~J A C K S O N~

I SMILE AT MY NEW GROUP OF FAMILY. They decided they wanted to attend the orphanage with Lily, me and my mom. They vacated their schedules for today to continue the well-loved tradition my dad has created.

Little Rock Orphan Home is a place my dad respected so much. He passed that respect unto me and now, I respect this place so much more and the kids who are here.

We all roam into the building and immediately, arms wrap around my shoulders. I look at the person who lunged at me and I grin, hugging her back. It's been forever.

"It's good to see you too, Brit." I mumble, whirling around and facing her to my group of friends. My family.

She points to Austin in the back who grins at her. She smiles like she just saw a kitten smooch a dog. Austin shortly makes his way over to her, "Brit!"

He wraps his arms around her waist and whirls her around. She giggles, slapping his arms off her. "Stop, you're going to kill the baby!"

My mouth stands agape, Austin's as well, as we stare at her in shock. After probably years of trying? "You're pregnant!"

She nods, "almost a month!"

"Who's the unlucky man?" Austin inquires, holding back his laughter as Brit restrains her eyes at him. "I'm just kidding, he must be the luckiest man alive."

This time, I burst out laughing, "what's so funny?"

I look at Brit and shake my head, "o-oh, nothing. Actually, what Austin said has got to be the heftiest lie ever. I think I'm the luckiest guy alive!"

My eyes meets Lily's hazel one's which are swiveling with confusion and uneasiness. I nod my head to the side, indicating she comes over to me. When she gets to my side, I wrap my arms around her shoulders, proud to show her off.

"Meet Lily, my girlfriend."

Brittany looks like she saw a ghost as she starts squealing, "the Lily from high school?"

I always told Brittany about Lily, the girl who never discontinued to displease me. Lily was almost all I spoke about back in high school and Brittany was the one I trusted most, well, my dad as well, but mostly female figures. Brittany is possibly four or five years older than I am.

"The Lily from high school." I confirm.

"Oh my God, it's so delightful to meet you. After so many years of Jack's continual addictive crushing on you, I finally get to meet the face behind the name."

Lily giggles, "it's nice to meet you too and yes, I mean, I think I worked out what was missing from my life before."

"This place is getting too cheesy!" Brit hoaxes and we all burst out laughing.

She finally meets Alex, Zeke, Rose, Mia, Zach and she gives my mom and Linda hugs. She hadn't seen my mom since she shifted schools. So, it's good that they are getting along. Linda, I think she sees Linda a lot.

"Theodore!" Brit frolics, smooching his cheek and he immediately wipes it off, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Brit has to stoop to hug Theodore. He is not short, but he is also not tall for his age. "It's good to see you. It's been too long!"

"It really has. I have been busy with school and helping mom in the house." He announces, smiling at my mom. She smiles proudly as well.

Alex, Lily, Brit and Mia start conversations as she leads us to the room of devoted enduring youngsters. My mind starts swirling again, back to how my dad would read the books to the minors so enthusiastically that it would be more of stand-up comedy.

My mom hooks her arm with mine and smiles up at me, "I'm glad to see you so optimistic, sweetie."

I steer everyone to proceed with walking as I haul my mom to a quiet area. "And you mom, are you happy?"

"I am happy if you are happy, Jack."

My heart swells and I shake my head no, "no mom, I want you to be happy on your own treaty. I want you to live your life before something unfortunate happens, mom, please."

It's always been about me or Theo when it comes to my mom. She never really opens up to me and when she does, I want it to be a momentous day. My mom had been somewhat of a closed off woman since my dad left us but she always kept her head held high, chin up and a luminous futuristic smile on her features.

My mom chuckles, "you always worried about me when you were younger. When I brought you a glass of juice, you would ask me if I had a glass and when I said no, you would give me off yours to me. You were such a ripe boy!"

"I'm sorry I'm no longer a "ripe boy". I was having trouble getting along without dad even though it's been close to two years, but Lily is helping me cope with the loss. I never released that I am not helping you or Theodore cope with our loss and I intend to make amends to our relationship and my relationship with Theo."

"Oh Jack!" My mom coos and I catch a superficial reaction of her about to cry.

"Don't cry."

I try to alleviate her and I enfold her in a warm hug. I feel like a hefty weight have been raised aloft from my shoulders. Like talking to my mom brightened up my mood more than I foresaw it would. My mom starts caressing my back and I place a small kiss on her head. My mom plops a kiss on my cheeks then she pulls away before she squeezes my shoulder.

"Let's go, the others are waiting."

I nod, taking in a huge breath before letting it out through my nose. So much is changing and after I felt like my life couldn't get anymore boring and messed up, Cupid made it's manifestation. Cupid did what it was supposed to and look where it got me. Lily changed my life so much more than she thinks she did. I feel alive and I can finally start writing in the journal my dad gave me before he passed.

My mom and I finally make it to the others and I can't help the grin that appears when the whole sea of children starts running to my mom and I. I bend down to their level and they attack me with hugs. They start passing me letters and I take them all. I see how many of the children start passing letters to my mom as well. She smiles at me, looking like she was going to cry tears of joy.

Once everyone is settled and quiet, I chuckle out aloud. "Thank you guys, for the lovely letters, it means a lot. Did you guys know that my dad is longer with us?"

Some of them nods as the others just gasp, having sad looks on their faces. "Yip, he is now in heaven where God is."

I find myself catching a little glimpse of Lily who was softly smiling at me or the kids in front of us. They are all seated on the mat, crossed legs with their hands folded in front of them as us adults are seated on the stools provided for us.

"So I am here and I am going to read a cool book I found for you guys. But first, I want to introduce you to a few people who have become important in my life." I can't help the grin that appears on my face again and when I look at Lily, she shakes her head almost shyly.

I grab hold of her hand, and urge Alex, Zeke, Mia, Zach and James to the front. James never attended these kind of things with Linda but she forced him to come with us today, as a group.

I acquaint everyone who I referred to and the children start shouting out their names, introducing themselves. When everyone is settled, I take a seat on the stool and hold up the book.

"Mr. Rabbit and the Dancing Queen."

✎✎✎

I watch as Lily jogs around the snow coated territory in the back of the orphanage. My mom, Linda and James are of assistance in the eating room where they dish up meals for the youngsters. Alex, Zeke, Theo and Rose are building snowmen with a few children.

We have just finished reading to the kids and Lily wants us to have a snowball war with them. Each of us got a chance to read a fraction of the book and even Zeke read a part to them.

The snowball fight goes on until everyone is called to the eating room. The children, as well as Zeke, Rose and Theo, bundle up in queues as Brittany guards back into the orphanage. Once everyone is settled around the many tables situated in the eating room, Brittany stands up to say something while my mom and Linda start putting the plates down in front of everyone.

I get up to help them hand out the plates of food and Lily does so as well. There are few people who work here as well who helps to hand out the plates filled with food to the kids. I hear Brit clear her throat before she speaks up loudly, "may I please have your attention?"

Everyone starts taking their seats and the children settle down their loud conversations. I take a seat next to Lily, the only space open, anyway.

"Thank you!" Brit smiles, "I just want to thank each and every one of you who came here today and welcome the rookies" –Brit laughs–"We can only hope you be of help every year like right now. Not only did you guys donate us with a huge cheque to help us in ways we never thought feasible, you guys have been making an appearance every hear before Christmas. Sadly, Mr. Gregory Stone has passed, a beloved husband, respectful father and a loving man. Let's take a moment for Mr. Stone and bow our heads in prayer."

We use the moment provided for us and silently say our prayers. The whole hall is filled with mutters. Everyone is saying a prayer. Once we are done, Brit smiles softly at the crowd.

"Mr. Stone is so obviously missed." Brit mutters, and I try not to let the pain get to me as my mom smiles at me. I search for Theo and see he is already staring at me, he a sad frown etched in his features. I just nod, smiling at him so that he doesn't lose control. He gets emotional sometimes.

Brit clears her throat after sometime of silence in the hall. "Every child is given first to their parents, yet is also a blessed gift to our community. As such, we are all parents, all aunts, all uncles of every child. Should they find themselves without their direct parents, they are prudent in the community net. They are ours, there are no orphans here. We are to upgrade the security system with the lovely cheque contributed from Jackson Stone, Kate Stone, Theodore Stone and Lynn Hendrix."

The whole hall erupts in gratitude and I gran onto Lily's hand from under the table. She looks at me, her hazel eyes filled with acknowledgment. I nod my head towards the entrance, smiling at the people who are too occupied with themselves or the children to notice that I am about to steal Lily.

Lily nods, standing to her feet and following me out the exit and to the back of this building. Lily takes a seat on the swing, but not before cleaning of the snow. I take a seat on the swing as well, my eyes never leaving the be aauty in front of me that I get to call my girlfriend.

"You're staring. . ." Lily drags, staring at the ground as she swings back and forth ever so slowly. "Why are you staring?"

I chuckle, "isn't it obvious."

Lily giggles, finally looking up and meeting my heavy gaze. "Not really, unless you think I'm glorious, which I won't doubt on."

"Yes!" I groan, "love the goddamned confidence, damnit! And I don't think you're elegant, I know you elegant."

"Your cheesy side is something new."

"My cheesy side is only for you."

Our gaze lock and I try to look away, just to see who else is probably staring but I can't. I'm captivated by her gold in brown eyes. Mine involuntarily looks down at her lips and I try do hard to look away, but Lily is something else in many ways.

"That rhymed," she mutters under her breath and I stand from the swing, stopping it from swinging and kneeling in front of her. My hand meets the delicate skin of her cheeks and when my eyes wander all over her face, I catch slight of a thin red speck on her forehead. I smile and plop a fresh kiss on there. "I got that sometime last night."

I chuckle when she shyly looks down at her fingers which are fiddling with each other. I grab her hands and clasp it in mine. "You're so gorgeous!"

She rolls her eyes, "puh-lease! If anything, I'm far from it. At least the bruises are starting to fade."

It's my turn to roll my eyes and I go all girly style on her, "puh-lease, I'd be so jealous to be as gorgeous as you are. Ugh, guys are probably rounding up just to touch a cord of your hair, unfortunately, everything belongs to a guy named Jackson."

Lily bursts out into a cycle of giggles, her eyes restricting down on nothing as she leans back, almost tumbling off of the swing if it wasn't for myself caring for Lily so abundantly. My lips meet her slim hand in the softest kiss I can muster up, and her giggles die down.

I glance up at her from under my lashes. Her eyes are set on my hand, dark and passionate. Her lips part in the slightest manner and I stand on my knees, gently grabbing her face and pressing my lips to hers.

"I love you."

☃️☃️☃️

please vote, comment and if you're enjoying this so far, share! ♥️