honey we know. It’s just you can never leave us for no reason at all.” Tessa says to me holding my mother
After that moment I am surrounded by love that warms my heart. The kids want to stay close to me. There is nothing as wonderful then holding my daughters, sons, niece, and nephew in my arms. The day Dakota and Lil Greg was born was one of the best days in my life. Then Karen and Lil Heath followed entering my life. Now Serena the little girl that finally spoke saying what filled my heart more from all that have entered my life with love.
Christmas day went by with a big dinner. Serena protested sitting in either of her mommies lap. She chose to sit in mine saying she promised Papa Greg. I didn’t say no in which no one did either. Everyone ate with great conversation except the younger generation except my loves and I sat in the living room letting our elders sit at the table. Jack fixed Sierra and Mandy’s plate taking them in the kitchen. He grew up a lot, but still was a smartass every chance he got. I just smiled knowing he was being responsible.
After dinner us guys washed the dishes and the kitchen while all the others went to relax. The kids played with the toys they had received this morning sharing with Serena. It was around 7:30 that evening when the rest of Nick’s family arrived. My family were introduced to Dwight and Yvonne. Dwight seemed to be concerned about me saying to stay strong in all I have to do. I asked him what he meant in which he said Nick has kept him in touch. Yvonne took to me thanking me for keeping her nieces safe and happy. I told her she was welcome and I was honored to have them as sisters. Nick’s other four kids were not what I expected.
They were very nice and started calling me Uncle Heath. I looked at Nick who just smirked telling me to get use to it. I shrugged accepting them all. The kids took to Nicks youngest showing them what all they got. At that moment life was wonderful. We make room for everyone for the night making a place on the floor for the kids to sleep in my kids room. The others sleep in the living room after all the furniture is moved around. I admit to myself I can’t wait until the house in Oklahoma is finally down so my family can have a relaxing place to sleep. That night as I lay in bed Jessie lays on me giving us both pleasure while our loves watch on with such smiles. I smile enjoying the love I feel from them all.
After Christmas the days up to New Years Eve was uneventful. Everyone stayed at the beach house instead of going to a hotel. Dwight said it was like camping out like they use to when going some where on the road. Caleb, Simon, E.P., and Jax agreed saying family stays with family. I had to admit they were right after all. Caleb and Simon said their crews were in Oklahoma getting a big start on the house. I asked about their families in which I was put at ease with them telling me they were with them for the holidays. I smiled knowing this information.
New Years Eve finally comes with a day of games for the kids as the adults separate to talk about this or that. All the women talk of the upcoming wedding in February. Dwight and Yvonne say they will be here as their momma Tessa wasn’t going to get married without them to see it. I understood that for I wanted all our family here for the occasion. Tessa asked her daughters Shelby, Lisa, Sasha, Lucy, Savannah, and Megan to stand with her. Mom asked Kaye and Michelle to stand with her in which made Faye ask Jasmine and Diamond to only have Jacqueline ask Tiffany and Hannah. I shook my head thinking this would be a wedding to remember.
That night there is dancing and talks of the coming year. We let the kids stay up letting them have kool aid while the rest of us had wine or beer. My loves, Sierra, and Mandy don’t drink a sip because of the babies. When the time came close Karen yelled about the ball drop. That made us all get ready to toast in the new year. We counted down to midnight with Times Square on t.v. Once the ball hit we all yelled ‘ Happy New Year’. Everyone hugged those close to them with a kiss or just hugged. The kids got hugs from everyone around the room. After the party whined down, and everyone were turning in for the night. I stood by the mantle with my glass of wine. I looked at the locket I had given Grandma May. I looked at her beautiful face before I spoke.
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