After All This Time

Chapter 1. Kids

Gerard POV

"Hey mom, where did Bandit and I leave the note book yesterday?" Elijah asked the second we walked through the door.

"I put it up in your room, so the twins wouldn't mess with it." Kaylynn answered without skipping a beat cooking. I went, and sat down on a stool at the bar.

"Kay, could you pick the kid's up after school tomorrow?" I asked as Bandit and Eli sat down in the living room of Christian an Kaylynns home. My mind instantly zoning out after I asked.

"Yeah, shouldn't be a problem Alice is stopping by to see the baby. I'm sure she would sit with him and the twins while I pick them up. Is everything okay?" She stopped what she was doing coming to stand infront of where I sat on the other side of the bar. I heard what she had said, but didn't quite register to respond. "Earth to Gerard." She snapped her fingers in front of my face. I looked up at her coming out of my daze. " Gerard what's going on, is everything okay?" She stood there concern written on her face. I looked back at the kids seeing them distracted before looking back.

"Lindsey has to have tests done tomorrow. She's been having some issues for awhile that is now becoming more concerning. We are hopeful everything comes back fine. I'm probably worrying for nothing." I spoke just over a whisper.

"Oh Gerard I'm sorry. You, and Lindsey are like family don't ever hesitate to ask anything. You know I'm always here for you guys no matter what." I gave her a slight smile as we heard the twins playful screeches coming from the playroom. We both laughed lightning the mood.

"Thank you Kay. I meant to ask how is Christian doing on tour being away from the new baby?" She smiled while going about getting back to making dinner.

"He's doing okay, we video chat as much as possible. He hates missing everything, but we knew it was going to be hard with him going back on tour. I still wouldn't change a thing or ask for anyone else." After almost 6 years from them meeting you could still see how in love they are. Kaylynn was one of the most devoted mother, and wife.

We sat talking like we did most days. She reminded me so much of Elizabeth with how much she cared for those around her. Caring for their loved ones over themselves. Thinking about her still hurt, but I can say the pain has become easier to handle over the years. The kids finally wrapped up their shared project right when Kaylynn was pulling food out of the oven.

"Do you guys want to stay for dinner?" She asked as she set it on top of the stove.

"No, thank you though. Lindsey is making dinner. I told her we would be home once the kids finished up their work." I got up from the stool I had been sitting at the last few hours. Bandit packing up her backpack.

"Okay, well you guys should come over for dinner soon. Have Lindsey message me when she has a day that works." She came around the bar giving me a hug.

"I will have her do that. We will come get Bandit when we are finished tomorrow." She gave me a sympathetic smile and nodded.

"Sounds good. Drive safe." Kaylynn said before we headed out the door.

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Elizabeth POV

"Hey honey, I'm in the kitchen. How was football practice?" I heard Art come in the front door. He walked in the kitchen throwing his bag on one of the bar stools a wide grin spreading across his face.

"I got a date with Abby after the homecoming game. We are all going in a big group to the beach to have a bonfire." I smiled at him his grin getting even bigger.

"That's great honey. You be respectful, and respect her." He sighed while rolling his blue gold eyes at me.

"I know mom, respect boundaries, no means no, and never push someone to do anything they don't want to." He said repeating what I've told him many a time. His smile came back making the gold sparkle in his eyes. Making my eyes tear up.

"Mom what's wrong?" I saw his father so much in him the older he got. I smiled blinking my eyes.

"Nothing honey just feeling a little overwhelmed. Why don't you go get a shower, and by the time you get out dinner will be done."

"Okay, Can I do a load of laundry? Lots of grass stains from football practice today." He said talking loudly from the other room.

"Just throw the clothes in the laundry room. I can throw them in with mine." I finished up with the casserole throwing it into the oven. I walked into the laundry room to throw the load in to find Arts whole gym bag thrown on the floor.

"Arthur Raymond I'm not digging through that stinky bag to get your clothes." I yelled out. Knowing he probably couldn't even hear me. I put the clothes I had in the washer, and turned it on leaving the lid open to wait for him to add his. Since I had time before dinner I went out on the patio with my cup of tea to enjoy the cool evening air.

We lived deeper into the woods then it seemed then most around here. My house was surrounded by thick woods, and a small river that flowed not far from the house. We had about a half mile long driveway. You would think with the 10 acres of land my house would be bigger but nope. Just a small 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom cozy almost cottage farm house like feel, and look. I felt safe out here, not to mention the security system, and cameras all over the property. It all maybe over but the fear was still there. So many years in hiding it was hard to not constantly be looking over my shoulders.

I sat listening to the river flow over rocks making slight splashing noises. The breeze was rustling the leaves, and the birds chirping away. The best place to just get to sit, and relax. Let all your worries melt away.

"From the day I met you I was drawn to you. I tried everything to not fall for you, but in the end it was never going to happen. I fell in love with you. I fell in love with the way you laugh at your own jokes. The way you are selfless to the core, and every day I've found even more ways to love you than the last. No matter how much time passes I want to keep falling for you no matter what gets in our way. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

The words I have read so many times, and memorized. The words I got to hear spoke so many years ago played in my head. No matter how much time had passed the pain I still felt never seemed to fade. The only thing that made things better was knowing he was able to move on with his life when I couldn't till now. The only thing over the years to keep me going was knowing they were all happy. They all had families of there own now. That and every day watching Arthur grow up. I at least will always have a piece of him with me.

I wished I could reach out, and contact one of them. Other then really having no way, I feel they would be so angry that I was still alive. I feel they would never forgive me for the pain I put them through. I felt a few tears slip down my face before I wiped them away. I shook my head taking a deep breath hearing the timer go off.