Lennon Miller and Jack Hughes were once inseparable. Being born on the same day, in the same hospital to moms who were best friends would do that to two people.
Every memory Lennon had as a child consisted of the brunette boy at her side. He was he...
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"You wanting me, tonight feels impossible. But it's coming down, no sound, it's all around. Like snow at the beach."
~*~*~
I am absolutely freaking out. Jack and I are about 10 minutes away from his parent's house and I can't get my heart to stop racing. I feel like I'm going to throw up. Not only am I going to see everyone for the first time in years I'm also going to meet the women Luke and Quinn started their families with.
I'm going to meet Quinn's children and speak with Luke's wife. I think I'm going to throw up. Jack has been trying to calm me down in any way he knows how and I really appreciate the gesture but it's not working.
All I need is for him to be there for me. Be the rock in which my waves crash over.
Before I have even begun to calm myself down we pull into the driveway. Jack takes my hand in his as we park and places a gentle kiss in my skin. "Don't be nervous Lennon. I'm with you every step of the way."
I take a big shuttering breath and get out of the car. Jack holds my hand and doesn't let go until we are pushing open the door and walking to the living room. The house is exactly the same as I remember it. I see pictures on the wall that still include me. A pair of my old shoes lay right there in the entry way. It still smells the same.
Jack is gentle as he guides me to where everyone is. The once loud rooms turns deadly silent as we come into view. My heart has completely stopped, my hands are numb as I take in the sight before me.
Quinn is sitting on the floor leaned against a chair that holds a blonde woman. He has his kids draped over his lap, eyes wide as he stares up at me in complete shock.
Luke looks similar. A dark haired woman has her head on his shoulder as they sit on the couch together. His body is completely still, eyes watering as he stares at me.
I can hear Ellen's cries as I take in the room. She has a hand slapped tightly against her mouth while Jim smoothes a hand down her back, quietly watching me and his middle son. There isn't a person in the room looking at me with any anger. Not a shred of the hatred that I prepared myself for.
"Hi." The word squeaks out of my lips like I forced it out which I pretty much did. At the sound of my voice Ellen jumps out of her seat and crushes me in a hug. I couldn't stop the sobbing if I tried.
It's ugly and heart wrenching. Years and years of hurt is being washed out of me in the form of tears. Ellen and I hold each other as we cry. Shortly after I feel more arms wrap around me. There's an out pouring of tears from the boys as they embrace me for the first time in a long time.
My heart is being ripped open and sewed back together by these people. My family.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me. I'm so sorry." The words fly out of my mouth like my newest mantra. I don't stop saying them even as everyone takes a step back. Ellen holds my face in her hands. Her eyes are so gentle and they remind me of my childhood.
I'm flashed back to the first time I rode a bike and fell, Ellen was there to bandage up my knee. She was there when I learned my first word, when I took my first step. Those gentle eyes are apart of my being, threaded into my very soul.
"We aren't angry at you, Lenny. You were the greatest thing we ever lost. We don't care about your reasons, we only care that you are here right now."
Her words soothe something deep inside me. I nod because my throat is so tight I don't think I could ever get a word out. Ellen takes a step back and allows Jim to pull me into a hug. "My god did we miss you."
Next is Luke. His shoulders are shaking as he holds me tight. "I thought about you every day Lennon. I imagined what this moment would feel like for years. I hope you know how much I love you."
His voice is wobbly as he speaks into my neck. I choke out another sob. "I love you."
Quinn wraps me into a hug that rivals everyone else's. It's so unbelievably tight that I can feel all my broken pieces fitting back into their rightful places. I'm shocked to see that he is crying, not sobbing like me but crying all the same. "You're so grown up. I'm sorry I didn't do right by you. It was my job to protect you and I failed. Please forgive me Lenny."
"It is not your fault. Don't think for a second that that you have to apologize to me. Why don't you tell me about those beautiful babies I saw earlier."
Quinn steps back with a wide smile and motions for his kids to come over. They are a little hesitate because I am a stranger and it breaks my heart slightly. They shouldn't feel that way around me, I should have been here from the beginning.
"This is Lilah." Jack was right, she is a spitting imagine of Quinn. Lilah waves at me slightly.
"Hi pretty girl, My name is Lennon. I used to be a friend of your dad's." Quinn sucks in a breath at my choice of words. It's hard to believe but it's true.
She looks up at Quinn and he nods. After getting confirmation from her dad Lilah jumps into my arms. I haven't stopped crying since I walked in the door and I definitely won't stop now.
"Why are you crying?" The little girl asks.
"I'm just really, really happy."
"This is Waylon." He has bright blonde hair and blue eyes. Taking a peak over his shoulder I see Quinn's wife and know that their son is her mini-me.
"Hi Waylon."
He's a little shyer than his sister but still, he wraps him arms around my waist. Looking at Quinn and seeing the proud look in his face has another round of sobs breaking free from my chest. The twins can obviously tell that I'm upset so they both hug me tightly.
Their mom, Hallyn comes up to stand next to Quinn. I look at her hesitantly. I don't know how she's going to feel about her kids hanging off a stranger like I'm a monkey. She comes over and places a kiss against my forehead, hand rubbing soothing across the hair on my head.
"Jack has told me so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally put a person to all the stories."
"T-Thank you."
"Don't thank me, you've been apart of this family for loner than I have. I don't have any right to feel anything other than love. I know it was you who taught my Quinn to be a good dad, he adopted the kindness that I can tell radiates from you."
Her words hit me straight in the heart. She is perfect for Quinn and exactly the person I wanted him to grow old with. Last but not least, Luke's wife comes over. After the twins let me go she's throws me into a hug.
Lainey speaks softly in my ear so only I can hear. "Luke talks about his sister all the time. You being here means more than he could possibly express. I can't wait to get to know you."
"Same here. Thank you, Lainey. Truly."
"Don't cry honey. There's too much love in this room for you to be crying."
I'm completely speechless as I finally step away from everyone. They are all looking at me with so much love and affection it blows me away. Jack slips his hand into mine and presses a kiss to my forehead.
I turn to look up at him and see the tears staining his cheeks. Brushing some away with my thumb I gave him my best smile.
Jack nods in understanding before tugging me into another hug. He rocks me back and forth as I take a few moments to gather myself.
"I love you." He whispers and my heart nearly explodes as it hits its capacity. I'm brimming with love and threatening to spill over. This went better than I expected. Every broken piece has been put back together.
I don't know what to say or do but at least I know that everything's going to be okay.
