To Rebuild A Shattered Heart

So, my first story ever. please be kind. Loosely based on my true story. Names changed for obvious reasons. There will be sexy scenes later, but i have always like the slow build ups and find it makes the end more enjoyable.

**chapter 1**

Aiden landed in New Orleans in the dead of summer. Anyone who has ever been in the south during that time knows the heat and humidity can suck the breath right out of their lungs. So, sitting on the curb, waiting for his brother to pick him up, he reflects on the reason for his visit. His gran, who raised him after his parents divorced and mother ran away, just passed. Aiden had a special bond with her, more so than the other grandkids, because she was his parent as well as a grandparent. So much so he even took to calling her mom, taking after his father from when he was little.

Aiden was married and had moved to Georgia with his wife Hannah, and being so far away, he didn't get to visit as much as he would have liked, but such is life. His wife was starting to get a little sick, and decided to stay home with their daughter, Anna. Their 22 year marriage had definitely hit a rough patch lately and he was glad to be away for a week to refocus on family and clear his head. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that jazz. He was definitely missing his daughter though. She was a daddys girl through and through. She had a childlike curiosity and a way she talked that cut through all the clouds of doubt and brought a ray of sunshine with her innocence and way of talking. Thinking of his daughter made Aiden smile as usual. At this time his brother pulled up to the curb, got out and helped with his bags. Pete, the brother, gave his brother a hug. "been too long man. glad you could make it down. wish it was under better circumstances, but still good to see you. on the way back home, gotta make a quick stop and drop off something for a friend, but shouldn't be long" So, after leaving the airport, Aiden and Paul made some small talk about life back home, the kids, wives, parents, just killing time.

About 30 minutes later Paul pulled into a parking lot for a decent sized office. He called his friend and she came down and he introduced me to, probably one of the most stunning women i had ever laid eyes on, Gina. Just a brief description, Gina was about 5'4", had an exotic complexion that i later discovered was Hispanic, Oriental, and Nordic. Slightly darker hued skin, piercing eyes, facial structure that DaVinci would have lost it over, and a smile that put the sun to shame. She came out of the building with a smile....that smile was contagious. If you saw that smile, you couldn't help smile, despite how bad of a day you were having. I was completely besotted with her and haven't even spoken to her yet, but I was married. Despite the feelings racing through my body, i took my vows seriously. Infidelity broke up my parents and caused us to be raised in a broken home. So, despite seeing the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, i stayed in the car, to avoid making a scene with my... ahem... obvious discomfort. After brief introductions, my brother decided it was time to roll as we had a funeral to get to, so we wished Gina a great day, told her i was (extremely) happy to meet her and we left. I found out later on that Gina was engaged, and was truly happy for her and wished her happiness.

After the funeral, and a few days visiting family, i received a call from my daughter that made my heart freeze solid. Apparently Hannah was in the hospital, so i cut the trip short and expedited back home. when i got there, I immediately ran to the hospital to check on my wife. After talking with the Dr. my blood ran cold. He informed me that she was having multiple organ failure and the best we could do was palliative care and make her comfortable. I was destroyed inside. All the plans we had, of growing old together, of going to our daughters graduation and wedding as the beaming parents then retirement in Florida was just stopped...like a cruel act of God. I have never been truly religious, but i prayed. I clasped my hands so hard i thought my fingers would bruise and begged whatever higher power there was to spare her life, if not for me but for our Daughter. Despite all this, she passed peacefully in her sleep 3 weeks later. I was crushed and numb. My wife of 22 years was gone. Taken way too young. Unfortunately for me, this was only the beginning of the darkest time in my life.