The screen door slammed shut as the old man walked down off his front porch, making his way into the barn where he climbed up onto his horse. The trail wound deep into the forest until it opened into a large clearing, the willow tree his wife had planted standing tall and proud in the middle
"Hi honey." The man smiled, climbing stiffly from the saddle "my age is starting to catch up with me, yesterday I almost couldn't get out of that damn chair the kids got me." He added as he walked towards the large head stone under the tree, setting down a cluster of daisy's and sunflower's at the base of the large stone
"I miss you, I know its been nearly 7 years, but every time I turn around, you're there. Your chair at the kitchen table hasn't been moved, your recliner still next to mine in the living room, your slippers still next to mine." The old man continued, sitting down beside the stone, leaning against it "Bryan's got a girlfriend, weird girl, that one. Wears some strange boy band t-shirts, tights, and shorts. He got her on a horse and she said wee the whole time he led her around on the horse." He continued, running his fingers along the edge
"The kids are bringing the grandkids by today...I don't know how much longer I'll be able to run around a play tag...I'm damn near 70...." He sighed, fingering the ring that sat around the fourth finger on his left hand, next to his pinky "But I best be off. They'll be here soon, I love you, darling." He whispered, standing and pressing his lips to the head stone before climbing back on his horse and going back to the house. The same moment he walked out of the tack room in his barn, car doors slammed and two little boys came running towards him
"Grandpa! Grandpa!" They squealed, jumping into his arms as he hoisted them into the air
"Ahh, my little men." He smiled, carrying them back their parents
"Hello honey." He smiled, kissing his red headed daughter
"Hi daddy." She smiled, kissing his cheek before taking her husband's hand and walking with he and her father into the house, the two young children giggling all the way inside.
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That night, the old man laid in his bed, the blankets covering his chest, his breathing labored and painful as he drug in his air. Shutting his eyes tightly, he took in one large breath, all his happy memories flitting before his eyes, he exhaled, his memories slowly becoming more recent, becoming increasingly darker until it was like he wasn't there. With one last large breath, he let go, what was left of his memories becoming a blinding white.
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"Steele..." A voice laughed from behind him. Rubbing his eyes, he turned to see Ace standing there, her red hair hanging hanging loose around her shoulders
"Ace...?" He trailed, a grin slowly lighting his face "oh my god I missed you!" He muttered, running to her and spinning her up into a hug
"I missed you too, but you're here now." She muttered into his chest "come on." She grinned, pulling back and running away, leading him through the trees that surrounded them
"Where are we going?" He yelled after her, watching as she ran through a stand of tree's
"Here..." Her voice trailed from the other side of the tree stand. Stepping through, he saw Kira, Luke, and Josh all standing there along with all of their parents
"I want to say you're too soon, but youre not, and I missed you." Steele's mother smiledx hugging her son
"Oh god..." Steele whispered, his eyes filling with tears "oh god...I'm dead..." He continued, his eyes darting from face to face "I thought I was dreaming." His voice broke, tears filling his eyes
"I know it's hard, honey, but we don't get a choice..." Ace smiled sadly, taking her husbands hand, her ring still shining brightly
"I know...but Carly...and the boys..." He sobbed, hugging his wife tightly
"I know, but they'll be here when the times right." She soothed, rubbing his back
"I love you so much." He whispered into her hair, his arms tight around her waist
"I love you too." She whispered, holding him just as tightly.
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The end