Chapter 16

Maggie's POV: later that night

My dreams have been awkward as of late. They are of Heath my bright blue eyed baby boy. I am on a beach again, but this time something is different as in not right. But I see my husband not standing far. I run to him just to see him watching a young man. The young man looks kind of familiar, but something seems a bit off. I look over to see him reading some letters. I don't know who he is, but this beach seems familiar. After he drops the letters that fall in the sand to only be swallowed up I watch him walk to the water of the ocean to see no face on him. He walks deeper in until his face does clear and I see it's a older Heath with tears in his eyes. I see his lips move and that is when I catch what he says.

"Dad, mom I'll see you soon" Heath says as he walks into the ocean.

I am total shock as I scream for him, but he doesn't respond.

"Greg we have to stop him.'" I say out loud for my love to hear me

"We can't Magster this is what his future is ... we can only watch." He says as Heath goes deeper and deeper. First his knees then his waist, then his shoulders. He gets hit in the face with wave after wave.

"Greg please we have to save him we have to save our baby." I say with tears in my eyes

"Sorry Magster his fate is set in stone by your actions!" He says to me as I watch my son as he finally summerges

Greg hands me some letters that are in a hand writing which is similar but not mine. I am trying to move to the ocean to save my son, but my body wont move.

"Please Greg save our son ... save my bright blue eyed baby boy!!!" I yell to Greg who shakes his head no

A body emerges from the water not of this 23 yr old man, but my 5 yr little boy. I look into his face and hope to see his sapphire blue eyes, but they are black, dull and lifeless black deeper than the darkest black hole.

"Baby say something to me" I say pleading with my son.

Heath looks at me with what are sad eyes.

"Because of you I am dead. Now you don't have to worry about me, because I am not on this plane anymore." He tells me as I cry hoping this is a nightmare this can't be real

I stand there thinking to myself. I DID NOT WATCH MY BABY DIE IN FRONT OF ME! Heath starts to go transparent as he moves into the next life, I go to grab him as my body starts responding again, and I just pass right through him.

"You can't touch me Maggie, I'm no longer alive. I don't feel the pain that was caused to me all those years ago. I feel light ... light as a feather." He tells me as I see Greg's parents who never got to see Heath show up behind my son before he continues " Bye Maggie just so you know I NEVER stopped loving you."

States my son as he fades away. I am sobbing uncontrollably as Greg stays by my side and sits on a piece of driftwood.

"Magster if you could would you save him ... would you save our son?" My love ask as I look at him

"Please Greg give me one chance to set things right." I see him smile and points to a house behind them," When Heath was alive he lived there."

I start to run towards it, but I see no address. Greg touches me and we walk through the wall to see two little boy's.

"Hey grandpa whose that?" The one with Heath's eyes asks

"A friend and little buddies she needs to know where you both are at. Can you smart boy's tell her?" He asks as we watch the one with a left bright blue eye grabs a letter off the table and hands it to me

I see the address and look back to the two little boy's as they begin to fade

"Bye grandpa we need to go potty ... see you later grammy we can't wait to hug you." The bright blue eyed boy says to me

"Greg who were those little boy's, and why are you a grandpa and I'm grammy?" I ask as Greg smiles

"Go save our son, but you might be too late." He tells me as I awaken from my sleep

I wake feeling wet between my legs. I remove the cover to see I peed in bed. My eyes go wide as the dream scared me, but I don't care as I run through the house to the computer room, and open my laptop. I start cursing the computer out for taking so long. I hear footsteps come up behind me to only turn to see they belong to Michelle and Travis. I guess they are wondering why I am so freaked out. The computer comes up and I open Google earth and punch in the address. I hear steps coming to me seeing it's Michelle.

"Mom whats up?" She asks me as I look up at her

"I know where he is." I state as Michelle gives Travis a what the hell look as Travis shrugs his shoulders

Michelle looks back at her me with a concerned expression.

"Found who ... who are you looking for mom?" She asks as I tell her excitedly

"Your brother ... I found Heath." I answer with tears as the computer pulls up the house

I rotate the image around and it is the same house Greg showed me. I grab my laptop and storm to my bedroom with Travis and Michelle fast on my heels.

"Mom he said he wanted nothing to do with us." Michelle states to me as Travis jumps in

"He doesn't want to be part of this family so let it be. You have Michelle and I and don't forget Keisha and Trey." He tells me as I stop and look at my other two children.

"Either you can come, or shut up because I'm going." I tell them looking at the screen

"Ok mom we're coming with you." Michelle tells me as they agreed

I am ecstatic that soon I was gonna see my loving Heath again.

Michelle's POV:

I go over to Travis to speak into his ear so my mother can't hear me

"We need to tell Tyrone about this." I whisper as Travis nods his head in agreement.

After a long night of sleep which helped in a lot of ways. I woke up with two little boys, one on each side of me. I gave a chuckle which I guess woke them up as they both gave out a yawn. It was at that moment both my boys turned to look up to me saying ' Daddy awake'. Both crawled up placing thier arms around my neck. I placed mine around them both as I have always done since their birth. Their voices woke two sleeping beauties that were in chairs not far from the bed. I chuckled as both looked wide eyed getting up rushing over to hug me placing kisses on my lips. Our sons complained about being squashed against me as their mothers let up on their hugs. I just smiled knowing my family was here waiting for me to wake. After a bit of holding the boys Jasmine and Diamond helped them off the bed saying a nurse will probably be in soon to check on my status. At that moment Diamond took the boys who protested to the waiting room to tell the others I was awake. Jasmine although looked at me with a serious expression. She took my left hand in both of hers before letting out a sigh to speak.

"Baby I know why you did what you did with going in the water as I found the letter." She tells me as I look deep in her eyes

"Jasmine I am so sorry for doing that. I guess Michelle's letter made something to snap. It was like I was on auto pilot going into the water, but knew what was going on." I say to her being truthful

"Heath I can understand that, but you have us to lean on when things go bad. Baby I am not going to lose you over anything even a letter that came from a bitch." My beautiful latina tells me

"I know, I was stupid for going into the water. I should of went to you, but it was also a mixture of my shitty day yesterday. Chris, Selena, and Tiffany coming back in my life." I say seeing some worry in her eyes like she was hiding something before I continued " Jasmine what is it? What are you trying to hide?"

"Baby please calm down first, and know I deeply understand, but they did come all this way to see you. They have been down in the waiting room wanting to see, and talk to you." She tells me as I lower my head shaking it

"Jasmine what the hell darlin? You know how I feel about them." I say trying to stay calm

"I know Heath, but they are hurting also." She tells me as I just feel out of it

It was about that time the door open. I looked up to see Jack come in with a smile on his face. He came over to the right side of the bed only to lean over to hug me. I hugged him back before he broke it. He stood there looking down at me before he spoke to me.

"So how you feeling bro?" He asks as I shake my head

"I was feeling good until I get some news that of my past is waiting on me downstairs." I say answering his question

"Bro I am not going to say anything to make you decide. It's your decision whether or not you do or don't see them, but after listening to them they seem legit about putting the past behind them and moving on." Jack tells me as I shake my head

"Bro I have moved on. I don't talk of them, or think of them." I say as Jasmine squeezes my hand

"Baby, I hate to say this, but you talk and cry in your sleep. Diamond and I have held you tight just to make sure you don't die on us. Heath my darling you need closer to the point you can subconciously sleep good at night. As with Jack I am not going to tell you not to listen to them or forgive them. Just do this for you, for the healing that you have needed for so long." Jasmine tells me with moist eyes

I lay there thinking of all they have exclaimed to me as a sigh comes from my lips. I look up at them both before nodding.

"Ok Fine, but if they say one bad thing I am leaving. I am not going to listen to some stupid sob story like ' We're sorry Heath we didn't mean to' or ' Heath please forgive us as it was a heat of the moment situation'." I say getting nods from them both

"Ok baby you have that right, but you can't leave, your clothes are not here." Jasmine tells me as Jack chuckles

"Yeah, so don't go down the hall ways mooning the nurses.' He says as I reach up smacking him in the head

"Hey what was that for?" He asks looking hurt

"For being my brother and bring me back to the land of the living. I am sorry for going into the water and trying to gulp it all down." I say as he looks at me intently

"Well I was going to kick your ass, but Adam said no ... that it was his job. As for saving you anytime as your my older brother and I love you man." He says as we bring our hands together as brothers

"Awww such a kodak moment." Jasmine says batting her eyelids

Jack and I look at her before we laugh as she giggles.

"So who all is here?" I ask as they both look at me

"Adam is down stairs, Faye came straight here from the airport a hour ago. Hannah took her home to freshen up. Diamond of course and the boys as you know. As well Chris, Selena, Tiffany ... and their two kids." Jack says as I nod but chuckle

"Freshen up my ass." I say as they both laugh before I caught on about kids as I continue " Wait ... Did you say kids?"

"Yes he did baby. Chris, Selena, and Tiffany have kids." Jasmine tells me as I just shake my head

"Bro don't let that change your mind about seeing them. We all been here all night waiting for you to wake up. I know waking up then hearing what we told you wasn't what you wanted." Jacman tells me as I nod

"You got that right damn if I knew I might play possum acting like I'm in a coma." I say as Jasmine playfully slaps my left arm

"And I would get Diamond up here so we can wake you up with a blow job." Jasmine says as my eyes go wide with a smile

"Damn sis did you have to say that? Crap I just got a mental picture shit." Jack says as Jasmine and I laugh

"Sorry bro but it's true." She says as he shakes his head

After a little more talking Jack leaves to get Adam. Jasmine and I kiss for a few moments before she leaves to talk to Chris and his women I guess. Diamond and Adam come in around 8 a.m. as a nurse does come to check on me. After she leaves Diamond takes my left hand leaning over to kiss my lips as Abs chuckles to her passionate kiss she gives me. After she breaks the kiss she slaps me lightly telling me never ever try what I did again. I tell her I won't as it was stupid. She smiles telling me she loved me as I told her the same. Adam reminds me of the ass kicking I am going to get from Jack and him until Diamond tells him they are not laying a hand on me. Diamond says her and Jasmine will take care of that by riding me hard in which Adam tells her he didn't need to know that in which we all laugh. After they stay and talk for about 45 minutes Diamond gets a text from Jasmine saying Chris and Selena were coming up. She asks if I want to be alone with them. Adam looks at me intently as I think of her question. I look up at the ceiling wondering if I should. I ask my dad if I can go through with talking to two of my old best friends that treated me wrong. I get this warm sensation run through my body knowing he is telling me the answer is yes. I then look at both my brother and second girlfriend giving them both a nod. They give me a smile as Diamond leans over to give me a open mouth kiss before telling me again she loved me. Adam hugs me like a brother before I see them walk away to the door and out of the room.

As I lay there in a empty room I think of how this is going to go. I haven't seen them in a long time. My feelings of hurt and betrayal are still within me, but not as bad since I know my family has my back. I ask my father and Grandma May to give me the strength to handle what is coming up to my room.

Chris's POV:

As Selena, Lil Heath, and I walk to the door that has the man I call my brother on the other side. I feel a hint of excitement, but yet hesitation as this will be the first time in years that we will see one another. This moment makes me remember a song that I have heard so many times. The song plays in my head as always as Selena takes my hand knowing something is wrong.

'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass.

Don't know how much time has passed

All I know is that it feels like forever

And no one ever tells you that forever feels like home

Sitting all alone inside your head

We open the door to see Heath sitting up with a I.V. in his left hand and a hose under his nose. I want to cry as I never ever thought I would see him like this. Selena steps to me whispering to me as she holds my hand.

"Baby you ok?" She asks as I turn to look down at her

"What ... what if he doesn't want nothing to do with us, Karen, Tiffany, or our son? What if he sends us away?" I ask as she squeezes my hand tightly before I continue " I don't want him mad at you all as I don't care if he is mad at me."

"Baby if he doesn't we will go on as always. Tiffany will still be our sister as Karen will still be our precious little niece." She tells me as I turn to look at Heath who seems to have a small smile on his face

I take a deep breathe before leading my family to my once little brother by months. As we get close I see some awkwardness in his eyes before he speaks.

"Hey bro, hey sis, who is the little guy there?" He asks as I feel my tears come that I couldn't hold back any longer

I let go of Selena's hand going the him. I lean over to hug him as he returns it cautiously.

"I have missed you so much Heath. I am such a idiot for what I did to you." I say as he breaks the hug only to look up in my eyes

"Well I have to say I agree with you on that, but this isn't the time to bring it up." He tells me as I nod

"Yes I know, but what the hell were you thinking man? I don't want you to die man. We lost you once because of the past, but taking your life come on man you have kids and a family that loves you." I tell him as he sighs

"I know, but the letter well caused something to snap in me. So I just said hell with it all." Heath says with some harshness to his words before continuing " So how have you all been?"

"We have been good. Although we have missed you like something crazy." I tell him getting a small grin

I motion my son over as he raises his arms to be picked up. I step to the bed with Selena coming up behind me. I smile before I look at Heath's eyes that once were bright as sapphire's.

"Heath I would like you to meet your nephew Heath ... we named him after you has to keep you close in our hearts. He was born the day before your's. I wanted you back so much that the date seemed right" I tell him seeing a tear come from his left eye

"Are ... are you my uncle?" My son asks getting a smile from Heath the first I hope of many to see

"Yes I am little buddy. When I get out of here you wanna come back to my place?" My brother asks as my son giggles

"You mean the one by the ocean." Lil Heath answers getting a nod as he smiles nodding his head

I move back a step so Selena can take the place I did hoping her brother awknowledges her.

"Lina I have missed you. I am sorry." Heath says before being embraced by my lady

I see him hesitant at first before he wraps his arms around her. I smile seeing the two that were as strong at one time as true brother and sister have tears run down their cheeks.

"Don't you dare do anything that stupid again. Chris, Heath, Tiffany, and I need you. Karen needs you the most of all." Selena says as Heath breaks the hug

"Who's Karen?" He asks as Selena turns to look at me with worried eyes

"She is my cousin Uncle Heath. She has beautiful blue eyes as mommy and Aunt Tiffany say she got them from her daddy." My son says as Heath looks up in my brown eyes

"Tiffany will explain when she gets a chance to talk to you Heath." My beautiful Asian queen says as he nods looking a bit worried

We talk some more as Lil Heath wants to hug his uncle for the first time. Heath accepts my little boy in which makes Selena and I smile wholeheartedly seeing the two converse with one another. We tell Heath the reason for what he had seen and tell him we forgave him for what he had done to Selena. He looks at Selena with sad eyes as if he regretted his actions towards her. She comes out about the part of giving herself to him in which shocks him. I understand his reason as does Selena. As time goes by I see it's almost 11 a.m. I tell Heath I have to go make a phone call in which he nods telling us it was nice to see us again and hopes we come back. Selena is the first to say what I am thinking in telling him we will. My little man is relunctant to let go until Heath exclaims they will see each other later. As we leave the room after I pick Lil Heath up I turn back to see my old friend sitting up with a smile that says to me he was glad to see us after being gone for the past 5 years. After out of the room I smile big as Selena, Lil Heath, and I make our way back to the waiting room to meet the others.

It's not long that I am sitting in my bed again alone in my hospital room. I've just finished talking with Chris and Selena ... they named their first born after me ... after I did something so horrible to Selena and said such spiteful words to them both. They forgave me and hoped that one day I could forgive them. They told me why Tiffany was with them and that it was only the second time and Selena was going to offer me in her place. I get misty eyed thinking how I missed them and wished they could have been here all along. They told me Tiffany had a surprise for me. I think also about my talks with Jacman and Abs and their threats to beat my ass when I get out of the hospital. Diamond said the same and told me that my actions would hurt Dakota so much as I was his hero just like I was Lil Greg's hero. This gave me a lot to think about. I hear Lil Greg screaming as he runs into my room jumps on the chair and soars into the bed as I catch him. Jazzy walks in afterwards disciplining our son. I chuckle as she is the disciplinarian in the household. I hear a knock on the door frame and see Tiffany with a little girl. I guess her surprise was she wanted me to meet my niece that Chris fathered. I look at her before stopping her in mid-step.

"Nice to see you Tiffany, but I don't want to meet Chris' daughter. I forgive you so you can leave now." I say as the little girl looks at me and starts to cry

Wait a second its the little girl that I bought ice cream for at spring break years ago.whoop Jazzy hits me hard.

"HEATH DAKOTA THOMPSON YOU WILL LISTEN TO TIFFANY!" My beautiful Latina tells me as I start to massage my arm

Tiffany cuddles the little girl and says something to her that we can't hear. I look at Jazzy as I speak.

"I forgave her, but I can't forget the pain. I heard about the reason from Chris and Selena so Tiffany doesn't have to waste her time or breathe." I say to her as the little girl tells Tiffany she wants down

She looks at the floor as she walks to me. She gets onto the chair and climbs into my bed and looks at me with those beautiful blue eyes ... she has similar eyes to my son ... and she speaks in a voice so divine it's like the heavens put a little angel in this earth.

"Hi I'm Karen ... do you really not want anything to do with me?'' She asks as I shake my head and see shock on Tiff and Jazz' faces before Karen continues as she hugs me,"I'm sorry that I can't be with you as you hate me daddy, but always know that I love you with all my heart daddy."

Karen looks back at me and kisses my cheek as tears fall from those beautiful blue eyes as she hugs Lil Greg and tells him she is sorry that she can't be his big sister. I'm in total shock ... I have a daughter and with ... Tiffany? Karen gets down off my bed and runs out of the room crying ... Jazzy looks at me as she runs after Karen. I am still in shock that I have 3 kids. Tiffany just sits in the chair not knowing what to say. Jazzy comes back in with Karen crying into my Latina lover's chest as she tries to comfort her. Jazzy gets her to stop momentarily as she speaks to me.

"Heath you will let Tiffany tell you her story and you WILL be there for your daughter! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" She tells me in a stern voice as I just nod

Tiffany tells me why she cheated and that after the return home the parents kicked Selena and Chris out ... something they forgot to mention and as they were going to kick her out she spills the secret. She tells me that they got an apartment together and that she hasn't been with anyone since that fateful night. She tells me of raising Karen and how she would tell her stories from our summers, Christmas', and school days. How there was a picture of me in the nursery so Karen and Little Heath knew who I was.

"Heath I don't care if you want nothing to do with me ... well I care, but you know what I mean, but please don't punish Karen for my mistakes ... all she knows of you is how caring you are and that if you were around you would love her so much ... please tell me you will at least call her." She says to me asking

I look at her face and see sincerity and I look to Jazzy as she nods, and Karen looks at me with beautiful little eyes hoping that I would love her as much as she loves me. I open my arms as Jazzy brings me my daughter. Karen practically falls into my embrace as she cries, and I speak to her for the first time.

"Hi Karen I'm your daddy. I promise baby girl I will be there for you, and love you with all my heart." I tell Karen as she cries harder knowing that I love her and will be there for her

I rub her little back to calm her down and after she has calmed down I ask her what her full name is. She proudly tells me.

"Karen Summer Thompson and I'm 4 daddy. And grammy Ellie says I have your eyes and heart." She tells me as I smile knowing Ellie would say that, and wondering how they have been

I ask Tiffany why she named her Summer.

"Because your birthday was in summer silly and I wanted her to have a bright sunny name." Tiffany tells me with a smile

We talk for a little more as the kids fall asleep in my arms. I look at Jazzy and speak.

"Jasmine I didn't know, but I can't just abandon Karen because her mother and I made mistake..." At that moment Jasmine stops me and speaks with fire in her eyes

"Heath you are to help raise this precious little girl and I'll help. She can spend spring break and the summers with us and every other holiday. YOU WILL BE IN HER LIFE DO YOU UNDERSTAND!" She tells me as I nod smiling that she wants Karen in her and Lil Greg's lives as well.

After that moment the day goes by with everyone coming to see me. Momma Faye and Hannah finally show up apologizing for not seeing me sooner. I give them a smirk in which they both catch as they just giggle knowing why. Faye sees Karen's eyes and said ' Heath she is your daughter isn't she?' I responded saying ' Yep and she is very protective'. Karen looked at Faye asking ' Who are you?' having Jasmine respond to answer before Faye could ' She is my mommy sweetie' which made Faye show tears with a smile as Karen asked ' Then can I call you Grammy Faye?'. That question gave Faye a big smile as she answered ' Yes baby girl you can'. Karen smiled hugging her new grandmother. After them visiting Karen and Lil Greg fell asleep on either side of me which warmed my heart. After being fed by Jazzy and Diamond around 6 that evening the nurse comes in around 9 saying my guests had to leave. It was about that time the door opens and in comes Dakota and Lil Heath. My nephew comes out saying they were looking for Karen and Lil Greg. I smile telling them they have both been in here with me. Both come over getting in the chair as my first two did getting in bed with Karen, Lil Greg, and I. The nurse says they can't be in bed with me in which I tell her they can as three of them were mine and one was my nephew. She looks at my expression before smiling with a nod. Everyone leaves except Jasmine and Diamond as they tell Selena, and Tiffany that the kids will be in good hands. I tell my two loves to go home in which they say no as their place was here with me. I give them a smile as to say thanks as I lay there feeling very relaxed having four precious kids sleeping beside me and on me. Karen holds tight to me as she mumbles in her sleep ' I finally have you daddy and never letting go. I love you so much daddy'. Those words make the dam break as I cry with a big smile on my face.

Chris's POV: Wednesday morning two days after Heath's drowning

It's around 9 a.m. that I am on my laptop skyping with our parents. I tell them we are fine and things are looking some what good. I tell them that their other son has accepted Karen and Lil Heath as his own. They all are happy at those words, but my mother suspects something is not what it seems.

"Chris hun what's wrong as I can see it in your eyes?" My mother asks as I look at her nodding my head

"Mom, dad you all need to get out here." I say as they look at me in a puzzled way

"Why what do you mean Chris?" My father asks with a hint of worry

"Dad it's best that you all just get out here. I can't say over the laptop." I answer as my mother looks at me with those worried eyes

"Chris tell us what your hiding." She says in a stern but yet calm voice

I sit there looking at them on the screen wishing they were here in person as the dam breaks as my tears start to flow uncontrolably.

"HEATH NEEDS HIS FAMILY AS WE NEED HIM! PLEASE GET OUT HERE NOW!" I say loudly in which makes them all look at me with worried expressions

"Ok baby we will please tell me what is wrong with my god son?" She asks, as verna and Kiko join in, as I shake my head

"No mom it's best you come out and find out as I can't say it after seeing it." I say which as all the parents more worried then ever before

After my father says they will catch the next flight out after getting everything settled for the quick departure we say our good byes for now. I turn the laptop off to see Selena on the edge of the bed with tears.

"Chris I wish we never hurt him in the first place. We all three of us should have told him in the beginning." She says to me as I get up making my way to her

"I know darlin, but we were stupid and young. Right now it will be like a fresh start, and besides the more we show him we are being true now the sooner he may for give Tiffany and I." I say as we hug crying on each other's shoulders

After two nights in the hospital I am released and able to go home. Everyone came to take me home which was my family except for Faye and Hannah in which I was told was planning a return home party. I chuckle thinking of what I was going home too. I was wheeled out of the hospital by Diamond who and I quote said ' I am going to give you the ride of your life'. Her meaning was popping a wheel out of the ER doors. I laughed as did everyone else. I had my kids and nephew in my lap holding onto them all as she did. Jack had pulled up in front waiting with the back passenger door open.

"Your limo awaits bro." He says as I shake my head to his idea of a limo

"Well nice limo Jacman what's to drink?" I ask as my kids giggle

"Daddy your silly." Karen says as we get to the back seat

Jazzy, Diamond, Tiffany, and Selena help get the kids off my lap as I get in followed by all the kids who insist on riding with me.

"Hey where are Jasmine and I to sit?" Diamond asks as Dakota takes his pacifier out of his mouth

"Sorry mommy this limo taken." He says as everyone laughs