"Aww, look at you guys. So adorable".

Isabella stood at the front door with her hands covering her mouth. Their home had been decorated to perfection with cobwebs and spiders scaling the wall. I used to celebrate Halloween with my parents and Lucy of course, but after their deaths, we couldn't even afford costumes. So standing here dressed up with my beautiful family meant so much.

"Oh my goodness, look at you Lucy".

Lucy stepped out from behind my legs and spun around showing off her sparkly dress which cost a fortune. But I'd get anything for my baby girl, no matter the cost.

"I'm a real princess" she beamed as she spun around.

"Of course your highness". Rosie and I bowed slightly before her along with Isabella who soon caught on.

"And look at this little one. Hey sweetheart, you look adorable. I should have known you'd dress her up as a nugget". Isabella reached out and stroked her finger gently against our 6 month old baby girl who lay snug in my arms.

"She's looking so much better now that she's out of hospital. Come out of the cold and tell me all about it. James is finishing up dinner".

Ushering Princess Lucy in, I held my hand out to Rosie and led her in carefully trailing after her with our beautiful nugget wrapped up safely in my arms.

"May I have a cuddle with Grace. James is requesting your presence in the kitchen?". I had barely taken my shoes off when Isabella snuck through the narrow hallway and held out her arms towards little Grace.

The past 6 months had been the most challenging, but Isabella and James were the most supportive.

"Of course". I smiled down at our little baby girl who was staring at Isabella with a huge smile on her face and made grabby hands towards her. Isabella took her from my arm and lifted her up making silly faces to her. I couldn't help but smile sadly as my baby girl scrunched her eyes up and stared at me before turning back to Isabella.

"Hey love, I'm going to be in the lounge with Isabella and Grace. Lucy's gone off to play with Lily" Rosie whispered into my ear before playing a gentle kiss on my lips and walking off into the lounge.

Creeping down the hallway, I turned the corner and peered into the kitchen to see a fully dressed priest adding salt and pepper to a large pan.

"Hahaha, What the hell are you wearing James?". I couldn't help but let out a loud snort as James slowly spun around and bowed with his hands together.

"I left my life of sin and turned into a holy man".

"Does that mean no more sex?".

James went silent and suddenly turned around.

"Moving on, what the heck are you wearing?". James walked away from the large pot and began to place plates down on the very large table.

"Me? I'm Where's Wally. You know, the guy you have to find in the large crowd".

"Oh Yeah. Ha. But seriously please tell me that Grace is here. I've not seen her in so long, especially after everything that happened. Here, you want a beer?".

"Nah man, I'm driving. But yeah she's here" I sighed sadly whilst sitting myself down by the dining table.

"Tell me what's wrong bud". James sat down beside me as he chugged down his beer.

"It was so hard with her being born so early. It still hurts to think that she had to spend nearly 2 months of her life in the NICU ward. Her breathing was unstable and there were just so many complications and tests they had to conduct. But she's so strong and she never stopped fighting". I didn't even realise that a lone tear had trailed down my cheek as I took myself back to the early moments of my baby girl's short life.

"She certainly is a little fighter. But what did the doctor conclude. Did they find anything wrong".

I nodded sadly and ran a hand through my hair as I remembered the words of the doctor confirming something that the tests had found.

"They conducted multiple tests, but they all concluded that she has permanent hearing loss. We were referred to a specialist Audiologist who confirmed Grace is deaf.

Rosie and I were absolutely heartbroken. For weeks Rosie would blame herself for Grace's deafness, but the audiologist explained that sometimes these things have no specific causes".

"Man, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how hard it is. But are there any possible ways to help with her hearing?".

"Yeah. The good thing about it being diagnosed so early is that she can get all the help possible. We have an appointment with the Audiologist next week to discuss Cochlear implants or hearing aids".

"See, there's hope yet. Isabella and I will always be here for you. Now, dinner is ready, but first I want a cuddle with Grace".

"Hey you. It's been too long since I've been here. But I missed you too much. Another year without you hurts like hell, but I know you're in a much better place. The world didn't deserve you, nobody did. You were too good for everyone here. But I still can't help but thank you enough. You are the reason why I'm standing here today with Rosie as my wife and 2 beautiful strong daughters. If it weren't for you I would have never found love for myself. I owe it all to you. I hope you're still watching over us and protecting my little angels everyday. I love you so much Lucy. And I miss you. We all do".

Tears dripped down my cheek as I laid the small bouquet of her favourite lilac coloured flowers just like the ones we had outside our old home.

"They're so beautiful. She would've loved them".

Rosie placed a delicate hand on my upper back and stood beside me with her head resting down gently on my shoulder.

"She would have. I wish she was here with us Rosie". I stared emptily at the infectious smiling girl on the gravestone with a heavy heart. Even though my life was complete, I couldn't help but feel a small part of my heart missing every time I heard the name Lucy.

"I know my love, but she's always with us, in here". Rosie rested her hand above my pounding heart and gently stroked her thumb in hopes of slowing it down.

Turning my attention away from the grave, I glanced at my beautiful wife who was already beaming up at me with a heart stopping smile.

"I love you so much" I whispered lovingly into my wife's ear placing a gentle kiss on her soft cheek.

"And I love you Dean Gray".