We Are A Family

Chapter 16

The first month for Lily and Alex was a breeze, the two made several friends and out of Lily's friends; Tristan and Serenity were the ones who stayed.
It was going to be the kids first Halloween, and Lily was going as a bunny, Bandit was going as a pirate; Beth was going to be a butterfly, and Alex was going as a skeleton. Their outfits were very adorable to say the least, Mark kept taking pictures of the kids then began to coo over Beth and Alex.
Lily kept messing with her tail and ears, then would whine that she was ready for us to go trick or treating.
During our little adventure of trick or treating, Lily ended up meeting with Serenity who was dressed as an angel; Lily and Serenity kept telling each other they liked their outfits.
I think we were an hour in and that was when Bandit began to cry and Beth kept asking to go home, which only caused Alex to yell at his little sister and Lily to throw a fit when Mark suggested we get in the truck.
It was to be expected though, they were children; I couldn't help but imagine how they will be when they are older and going trick or treating.

After five long years, it felt like the time had just flew on by; through out the five years; I think every other weekend. We made a trip down to Texas for the kids to visit their granddad, and the other relatives. Lily was ten now, and Bandit was six; the thought at how fast my kids were growing. Terrified me, and five years ago. My best friend and my husbands best friend got married, that's right. Shay and Ashley were officially married, and they had a baby four years later. Lane Purdy, a brat not to mention.

Today was the day CC and the guys were going on tour for the summer, Lily kept crying not wanting her dad to leave and Bandit kept trying to cheer his sister up. I stood in mine and CC's bedroom watching as he packed, I ran a hand through my hair looking at him.
"Instead of a month, it's going to be two month's.." I murmured.
CC shut the suitcase as he looked at me, he smiled softly. Walking up to me, his thumb caressed my cheek as his hand ran through the side of my hair.
"I'll be home before you know it." He told me, pressing his lips to mine as I frowned softly.
"The kids are going to miss you." I told him.
CC sighed looking at me. "Want me to quit the band?" He asked.
I glared softly. "No, CC; I'm just saying.. we're going to miss you." I said rubbing my upper arm.
CC brought me into a comforting hug.
"You know I will miss you guys too.. Especially my kids." He said.
I nodded looking at him with a teary smile.
"Two months is a lot longer then you think Christian." I said smiling.
Christian shook his head with a soft smile.
"It won't be long at all, as long as I see you and the kids each night through Skype." He told me.
I laughed softly nodding. "We'll be sure enough to talk to you each night." I said.

When CC walked down the steps, Lily tackled him into a teary hug.
"Don't leave." She cried.
CC sat his bags down before kneeling in front of her, his thumbs brushed under her eyes.
"I won't be gone that long, just two months. Listen... I have a mission for you, think you can handle it for me?" He asked her.
Lily tilted her head but nodded.
CC smiled softly. "Are you sure? I need my big girl to protect her mom and little brother while her dad is away, do you think you are brave enough for that kind of mission?" He asked.
Lily let tears slip but nodded looking at her dad.
CC brought her into a warm hug. "That's my girl, I'll be home before you even know it." He told her.
Lily forced a smile.
"Okay daddy.." She said.

We stood at the front door watching as the guys threw their bags into the bus, CC turned to face us; I smiled softly watching him blow a kiss in our direction. I gently grasped Lily's shoulders then looked to Bandit who had his thumb in his mouth.
I took a deep breath watching them climb into the bus, then watched as Jon closed the doors then drove away.
"I LOVE YOU HALEY COMA!!" I could hear CC yell out one of the windows, I ran out into the yard trying to fight back the tears begging to come.
"I LOVE YOU MORE CHRISTIAN COMA!" I yelled back.
I smiled softly hearing him cheer with happiness.
I stood there, as tears fell.
"Come home soon.." I murmured before reentering the house.

I watched as Lily walked up the stairs, followed by Bandit asking if she wanted to draw. I glanced to Shay who was reading to Lane, the small boy was trying his hardest to remain awake. I smiled softly, it made me think about when me and CC would read to Lily and Bandit; and how Bandit would pull on his dad's hair.
I ran a hand through my hair, Kayla and the kids were expected to come over later; only because Mark was going out with Jack and a few guys.
I took a seat on the couch with a frown, bringing my knees to my chest; I looked to the t.v. with a frown.
"We're going to make it." I heard Shay say, I glanced to her with a soft smile; she was already looking my way with a confident smile.
"Two month's, we're strong independent women. Moms even, we don't need to worry about our husbands, because then our kids will worry. We will be fine." She told me.
I smiled with a nod.

I held onto those words, I was fine a month; talking to CC through Skype, having the kids excited. When another month flew by, I began to worry. Day by day, I hadn't heard anything from CC; or from the other guys. I remember Ashley texting Shay telling her they would be home in a couple of days, how I hated that day.
The day they returned, the day it rained; the day..

CC did not return with them.