Fighting Liliana

Chapter Twenty-Seven

It's been a year since Parker died, and I am fully moved into my childhood  house. Parker Jr. is two months and I love him so much. He has his dad's blue eyes and my curly hair. I was so scared about having to raise my baby on my own, but all of my friends have been a major help.

My brother and Scott moved back to Clearwater Rapids, so they could help me take care of him. Vinny is PJ's godfather and has been by my side since the day he was born. Cierra moved in with me, and Gigi and Nate are living together, but have also been here as much as possible.

I told myself I'd never be able to put up with losing someone else close to me after my parents, but I've done pretty well. I sleep in Parker's clothes every single night, PJ sleeps in my room and is always staring at the picture I have of Parker and me on the wall. I still have the promise ring that Parker gave me and I haven't been able to take it off yet.

I watch the video of Parker and I dancing every single day. I know someday I'll probably have to move on, but I don't think I can. "Hey, Lil. Hey, little pretty boy.", Vin says walking into my bedroom. "Really, Vin?", I roll my eyes. "What? His dad was pretty boy, so he has to be little pretty boy.", he laughs picking PJ up. "He looks so much like you and Parker that it's kind of creepy.",  Vin laughs. "I know, it's crazy.", I smile.

I hear the doorbell ring and I go to answer the door. "Liliana, open up!", Charlie yells. I swing the door open and he comes in with Scott, carrying a bunch of food. "What is all this for?", I ask laughing. "It's so we can all stress eat. Today is a tough day, and we should all be together. I know how much you and Parker loved Five Guys, so we got a bunch of food from there, so we could stuff our faces and talk about all of the good times we had with Parker.", he says.

"Thanks big brother, I forgot to eat breakfast, so it's cool that you brought some food.", I laugh. "You need to start eating, Lil.", Scott says. "I know, I just always forget. I always feed PJ and then I start getting in my head about different ways that I could've prevented Parker from dying.", I say sadly. "Lil, there was nothing you could do.", Vin tells me. "I should have never started fighting.", I say truthfully.

"Yes you should have. You fell in love with Parker because of you fighting.", Cierra says walking out of her room. "I know, but I could've-", I start.

"Lil, stop! There is absolutely nothing you could have done to change what happened to Parker. He wouldn't want you beating yourself up like this. You were the greatest thing to ever happen to him. You had his child and he would want you to move on with your life, and take care of him. Lil, I am so sorry you've been through so much, but you're so strong. You've lost your parents, you were raped, you lost your boyfriend, and you're still here! You are the strongest woman I know, Liliana. I'm so thankful that you're my best friend. You're an inspiration to every single person you come across. You've had a huge impact on my life, Lil. I didn't have anyone before I met you. I would always push people away. Now I have you, Charlie, Scott, Gigi, Cierra, and Nate. You've changed my life so much. Please don't give up and start letting your life waste away. We're all going to be here for you when you have rough days, but you can't give up.", Vinny says smiling softly at me.

"Thank you, Vin. I love you!", I tell him and give him a hug. "I love you, tomboy!", he hugs me back. "Y'all are making me cry over here.", Gigi says standing in my doorway with Nate. "Group hug", Nate yells. Me and Vin laugh and then open our arms for everyone else. "Come on, PJ. We're missing a group hug!", Charlie yells and runs over with PJ in his arms. I laugh and take PJ from Charlie. "Hi baby, your dad would've loved you.", I say kissing him on his head.

"You're such a good mom, Liliana.", Gigi says watching me. "You're such a milf too.", Cierra adds. "Thank you, my ultimate life goal.", I laugh sarcastically. I go put PJ in his crib, and then I walk back into the kitchen with my friends. "Here, Lil.", Gigi says handing me a glass of champagne so we can toast to Parker. "Gigi, I breastfeed. Give me a glass of sparkling grape juice.", I laugh.

"Liliana, you're such a mom now. Oh my goodness.", Charlie laughs. "I know, it's so weird.", I tell him. "Let's take turns and say our favorite memories we have of Parker.", Nate says. "Good idea, I'll go first.", Charlie says. "When I first met Parker, he tried to shake my hand, and I went in for a hug. He was so caught off guard.", he laughs.

"When I first met Parker, I would always call him Rocky because he always had damn boxing gloves on.", Gigi laughs. "That's what boxers normally have on, Lil.", Cierra laughs. "I asked Parker why he wasn't a girl because I needed a girlfriend.", Cierra says causing all of us to burst out in laughter. "You asked him that?", I ask her laughing. "Yeah, I was really horny and drunk or something.", she laughs.

"My favorite memory of Parker is when me and him would have pizza eating contest. That kid ate two full boxes in like 30 minutes. It was insane.", Nate laughs. "My favorite thing about Parker is how he always knew when Liliana was about to go off or something. When that guy hit me in the face and I told Liliana, Parker knew that she was going to do something.", Scott laughs.

"Oh my gosh, that was when I got arrested.", I laugh. "My favorite thing about Parker when I saw how happy he made Liliana. I'm thankful she had such a great person to be her first love.", Vinny says sincerely. "That was sweet, Vin.", I tell him. "Lil, you're up.", Nate says.

"Oh, boy. I could go on forever. My favorite memory I have of Parker is the last one I had with him. It's almost like we knew something wasn't right. We gave each other thing look of comfort, and that's when he told you guys to always take care of me. I'll always remember that moment. I loved him and I'll always love him.", I cry. "Love you, Lil.", they all say and hug me.

"I love you, guys. You're the best.", I tell them. I'm so thankful that I met Parker. I made two new great friends in Nate and Vinny because of him. I'm a stronger girl and I found something that I love to do. Parker has a huge place in my heart and I don't think anyone else will ever be able to take his place. This isn't the end of me fighting. It's only the beginning.