And now I will start living today

Today, today I close the door

I got this new beginning and I will fly

I'll fly like a cannonball

-Cannonball by Lea Michelle

******

This is it!

Brace yourselves.

"Fix your fucking tie, man," I said to Luke. He rolled his eyes, handing my son over to me.

"Jesus, you know I fucking hate wearing these damned things. You can't expect me to have it on right."

"You know Eileen would be pissed if she could see you." As soon as the words were out of my mouth he fixed it, muttering under his breath.

It was the opening of Angie's Home. The shelter was finally going to open its doors everyone was here to celebrate. Well, almost.

"I'm holding him while you give the speech, right?" Lucas asked. I nodded, giving a kiss to Angel.

"Come here, my little Lukie," he said as soon as he heard Raymond finalizing his introduction. It was only fitting to name him after his favorite uncle, as Lucas said.

"Go do your thing, man. Make her proud."

I watched him walk away and take a seat up front, just as we had agreed. Next to him sat Marty. Nicole sat on the other side with her newborn daughter, Elizabeth and the little girl they had adopted, Imani, which meant faith.

I let out a breath, taking one last glance at my son and at the crowd of people that had arrived. All of them wanting to sponsor and help a cause so dear to all of our hearts. I squared my shoulders, and stepped forward, shaking Ray's hand before pulling him into a hug.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Of course, son." I waited until he reached his seat next to Nicole to speak.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am grateful for each and every one of you being here. I know that if Eileen were here, she'd be incredibly proud to see all of you united to help so many people that need it." I cleared my throat, recalling everything she had lived through. Always so damn brave. Always so strong. "This shelter is in honor of a beautiful soul that was lost as a consequence of abuse, Angela Grace, our precious daughter. We hope to be able to provide the emotional, physical and financial support that so many people in this world need. By giving us your help and donations, along with your time, you are ensuring that this shelter moves forward and gives the resources necessary for them to be able to sustain themselves. Again, the goal of this shelter is that one day the people it helps can walk out knowing that they have a bright future ahead of them. Thank you very much for being here, enjoy your evening."

After the applause, I walked back down, taking Angel in my arms. He smiled and I couldn't help but return it. He always brought joy.

"Will you be leaving already, son?" Marty asked. He had provided the dessert, always helping in whichever way he could.

"Yes," I said. "We have somewhere to be, don't we?" I asked my son who simply nodded.

"Are you buying flowers?" Raymond asked.

"Of course, you know I always take her some." Ray nodded, squeezing his hand over my shoulder.

"Go, Alex. I can handle it from here," Luke said, giving me a smile. He hated these events, but for Eileen he would do anything.

I settled little Luke in his car seat before leaving. The kid was always happy, he cried very rarely. We went to the store and bought a bouquet of roses, of all colors, just like Eileen and proceeded to our final destination. My hands shook, I was fucking nervous. I wondered what she thought, if I'd handled the opening like she hoped.

I walked into the quiet house. It was smaller than the one we used to live in. After much debating, Lucas kept it. He said it held much too many memories to sell it. I agreed, though part of me wanted to let it go. So many things had happened there but I was glad he kept it. It was his home.

"Dada," little Angel babbled, "Dada!"

"Yes, little one. I'm right here."

"Mama," he said, now pointing to a framed picture of Eileen with Angela in her arms. I chuckled.

"Yes, that's mama, and that's your big sister," I whispered. "They both love you very much, you know that?"

He laughed. He was only one year old, but he knew very well he was loved. I walked into the bedroom, setting him on the floor and watched him crawl around. His dark hair was getting long. He would need his first haircut soon.

I sat on the bed and placed the flowers on it. As if by just the smell of them, she stirred, her beautiful chocolate eyes opening. A beautiful smile on her face.

"You're back," she whispered.

"I am," I said, leaning down and giving her a kiss.

Eileen giggled, throwing her arms around my neck.

"I thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow."

"I couldn't wait," I murmured. "How are you feeling?"

Eileen shrugged, much like she always did when she didn't feel well. I frowned. That would never change. She never liked anyone worrying about her. I kissed her again, this time deeper, a little whimper left her lips.

God, I fucking love her.

"Where's our little boy?" she asked, hearing him laughing at the other side of the room.

"Mama!" he exclaimed, pushing himself up. He had been struggling to walk, but today, it seemed that he would accomplish it.

Eileen smiled, getting off the bed to her knees and opening her arms for him. Like any proud father, I took out my phone recording the moment that my son took his first steps. He reached his mother and laughed. Eileen did the same.

"How did the opening go?" Eileen asked, now standing up and carrying Angel. I knew she was going to head to the kitchen, so I followed behind her.

"It went well," I said, hugging her from behind. "Luke was left in charge, so we'll see how it goes."

"Oh, that will definitely be interesting," she said.

"Mmhm," I said against the back of her neck. "You know what else will be interesting?"

"What?"

"What will be happening tonight."

After lying little Angel in his bed, Alex and I had settled in bed. He was kissing me desperately. He had been gone for three days setting up the final details for the shelter which was far too long for us. Luke had only taken our son today, and I didn't think they would come back so early, but they did. Apparently, Alex could not handle being away from me too long.

I couldn't either.

"Are you up for it?" he murmured nuzzling my neck.

"I know Alex Jr. is," I said, feeling his erection.

"You know it, baby," he said with a smirk.

I bit my lip and kissed him once again. I would never tire of his lips, of the feel of him against me, with me, surrounding me.

Our life was crazy, chaotic at times but I loved every part of it. Everything had fallen into place. I was right where I needed to be.

"So?" Alex asked, "How are you feeling today?"

I took his hand in mine placing it over my twelve-week baby bump. "I feel perfect," I said.

"I can't believe we're having another baby," he said with another chuckle.

We had only found out a few weeks ago because of morning sickness. Once again, I was on birth control and still got pregnant. The nausea had been a constant so I had opted to stay home even when I wanted to be at Angie's Shelter. We had been working very hard for everything to be perfect.

I raised my hand, placing it over his cheek, tracing his cheekbone and jawline. His eyes closed and he sighed. There were parts of us that were still broken, scars that were presents, wounds that would maybe never heal. But he completed me. I completed him.

"I love you, Moretti."

He smiled, still with eyes closed.

"Keep doing that," he murmured. "It's good for my ego."

I laughed, pressing another kiss on his lips. Life has many twists and turns. You never expect them, you never see them coming. And despite some of them being painful, you learn from them. You learn to raise your chin up high, you learn to stand tall. Abuse? Depression? Anxiety? My losses? Yes, they were a part of me. They would always be.

But they didn't define me.

My family and my love for them did. My strength defined me.

The love in Alex's eyes defined me.

We had found in each other something that maybe neither of us knew we needed.

He was my life.

He was my shelter.

I was exactly where I belonged.

My mommy was happy. I could see it. She smiled all the time now. And I saw my baby brother, he was so cute.

Everything was okay. My mommy found my daddy Alex.

My mommy found her home.