"Oh, look who it is!" Zay yelled as Justin appeared in view of the group.
Several people in the waiting room shot him dirty looks but all of us ignored them as we bathed in the excitement of Justin being released. I let go of Merissa and we joined everyone else forming a group hug in the middle of the room.
"I missed this so much." His words were muffled by the bodies surrounding him but we heard him anyway.
"We missed you! You've been doing so well." Drew pulled him in for a side hug and ruffled his hair.
Justin pushed him away playfully and grinned. We heard someone clear their throat and we turned to Justin's doctor. Justin smiled sheepishly at her and picked Merissa up, placing her on his hip.
"He's been doing very well but I would also like if he would resist any tiring activity," She sent a pointed look his way and he skillfully avoided it. "I trust that you'll take care of yourself, yes?"
"Yeah, I'll be alright," He smiled at all of us and kissed Merissa on her temple. "I've got my family with me."
Warmth traveled from my toes and fingertips to my chest making me feel giddy. The implication that we were included in his family made me feel some type of way and when I looked around...I could see everyone else felt the same.
We said our goodbyes to Justin's doctor and we were outside in the fresh air. I knew Justin enjoyed that the most.
Everybody watched Justin's face transform as he stepped outside and past the automatic doors. He slowly closed his eyes, tilting his head back in sunlight and inhaling.
I stood in a trance, almost in awe of him. I knew Justin looked anything but perfect in this moment. He had lost weight, his hair was unkempt, his complexion was pale, and he had bags under his eyes.
And yet...as I looked at him now...
The sunlight painting his skin in a blissful glow and the look of peace on his face burned itself into my memory.
I couldn't help but think he looked the best in this moment. Happiness and freedom looked the best on him.
"Are you ready to go?" I asked softly, ghosting my fingertips down his free arm.
He slowly opened his eyes, staring up at the sky for a moment before meeting my eyes. "Yeah."
-
"You feeling up for a celebration, buddy?" Orlan asked in the car and Chris and I exchanged a glance.
He could at least have a bit more tact.
"Sure. I'm feeling decent." Justin replied nonchalantly.
"Excellent. To the park, Zay!" Orlan cheered and Zay smirked.
"Way ahead of you."
In less than 10, we were at Milestone Park. It felt like forever ago that I was here. "Wow..."
"What?" Izzy asked.
I shook my head fondly. I briefly wondered where Keana and Cameron were doing right now but I decided to just call them later. "Just reflecting."
I felt a tug on my hand and looked down into Merissa's big eyes. "Come to the playground with us?"
I looked up and saw Justin looking at me expectantly. "Okay."
I glanced back at Izzy and she smirked. "Don't worry about us. We'll set up the picnic."
I let myself get pulled to the playground and climbed to the top of tower. Merissa let go giggling as she sat down on the slide. "Push me!"
Justin leaned down with a smile and pushed her slightly so she could slide down. Her giggles echoed through the tunnel and a smile placed itself on my lips. This was nice.
Justin sat down in the space by the slide and I raised an eyebrow. He opened the space between his knees and grinned at me. I rolled my eyes but sat there anyway.
Merissa came back up the tower and sat on the slide again. This time I pushed her down. I rested my head back against his shoulder and he pressed his cheek against my temple.
"I thought-"
"Shh, this is nice. I'm in a good mental space right now. We'll talk about it later." He whispered, squeezing his arms around my waist.
"Whatever you say." I sighed and listened to the tell tale stomps of Merissa's little feet.
She appeared into to view with a smile on her face as she tried to prance over to the slide. I placed my hands on her sides and she squealed. I felt Justin's chest rumble with silent laughter. "Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna slide!" She exclaimed through giggles.
"I don't think so. I'm gonna keep you right here." I teased, pulling her closed so I plant kisses on her face.
"But I wanna play!" She pouted.
"Well, I guess we can play tag but if I catch you, you have to stay with the boring old adults the entire day."
"That's boring." I could tell that she couldn't care either way. It was a win-win situation for her.
Justin shifted behind me and I moved so we could both get up. Her grin grew wider as Justin wiggles his fingers teasingly. "I guess you better run then."
She screamed in excitement as we chased after her for a good five minutes. The time was full of laughter, slipping in the dirt, tumbling, and gasping for air (for the out of shape teenagers) but Justin managed to catch her.
I watched as he lifted her up with a soft grunt and spun her around as she giggled with glee. I walked over and rested a hand on Justin's back seeing as he was nearly shaking from exhaustion. "Let's go eat."
I took her off his hands and we walked back towards the picnic area. Chris immediately shook his head as he spotted us and stood to guard the picnic spot. "No."
The rest of them looked up and Drew coughed out a laugh as Orlan stood up to stand beside Chris. "I say no as well."
Justin sighed. "What exactly are you saying no to?"
"You guys look like you fought a chicken in a barn." Izzy chuckled.
"Go wash your hands. No touching the food with dirty hands." Chris said, standing his ground.
"Yes, mom." Justin and I chorused sarcastically.
Zay gave us some stuff to clean our hands with and after we made sure we were clean enough to sit on the picnic cloth, we were ready to dig in.
Chris made a hum of approvement and I stuck my tongue out at him. He mimicked my action and we continued making silly faces at each other until Izzy intervened. "Alright, stop it, you two. You are literally toddlers."
"She started it." Chris muttered.
I scoffed. "As if."
"Well, I'm finishing it and if you two can't act your age, I'm banishing you both to the benches." Izzy threatened.
Chris and I turned to her in mock horror. "No, not the benches."
Drew snorted at the exchange through a mouthful of chicken breast. I didn't even have the motivation to give him a look for it.
We spent the afternoon bathing in the sunshine and eating good food, laughing and talking and enjoying ourselves. It felt like we had finally got a break. This was the break we needed.
I looked around again for the third time today as we were packing up and the sun was dipping below the skyline bathing the sky in red, orange, and purples.
I watched Chris and Orlan fold up the picnic cloth together (sometimes glancing at the other when they think the other doesn't notice), I watched Izzy and Drew belt out the lyrics to some overplayed pop song, I watched Zay roll his eyes at them and put some leftovers in the backseat of the car (he met my gaze and I gave him a small smile in return), and, of course, I watched as Justin picked Merissa up who was nodding off from a day full of excitement and gazed at her softly with love in his eyes.
I inhaled slowly and gazed up at the painted sky. Is this my perfect moment? Is this...
A slow, careful look around again.
...what love is?