TW
Grief and loss of a loved one.
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Vic's POV

The Spring is such a beautiful season but it is so full of pain and it just reminds me of him. So many events have taken place in this dreadful season our wedding, his birthday, his death.

Tomorrow is his birthday.

"Good morning." I hear my daughter Carlee coming down the stairs.

"Hi daddy"  she waves with a small smile.

"What do you want for breakfast?" I ask.

"It doesn't matter surprise me!" she cheers smiling ear to ear.

I make us breakfast, this was always Kellin's job and he seemed to enjoy it too. I would help him bake every once in a while but he was the real cook. I can tell we both miss his cooking. I sit a plate in front of Carlee and she sighs.

"What's wrong honey?" I ask her.

"Tomorrow is Dad's birthday isn't it?" She asks and a tear starts to run down her cheeks.

"Yes, honey" I try to hug her but she pushes me away and runs back upstairs. I let her go up and let some tears fall myself.

It's hard enough not waking up next to him every day but it kills me seeing how much pain she's in. She and Kellin were so close.

I clean myself up, whipping my tears aways. I  go upstairs bringing her plate up. I put my ear up to the door hearing her small sobs.

"Carlee?" I knock on the door. I hear the sobs get louder and I open the door.

She was curled up on her bed with her favorite stuffed animal she named bubbles when she was three.

I put her plate on the dresser and sit down on the bed next to her running my hand through her hair.

After a few minutes, she hugs me crying into my chest. "I miss him so much, Daddy"

"I know, I do too" I kiss her forehead. "I love you, baby girl."

"I love you too "

"You want to visit him tomorrow?"

"Yes... Please."

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Today is Kellin's birthday or was his birthday. I told Carlee when I get home from work. I'll take her to see him.  I feel such like a horrible parent all the time. I wanted to let her stay home but I couldn't get off of work today. Tony and I are almost done at the office anyway maybe I can get her early.

"Vic your phone?" Tony says snapping me out of my train of thought.

"Hello, "

"Hello, Is this the parent of Carlee Fuentes?"

"Yes, what is going on?"

"This London Johnson your daughter's counselor Carlee got in a fight with another student."

"Why!? Is she okay?"

"Yes, she seems fine she just has a bruise under her eye."

"Do you know what happened?" It's not like her to get in fights.

"No, your daughter won't speak and the other girl has been crying nonstop. We like for you to come to pick her, maybe to get her to speak about what happened and to discuss the consequences."

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible."

"Bye Mr. Fuentes" the woman hangs up.

"What's wrong Vic," Tony asks.

"Carlee got into a fight at school." I sigh

"Go I'll take care of the rest. If anything comes up I'll tell them it was an emergency," he says.

"Thank you," I tell him before getting my things to leave.

"If you need anything just let me know," he says as I walk out.

"Okay, thank you again. I'll see you tomorrow." I tell him before leaving.

I can't wrap my head around why Carlee would get in a fight it's not like her. I know she's going through a lot but still, she has never been violent.

I pull up to the school and head straight to the main office.

"Hello?" The lady at the front desk says as I walk in.

"Hi, I'm Vic Fuentes father of Carlee Fuentes."

"Can I see your ID?"

I hand her my ID. She checks whatever she needs to on her computer and hands it back.

"Feel free to take a seat. She'll be down in a moment."

I sit down in one of the uncomfortable red plastic chairs that they have in the main office and try not to break down for the third time today.

"Daddy?" Carlee runs up to me and her I'm guessing her counselor comes up behind her.

"Mr. Fuentes I would like to speak with you. If both you would follow me."

"Your daughter has been nothing but a great student. I'm shocked about her behavior today."

"Carlee, what happened?"

"My friend said I was being a bitch today. I told her that it is Dad's birthday. Then she said "the dead one right?" I just nod and she was like he-he deserved it th-then she was saying some-something about you I didn't really hear it but then I punched her."

"You know you shouldn't have hit her right," I tell her but I'm not gonna lie if someone said Kellin deserved to die I probably would fight them too.

"Dad didn't deserve to die." She starts crying.

"My partner passed last almost two years ago and today would have been his birthday. What the other girl said was...wrong and I know Carlee shouldn't have fought her..." I had to bite my tongue and choke on a few words. "But she's going through a lot right now."

"I'm sorry for your loss Mr. Fuentes." Ms. Johnson gives us a sad look. "School policy is that Carlee would need to have at least three-day suspension. The other girl will be talked to suspended as well. Since nether girl was seriously hurt and the fact the other family really doesn't care. I don't think charges will be pressed"

"Okay, that's fine" I nod. She wouldn't be in on the third day anyway; that would make two years since Kellin's Death.

"Thank you for time, Mr. Fuentes"

"Carlee if you ever need to talk just let me know." Ms. Johnson tells Carlee."

She nods.

"Just straight and you'll find the exit."

"Daddy can we visit Dad now," Carlee says

"Yes of course."

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Before went to the cemetery we stopped at a flower shop close by. I pick up some roses and Carlee picks out a plastic Teddy Bear which I think it's for baby showers but who really cares. She wants to leave it on Kellin's grave.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"What do you miss most about Dad?"

"Everything," I say honestly. I do he was the love of my life.

"But if you only pick one thing what would it be?"

"I miss waking up next to him and him telling me everything will be okay."

"I miss his hugs." She says.

"I miss that too," I say as we make it to his grave.

Kellin Quinn Fuentes

"Happy birthday, Kells," I say as sit the roses in front of the tombstone. Carlee sits the bear down next to the roses.

We both sit down, I look over at Carlee to see tears running down her face. My heart breaks a little more.

"Is there any thing you want to say?" I ask and pull her closer.

"Happy Birthday Dad. I miss you so such." She says "Today was really hard and I'm sorry I got in trouble but you didn't deserve to die. I love you so much."

"Kellin, I miss you so much. I'm trying my best right now like I promised but it still doesn't feel like it's enough sometimes. I wish you were here. I'm sorry if seems selfish and I'm sorry if so. But I know you didn't ask for this. I love you, Kellin" I feel so vulnerable.

Carlee and I just sit there a little longer. Both of us just sitting breathing in the cold, melancholic air of the cemetery.

"You ready to go?" I ask and she nods

"Bye Dad."

"Bye Kellin"

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I'm sorry the end was a bit rushed

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