Justin As I sit here in this hospital waiting to hear how Brian is doing I close my eyes and let the tears fall. I feel a hand on my shoulder as I open them to see Michael next to me. Putting his arms around me and whispering his support to me. “He’s going to be okay Justin.” “I can’t believe this has happened.” I look over to see Carl standing there with a look of pure defeat on his face. “It’s not your fault Carl.” I say out loud. Thank god Carl stayed behind and came to stay with us. He nods his head as my eyes look back to Michael. “Justin, Brian wouldn’t want you crying.” I laugh at that. “Brian hates pity.” I start to say and then he joins me for the rest. “It makes his dick soft.” Placing his hand back on my shoulder he pulls me in for a hug as my mind goes back to earlier that night, before everything went out the window, literally. ^^^ As the gunfire went off I feel everything in front of me go in slow motion. Brian is now on top of me as I look up to see Carl at the door that the kids and girls just went out of not even five minutes before. As I feel Brian on top of me, I can feel his breath on my neck. “Stay down Sunshine.” He tells me as he gets off me. “Brian stay down.” Carl is shouting at him as well I am I telling Brian to please just stay with me. I look up to see Devlin, I mean Kip standing there, looking at his arm. “I think I was shot.” I look at his arm, which is now showing blood flowing down. “Put the gun down Thomas.” Carl demands. “Not until I finish what I came here to do.” He snares back. “You aren’t going to finish shit Kip.” Brian yells at him, getting up from where we were laying. “Oh yes I am.” Pointing the gun once more at Brian. Once again, gunfire can be heard from our loft. Everything goes into slow motion as I see Kip flying backyards towards the window, grabbing Brian as he falls back. “Brian.” I scream as I hear the window break and see the two of them fall out of it. Running over to see Brian hanging onto the window ledge and Kip was hanging onto Brian’s waist. “Brian.” I yell as Carl is by my side, grabbing the other arm that I am not holding onto. “Brian, hang on.” Carl tells him as we start to pull him up. “Save us.” Kip screams as I look down at him. “Let go of me you asshole.” Brian yells, “Before we both go down.” “If I go, so do you.” He yells back up. “Fuck he doesn’t. I didn’t come this far just to lose him to you.” I snare out. Carl and I pull Brian up with Kip hanging on. Putting out my hand to Kip he looks up. “I’m not a killer.” Grabbing my hand he smiles up at me. “You aren’t a killer.” Looking down I see him smile back up. “And let’s face it, you wouldn’t let me fall because of that girl there. Brianna. Who is a hot little number. She knows I am very fond of her and once I get the chance, I’ll show her just how much.” I close my eyes trying to keep myself calm. “I did the kids a favor by killing Dee and they can repay me by letting me show Brianna the true meaning of ‘love’ really is. She’s a beauty.” Smiling up at me I can’t believe this guy. “Come on Justin, let go, show her you are just like me, a killer.” I shake my head. I am at a lost when I am trying to save him, he is wanting me to let go to make my kids hate me for killing someone. “Sunshine, don’t let go of him. He deserves prison.” Brian is almost up as I look back down. “Justin, look at her. She is scared shitless. Pull me up so I can convert her. Hell you aren’t her father, why should you care?” I look down at Brianna who is looking up, in horror. Then making my decision I slowly start to let go of Kip’s hand. “I may not be a killer, but I am a very protective father. I would rather be a killer in her eyes, then have you anywhere near her.” Letting go I see him fall, hitting the ground as I see a bus come around the corner. Due to the fact that it was just Carl who came here, the police haven’t made their way here from Kips place. The road is still open to the public, the bus makes it’s way around the corner and ends up rolling over Kips body. Closing my eyes I can feel the world spinning as I feel strong arms around my body. I look once more at the body lying there with his eyes still open and a smile on his face and Brianna screaming her dads name. ^^^ I am brought back out of my thoughts as I hear that voice I love so much. “I’m okay Sunshine.” I jump and hug him tightly to my body. “I shouldn’t have let go.” I whisper. “Bullshit, I would have let go way before he said those words.” He kisses my lips. “Makes me a killer.” I cry. “No, makes you a wonderful father who would do anything to keep his kids safe.” “He’s right Justin. I would have done the same thing.” Michael tells me as he hugs me tight. “You didn’t kill him, you saved your child.” Nodding I look up as a doctor comes over. “Dee is asking for all of you.” I look to Brian who smiles. “She’s alive?” I ask. “Well not for long. She said she has a few last words. She lost too much blood and she knows she isn’t going to make it.” I look at Brian who nods. “Take us.” Brian tells her. We walk to where they have cops outside her door and Brianna runs over to me, hugging me. “Don’t hate me.” I whisper. “Never, dad.” She looks at me. “Let’s go see mom.” I know this is hard on her. ^^^ Brian “Hey.” I say as we walked in. “Brian.” She whispers out. “Justin.” We walk towards her as Brianna sits next to her mom, crying her eyes out. “Mom, please, don’t leave.” She blurts out, leaning over to put her head on her mom. “Baby, I don’t want to leave you. But I have to. I know you will be okay with your fathers.” “We will look out for her.” I tell her now crying as well. I can see Justin’s tears start to fall. “Brian, favor. I know you will look out for her. Please don’t let her forget me.” “I know she will never forget you.” “I know, but still. You remember when we were younger? How we used to say we would be together until the end? Well you always keep your promises.” I lean over to kiss her cheek. “Always Dee.” I put my hand on Brianna’s. “I will always love you.” She whispers as I nod my head. “I’ll always love you Dee.” I kiss her once again. “Justin. Come here.” She whispers out. “Yea, Dee.” I see him wipe a tear. “Take Brian’s hand.” he does as she asks. “I’m so sorry for causing any pain within you two. You belong together. Look out for each other.” I wipe my face. “I promise to always love him and look out for him.” She nods her head. “I know you will.” He tries to move away but I won’t let him go as Brianna leans over, kissing her mom. “Justin.” She looks at him. “They will know you loved them and will know all about you, minus the bad.” Smiling at him she shakes her head. “I want them to know all about me and I wasn’t perfect.” Nodding she closes her eyes. “Justin.” “Yes?” he leans over as she whispers something into his ear. “I promise.” Justin is now wiping his tears freely. “Brianna, look out for your dads.” She closes her eyes. “I love you all.” Just before the machines go off I see Brianna lean over to kiss her mom. “I love you too.” She cries out. Holding both her and Justin I look into their eyes. “I love you guys.” As we are leaving the hospital we walk past Carl. “Justin.” Thinking he is in some trouble I look at Carl. “Ya?” He asks. “The girls took the twins home.” Smiling at Carl and understanding that he was telling us he was sorry and that Justin won’t get into trouble for what happened. “Self defense.” Carl tells us as we walk past him to go home. ^^^ After the funeral I see Justin sitting next to the tombstone. “You okay?” I ask leaning next to him. “Ya, I’m okay.” Smiling he takes my hand. “What did she make you promise?” Smiling at me he stands up. “I’ll show you.” Walking over to the kids we take them over to this very beautiful stream that runs through the cemetery. “Ducks.” Aidan points out. “Ya, ducks.” Justin tells him. “I wuv de ducks. They wook happy and taken care of.” He laughs as he leans over to give them a piece of bread Justin handed them. Looking at Justin he smiles. “I promised her I would continue to take them and you to see the ducks. He likes to make sure they are okay.” Pulling him into a kiss I hear laughter. “Cool. Actually momma is now looking out for them too. See.” He points to a new duck. “We will come here as much as you like.” I tell him. “No problem daddy.” Both Aidan and Justine tell him at once. Putting my hand around Justin he smiles as the kids sit on the ground, feeding the ducks. “We are going to be okay, right?” He asks me. “No. We are going to be great.” Kissing him once more before I am trampled on by the twins. “Ducks daddy, feed ducks.” “You got it son.” Smiling as Justin smiles at me. ^^^ Thinking back to that day, I know for a fact that with this family, we will make it through anything because even with the betrayals of those around us, Justin and I have something stronger. We have each other. We have the kids. Most of all, we have LOVE! We have family.