Hallie

He held me in his arms for what felt like forever. And for the first time, I felt a father's love. In his embrace I felt everything. It's not something I can put into words, but whatever it is I'm feeling right now, it fills me with overflowing joy.

When he finally pulled back, he had tears rolling down his face.

"I never knew. If I had..." he trailed off, emotions choking him.

I placed my hand on top of his as he continued to hold my face and said, "I..."

What do I even say?

"All the wasted years where I could have been taking care of you and raising you as my daughter. I'm sorry," he whispered, pain and regret evident in his voice.

Regret he shouldn't have because it wasn't his fault.

"You didn't know," I replied.

He nodded. "And now I do. I promise you, I will make it up to you. We'll start over. I'm not wasting another second," he said as he cupped my face.

I smiled through my tears. "I'd like that."

"There is so much that we need to catch up on," he sighed. "I just... I just wish I can go back in time and..." he shook his head. "I don't even know what I could have done differently to avoid this from happening."

"I'm just happy that I've finally met you. I dreamed of this moment a million times and every single scenario doesn't compare to how happy I am."

He smiled at me. "I have always wanted children and at this point I didn't think t would ever happen, but here you are. I couldn't be happier."

He wrapped me in his arms once again.

"There's so much I want know," he said, once he pulled back.

I bit my lip nervously. "There's so much you need to know. I don't know where to begin and how to explain it to you."

"Why don't you start with them?" He nodded toward Ty who was snuggled on Nate's side and Michy who he had in his arms.

I smiled. I held out my hand for Ty and he immediately rushed to my side as he clung to my legs. I rubbed his back with my hand. "This sweet boy is Ty," I smiled.

Nate walked over with Michy," and this angel is Michy," I said as she leaned towards me, wanting me to take her. She buried her face in my neck as soon as I did.

"Grandkids. I can't believe it," my dad boasted.

Dad. It feels weird saying it.

"A daughter and two beautiful grandchildren," he smiled.

"It's okay, seeetheart. It's grandpa," said softly. "He's mommy's daddy," I said.

"Dada," she repeated.

"That's right."

"Me want Dada," she said.

I tried my best to ignore the pain that washes over me at the thought of Damien, because I have no doubt that Michy was talking about Damien.

"Ty, can you say hi to grandpa?"

"Hi," he said shyly.

My dad smiled. He bent down so that he was at his level. "I bet you like cookies," my dad said.

Ty's eyes rounded and sparkles with interest.

I chuckled. "Oh, he loves cookies alright. He's a Cookie Monster."

"Well you're in luck, because I happen to love cookies as well, and Felicia makes best cookies in the world. I bet if you come with me, we can find some secret stash in the kitchen," he winked.

Ty smiled and nodded.

"How 'bout you beautiful?" He asked Michy. "Do you like cookies too?"

Michy nodded her head against me.

"Well then, come with me and we'll find those cookies."

We followed my dad to the kitchen.

He found the cookies and Felicia, who greeted us earlier, placed a glass of milk in front Ty, while Michy got a sippy cup, which surprised me.

My dad smiled. "Damien gave me a heads up so I wanted to make we had everything you will need for the little ones."

"Dada," Michy said the same time, I asked, "Damien?" in surprise.

My dad nodded. "He called me to make sure that I was prepared for when you and my grandkids arrived."

"Dada," Michy said again.

"No, sweetheart," I said softly in which she frowned.

"I didn't know you two," my father trailed off.

"We're not," I said quickly. "He was kind enough to help us and the kids have grown fond of him. It's not like that between us."

My dad looked like he wanted to ask more, but thankfully he didn't. Because honestly, I don't know if I have any answers to give him.

Felicia kept Ty and Michy entertained and offered to watch the two so my dad and I could talk.

I was hesitant at first, but Ty and Michy seemed to be comfortable with Felicia and she really was sweet, so I nodded and followed my dad to his study.

"From what I've sense with my conversation with you and your team that the situation is far more serious that I could ever imagine," he began, to which Nate nodded in agreement.

"If you and Hallie are okay then we have come up with a plan to eliminate the threat and keep Hallie and her children safe."

"I want to know everything and I want to know how I can help. I'm not letting anyone harm my daughter and my grandkids."

"He's far too dangerous. He's powerful. He's got a lot of money and dirty cops and god knows who else I'm his payroll," I said. "Marcus Barnes won't stop until he gets what he wants. And he wants me, Ty and a Michy. He wants me so he can kill me for me betraying him. For escaping with Ty and Michy. He's not one to forgive or forget."

"My teams is well trained for dangerous situations such as the one you're in. I don't know how much you know about our family, but we've been through hell and back more than I can count. We never quit and we never lose," Nate said confidently. "Marcus Barnes doesn't stands a chance against us. He won't be able to harm you as long as you cooperate."

"I will do anything you ask me to do. I'll follow any rules you want me to follow. But I need your word in return," I said.

He waited for me to tell what it is I want in return.

"I want you to promise that if things get too dangerous, you will take Ty and Michy and keep them safe. New life, new identities. Whatever it takes. They are the priority. Not me. My kids, Nate. I don't care what happens to me, if it comes to you don't choose between me or them. There is no choice to make. Ty and Michy are it," I said sternly, leaving no room for argument.

"It won't come to that," he started to say but I shook my head.

"I want your word, Nate."

He nodded. "You have it."

"I've only just found you," my dad said as he took my hand. "There is no way I'm losing you."

"Then we better make sure our plan is going to work."

Damien

Two weeks. Two damn weeks. Two weeks since I let Hallie go. Two long weeks of missing her... missing Ty and Michy.

They're doing great though. Nate has been keeping me updated. Her father is a good man. Treating all of them well. Showering them all with love. A father's and grandfather's love. A kind of love they've never felt before. That's about the only thing that's keeping me sane. Knowing that they're happy and are in good hands.

"You Okay?" My dad asked as he handed me a glass of scotch.

I took and downed it in one gulp.

"Thanks," I said.

He clapped my shoulder and squeezed it affectionately.

"It's tough isn't it?"

I looked at him.

"Tough falling in love," he said.

"Why did I have to go and fall in love with a woman who..." I trailed off.

"Anything that comes easy isn't worth having," my dad said, making me frown. "It doesn't fill your life completely. It's fleeting.  It's like eating a good meal. It satisfies you in the moment, but then after awhile you move on. Find something else."

I chuckled. "Dad, seriously. What are you trying to tell me?"

He laughed. "Hell, I'm not good at this. Your mom, she... she's the one who's good at this stuff, so bare with me okay?"

I chuckled.

"Look, all I'm saying is, love is hard work. There are a lot of things that will happen and will challenge the love that you feel. When you feel like giving up or surrendering then all you have to do is ask yourself, if you can live the rest of your life without her. If the answer is yes, then it's not love. Not the kind that stands the test time and grows stronger and deeper with time. Not the all-encompassing kind. But if the answer is no, then you hold onto her. You hold on tight and you never let go, no matter how hard she tries to push you away."

"But what if she doesn't love you back?"

"You don't give up. Not until she's found someone who she loves and loves her back. Then you let her go and let her be happy," he said. "It's gonna hurt. I can't even imagine how much. Just thinking about your mom not loving me..." he trailed off and visibly shuddered. "I don't even want to think about it. She's my whole life. But if the day comes and she asks me to let her go, I have no doubt that it will destroy me, but I know that I will. If it's what she really wanted and what would make your mother happy, the. I would. I'd let her go," he said and I was surprised at the tears that shone in his eyes.

"Dad... that will never happen. Mom adores you. You two love each other so deeply. It's not even a possibility."

He nodded. "It came close. Once," he said.

I frowned. "What are you talking about dad? I've never even heard or seen you guys fight?"

"I was an arrogant fool and an egotistical jerk," he said. "We never really talk about it, but you guys knew I was married to someone else before your mom."

"Yeah. Lia's biological mom," I said. It's so weird because you'd never guess and we've never talked about it. Mom loves us all equally and dearly.

"Yeah. I had a lot of guilt in the beginning. I didn't want to admit or acknowledge how I felt about your mom because I saw it as a betrayal of my first wife and because of that, I almost lost your mom. The woman I love the most."

"What happened?"

"I finally pulled my head out of my ass," he said.

I chuckled.

"And, your ninja may have had something to do with it."

I laughed. "Why am I not surprised."

"She made me realize that loving Arabella doesn't make what I felt for Cassandra any less. I loved her and I always will, but she was gone. What I felt for her was a young man's love. What I felt for your mother... it doesn't compare. I felt so guilty for loving her more than I loved Cassandra."

"Do you still feel guilty?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No. I'm thankful. I learned how to love because of Cassandra. And because of that, I have your mom. And your mom... she taught me how to love unconditionally and selflessly."

"How did you win her back?"

"She never left. She stayed despite of all the pain I've caused her. I was so scared and I was going to come home and find her gone, but I was wrong. Her love for me is far greater than the pain I've caused. She said thinking of not having Lia and I is far worse."

"You've since made up for it," I pointed out.

"Not nearly enough. I'll never stop giving your mother the world, because I'm god damn lucky to have her. Everyday I wake and I look at her and I think to myself, how did I get so god damn lucky. She can have any man in the world and she chose to love me."

I smiled.

"If there's one thing I've learned, no matter how much it may hurt now, it's all worth it in the end."

I nodded.

"Give her some time. I've seen the two of you together and I could tell she cares about you."

"It's all I can do."

"She'll meet you halfway when she's ready," he said.

"Thanks, dad," I said.

"I love you, son."

"I love you too."

I watched as my dad walked back to my mom.

My mom looked towards him and her face lit up. She smiled, stood up, and met him half way.

I smiled.

My darn swords echoed in my head. "She'll meet you halfway when she's ready."

I hope so.