HOPE

18.

Kennedy.

In relationships we often wonder what if the insecurity of one affects the other, we strive to make a difference and compromise for the one we love.

At some point disagreements will happen that will affect both parties, as one storms off out the door and the other cries in the bedroom.

Its been a while since we landed in Greece and life couldn't be more beautiful, it's only that the cloud of sadness looms over me as yet again I got reminded that I could never match up to Milo.

I couldn't properly protect him and the family, for any man that hits home hard, because one of our greatest insecurities is being unable to protect and provide for our family.

I sat by the beach staring at the endless ocean, the waves come and go from the shore. If only pain went away bringing me the calm I needed because it hurt knowing that however my opinion may be said, it would never triumph over the one who takes care of all us because he was much more accomplished.

"Hey." Milo whispered, I knew who it was him so I didn't turn back. "Hey jelly bean." I replied with a smile. "Babe I'm sorry for what they said, I didn't know any of them felt like that, and most importantly I didn't know it would hurt you like that, and don't try deny it I can see the tears on your face." I chuckled unable to deny.

"It hurts knowing that everyone in the family thinks I'm incapable of protecting you or the business because I had a relationship with Luca and a friendship with Finn. I didn't know Mia or Caleb would suspect that I was working with them and that I wouldn't be able to take care of you or the boys." I replied with a heavy heart.

"I'm sorry about what they said, but listen to me when I say this, I trust you, I know you love the twins as your own sons, it hurt me too hearing them actually say it. To me you're the man of the house, head of the family if you will and you protect me and the twins just fine, Mr. Kennedy Melroe I love you and that's true now more than ever." I was stunned to hear all he said.

I turn to him tears prickling my eyes. "You love me?" I questioned. "Yes I do, it took me a while for me to realize it but I did and now I don't want to lose it." He responded making me smile and place a kiss on his lips. "I love you too." I added.

The kiss wasn't heated, it was gentle as we forgave each other. I loved Milo and nothing would change how I felt, even if he stopped loving me I would still love him.

"Head of the family huh?" I teased. "Definitely my huge teddy bear." We kissed again and sat down on the sand to enjoy the beautiful sunset.

"Next time we're going on a vacation alone with the boys." I order and he nods, I knew when I used the business tone it made him flush. "Yes Sir!" I chuckled and breathed in his perfume.

We silently sat there watching the sunset nothing needed to be said we both had let out what we felt. In a way it was true, you shouldn't let the sun set in anger, nothing good came from it.

"You know next month would Mark a few months of us being together and I have a surprise for you waiting at home once we get back." Milo mumbled smiling with his cheeky grin. "You know I love your surprises." I replied kissing his temple.

"Dad, Papa!" We turn to see the two monkeys running toward us with a basket they were trying to hold up, it was too heavy for them but Darren helped them. "I thought we could do a dinner away from everyone else just us." Eleanor announced as she began preparing blanket and food.

"Ken take a walk with me, will you child?" Darren held out his hand for me to stand up and I took it, we walk further away from my family to talk.

"I was never sure someone could love Milo the way he deserved to be loved, but seeing you, the children, how he speaks about you and how the children have been attached to you, I believe no other man could do that for my grandson, thank you for protecting my family, and now you're part of it. I better get called for a wedding soon." He exclaimed and his words only made me reaffirm my own decision.

I was not going anywhere even if Milo himself chased me away with a chainsaw screaming profanities, I was going to be his one and only for life.

"Grandpa it's too early for wedding bells but when we get there you'll be first to know." I responded then hugged him before we walked back to the candlelit beach dinner.

"Papa!" The two boys came running to me and knock me over, Darren does nothing but laugh and shook his head with amusement. "We missed you, papa, are you okay now?" Haven asked with eyes glistening with tears.

"I'm okay Haven, and Haden no crying look I'm fine." Haden had become attached to me in a way that surprised me, whenever I was angry at him he would sulk like his brother and when I wasn't around he always cried.

"Now wipe those tears away or no two ice cream scoops for dessert." They both wipe their tears immediately with grins, it always worked to get them to stop crying.

I liked being a parent blackmail and bribes we're allowed especially when you have two of New York's most spoilt kids.

The dinner was great, it made me feel what Milo felt when it came to his grandparents, they were more than just grandparents they were his parents and unlike my own dysfunctional family his was welcoming and loving, they accepted his sexuality before he himself had actually realized it. They were special.

"So do you guys plan on more kids?" Eleanor asked. "Ye!!" Milo and I both yelled and I loved the idea of having more kids if Milo wanted more, it made me ecstatic.

We finished dinner and walked back to the house, as we entered, Milo sent one of his mean intimidating stares to rest of the family and they sat there frozen.
I took the boys to their room as they had fallen asleep in my arms like their dad usually did.

It always made me feel like I was doing something right, and being in my arms was not scary but comforting, and as a father what more could you ask for when your kids love you and feel safe.

I wiped off the little dirt on them since they asleep it would be hard to wake them for a bath, the wipe would have to do, I put them in their onesies and Milo came in to kiss them goodnight.

"Love you boys." We both mumbled. "Love you too dad and pawpaw." They were out like a light in seconds. We headed into our room which was opposite the boy's and Milo picked up his laptop, he looks at it with a scowl before placing it on the table.

"We might have to go back earlier."

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LMJ