March 18, 2015
This was the day that the very first chapter of this book was posted. This was the day that this book started on a journey to become (to my absolute surprise) loved by so many people. I started writing this book when I was fourteen but I was about two or three months away from turning fifteen. I finished this story towards the end of June about a month of so after I had turned fifteen. Now, here I am. I'm going to be turning sixteen on May 5th and this story is now a year old! That is totally crazy! To celebrate, I've written a VERY lengthy oneshot. But hopefully you guys will enjoy it!
Also, thank you so much for every read, vote, and comment! You guys rock! <3

Imagine this: what if Mark not only survived brain cancer, but also became a single father?
(B/D)- Your Birthday!
(F/F)- Favorite Flower!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

(Y/N) smiled at me as I gave her a foot massage. These past nine months, her feet had always been swollen and I had given her a foot massage to try and make her feel better. She had also spent these past nine months in bed because she was always sick. But yet, somehow, she always kept a smile on her face. It's really amazing.
"She wants to hear her daddy's voice." (Y/N) said when I finished with her massage and had laid down in bed with her. She pulled up her shirt, revealing her nine month baby bump.
I smiled and got close to her belly. I made sure to speak in a soft voice. "Hi in there baby girl. We're really excited for you to come. We've been waiting for you for a while."
(Y/N) laughed and asked her, "Want your music?"
I smiled and grabbed my phone from the bedside table along with my headphones. I inserted them into the audio jack, put on classical music, and placed the headphones over (Y/N)'s belly.
"She loves it."
"Just like I love my two girls."
"Come here you goofball!"
I smiled and pressed her lips against mine. She ran her fingers through my hair and I did the same with hers. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as the familiar sparks I always felt whenever I kissed her overtook me. One word can describe how our kisses make me feel.
Breathless.

Later that night, (Y/N) yawned and I planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Good night darling." I whispered. I then kissed her belly. "And good night to you little one."
"I love you both very much." I smiled.
"We love you too Markie." (Y/N) smiled, kissing my cheek. "We'll see you in the morning."

*****

"Mark!"
(Y/N)'s panicked voice and her shaking me cause me to awake from my slumber.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concerned. "Are you okay?"
"M-my water broke."
I immediately got up and scooped her up in my arms. I began carrying her out to the car, whispering softly to her as I placed her in the passenger's seat and buckled her seat belt. It took a lot for me not to slam on the gas pedal and drive normally.
"Just breathe (Y/N)." I told her as I drove. "Take long, deep breaths."
She tightened her grip on the hand that I wasn't using to drive. She was having a contraction. I heard her breathing long and deep, like I told her to.
"We'll be there in a few minutes." I told her. "Just hang in there."

*****

"Help! My wife's having a baby!" I called, holding (Y/N) close. The next thing I knew, she was placed in a wheelchair and was being transferred to the second floor. I took the elevator and met the doctors in the room.
"You ready to have the baby?" I asked (Y/N), grabbing her hand and kissing it. I kneeled down to her level.
"Yeah."
"You can do it." I told her. "I know you can. You're so strong."

We ran into complications when we found out the baby was breech.
The doctors tried so hard to turn the baby over but it didn't work out. They told me that (Y/N) would need a C-section or else the baby would suffocate.
"Just do what needs to be done!" I cried. "Just don't let either of them die!"
I went over to (Y/N) and told her that everything was going to be okay. I added that when she woke up, I would still be here and we would finally be able to hold our daughter.
Before the operation began, I kissed (Y/N) on the forehead and left the room since I couldn't stand the sight of blood ever since the car accident that reunited me with her.

*****

It felt like forever before the doctors told me that the operation was done.
My heart sank when they told me that it was "somewhat of a success".
"The baby's perfectly healthy." The doctor told me. "But your wife...she..." He paused for a moment. "There's really no easy way for me to say this but she didn't survive the operation."
At that moment, it felt as if someone had grabbed ahold of my heart, yanked it out of my chest, and stomped on it until it was smashed to the point where it just couldn't be smashed anymore.

*****

Through tears, I went back up to the room. The first thing I saw was (Y/N) laying lifeless in her bed. I walked up to her and broke down, sobbing into the crook of her neck. I ran my fingers through her hair and gave her a long kiss on the lips. "Rest well my darling. I'll take good care of our little girl, I promise."
At that moment, a nurse came in holding my daughter.
"Congratulations." The nurse told me. "And sorry for your loss as well."
Shut up nurse.
I took my little girl from the nurse's arms as if she would shatter into a million pieces if I wasn't careful. The nurse left and it was my child and I.
"Hi there Molly." It was hard for me to say her name since that was the name that (Y/N) and I picked out together. Looking closely at Molly, I noticed that she looked a lot like me. God, (Y/N) would've be overjoyed to discover that our child looked like me.

A big smile crossed my features when she opened her eyes and looked at me. Her eyes were the same color as mine.
"Well, hey there." I smiled at her and grabbed ahold of her tiny hand. A feeling that I can't even put into words overcame when she wrapped her hand around my finger. I kissed her forehead and walked over to (Y/N). I placed Molly on her and moved (Y/N)'s arms that she could hold Molly. After a few moments, Molly began crying. I immediately picked her up and began rocking her gently, telling her that it was okay.
But I knew it wasn't okay. Babies are smarter than people think. She could sense that her own mother was dead.
This thought caused a tear to roll down my cheek. Eventually, I was full-on crying on (Y/N)'s chest when Molly had fallen asleep.

*****

A few days later, I brought Molly home for the first time. I dressed her in a pink bow and an outfit that read, "Daddy's little girl" on it.
I smiled down at her and removed her from her carrier. "You're so quiet. You haven't cried except for when you're hungry or need a diaper change."
As if she suddenly realized she needed one of those two things, she started crying.
"You're probably hungry." I said, heading into the kitchen. "You haven't eaten in a while."
"Hey Mark, how are things?" Wade asked when he called me while I was in the process of feeding Molly.
I tried to force words to come out but it didn't work.
"Mark? You still there?"
"Yes. Physically, I'm still here. I'm not too sure that I'm here mentally though."
"What do you mean?"
I tried to speak again but the time, I ended up crying.
"Mark! What the hell's wrong?"
"Shit went wrong." I cried. "She left me with the baby."
"What? How dare she just have a baby, pack up her bags, and just leave?"
"No Wade, that's not what happened." I paused. "She had to get a C-section and she ended up dying."
"Mark, I'm so sorry." But Wade's words weren't enough. Words couldn't bring (Y/N) back. Nothing in this world ever could. "It's going to be okay buddy."
Except that things weren't going to be okay. They were going to be anything but okay.

*****

At about two in the morning, Molly started crying. Normally, this would wake up the parents but not me. I was up, unable to sleep and staining my pillow with my tears. I wiped them away as I got up and went into Molly's room. I lifted her out of her crib and sat in the nearby rocking chair. I checked to see if her diaper needed changing. It did. So I did what any good father would do and changed her diaper. But that still didn't satisfy her.
"Don't tell me that you're hungry." I smiled as I carried her out to the kitchen so that I could make a bottle for her.

"A snack for you." I showed her the bottle and she didn't cry, much to my surprise. I then picked up my bag of chips and showed it to her. "And a snack for daddy." I laughed. "But ladies first of course."
She closed her eyes as I placed the bottle in her mouth.
"I know you're much too young to understand now but I'm going to tell you anyway." I found myself mumbling. "Don't you ever let anyone, especially your significant other, treat you like shit. And if they do, they aren't worthy. And cheating is unforgivable."
She just drank her bottle without a care in the world. Oh, how I would kill to not have a care in the world.
"I love you baby girl." I kissed her forehead. "I've loved you since day one and I'll love you until the day I breathe my last breath. No, actually, I'll still love you. Mommy and I will love you together though."

*****

One year since you been gone. It hasn't really felt like a year. It feels more like a decade. I miss you (Y/N). Bob and Wade are telling me to try and find someone new for not only my sake, but for Molly's as well. But I know I'll never find someone as great as you.

Molly's birthday was today. Bob, Wade, and I got her a cake and filmed her eating it. You should've seen it. It was the cutest thing ever. Plus, I discovered today that she not only has my looks, but your smile as well.
God I miss you. Please tell me you haven't forgotten me.

*****

Four years since you been gone my love. Funny enough, Molly's first word was "dada" but she immediately followed it up with "mama." It took a lot for me not to cry. Not only was she mute up to this point, but I fucking miss you.

"Daddy, are you crying?" I heard Molly ask me from the backseat.
"No sweetie," I told her. "There's just something in my eye."
"Don't cry because it's my first day of school." She told me. "I'll be back later."
"I know darling." I said as we arrived. The next thing I knew, I was holding her hand and was soon down on my knees, holding both of her hands tightly.
"You have a good day now." I told her.
"I will Daddy!" She hugged me tightly and I hugged her back just as tight. It was hard breaking out of that hug. It was even harder seeing her run off and wave goodbye to me before she disappeared around the corner.

Later that day when I came back to pick her up, tears were streaming down her face. I immediately opened up my arms to her and she accepted the hug.
"What happened?" I asked her gently.
"I couldn't do it Daddy."
"Couldn't do what?"
"I couldn't talk to anyone." She sobbed. "I just got so scared."
I honestly wasn't surprised by this. Today was the first time she was around kids her age. She was going to be a shy one. I already knew it.
"Are you disappointed in me Daddy?" Her asking me that shocked me.
"No, of course not." I told her as I began carrying her out to the car. "You'd have to do something pretty crazy in order to disappoint me."

*****

Eight years love. Molly's doing so wonderful in school. She's one of the smartest kids in the class along with the shyest. But don't worry, I'm sure she'll break out of it.
"Hey there." I smiled as she got into the backseat and put her backpack down on the ground. I noticed she was holding a paper. "What's that you got there?"
"It's for the mother-daughter dance coming up!" She smiled in excitement. "All the girls in my class and their mommies are going! I want my mommy to come too!"
I felt like someone had punched me in the face at that moment.
"Daddy, are you okay?" She looked down. "Did I do or say something wrong?"
"No sweetie." I wiped away the tears I hadn't even realized had fallen. "You didn't say anything wrong."
"How come everyone else I know has a mommy and I don't?"
"Because your mommy's up in the sky."
"Why is she up there and not down here with you and me?"
"Because life sometimes isn't fair. You're too young to realize it now but you'll come to learn that when you get older."
"I want to see my mommy."
"You can't." It was becoming harder to drive now. "She's up in the sky. You can't see her yet."
"No, I want to see where she's buried." Molly looked at me dead in the eyes. "I want to see her headstone."
"How do you know what a headstone is?"
"My teacher said that when her uncle died, they had a funeral and they gave him a headstone." Molly said. "I want to see Mommy's headstone."
"Okay." I replied, sighing. I always knew that this day would come but I didn't expect it to come so soon.

"This is it." I told Molly as I tightened my grip on her hand. "That's your mommy."
She let go of my hand and laid down the bouquet of (F/F)s that we had bought for her.
"Hi Mommy." She whispered faintly. "So this is where you've been hiding all my life."
I got down on my knees and just listened to what she had to say.
"Daddy, why did Mommy go?"
I couldn't tell her the truth. She would blame herself. I felt bad for lying but it was for her own good.
"She died in a car accident." It physically hurt my heart to lie to my own daughter but I kept telling myself it was for the best.
"Are you lying to me Daddy?"
"No sweetie, I would never lie to you."
"Do you pinky promise?" She held out her pinky to me.
"I pinky promise." I linked my pinky with hers.

Later that night, she told me that she couldn't sleep. I could relate because I haven't been able to sleep properly for eight years. Nonetheless, I put my own troubles aside as I held out my arms to her and told her to come here. She did.
"Are you having nightmares again?" I asked her as I held her close to me.
She nodded. "I think the person that's been in my nightmares for all these years might be Mommy."
I was about to respond when she added, "You were in this dream Daddy. You were asking her to marry you. She said that she would marry you and then you two got married on a cruise ship but during the honeymoon, you died Daddy." She was crying at this point. "You told her how much you loved her and then you died."
I began rubbing her back in an effort to comfort her. "It's okay baby girl. I'm here for you and I always will be. Nothing's going to take you away from me. I promise."

*****

Ten years. Ten goddamn years darling. Everyday's a struggle but I get through for Molly's sake.

"Daddy, someone at school said that sometimes mommies die when they have babies." Molly said as she walked out in the living room. "I-is that true?"
I sighed and held back tears as I thought of (Y/N). I wanted to lie to her. But I already lied to her about how (Y/N) died two years ago when I took her to visit the headstone. I couldn't bare the thought of lying to her again. I grabbed ahold of both of her hands and looked her dead in the eyes.
"Yes sweetie. It is true."
"Is that how Mommy died?"
I broke down crying at that moment.
"Yes." I faintly whispered. "It is exactly how Mommy died."
She was silent for a few moments.
"You said that she died in a car accident!" She snapped. "Y-you lied to me Daddy."
Before I could speak, she ran off to her room crying. I forced myself to get up and knock on the door.
"Leave me alone! I don't want to hear any more of your lies!"
"Molly, please let me come in and talk to you."
She didn't say a word. I tried to open the door but she had locked it.
"Molly, please unlock the door so that I can come in and talk to you."
I was surprised when I heard the lock click.

I came in and saw Molly crying on her pillow. I went over to her bed, sat down, and took her into my arms.
"I'm so sorry for lying to you." I hugged her and held back tears. "I promise I won't ever do it again. I thought lying would protect you."
She didn't say anything. She just continued to cry. After a while, she looked me dead in the eyes.
"Daddy, I'm so sorry for killing Mommy."
I was stunned that she said that.
"No, you didn't kill Mommy sweetie."
"Yes I did." She insisted. "She died having me. It's my fault that your heart hurts Daddy. I took you away from her."
"No, you didn't." I looked her right in the eyes and somehow managed to hold back my tears. "She lives on in my heart. And I'd like to think that you're keeping her alive in your heart even though you've never met her."
She smiled. "I do."
I smiled back and wiped away her tears. "Good girl."

*****

Fifteen years since you left us here love. Molly just got her permit and I'm so proud of her. I'm about to teach her to drive for the first time.

"You ready?" I asked her.
"No, I'm nervous."
"Everyone gets nervous." I reassured her. "Now, it's now or never. Besides, we're at your school's parking lot on a weekend so you shouldn't have to worry about any other cars."
"Okay." She took a deep breath and jumped a little when the car first started. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.
I expected for her to floor it on the gas pedal but much to my surprise, she took it slow. I had to encourage her to make turns and we ended the session with her parking in one of the spots.
"You did great." I smiled. "That wasn't as bad as you thought it was going to be, now was it?"
"No." She laughed. She looked up and noticed a photo sticking out from the flap that concealed the mirror. She took the photo in her hand and looked down at it.
"Is this you and Mom together, Daddy?"
I smiled at the fact that she was fifteen years old and still calling me daddy. I looked over at the photo she was talking about and sure enough, it was a picture of (Y/N) and I on the beach.
"Yes." I replied. "That's your mother. My other pride and joy."
"Who's also your pride and joy?"
"Molly, I think you know very well who also is my pride and joy."
She rolled her eyes.
"What?" I chuckled. "I can't help it. You're my daughter and I love you."
She smiled at me. "Love you too Daddy."
We shared an embrace. "Your beautiful mother loves you too."
"I know she does."

*****

Sixteen years has come and gone so fast. I miss you more every single day (Y/N). I'm still having trouble sleeping because I miss being able to hold you while I sleep. I honestly don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for Molly. She fills the hole in my heart that you left.
She was the greatest gift you could've ever given me. Thank you my darling. I love you until everything in this universe ceases to exist.

Today was Molly's sixteenth birthday. I took her after school to get her license and she ended up passing. I was glad because if she couldn't drive, her birthday present would be useless.
"Molly! Could you come down here please?"
I couldn't stop grinning as she entered the kitchen.
"Now, your uncle Wade and Bob helped pitch in for your present so don't forget to call them later and tell them thanks and that you love them." I told her.
"I will." She promised.
I gave her an envelope. "Go look outside then."
She stared at the envelope in confusion before heading outside. A moment later, she was screaming.
"I love you! I love you! I love you! I love you!" She cried, pulling me into a hug. "You're the greatest daddy in the world! I love you so much!"
"I love you too." I smiled. It made me happy knowing that getting her a car for her birthday had made her this happy. "Don't ever forget that, okay?"
"Okay."
I looked up at the sky.
I hope you think that I've been doing a wonderful job at raising her (Y/N). The last thing I want is to disappoint you.

*****

Eighteen years. Eighteen years without you is crazy to think about. It's been hard but the struggle has been worth it. I get to watch our little girl graduate today.

"Daddy, I want to introduce you to Leo." It was a couple of hours before Graduation and I had told her to get ready, not bring someone to our house. "Him and I have been dating for six months now."
Leo had features that reminded me so much of (Y/N) that it almost hurt my heart just to look at him.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Sir." He extended his hand out to me. I took it and gave him a firm handshake.
"Please, call me Mark." I forced myself to be friendly. I was still being cliché and feeling the urge to feel overly protective towards my daughter. I wouldn't let her heart get broken by some asshole who wasn't smart enough to realize that they were a dumbass for doing something to hurt my girl.

I'm sitting here and I'm about to fucking lose it (Y/N). She's going to go off to college and leave me alone with my own thoughts and feelings. I'm fucking terrified. What if I do something that'll make her never forgive me?
Give me the strength to carry on when she leaves.

I cheered the loudest when Molly went on stage to get her diploma and she didn't seem the least bit embarrassed by it. I was so proud of her. Not only did she graduate, she graduated as valedictorian. I was even more proud to find out that Leo was right behind her.
"Fellow students, today is our day to celebrate our achievements and the things we've learned over the past eighteen years. Today is also the day that a chapter of our lives ends but another begins. Our parents aren't responsible for our lives anymore. We make our choices and we have to live with them." She paused. "We all have someone in our lives that we aspire to make them proud of us and someone that we love dearly. Well, my person is my daddy. Yes, I'm eighteen years old but I still call him daddy. I'm not ashamed. Him and I have been close for as long as I can remember. He raised me on my own after my mother died and he was, and still is, my shoulder to cry on and the one who really pushes me to be successful in my life." She paused once more. "Thank you so much for everything that you've done in my eighteen years of life Daddy. I love you more than words will ever be able to express."
As the crowd went wild over Molly's speech, I ran up to the stage and gave her the tightest hug that I've ever given her in my entire life. At that moment, she reminded me so much of when I had given (Y/N) her diploma when she graduated college.
"I couldn't be more proud of you." My voice was cracking and my heart felt warm.

It was painful to say goodbye to her. But going to college outside of Ohio is what she wanted and I respected that.
"You better take real good care of her." I told Leo as I placed a hand on his shoulder. Even though he and Molly had been together for almost a year, I still feared that he would hurt my little girl.
"I will." He promised. "If someone wants to hurt her, they'll have to go through me first."
I nodded in approval. "I better not regret putting my trust in you to protect her."
Before he could respond, Molly walked up to me and smiled.
"Everything's all packed." She said. "I'm ready to go off to Alabama."
"God, where did the time go?" I asked her as I have her the tightest hug I think I've ever given her. "It seems like just yesterday I was bringing you home for the first time."
"Yeah, time has really flown." She agreed before pausing for a few moments. "I love you so much Daddy."
I kissed her forehead. "I love you too. And no matter how old you get, you'll always be my little girl. So, with that being said, if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always call me."
"Okay." She smiled as she broke the embrace. "I'll call you when I get there."
I waved goodbye until her car was out of sight.

*****
(Y/N), please help me. I've been keeping my sorrow locked away for almost nineteen years. I guess I just always put her feelings before mine and I haven't taken the time to really acknowledge how I feel about your passing. I do know that I will never love someone else, which is why I haven't dated in nearly nineteen years. But there's a hole in my heart that even Molly cannot fill.
That was the hope that you filled.

"I can't fucking take it anymore." I had called Wade because I needed someone to listen to me. "I never realized that for nearly nineteen years, I've locked up my feelings. But now that Molly's gone, they're finally free. Wade, I have to be with her again.."
"Don't you dare fucking leave!" Wade's tone was harsh and it honestly startled me. "What the hell is Molly going to think? She already grew up not knowing her mother. Do you really want to be a selfish bastard and leave her by taking your own life? She loves you to death Mark. Don't be an asshole and shatter her heart into a million pieces!"
"But-"
"Mark, you know I'm fucking right." Wade said. "Don't pretend like I'm not." He let out a long sigh. "You can get through this. If you ever need to vent, you can call me."
"Thanks Wade." I genuinely meant it. "You're a great friend. Thank you for everything that you've ever done for me."
At that moment, I realized just what I had to do.

"Here you go love." I placed a bouquet of (F/F)s on (Y/N)'s headstone. "I'm nearly nineteen years late but better late than never I suppose."
I paused as if I was waiting for a response. I was stupid to expect one in the first place.
The next thing I knew, I was down on my knees and crying my eyes out.
"Is this what it's like to finally experience the pain of losing the one person that meant the most to you after putting the feelings away to focus on someone else for almost nineteen years?" I sobbed. "Because holy hell, I can't even put it into words just how much pain I'm in right now."

*****

I basically spent the last eight years being the most depressed I've ever been in my entire life.
Molly became so busy with college that she hardly ever called and didn't come for Thanksgiving or Christmas. She always felt bad but I always told her that she should just enjoy the college life while it lasted because it was going to be over before she knew it.

The only day that I was happy within these last eight years was today, Molly's college graduation. Just when I think that I couldn't be more proud of her, she always finds a way to make me even more proud. Clearly I've done at least one thing right in my life.

It was strange seeing her. She didn't look like a little girl anymore. She looked like a young and independent woman. Twenty-six years has come and gone way too fast. As I watch her take the Master's diploma that she had worked hard for eight years in order to achieve, I wished that she was a baby again just for a little bit so I could feel those rush of emotions that come with holding your own flesh and blood.

"It's been much too long." I told Molly this and looked her directly in the eyes. It was a few hours after graduation and we were at her apartment. She had grown a bit and was probably around five foot six. "Don't ever leave me for that amount of time ever again."
She just laughed and kissed my cheek. "I won't Daddy. I promise." She kept that beautiful smile of hers on her face. "There's two things I need to tell you. I'll start with this." She held up her left hand and my attention was immediately turned to the big diamond ring on her ring finger.
"You're engaged?" I asked overjoyed. "Who's the lucky man?"
"Leo." She smiled. "You remember him don't you?"
"Of course." I nodded and returned her smile. "When's the wedding?"
"Two months."
"Wow, that's very soon."
"Yeah, we're getting married at the park, which is where we first met."
"That's wonderful." I gave her another hug. "I'm so happy for you."
"I want you to walk me down the aisle." She said shyly. "I can't think of anyone else who deserves to do it more than you."
I grabbed ahold of both of her hands and looked her dead in the eyes. "Molly Marie Fischbach, it would be an absolute honor to walk you down the aisle."
She smiled the widest she's ever smiled in her nearly twenty-seven years. Looking at her, I was reminded of myself. She just looked and acted so much like me. I guess like father, like daughter really is true statement.
"There's another thing I need to tell you."
I had almost forgotten about that. "What is it?"
Without saying anything, she walked upstairs. She returned a few moments later holding a photograph. She placed into my hands and I instantly looked down. I saw an ultrasound picture depicting twins holding hands.
"Y-you're pregnant?" I asked, a smile crawling into my face as I looked up at her. "My baby's having babies?"
Molly giggled. "Yes Daddy. I'm four months in."
"But you aren't showing that much." I noticed. "But then again, your mother suddenly started showing when she was about five or six months in."
"Wonderful." She replied sarcastically. She followed up her sarcasm with a smile. "I'm really overjoyed though."

*****

The wedding came so fast that I felt like it was just yesterday that Molly told me that it was actually happening. I was overwhelmed with emotions not only because I felt old knowing that my daughter was going to get married today and that I would become a grandpa in just a few months. The fact that my hair was starting to become gray only added on to the feeling.

Molly had refused to let me see her until it was time for me to walk her down the aisle. My heart skipped a beat and immediately filled with joy when I saw her.
She was wearing (Y/N)'s wedding dress.
"I'm guessing you like it?" She asked me, smiling because of the look that I had on my face.
"I love it." I smiled and linked her arm with mine. "You may have inherited my looks but you remind me so much of how your mother looked wearing that. Beautiful."
She opened her mouth to respond but she never got to say what she wanted due to the fact that the music coming from the organ filled the air. Once everyone was standing, I began walking Molly down, never taking my eyes off of Leo. Even though I had come to like him and think of him as a good match for my daughter, I would still kick his ass if he ever did anything to hurt my little girl.

Hearing the vows had me on the verge of tears. Watching the two of them share their first kiss as husband and wife broke me down into tears. It's hard to believe that I had once held a baby Molly in my arms and had soothed her as she cried. She had needed, no, depended on me then. But now, she doesn't need her old man anymore. She's grown up to be independent. And that makes me so proud.

I got to have the first dance. I had to bury my emotions because she had picked the exact same song that (Y/N) and I had danced to on our wedding day.
"I haven't danced in twenty-seven years so I might be a little rusty." I smiled as I forced myself to crack a smile.
"It's okay Daddy." She smiled back and the only difference between mine and her smile was that one was genuine. Don't get me wrong, I was beyond happy that my daughter's life was heading in a wonderful direction but my mind keeps flashing back to my own wedding. "I was never a good dancer either."
I held Molly like I used to hold (Y/N). More than a quarter of a century has passed since (Y/N) died and yet, it still feels like yesterday.
"Daddy, are you missing Mom?" Molly gave me a look of concern as we slow-danced together.
Father and daughter, together as one after eight years of the daughter being too busy to reunite with her daddy.
"Yes, very much so." I didn't want to lie to her. It hurt me too much. "I loved her very much."
She gave me a small smile. "You know, someone isn't truly dead until there's no one left to remember them."

*****

Molly's words echoed in my head for the longest time. They were like a chant as I walked through the very same hospital where my baby was born. But now I was walking through these halls to meet my grandkids.
"Hi Daddy!" Molly grinned at me when I entered the room. Leo was standing right by her side, holding one of the babies. Molly held the other one and it made me feel like an old man. But if I was an old man, then I sure as hell was a proud one. I was beyond grateful that my daughter was alive and the children would be able to grow up knowing who their mother was.
"Daddy, I'd like you to meet Sean and Riley." Molly said when I had approached the other side of her bed.
"They're beautiful." Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. They did end up spilling as I held the both of them in my arms. The years I spent with Molly went by so fast and I expected the same would happen with Sean and Riley.

I opened my mouth, about to say something about how I wished that (Y/N) was here to meet her grandchildren. But then I remembered what Molly had told me while we danced during her wedding.
You know, someone isn't truly dead until there's no one left to remember them.
(Y/N) was still alive. I knew deep down in my heart that she was in the room right now. I just couldn't see her. Knowing that she was watching over me, our beautiful daughter, our kind son-in-law, and our wonderful grandchildren made me feel like I could rest easy at night. Such a shame that it took me twenty-seven years to realize that she was there the whole time and I just didn't know it.

*****

Thirty-seven fucking years. I'd like to believe Molly's words but goddamnit, I can't anymore. I've been talking to Wade constantly ever since you've been gone and he's been quite the help over the years.
But there comes a time when you're just ready to join the one you've been missing. And for me, that time is now.

My body was shutting down. My face clearly showed signs of old age from wrinkles and I was completely bald now. I could barely do anything now and Leo, Molly, Sean, and Riley all helped take care of me after I moved in with them. I'll always be grateful towards them.
"Hi Grandpa!" Sean and Riley cried in perfect unison. They were fraternal twins, with Riley getting her appearance from Molly and Sean getting his from Leo. God they were so beautiful.
"Do you need anything?" Riley asked me, walking over to where I was laying in bed and holding my hand. Sean did the same with the other side.
Suddenly, I became overwhelmed. Everything was moving much too fast.

I am proposing to (Y/N). She tells me that she will of course marry me. I slip the ring on her finger and we kiss.

I am smiling at (Y/N). I had my hands on her belly.

I hear (Y/N) scream my name and that the baby is coming.

I am running into the hospital screaming that my wife is having a baby.

I am waiting as (Y/N) is in surgery.

I am in the room with my dead wife laying in the hospital bed. I am holding back tears as I hold my daughter for the first time.

I am sitting on the couch feeding my daughter and telling her to never let anyone hurt her.

I am celebrating Molly's first birthday with Bob and Wade. We are clapping as she blows out her candle. I am pining for (Y/N) and wishing that she was here with us.

I am taking Molly to her first day of preschool. I shed tears not because of (Y/N), but because it felt like I was saying goodbye for a while after Molly living with me constantly for four years. I hug her tightly and watch as she disappears around a corner.

I am standing over (Y/N)'s headstone with Molly by my side. We had bought flowers for (Y/N). They were (F/F)s, her favorite. Molly places them down and I get down on my knees.

Everything passes by in a blur.
I briefly see myself in the car with Molly when she drove for the first time.
I see her smile when I give her a car for her birthday. I see myself crying and hugging Molly after her graduation speech.
I see the terrible depression that had plagued me while Molly was in college.
I see the two of us sharing our dance on her wedding day. I see myself holding my grandchildren.
I see me reading a book to them.
I see (Y/N), as beautiful as I remember her to be thirty-seven years ago, smiling and holding out her hand towards me. I smile back and take it, expecting for my body to ache from my old age. But when she helps me up, I feel young again. I look down, expecting to see the aged skin but instead I saw the youthful skin that I had had in my twenties.
"Come with me Mark." It's been thirty-seven years since I last heard that voice. My heart filled with extreme happiness after (Y/N) spoke.
"Oh darling, of course I'll go with you." Even my voice sounds young. I feel tears rolling down my cheeks.
She smiled and wiped them away. A moment later, her lips met mine. It was very strange at first since I haven't dated let alone kissed anyone for thirty-seven years.

The kiss was the most passionate kiss that I had ever experienced. It truly let me breathless.
"Come on now." (Y/N) smiled at me and ran her fingers through my hair. "I've been waiting to spend some turn with you."

A small smile crossed my features and I saw Sean and Riley's faces before I saw complete darkness.