I felt my bed move and someone was sitting next to me. "I'm getting up." I yawned, but didn't dare open my eyes yet.

"Don't, you look beautiful." I heard in a deep voice.

"Hudson?" I tried to adjust my vision.

"Mom woke me up a few hours ago, and I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd use my time wisely and raid your room." He chuckled.

What the hell is he talking about?

He sat on my bed in a t-shirt and jeans. "Actually, I just didn't want you to face this day alone. You must have been in a heavy sleep, your phone has been ringing."

"How long have you been here?" I sat up.

"Not nearly long enough." He answered.

"How's your mom?"

"Fine, but Dad might be down for a few days. She's threatening to come over today. She's getting restless just because she hasn't seen you yet."

"Does she know?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's why I only got a few hours sleep, lay back down." He said.

He crawled in bed with me. "Hudson, what are you doing?"

"Taking a nap with my first love." He pulled me into him, and I laid my head on his chest.

"The kids are going to get ideas." I said.

He chuckled. "They already have them, they're already awake."

"What did they say?" I asked.

"They said for me to go get my girl." He kissed my head.

"Your girl?"

"Yep, so here I am, and I'm not letting go."

"What's going on with you, Hudson?".

I asked.

"I just want to be here for all of you." He said, just as my phone rang.

"Answer it, and just get it over with." He said, and I did.

It was some medical examiner calling to tell me I needed to come to Atlanta, but I told him to call Jackson's mother and gave her phone number.

I was up and out of bed, so I decided to get ready for the day.

"Do you want to help me tell the kids?" I asked him.

"Yeah, like I said, I don't want you to face this day alone."

"Good, I'm not sure I can form the words," I said.

"Depending on how it goes, would you please go with me to visit Mom. She be going crazy until she sees you." He said.

"Sure"

"Are you just going to hang out here while I shower?" I asked.

"Yeah, maybe just a quick nap." He had his eyes closed while laying on his back, and his hands behind his head.

"Sure, help yourself." I climbed into the shower, and let the hot water soothe my tense muscles.

Less than an hour later, I was sitting on the bed watching him sleep. He has speckles of gray hair and two tiny wrinkles by his ear, but otherwise, he looks like my Hudson.

"Hey, sleepyhead. Your phone is ringing." I said.

He popped his eyes open and looked around like he was lost for a moment.

"Oh, yeah, probably Mom." He said.

He looked at his phone, then set it back down. He looked pissed, so I don't think it's Madelyn. "Ready?" He said.

"Yeah, I checked on the kids. They're in their rooms." I said.

"Okay, let's get this over with."

He followed me to their rooms, to tell them to meet us downstairs.

I let Hudson tell them, because I just don't have the courage. Mason looked relieved, and Serenity looked troubled.

"I really get to meet my grandpa today?" Mason asked.

"Yeah, and Grandma too, if you're up to it," Hudson said.

"Sure." He was all smiles. Is my son really that disconnected? He just found out his father died.

"Serenity, what do you think?" He asked.

"It's fine, I guess I can meet the other old man." She stood. "I just need to grab my purse."

"Will Chloe be around?" I asked.

"If Mom was able to reach her, yes, so be ready for that mouth." He said, as we piled into his truck.

"I love that mouth, she's always so upbeat." I said, but he rolled his eyes. I think it's hilarious how Chloe gets on his nerves.

We didn't even get parked in the driveway, when Madelyn came running out.

"Joey! My sweet girl!" My feet barely touched the ground, and she had me wrapped up in her arms. "Why has it taken so long to come over?"

"I had to wait until you learned the news." I said.

"These two men are walking a fine line." I opened the back door, and Serenity stepped out.

Madelyn gasped. "My God, you're my grandchild. You look like your mom. Can I hug you?"

She looked at me, then nodded, and Madelyn smothered her in hugs.

"Where's my grandson?"

She looked around. "Over by Hudson." I said.

She walked over and gasped again. "Jason! He looks just like you!" She didn't give Mason a choice, before smothering him.

Jason walked over and gave me a protective dad hug. "Young lady, these years have been torture, but thank you for saving my family."

"I would say it was nothing, but I'd be lying," I said.

"Yes, I've learned all about your ordeal."

"You've also taken it into your hands." I said.

"I only did what was necessary." He said.

"I know."

I looked over at Hudson, and he was hugging Madelyn. "Mom, tell me you haven't been drinking already?"

"Just a few bloody mary's with breakfast." She said, then took the kids' hands and led them inside.

"Chloe will be here soon with the boys," Madelyn said.

"Joey, would you like a bloody mary?" She asked.

"Oh, no thank you, water would be great."

"Mom, did you tell Chloe?" Hudson asked.

"Yeah, I think the speaker on my phone blew, it has a rattle to it now." She handed me water, than asked the kids what they wanted.

"I asked Chloe to stop at the diner and pick up lunch." She said.

"So, Joey, I have to tell you how much I missed that face." She squeezed my cheek, but Hudson's reaction was funnier, when he rolled his eyes.

Jason took Hudson and Mason into his office, probably to brag about how badass he is to his grandson, and I sat with Madelyn.

"Serenity, tell me about your visit. I'm sure Texas is a culture shock." Madelyn said.