invisible string | ROSALIE HALE.¹

00. | 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮

INVISIBLE STRING

༻ PROLOGUE — REST EASY DADDY ༺

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TRIGGER WARNING: PARENT DEATH

Death was never easy for the living, watching life leave from someone wasn't easy to watch, some couldn't bear to watch. But on Stephan Parker's last day he was lucky enough to have his family and even a few friends there so he wouldn't pass alone. Stephan smiled at his wife and kids who surrounded him, as well as his friends, Billy Black and his son Jacob Black, Charlie Swan, Harry Clearwater with his wife and kids, Leah and Seth, who both stood closely to his only daughter, Meredith Parker, who had tears in her eyes that threatened to fall, but she wouldn't let them, she never let anyone see her cry.

No words were spoken by Stephan, he wanted to just hear about his family and friends days as if he wasn't laying on his deathbed, time running out. All Stephan wanted was to hear their voices, their laughs, and see their smiles, and that's what they did for him. Each went one by one telling him about their day and all he did was smile and listen, his smile grew a little larger each time a chuckle passed their lips. He didn't want crying in his final moments so they didn't cry, as hard as it was, they kept strong, for him.

     After the youngest, Stephan jr., told his dad about his day the room was silent again, Stephan laid in the hospital content and happy, "I love all of you." Was the first and last thing Stephan said, his voice hoarse but still full of love and happiness as he then took his final breaths, the heart monitor flatlined and it was all that could be heard other than the quiet sniffing that came from just about everyone in the room.

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    Meredith and Erick helped their mother prepare for the funeral, the Parker household had become eerily quiet since Stephan Parker's death. "Flowers, what kinda of flowers? Your father loves tulips." Alexis said franticly, trying anything to distract herself and keep from crying. "Erick is taking care of the flowers, mom. Breath." Meredith said put her hands on her mom's shoulders.

"He should be here." Alexis said softly looking at her feet. Meredith didn't know what else to do other than to pull her mother in for a tight hug, knowing she needed it. Alexis broke down in her daughter's arms, Meredith looked towards her brothers, all who had their eyes on them, simultaneously the three boys joined their sister and mother in the hug, Alexis like usual, felt how lucky and loved she was to have her four children by her side, and was grateful she was allowed to be upset or sad and not push it down for the sake of her children, they all knew her too well to let her anyway.

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     The Parker family stood in front of Stephan Parker's fresh grave, it had been an hour since the funeral had ended and the family hadn't moved, their cheeks were tear stained and red as they stared as the many flowers that covered his grave, the fresh dirt, and his tombstone that read;

Here lies Stephan E. Parker, loving husband, father, and friend. May he rest in peace.

     Meredith held onto her youngest brother, Stephan, the boy had latched onto her since they drove to the funeral home that morning. Meredith had always taken over the mother role with her siblings to help her mother, especially when their father got too sick and hospitalized. Alexis was extremely grateful for her but could never shake the guilt that loomed over her when Meredith took over for her, Meredith had just turned eighteen, and was about the start her senior year of high school, she was still a kid, yet chose to grow up for her mother.

     Meredith softly handed Stephan to their older brother, Erick. And kneeled beside the grave placing a single tulip on the dirt. "Rest easy, daddy." She said as a tear fell onto the dirt.