The Strongest Hit.

Chapter 40: What Love Is

One year later.

Hailey's POV:

"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to make it here.
It's just this feels final.
Like coming here makes it really real.
Staying away, my mind could imagine you were still alive somewhere.
And I'd give anything for that."

I gently trace the inscription on the headstone,
I will sleep in peace
Until you come to me

Taking a deep breath, I place the daisies at the base of the headstone.

"I know you wouldn't want me fussing over you with flowers, but their pretty.
They reminded me of you."

I wipe away at the tears escaping from my eyes as I sit on the soft green grass of this little plot.
It seems my Dad has been here recently.
Everything looks perfect.
"Dad really made sure your final resting place was one you deserved.
You have shade from a strong oak tree.
And the view of the Long Island Sound is breathtaking.
And it's quiet here."

I lay on my back and look up at the blue sky.
My sadness is mixed with my happiness.

"Today is a special day and I'm happy.
But I needed to see you.
To talk to you.
Dad is getting married today.
Who knew he'd ever open up his heart again?
Your probably mumbling that it's about time, knowing you.
And I brought the baby with me.
His name is Ethan...my little King.
No really his name means strong and steadfast.
Only fitting, seeing who his father and grandfather are.
He's only 2 months old and he's so strong willed.
My beautiful boy, he looks just like you."

I hear his quiet chuckle behind me, before I feel his hand rest gently on my shoulder.

"Don't believe your daughter...he looks like his Daddy, Mrs. O'Malley."

I swat Justin's hand away and stick my tongue out at him.
He just gives my a playful smirk as he lays down next to me.

"Don't call her that! She'd insist on you calling her Mom. And Ethan has her blue eyes, so I'm not lying."

Justin rolls onto his side and twirls a piece of my hair around his fingers.

"We do make pretty babies.
Maybe the next one will be a little girl with hazel eyes, who looks just like her mama."

And then I leaned in and kissed him.
Something I never took for granted.
We'd survived so much this past year.
My pretty boy had died three times on the operating table, but he refused to leave me.
His recovery was long and hard.
And my sanity was about gone.
Trying to take care of Justin and Charlie together was madness.
Both of them always bickering with each other over me.
When I found out I was pregnant with Ethan, I was locked in a bathroom...trying to escape their current argument about me seeing a therapist.
I remember just walking out of the bathroom and yelling,  "I'm pregnant and I'm sure Ms.Opal will take all the credit!"
Both of my men went silent as I bursted out into tears.
Their arguments still went on...mostly over baby names and me getting rest.
Thank God for Ms.Opal and Karen.
Those two women were my lifeline this past year.
Ms.Opal kept Justin in check and Karen handled my Dad.
They both fully recovered.
My Dad and Karen fell in love.
And Justin and I had our miracle baby.

"Justin, do you think my Mom is ok with my Dad getting remarried again?"

He nuzzled his nose against mine and nodded.

"Baby of course she is.
She loved him and would want him to be happy."

I leaned back and looked into his eyes.

"But his heart always belonged to her, and now she has to share."

Justin took a deep breath and then wrapped me into his chest.

"I know because if I hadn't survived, I'd want you to still be loved."

My arms wrapped around his back tighter.

"Pretty boy, we both know you don't share."

He leaned down and bit my ear playfully.

"That's why I survived, baby girl."

His lips began to play on my skin.

"For God's sake you two!
On your mother's grave!
The baby is fussing and we have a wedding to get to!
Save baby number two for later!"

Ms.Opal leaned down and placed our fussy blue eyed angel in between us.

"I'll give you time to introduce Ethan to your Mama, but Charlie and Karen are waiting.
Justin, come walk me to the car and give your wife some space!"

I took Ethan into my arms, knowing what was coming next.
And sure enough, Ms.Opal leaned down and pulled Justin up by his ear when he didn't listen.

"Oww! Ms.Opal I'm a grown ass man!
Stop pulling my ear!
And why can Ethan stay, but I can't?
Besides your fully capable of walking yourself to the car!"

My husband never knew when to shut up.
And I giggled as Ms.Opal pulled harder.

"Boy, you may be grown...but I will not tolerate your profanity in front of my little prince.
And your wife needs time with him and her mama.
It's time you learn to share!
Now let's go!"

I heard him mumble "yes, ma'am" under his breath as they walked away.
Ms.Opal had a way of making him behave.
Ethan was getting red in the face from having to compete with his Daddy, so I latched him onto my breast.

"Like father....like son.
All it takes is a little boob to make them calm down.
Mom, I wish you were here to see it all.
To see your daughter being a mother and a wife.
I know your watching over us.
I know your proud, Mom.
I've finally forgiven myself for your loss.
Almost losing Justin and having Ethan opened my eyes.
Life is to precious to waste on the
"what ifs" instead I'm living for the now.
I love you Mom, and I promise to come back and visit.
Maybe Dad can build a swing for Ethan here.
I want him to know this place.
To know his Grandma."

Ethan fell asleep nuzzled against me and I smiled as a cardinal landed close by and began to hop closer.
Only stopping a few feet from my babies sleeping form.
The little red bird tilted it's head and chirped softly as it came close.
"Isn't he beautiful Mom?", I whispered to the bird.
The cardinal fluttered it's wings and landed on Ethans chubby arm.
She took her time staring at him and then flew away.
"Bye,Mom."

My heart was full and finally at peace.
I was surrounded by love.
My baby in my arms and his father arguing about a bird landing on him with Ms.Opal.
I couldn't help but smile.
I guess only George and Gypsy were good enough to snuggle Justin's son.
I could hear Ms.Opal trying to explain what a red cardinal meant and Justin not caring one bit.
But we had a wedding to get to.
Charlie O'Malley would definitely pick a fight with my husband if we were late.
And I'd just sit back and laugh...
Because life is to short as it is.
Appreciate your chaos.
Don't give up.
And when your Strongest Hit comes along...
Embrace it.

A/N: Justin definitely called dibs on an epilogue chapter so it's not completely over.
But that's The Strongest Hit.
I hope you laughed and cried along with me!
Thanks for reading ❤🥰❤🥰

Song for my babies
That's what love is by Justin Bieber