Wesley

Gunner

the moment you've been waiting for!! you've been begging for 3 months now and i'm finally delivering you a GUNNER POVVVV!

Gunner Archer

My beautiful little girl...

My eyes shed tears as I watch her give her vows to her best friends.

I love her.

I love her so much and I hate I couldn't be the one walking her down the aisle. I hate I couldn't be there for her all these years.

I hate myself for the shit I did.

But I bought this upon myself.

Lily has a boyfriend and my girl is getting married in front of me.

It hurts.

Minutes of watching, it's about to finish up so I leave before they can notice me.

Fucking coward.

**

I take the cigarette away from my lips, throwing it in the ash tray that this mall provides.

"Yeah... I'll be home in a bit. I love you!"

I hear a familiar voice that instantly breaks my heart.

Hesitantly, I look up to see Lily.

"Lily" I clench my fists.

She looks up at me, eyes widened. "Gun..."

"Been awhile" I fake a smile.

"Yeah..." she trails off.

I stand tall. "So how's Aaliyah?"

"Really happy. She's pregnant with a little girl-"

"Already? Wow" I frown. "Nobody told me"

She sighs and looks up at me. "Do you blame us?"

"No. I don't. Are you happy, Lily?" I refuse to look at her.

She says silent for a few seconds, concerning me.

"I'm working on it-"

"What's wrong?"

"Gunne-"

"So you're not happy-"

"Gunner!"

I frown, taking her hands. "Lily... what's wrong?"

"I don't have to tell you" she lies straight through those tired eyes.

I stop myself from trying to hug her.

"But you want to..." I trail off. "I'm right here, Lily"

She looks up at me with broken eyes. "All Tanner and I do is argue every single minute. I'm not in love with him anymore, instead he makes me so frustrated and stressed. I haven't told anyone because I don't want them to stress-"

"I'm sorry" I cut her off and she frowns. "If you're not happy with him, leave him"

"I'm planning on it" she replies.

"I miss you" I blurt out. "I miss every single inch of you. You have made me so fucking happy and thus divorce has taken a huge toll out of my life. I miss my best friend. My little girl. What I did was so fucked up and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I haven't touched any girl since the divorce. I don't want to. I'm so in love with you, Lily"

She tries to form words. "I-I don't know what to say"

"And that's okay! Okay? That's totally okay. I just want you to know that I'm so sorry and I hate myself over it. I'm so sorry for lashing out at you and Aaliyah that day. I truly want you both happy. I was just so drunk that day and will never forgive myself for everything I've done to you both" I add.

"I appreciate you saying that and admitting your mistakes. I don't think past Gunner would've" she replies.

I go to speak, but-

"And you are a reject"

"You're so annoying"

"You're annoyinger"

"That's not even a word!"

"B-" Aaliyah looks at me.

"Oh fuck no-"

"Wesley" Lily stops him. "Stop"

"Congrats on your baby, you two" I frown.

"Thanks..." Aaliyah and Wesley look at each other in confusion.

"I was talking to your mom... I wanted to tell you too. Aaliyah, I'm so fucking sorry for everything. I love you. I love you so much. I just want you two back in my life again... even if it's just once a month. It's killing me not being there" I admit.

"I've matured... well, a bit, but I'm ready to act like an adult now and figure this out. If it's okay with mom" Aaliyah frowns as Wes rubs her back.

"I'm willing to as well" Lily says. "But that doesn't mean we see each other everyday. Doesn't mean we'll text all the time. None of that. Just... no more drama"

"I promise" I hug my girls.

And surprisingly, they hug back.