11 Years Later

Memories are built up of moments, moments laced and woven together in a patchwork of emotional pieces. The moments that in that specific time, clung to your heart, tethered themselves so deeply to your senses that it never intended to let go.

This is one of those moments. One that I'll never let go of.

Mia's row is standing, all navy blue caps and gowns matching, like a row of ducks ready to follow their leader. Every student appears the exact same, shoulders pulled back, tassel swaying slightly in the gentle breeze, all doused in the very same material, and yet, she stands out. A vibrant glow radiating around her like an angelic halo.

My daughter.

Mia.

There are certain moments you think about as a mother. Moments you wonder with wild curiosity. Who will they end up to be? What will they find passion in? Who will they love? Who will love them back with the embrace of the entire world?

First steps. First word. First fall. First date. First love. Graduation. Marriage. Kids.

So many wonders. So many possibilities to ponder and envision, to dream.

It's surreal watching her slowly make her way to the stage, awaiting her name to be called. They say time flies, to hold onto every moment. When you're in it, sometimes it feels like time stands still. Some days it seems as though you'll never get to that next milestone. But now? Watching my baby girl about to graduate high school puts everything in perspective.

A shield of water glosses over my eyes as I feel Tommy's hand reach for mine. His fingers laced between my own, squeezing gently as every one of those moments that have inevitably turned to memories begins to fly across my eyes. I remember her first steps. The plush carpet beneath my knees. The one Vince was so adamant had to be white despite my warnings that a toddler and white would never mesh. The small spaghetti stain on the right corner was evidence of that fact.

But the soft, thick fabric of that carpet made for the perfect place to fall. And fall she did. So many times she tried to take those two tiny steps forward, determined and stubborn to get it right no matter how much her legs tried to tell her she wasn't ready. She wasn't having it. She had already made up her mind that day was the day. And it was. With focus in her eye and a goal in mind, she took those two wobbly steps, tumbling into my waiting arms, a tiny laugh expelling from her lips. A laugh that's still etched across my eardrums, playing a melodic song that I'll never let go of.

She steps up onto the stage, only four names away before she's officially a high school graduate, her steps so much more sturdy, still just as determined. And that stubbornness to never give up, to set a goal and see it through? She hasn't lost that either. She's perfected it.

"Mia Marie Hill."

I'm suddenly on my feet, Tommy's hand pulled from mine as we both begin clapping, yells surrounding both sides of me as Brooke and Lucas scream along with us, cheering their big sister on. Tommy's whistles fill the entire field, echoing across the surrounding hills as Mia turns toward us, a shy smile across her face with the smallest shake of her head.

"That's our girl," Tommy smiles beside me.

The tears brimming my eyes threaten to spill over as Brooke clings to my side. She's always looked up to Mia, admired her accomplishments, her drive, even though they're complete opposites. Where Mia holds herself to a certain expectation of perfection, Brooke puts creativity and spontaneity above a predetermined road. But that's not to say she doesn't have goals, too. Aspirations she wishes to follow. Just like her big sister. She just doesn't have a clearly marked road map of how to get there, not like the one Mia laid out for herself ten years ago. The one she's still following to fidelity.

"Feels like just yesterday I was teaching her how to swing a bat, watching that giant smile when she got her first base hit," Tommy's words come out quieter this time, settling between the two of us as a reminder that memories never seem to fade.

While I cling to those early years, the years of firsts, it appears Tommy is doing the same. Another memory flashes in front of me. Her first date I helped her get ready for, the very one Tommy made sure to make a home visit while on shift 'just to say hi' when the poor kid showed up to take her out. Nothing like a cop in full uniform there to greet you and remind you of curfew, and not so subtly mention the fact that he was working the same beat of the movie theater they happened to be going to. I rolled my eyes then, covering the pride I felt in that moment. The feeling of love and protection that he has for Mia.

And teaching her to drive a car? All Tommy. Something he did with his own sense of pride. And it wasn't just the basics. He made sure she knew how to drive a stick, too, stating that it's important to be ready for all situations and unexpected turns in life. Mia carries a bit of that always be prepared belief, one that's guided her through multiple struggles and twists and turns that life likes to throw at us all. But she's learned to balance it all, to proceed with caution and follow her dreams while keeping a piece of the fun alive.

A prime example would be the first time she decided to howl it out. She still has no clue that Tommy caught her and a group of friends up on that bridge. It was shortly after she broke it off with a boy she only went on a few dates with. It was a full moon and by the look in her eye when she said she needed air, I knew exactly where she was going. I knew because I've had that look before, and I was far too proud to see her marching from the house with that same set of determination she always has.

When I received a text from Tommy later, him explaining he was happy he was the one to get the call, and proud to see her up on that bridge, letting everything go, I couldn't seem to wipe the smile from my face. How the world likes to come full circle.

And now we're here, cheering her on as she accepts her diploma, ready for the next phase in her life, one that is about to pull her away from us.

As though my very thoughts are dripping onto this field, Tommy's arm slides around my waist, pulling me in against him as his lips find my ear. "It won't be the same without her around the house each day. Always up first thing in the morning, late nights in the kitchen when she can't sleep, or family game nights."

That tear I've been holding in, desperately fighting, trickles down my cheek. The slight breeze making it feel cold against my heated skin. "It won't be the same," I agree, shaking my head as he places a soft kiss below my ear.

"Not the same," he repeats.

"She's going to accomplish everything she ever dreamed of," I let out on a wave of pride, acknowledging her strength.

"She is," he nods against me. "And more than she ever realized."

"It won't come without failure, though," I whisper, turning to face him, holding the deep blue abyss that peers back at me. "Do you think she's ready for that? For her plan to not go as perfectly as she envisioned?"

His hand raises to my cheek, swiping away the stray tears that escaped. "It's Mia," he smiles. "She's too stubborn and strong willed to let a bend in the road stop her from reaching her dreams. And she's got us. No matter how far she travels, she'll always have us."

"She's got us too. Whether she likes it or not," Brooke speaks up beside me, edging her way between us.

"Yep," Lucas adds from beside her. "Stuck like glue. She couldn't ditch us if she tried."

The laugh that tumbles from my lips is mirrored by Tommy as he reaches out an arm, wrapping our son beneath it. "Stuck like glue, huh?"

"Yeah. The really sticky kind. You know, the one that you can't rip apart," he peers up at his dad. Lucas is an eerie copy of Tommy. A true mini me. Same deep blues, same jokes that you try so desperately not to laugh at, but try as you might, there's no fighting it.

"You make it sound like she's trapped, you dufus," Brooke rolls her eyes, giving her younger brother a slight shove.

"I mean, she kind of is. She's family. You don't really get a choice."

My eyes inevitably fall to Tommy's, the magnetic pull of his gaze capturing my attention. Because the thing is, family isn't an obligation. In all actuality, it is a choice. You choose to love your family, to accept their faults and to trust they'll always have your back. It's not decided by bloodline, but by something much deeper. Sometimes you choose wrong. Sometimes life leads you down a path that you were meant to learn from but not settle for.

And sometimes... sometimes when you least expect it, it guides you to a coffee shop, where your whole life is truly meant to begin.

~~~

That's a wrap on all things Walk With Me! Though it's bittersweet to officially be saying goodbye to these two, when one book closes another opens. It's Mia's turn to take the stage and we can't wait to start sharing her and Grayson's story with you on June 7th!

Just in case you didn't know, Grayson is actually a character from jerimariee story, All In. Just like Mia in Walk With Me, All In is the story of Grayson's parents. It's a heartfelt, emotional, and potentially triggering story about the journey into pregnancy and has characters you'll meet in Playing the Game. So, if you're looking for something to binge this weekend before updates start, go check that story out!

Thank you all for your support on our first adventure into a collaborative story. This is just the beginning💕