Can't do it

Chapter 24 Alternative

    Hello people who read my story! I know I had listed this as completed but it just so happens I have some friends who refuse to read my book because of the ending, so I decided to add on an alternative ending to see which one you like better, enjoy! 

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Toby's POV 

      It was hard after Raiden died, I had kids to raise on my own and a heart break to deal with. I refused to date or remarry because Raiden was waiting for me, I could feel it. I knew that he would want me to move on and be happy but lets be honest, when have I ever wanted to do what he wanted. Emily and Jackson didn't want to move on from their daddy wither, but they held up and were strong for each other, plus I heard them one night talking to each other when they thought I was napping.  Jackson told his sister that they needed to be strong for me and get through school and do good in life so I wouldn't have any more stress. It was cute to be perfectly honest. 

     I kept up on my job to keep the bills paid and once Jackson was old enough he helped out, even though I told him not to. I suppose I let him so he could have some experience with it since he was suppose to be moving out in a couple of years. Two I think. I cry at all of his birthdays because he was getting so big.  Emily my precious baby too was getting so big and so beautiful. I hated seeing them grow up with out Raiden. I hated that he had to be taken away from me so many years ago. Sometimes when I think he's listening I'll tell him about the kids and how life is but I never fail to start crying and telling him that I miss him. 

     "Daddy?"  I look up from mine and Raiden's wedding photo "Yes baby?" Emily was all dressed up like she was going out "Where are you going young lady?" She blushed and looked at her clothes. They weren't revealing or anything, in fact they looked nice. "Well, my friends asked me to go on a group date with them and I said yea and then got dressed and I forgot to ask you... and I really wanna go and I need a ride...." I looked at her and looked at the time "Group date? Does that mean you have some one you're dating?" She blushed again and looked down then whispered "Not yet" I sort of smile and put the picture down, wiping away some tears, "Well I suppose I can drive you but I'd like to see who's all there and what time I need to pick you up must be known." she smiles and hugs me "Thank you daddy!" 

      In the car I let Emily pick what ever CD she wanted and it seemed she brought her own, I actually enjoy her music but it's not like I'd let her know that because if she did it wouldn't be cool to listen to music that your dad listened to . We got up to the arcade and I shut off the car to go in with Emily. Normal teenagers would be pretty embarrassed if their dad walked them in but Emily seemed more confident. We got to a small group of people 3 girls and 2 boys, including Emily it was 4 girls. "Hey Em, who's this." One of the girls greeted.... Em. "This is my dad. His name is Toby." She smiled and they all said hey except one of the boys "What's your mom's name?" I thought for sure Emily would get upset but she responded calmly "Oh, I don't have a mom. I have another dad though, but he's in heaven." The boy looked at me and the emotion I got was a mixture of horror and sympathy "It's okay Raiden is in a better place now" I smile, realizing a tear was falling down my cheek "Look what you did Aiden! You asshole!" The smallest girl smacked the boy, Aiden, upside the head "Addline that's rude! I'm sorry Em's dad" he looked at his feet. I smiled at him and laughed a little "It's okay I'm always emotional don't worry. Emily text me when you need me to pick you up or if your going to one of your friends house. I love you" I kiss her forehead and leave for home 

       I got a call around 10 saying she was going to sarah's house and that she would be home tomorrow with some news, so I went to bed without worries I had already spoken to Sarah's mother a lot because that's the friend Emily likes the most. 

     The years flew by to be honest. Emily ended up having a girlfriend and even marrying her, Jackson had gotten married and had two kids so I had grand babies which was fun. I got to tell Raiden's story to them. Aiko and Darren their names were. I loved them so much. Darren didn't care much for a little old gay man such as myself and really didn't care about my stories. He liked I had internet and fed him snacks Jackson wouldn't. Aiko on the other hand regrets she wasn't able to meet Raiden and said she would always keep him in her heart and would go with me every year to visit his grave, since it was valentines day I requested we bring all of the family to see him. 

Jackson and his wife came along with Aiko but apparently Darren had plans with his girlfriend, he was only 13 how did he even get a girlfriend. Anyway. Emily and her girlfriend made it too with their adopted child Andrew. He was too cute and not even  a year old yet. "Hello Raiden" I tear up saying that to his grave as I put flowers on it. I sat down with all my old bones yelling at me for it  "I brought the family here, Darren had a date, I'm sorry." I look down and back up at my family, Aiko was sitting next to me "Hi grandpa Raiden! I'm Aiko your granddaughter, and your only one at that-" "For now!" Emily cut in smiling "For now" Aiko continued "Darren is a buttface but that's okay I know he loves you too and wishes he could have met you." She let me take over again "Emily and her girlfriend Sarah now have a little boy, his name is Andrew." I smile at my girls. "Daddy she's my fiance now" Sarah flashed her ring at my and my tears spilled onto my cheeks. " Oh Raiden. I wish you could see us and be here. I hope you're seeing your adopted parents because they're up they're with you." I smile as a flower landed on top of my hair from the tree above us. I knew it was Raiden telling me not to cry. 

       At home I read the book Raiden had published. I had read it a thousand times before but I cried every time. I know it doesn't help me with my depression but I had to read it again and again. I knew my days were coming to an end soon. I was just too old to keep it up. I didn't know it would be valentines day after I had talked to my love. I didn't know I died, in my sleep.... I remember falling asleep and soon opening my eyes to a bright white light. I had put my and up to block the light thinking it was the sun and I was waking up the day after last night but I was wrong. Once my vision had adjusted I realized I was on what seemed to be a cloud. I looked up from my feet to see a face I hadn't seen next to me in years, I stare at his face and reach for it, realizing my hands looked like they had when I was around 20. I look back at his face, eyes swelling with tears, I put my hand on his cheeks and pull him closer "Raiden....? Is that really you?" he nods and his eyes close, his warm tears falling onto my hands "Oh Toby I've missed you!"  He wraps his arms around my waist and pulled me into a tight hug. My arms snaked around his neck and I hugged him back. He didn't pull back completely, instead he just pulled his head off my shoulder to kiss me. 

      It had been years since I felt his touch. I thought it was a dream and I never wanted it to end. He kissed me and kissed me and kissed me. I kissed back and back and back. He stopped when he noticed I was crying "Baby what's wrong?" He looked deep into my eyes and I wanted to pull him close again "I don't wanna wake up." I cried harder. Raiden pulled me into another hug "You don't have to, you're here with me forever. We can look after our family, make sure little Andrew makes it thought life and that our family stay happy. I know Aiko will be said but I'm sure the thing that will make her happy will be that you're with me. It's okay Toby, We're together again" I sniffle and kiss him again.

  "We're together again."