G III: Chapter 15

The whole family had been heartbroken due to Charlies untimely death. James stayed that night to be there for everyone, and to have someone there for him. His best friend was gone. He and Charlie were so close that it felt like half of James was missing. He wasn't sure how he would ever cope alone.




That morning, after James had taken the trash out, Isabel caught him at the front door.

"Morning James. How did you sleep?"

"As good as I could, I guess." Replied James. With genuine concern he asked, "Mom, how are you? Is there anything I can do before I go?"

"Yes, actually there is. Please, you've been through a lot - as we all have - and we need each other now. A lot has happened in this family, and we could all use some more support. Would you come back and live with us? You would also be closer and more available to your daughter. Anyway, Brian and Dylan need a role model. A man in the family." Isabel was almost crying as she spoke to James. She hated to think that Charlie was no longer available for his boys. She wouldn't in anyway want James to try and replace their father, but at least they would have some type of father figure.

"Is that a good idea? I wouldn't want to cause discomfort at all." James hesitated just a moment, thinking about Charlie. Then he said, "You're right though, those boys need a man around too. And poor Dylan really looked up to Charlie, and now he's gone. If that's what you want mom, I'll be happy to come to stay."




Daphne had gone to bed early the night before, and still hadn't risen by late morning. She couldn't, and didn't want to face a day without Charlie. The two of them were still just as in love as the day they married. She didn't want to live by herself.

Daphne thought of her boys. They were the only thing that made her get up. They needed her, and she couldn't leave them. She told herself that as long as they were around, and Isabel, that she wasn't alone. Besides, it was Dylan's birthday today. A happy day to celebrate.


Everyone came downstairs and gathered around the dining room table to watch Dylan enter his teen years.

Dylan blew out his candles unenthusiastically, he was still very sad. His wish was just to see Charlie again, for him to be there. Dylan became handy as he entered his teen hood. He wanted to learn everything he could about mechanics, that way he could upgrade things around the house so they wouldn't break. There wouldn't be another incident like Charlie's.









The family sat around to eat cake and spend time together. Brian looked at Dylan.

"Happy birthday bro." He said.

"Thanks, but I really wish dad was here."

"I know. Me too, we all do." Brian said.

That evening was Charlie's funeral service. Daphne picked up Johannah to bring her downstairs for lunch. Daphne didn't eat, but she sat with the family anyway.

James was concerned for Daphne. She was starting to look pretty unhealthy. He watched her as they ate, and tried to get her to say something. She remained unresponsive.

Daphne got up from the table and stood by Charlie. The family had set up a mourning area, for the services. The guests had been invited and would be arriving soon.

No one felt like cooking, but they needed to serve something to their guests, so Brian ordered a pizza. It arrived just as the firsts people were coming in.

The first to arrive was Brian and Dylan's good friend, Alejandro Greenwood. Brian welcomed him and they talked for a few minutes. Alejandro expressed his condolences, and Brian spoke well of Charlie.

Not too far away, Isabel tried more to get Daphne to talk. She knew more than anyone that you can't just bottle up the pain you feel. It would cause you to emotionally implode. Isabel assured Daphne that she wasn't alone in her hurt, nor her tears. The whole family was there for her. It took just a little more urging before Daphne finally broke down and cried hard on Isabel's shoulder. When she finally did, Daphne felt slightly better.


The guests and family sat down for some pizza. Everyone, in turn, paid their respects to Charlie. Some mourning more than others, but everyone sad to see him gone.


When the funeral was over, the family started to attempt getting back to normal life, though nothing would be normal for a while without Charlie.

Isabel cuddled Johanna, she was still too young to understand what happened. She did know Charlie well and will probably miss him, but not feel the loss like everyone else. Still everyone was there for her as well.

Brian pushed all of his pain and anguish into his latest sculpture. He worked it hard until it was nearly complete. By then he was just to exhausted to do anymore. He retired to his room and collapsed on his bed to remain there until sunrise.


Daphne and Isabel sat in the den watching the cooking channel. The two of them sat in silence for the most part. Their minds preoccupied. Pretty soon they each said goodnight and went to bed. Daphne slept on Charlie's side of the bed that night, and she could still smell him on his pillow. This made her tear up again, and she cried herself to sleep.



Since James decided to move in, he helped Isabel set up one of the extra beds in Johanna's room. She was still young enough to share a room with someone. Since he was in the same room, James would be the one who took care of little Johanna when she woke in the middle of the night.

"You hungry Jo-Jo? Let's go get a midnight snack, just us two." James said.

He enjoyed the fact that he could do this. Thoroughly happy he could take care of his own daughter, and know how she was doing day to day. It would be her birthday soon, and he was already dreading the day that he wouldn't be able to pick her up and snuggle her. Though he hadn't missed much, he felt like he did. James wanted to keep her a toddler forever, but he can't.