#2 Scars Of A Warrior

Chapter 4: Awake

*Erin's pov*

[I walk out to the bridge and look out at the water. Two hours later Victoria comes over to me she says:]

"She asked me for advice on boys. It seems that Wes, Justin, and Derek are all interested in dating Lexi."

"What did she ask?"

"Well she asked me what I would do. I told her to think about who makes her laugh the hardest, who makes her smile when she wants to break down crying, who can she count on whether they're dating or not."

"What was her answer?"

"Malaya."[Erin and I both start laughing I say:]"That was the last time we talked."

"When I first found out Jay had cheated on me I was furious. I kicked him out of the house told him to go stay with Amanda and their love child. When I met Lexi she was so sweet so innocent and I just thought {I have no right to be mad at this girl she had no part in it.} I knew that September 24th was the day that blonde haired blue eyed precious girl would either be a reminder of Jay's affair or that this girl was my hurricane Katrina. She has turned my life upside down but she's my daughter."

"Why won't you consider the trial drug?"

"I faked my death almost two years ago and I joined a taskforce. I went out to California I had one condition that I had to be cancer free before I joined ; so I did a trial drug. I was tired all the time, I could barely get out of bed, my hair was falling out and it wasn't from the cancer, I spent the first three months in the damn hospital all the time. Doctor after doctor asking me if I had any family that I wanted to call. I called Lexi and she came to see me while she was playing in the national basketball championship ; I went to her game and they won. I don't think Jay ever found out. So you see Victoria ; Lexi is the reason that I am still here. Lexi and Dylan and Alexis are the reasons that I came back. I knew that I had to fight for my family and I almost died three times while I was in that damn clinical trial so to hell with it! I won't do another one. I can't because if Lexi is in a coma ; Dylan is taking care of her daughter and Alexis is chasing butterflies then who do I have to fight for?"

"Your grandchildren and your husband and your sons and you have everyone else to fight for."

"You don't see any of those people out here do you? Nobody is here for me! I'm trying to be strong for my family but I'm breaking and nobody cares!"

"I am. I'm here for you. I care."[Erin breaks down crying I hold her while she cries on my chest holding onto me. Jay touches my shoulder I turn my head and see him holding Andrew with Nathan beside him. I say:]"Looks like you've got people here for you."

[I wrap my arms around Victoria and kiss her neck she gasps ; looks at me and says:]

"I'm not ready for kids but I want to have your kids with your same charming smirk. I can't wait to have your baby Nathan Oliver Halstead."

"I'm not ready either but we can do this together. I'm scared out of my mind but I can't wait to meet our baby too. I love you too Victoria. You look so beautiful right now."

"I want you to meet my parents."

"I'm sorry what?"

"We could go to dinner and we don't have to tell them about the baby yet."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea. My mother is going to love you."

"How about tomorrow night?"

"I told Dylan that I would babysit because she has this huge exam coming up."

"Oh. Okay."

"It's amazing that we've known each other all our lives and you've never met my parents."