A New Beginning {EVELYN}

[LAWSON DONOVAN RAYNARD]

Lawson took a deep breath and let out a content sigh as he opened the door of the new house he lived in. Well, it was more of an apartment; but it was a high-end one right in the middle of New York City. Lawson never thought he'd be back here, especially not living here, but then again he'd never thought he'd have a daughter, either.
A small shriek was followed by a giggle and Lawson turned to look behind him. There he saw a beautiful little girl with a wide smile. He scooped her up in his arms and tickled her, causing her to giggle even more. This was his little girl, Lily, and he absolutely adored her.
"What are we gonna do at the park, Daddy?" She asked.
Lawson's heart never failed to swell at being called 'Daddy'. All his life he'd wanted a family, but he had been an idiot and chased after a life that was never meant to be. At least now his true love forgave him and gave him another chance.
"Whatever you want, baby girl," he said with a grin. "This is your day, remember?"

Unfortunately, Lily had cancer so she was sick most of the time. But today was a good day and a Saturday so Lawson told Evelyn that he was going to take her and Lily to the park.
Lily beamed at her father and nodded at his question.
"Now what's taking Mommy so long?" Lawson asked Lily. "Mommy!" He called, causing Lily to laugh and join in. Soon they were both calling for her. "Hurry up!" Lawson called, nothing but humor in his voice.

[EVELYN HEATHER RAYNARD]

Things have been looking up for Evelyn. Once she moved to the big city to start her new life with Lawson and lily, things have been great. She started her own private practice and had a few clients who she absolutely loved. The only thing that was hard was balancing her job with Lily's doctors appointments that she had every other week for chemotherapy. Lawson was a professor at the school and she had to stay home with Lily when she had her treatments. She had asked Law to do it sometimes but it was just easier for her since she ran her own business. Today was a good day for Lily She didn't have a treatment until Monday so she would take any chance of a good mood she could.

Lily was in her room and Evelyn was in the bathroom cleaning. That's one thing that Evelyn liked. Lily could entertain herself so Evelyn could get stuff done during the day. Unless it was a bad day. The nothing got done because lLily would constantly be throwing up. Today, they were going to the park to have a day out together since Lily was feeling good today. Evelyn heard Law calling her and she she smiled brightly. Evelyn stood up and put the cleaning materials away. She left the room and followed the sound of his voice. "Geeze, what's with all the screaming?" Evelyn joked. "Hey handsome. I missed you," she whispered walking towards him.

"Are you guys going to get all gross now?" Lily asked wrinkling her nose. She thought kissing boys was gross.

[LAWSON DONOVAN RAYNARD]

Lawson heard Evelyn's voice and turned to give her a smile. "We're just too excited to wait anymore!" He said playfully. He eyed her with a dramatic coyness before laughing at Lily's reaction. He would turn his daughter into a hopeless romantic; he was sure of it. "Now Lily, remember what I said? It's not gross when it's love."
He looked at Evelyn again. "I missed you, too." He kissed her before stepping out of the door. "Are we ready?"

When they got to the park Lawson made sure to be the one to deal with the stroller in case Lily needed it. Thankfully the weather was beautiful and there wasn't heat to be felt anywhere. Just warm with a cool breeze. "Here we are! What do you want to do first, Lily?"

[EVELYN HEATHER RAYNARD]

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Ya know my daughter used to be an angel. Now she's just like her father," Evelyn said looking at Lawson. "Stop corrupting my daughter." Of course Evelyn was joking. The fact that Lily was going to be like Lawson it was adorable. Evelyn heard what her daughter said and he couldn't help but laugh at the two of them. Evelyn heard what he said and she reached up and kissed him softly. She loved kissing him. He made her heart swell and he took her to places she didn't know existed.

Lily was skipping ahead of her mom and dad. She couldn't wait to go to the park. She loved the park. "I'm going to go on the slide!" Lily said running off. "Be careful Honey," Evelyn called, linking her arm in Lawson's as they walked to the bench. "I hate what this illness is doing to her. It ruins her spirit when she's feeling down but on her good days, she's back to my Lily."

[LAWSON DONOVAN RAYNARD]

Lawson feigned a look of shock at Evelyn. "Her father /is/ an angel!" He exclaimed playfully. He laughed when he was told to stop corrupting Lily. He knew Evelyn was only joking, and he loved her sense of humor. It was a lot like his. She made him laugh and Lawson couldn't be with someone who didn't make him laugh.

Lawson smiled as he watched Lily run to the slide. He gently squeezed Evelyn's hand when she linked her arm in his. When they sat down Lawson looked at Evelyn when she started to speak. His face turned into an expression of sorrow and he nodded slowly in understanding.
"I can't imagine what she must go through... It's hard for an adult... I hope children are able to stay more optimistic than most realist adults."

[EVELYN HEATHER RAYNARD]

Evelyn heard what Lawson said and she shook her head. "Yeah only when you want to be," Evelyn commented. It was true. Lawson could be the sweetest, nicest, most genuine person on earth but then there were some days where he was a devil. There were days where she wanted to kill him, not literally of course. But that was the one thing that drew Evelyn to Lawson. It was the one thing that made her want to be with him and made her love him unconditionally. It was what kept them stronger than ever.

Evelyn watched Lily run to the slide. It was her favorite equipment on the play ground. Evelyn smiled up at Lawson as he squeezed her hand. She loved this man to death and she couldn't imagine a life with out him. She had no idea how she got so lucky. Evelyn heard what Lawson said and she nodded. "You know the other day she asked me why this had to happen to her," Evelyn whispered. "I didn't know what to tell her Law. She looked so miserable and hurt. It hurt my heart to see her like that. I wish it was me who had to go through this."