"I am always with you,

I am near you every day,

Always share what you do.

Follow the path to anywhere,

A stranger in the world without you,

Forever I will be there,

The shadow you always knew."

ALWAYS WITH YOU, Libera.

The park was almost empty as they arrived there. On the last days of autumn, the leaves from the trees were starting to change colors due to low temperatures and the reduction of sunny days. It was incredibly beautiful seeing the nature getting ready to winter, every time it amazed him how perfect and simple that change was.

Thousand of leaves fell on their hairs and around them as they strolled further into the park; their hands were clasped together, swinging rhythmically back and forth, coats and smiles matching. Bending down swiftly, he collected a leaf that was already transforming from dark yellow to a tone of light orange, offering it to the small curious hand beside him. The smile he got in return was the best prize he could have; it was the kind of smile that put a grin automatically to his lips, too.

Searching quietly with their eyes, they spotted the perfect place to extend the white and red towel, right beside a lake. Sitting on top of the towel that was placed on the soft grass, the small person next to him crossed his legs, brushing his arm slightly on the older one's forearm. He tilted his head to the side and his dark chestnut hair fell on his eyes, covering lightly his piercing blue eyes as he gazed at the big and intently brown eyes that stared at him with an expecting expression.

"Could you tell me the story again?" his voice was soft and his eyes pleading and he found it impossible to deny any request from someone so special to him. "Please"

He knew what he was saying, but they loved playing around and pretend they didn't have a clue about what the other was talking. "Tell you what, Gerry?"

"You know what, grandpa." he smiled sweetly, "Mommy and daddy's story" he pronounced every word slowly, as if he was running the well-known story inside his head again. "It's my favorite story"

"Again?"

"Yes, grandpa. Please"

Jack Bolton nodded his head positively before smiling warmly at his four-year-old grandson. "Okay, Gerry. Why don't you lie down?"

Lying down, he placed both of his hands under his head, shutting his eyes hard as he concentrated. Jack couldn't help but smile as Gerry frowned exactly like his father used to do when he was a child too.

"Try to imagine what I'm saying, okay?" he whispered, lying down beside the boy. His voice was soft and soothing and Gerry nodded just once, before suspiring tiny-soft. "Where would you like me to begin?"

"The part about you introducing mommy and daddy"

"Yes" Jack cleared his throat, closing his eyes too. "It all began five years ago, when you didn't exist"

"Mmhmm" the little boy encouraged eagerly and he laughed quietly, "Your mother and father went through ups and downs before they realized they really loved each other. Gabriella was very young and your other grandfather Noah was dead for not a long time—"

"Was Grandpa Noah as cool as you are, Grandpa Jack?"

Jack smiled, "I didn't know him, but Gabi loved him a lot and she only loves nice people, so I'd say yes"

"She tells me everyday she loves me" Gerry gushed proudly, "Daddy says he loves me too… That I helped putting them together"

"Yes, Gerry. You did help" Jack agreed, "As I was saying, your mommy and daddy went through a lot, but when she discovered she was expecting you she told Troy"

"What did daddy say?"

"That he loved your mommy and you very much and that they should be together"

"And mommy said yes" Gerry concluded happily and Jack nodded, "Mmhmm"

"How was the first time you saw me, Grandpa Jack?" his soft voice sounded urgent and curious. That he had never asked before. "Did you like me?"

Jack couldn't help but grin at his grandson's innocent question. He had still fresh in his mind the first time he saw him. Exactly seven months after his tumultuous last encounter with Gabriella and Troy. He was sure if he shut his eyes very hard and concentrated, his mind would take him back to that glorious day five years ago…

His foot was working automatically as he pressed down the gas pedal of his Audi, trying to make the car go faster than it already was going. His mind kept wandering about unnecessary things that he needed to solve as he tried to calm down, knowing it was the only alternative for him now if he planned to get to the hospital alive.

Jack luckily found an empty spot to park his car, jumping out of the vehicle immediately as he headed inside the white and blue building that was the maternity center. He was already too late for the birth, Carlie had called him an hour ago saying that Gabriella was already inside the delivery room.

He had wanted to be there, but an important meeting had deprived him of being next to her right now; he was fine though, knowing that the right Bolton was right beside her, holding her hand when she needed the most. Troy Bolton was definitely the one for the job of holding his wife's hand throughout labor.

Jack spotted his ex wife talking animatedly with a chubby nurse, and as he got closer to her, he could decipher that she was obviously gushing on her newly born grandson.

"It's a boy?" he asked from behind her, feeling his interior filling with a joyful sensation. She turned around, grinning as their eyes locked, "Yes, Jack, it's a baby boy. Troy's so happy!"

They shared a hug for the first time in a lot of years, the sensation of knowing that his only son was ecstatic being enough to overcome any regretful feelings he could still have inside his heart.

"Is the baby okay? Gabriella?"

"Yes, they are fine" Carlie assured. "Go ahead, Troy was worried you wouldn't come to meet his son"

"I wouldn't lose it for anything in the world" he said sincerely, smiling warmly at her as she rubbed his arm up and down, silently thanking him for giving a second chance to his relationship with Troy.

He moved away from her, his heart attracting him to the right room. Jack knocked on the door gently, hearing his son's voice allowing him to enter. He peeked inside and as the two adults in the room spotted him, their eyes blinked and their lips curled up in two huge grins.

"I'm so glad you came" Troy walked to him, offering his hand that Jack happily accepted, shaking it briefly before involving him in a tight hug. "Thank you for coming"

"Congratulations" Jack whispered to his son, kissing him lightly on the cheek. "All I can wish for you is that your son brings you happiness, just like mine has brought to me"

Troy grinned fervently, nodding his head once, and Jack saw the emotion in his eyes. He pulled away from the embrace to gesticulate towards his wife, "Go ahead. Your grandson wants to meet you"

Jack smiled in return, stepping closer to Gabriella that seemed to glow as if she was made of diamonds as she looked down at her baby in her arms. He felt a pang of love surround the room, as if thousand of angels were sitting there, watching them as they finally didn't have to struggle anymore to pretend everything was okay. Things were finally well between the three of them.

"Hey sweetheart" Jack greeted softly, kissing her forehead as she looked up at him and her eyes filled with tears. Troy sat on the bed beside her and brushed her tears away with his thumb, kissing the side of her head tenderly, "Let dad see the baby, Ella" he suggested, nuzzling his nose against the newlyborn's head that was comfortably snuggled into his mother's chest.

Gabriella nodded, raising the baby in her arms to pass to him. Jack bit his bottom lip, adjusting the tiny bundle in his strong arms, feeling his own eyes wet as his mind memorized the features of the rosy creature in his arms. He sighed pleasurably, brushing the back of his knuckles against the baby's cheek. "He's beautiful"

"Thank you" Gabriella and Troy said together, sharing a look before erupting into a fit of soft giggles. Jack rolled his eyes and smiled at them, "You guys were made to each other"

"Do you wanna know his name, Jack?" she whispered contently and he observed how she automatically searched for her husband's hand, twining their fingers together in a small demonstration of their complicity and love.

"I'd like that" he certified her.

"Garrett Noah Thomas Bolton" Troy whispered the whole name, searching in his father's expression for any glint of disapproval for them using his middle name as the baby's first name, but all he found was a proud look and a dreamy smile.

"I think that's a perfect name for our new Bolton"

"Grandpa?" Jack was brought to reality as his grandson's voice invaded his memories and his tiny soft hand touched his cheek. He opened his eyes, and peaceful blue met a concerned brown. "You never answered my question" he whined, crossing his arms across his chest, "Didn't you like me the first time you saw me?"

Jack smiled, patting the boy's head gently, "Yes, Gerry. I loved you since the first minute I put my eyes on you" he certified his grandson calmly, returning the smile he offered him, "You were not only a great present for your mommy and daddy, but to me as well" he explained wisely, "You not only united both of them, you helped the whole family get together again"

"Oh" Gerry nodded his head as if he said he understood everything. "You are all lucky I was born then" he grinned, giggling as Jack reached for the side of his body, tickling him playfully. "I love you, Grandpa Jack" he threw his little arms around his neck and sighed contently. "Thanks for telling me the story again"

Jack Bolton was never a man to grab about his power, the women he had or the money he owned. He was modest most of his life, always keeping a low profile of what he approached in his 48 years of existence. But throughout his whole life there was only one thing he would happily boast about and that was his family. Oh, what a lucky man he was, and for that he would always be grateful.

The End…