Family Love 💠 [1]

The surprise

Sophie runs up the steps inside, she didn't knock or anything. Henry and I aren't to far behind. The first thing I see is Justin sitting on the couch in the living with Sophie jumping all over him. I can see Flynn Ellie and Lexi in the dining room. Lexi gets up rushing over hugging me the moment she sees me. "Ok I have been held in suspense all day do I get the surprise now or do I have to wait" "just a little long love" I sigh dramatically what I'm impatient when I know it's going to be good. Henry always gets me good things.

I sit at my desk in my room, I can hear Sophie's laughter downstairs no doubt that is Justin doing that. I turn towards the door hearing someone knock. Instantly smiling when I see Ellie there "I have to say this is all pretty impressive" "just Henry going above and beyond for those he loves" I shrug smiling at her through the mirror "I'm sorry if I have been neglecting you I get swept up in Sophie and Henry and Justin" "I don't mind you have had a lot going on I didn't expect anything knew knew Justin was in hospital Lexi told me and Hank explained it...you've been going between him Flynn and Sophie and somehow making sure there's enough time for Hank I didn't want to add to that it's already a lot and your letting me live here" I turn and face her "Ellie I'm not letting you live here" I saw her face fall "your family there is no two ways about it it isn't something I can allow Henry and I always make sure our family know that they are welcome at anytime that extends to you" she smile "thank you by the way I have been so worried about Flynn while his dad was in hospital I didn't miss how you were looking out for him" "I have grow to love you all and I happy you said this because I have been really nervous to talk to you about something" "what you can ask or talk to me about anything you don't have to feel nervous" she weakly smiles "I know this was just meant to be until I'm eighteen so I could get back on my feet" I nod "I was kinda wondering if it would be ok if I stayed" "Ellie I only said until your eighteen times get you to agree because the idea of you out there made me sick. I just had this feeling that you were meant to be apart of my family...henry wasn't keen but I didn't give him much of a choice in the matter" "I get the idea that happens a lot you not giving him a choice" I smirk "he gets to make all the decisions he wants with intelligence it's been how our marriage worked he was the boss at work I was the boss here of course we listen and take each other's views into consideration we're not some crazy dictators" she laughs hesitantly sitting on the bed "Ellie I would love for you to stay" I say as Mowgli loudly meows jumping on the bed and curling up "he always does that when someone's on the bed...what about college or any of that" "I was actually think of going to college here in Chicago so I don't have to leave" I smile "I would love that doesn't give me nearly as much anxiety as Lexi going across country with her boyfriend" she laughs "his a nice guy" "make your decisions at your pace I can handle Henry if he starts asking questions" I tell her making her nod "oh I was meant to tell you guest are arriving" I stand up looping my arms with hers before walking downstairs Together.

The surprise is the most important thing. Every year Henry waits until the evening where all our close friends are around to give me his gift. It's always always significant and beautiful. He makes it special a show of his love for me. He use to always say it was his thank you for putting up for his crap, a thank you for loving him. He made sure this day was all about me, because I always have so much to everyone else. Having no problem dropping my plans to be with everyone else making sure there ok. Often forgetting about myself. It was the one thing I looked forward to more for the fact to see the effort Henry went to. I don't care for the gifts.

The moment we get outside I see all our close friends. Jay and Will didn't get the significance of this day the event. The only ones who were missing were those who worked at the firehouse but they will make it up to me tomorrow, they always do. I immediately walk over to Al who wraps his arms around me. I laugh against him "do you know what Henry's surprise is I keep having Sophie and Flynn and Justin telling me it's better than last year" he laughs gaining people attention "it's always better than last year and I'm not going to tell you" I sigh leaning into causing him to laugh. I knew he wouldn't say but I did love to try. "So is Lexi and Flynn" I laugh "I have no idea but don't worry I'll play detective figure it out" "you don't have to play anything they will tell you" he rests he head on my shoulder sighing "your a good dad I know you doubt yourself but she does love you even if your living in the garage. Your life can fall apart with Meredith but you will always be her dad and never for a second think that" he nods giving me a squeeze. He steps back smiling at me.

I lean into Henry, Sophie in in Erin's arms talking her ear off. I could tell Jay wanted to talk to Erin but Sophie demanded sister time, what Sophie gets what Sophie wants. I honestly pray she doesn't turn into a spoilt brat with this many people wrapped around her finger. All our closest friends talking amongst themselves. "I have broken your heart more times than I would like pick the wrong side went against you and I hate myself everyday for that because you are the best thing that ever happened to me...you made me a father granted I screwed up a little with the first but I'm making up for that" he glances at Sophie who's laughing in Erins arms playing with Al's beanie with Jay who's trying not to laugh. No one could hear what he was saying. "I know you don't care for nice jewellery or any of that which makes you incredibly hard to get gifts for" I laugh "butI know there is one thing you have always wanted and I'm working on that" he tells me "however I did find something you were looking for" he gestured towards the door I turn to face it and gasp. I rush over the man studying me as I study him. I could feel a thousand eyes on us. "You look just like him" "grandads dark hair right" I nod "and your dads everything else" I had tears in my eyes I was so overwhelmed. "Um can I hug you" he nods and I wrap my arms around him. I step back looking back "dad told me you were looking for me said he would set up a place for us to meet but then your husband found me" I nod still holding his arm "thought I was going to be arrested" "he wouldn't your family now" he weakly smiles but by the look in his eyes I can tell he doesn't believe me. Don't blame him he just met us. "His working on getting him out" "he always said he didn't do it" I smile "want to meet your cousins" he nods I turn "soph Justin come here" the two come over Sophie running jumping into my arms. She stares at the man she doesn't know nervous. Justin stands beside me. "Guys this is Eddie's son Charles...Charles this is my son Justin and daughter Sophie" he smiles Sophie waves "you two are about the same age" I add pointing between the two males "mummy jay" I look at Sophie "me go to jay we play with Wills hair" I laugh placing her on the floor watching her run to jay. Those two were trouble together. "The kid over there is Flynn my son" Justin tells him making him nod "come join the party meet everyone" "I really should go I just came to meet Penny my dads infamous sister Lillie" I smile "his a good man your dad" he shrugs "you can go if you want I'm not going to force you but I would love for you to meet them" I take a deep breath "I know it's overwhelming so I will let you decided" "who is there" he looks at all our friends our family. "Well there Al his my best friend, his daughter Lexi" I point to both. "Then there Will and jay there brothers jay works with Henry and wills a doctor they love a good joke and are very sassy....Adam his a goofball makes everyone laugh...Erin" I take a breath calming myself "she's Henry's daughter" he looks at me lost "long story before Justin we were very early in our relationship" I wave off "Connor my godson...there's also Kelly who isn't here his my godson as well busy off being a firefighter tonight though" I smile "Ellie our adopted daughter...Trudy she's a good friend...there's a few other
Firefighters but you don't have to worry about them" "not tonight you go back over and enjoy your birthday I can meet them another day" I nod hugging him one last time before watching him leave. I walk over to Henry kissing him letting him hold me tight "thank you" he just holds me kissing my head. I stayed comfortable in his arms watching our family. My favourite place in his arms, it doesn't happens often around our family. He is usually only this loving at home around immediate family.