~TWELVE YEARS LATER~

"Come on Eden!" I hear Papa growl, banging on my door. "Wake up!" 

I moan, rolling over, snuggling into my covers, ignoring him. Sleep was more important than waking up and going to school. I sigh happily, enjoying the warmth that the covers provided for me. There was only one person that was standing between me and sleep paradise.

"Eden Averyline Fischbach, you better get your ass up and not miss the bus or you will be in serious trouble young lady!" Papa growls. I sigh, throwing the covers off of me.

"What're you going to do ground me old man?" I mutter quietly. "I'm almost eighteen years old." My door swings open, surprising me a little as I stare back at Papa's brown eyes.

"I may be an old man," He growls. His red hair was combed neatly over compared to the sweatpants and baggy t-shirt that he was wearing. "But this old man has no problem showing your ass who's in charge." And with that, he slammed the door. I sigh, getting up and trying to find a hoodie and some pants to wear.

Papa wasn't only like this. Mean, impatient, and down-right rude. The only reason he's acting like this is because of Dad. Ever since Dad came down with a nasty fever that seems to just be getting worse, Papa has been very protective but mostly worried about him. So I don't take it personally when he snaps at me sometimes.

~

I make my way down the stairs, surprised to see Dad sitting at the kitchen table. His once dark green hair was now dull and a mess. Dad sips very delicately on a small cup of coffee, sighing softly at whatever he was thinking about. Clearing my throat, he turns his head slightly, smiling a little when he sees me.

"Good morning Eden," he says. His own blue eyes flashing, and I knew mine were doing the same. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing Dad," I reply, wrapping my arms around his neck the way I used to when I was only a pup. I could hear him sigh a little happily as he hugs me back. "How are you feeling?"

"A little better. Mark finally talked me into going to see the doctor a second time. So that's-"

"Eden," I hear Papa call. His voice was a whole lot softer now. "Ariande is pulling into the driveway, which means you missed the bus."

Shizzballs.

I grab my backpack, kissing Dad on the cheek and hurried into the living room to put my shoes on. Papa stood right by the door, arms crossed.

"I'm so sorry Papa!" I exclaim, putting my black vans on. "I swear I didn't mean to-"

"Eden hush," he says as I stood up, smiling. "It's okay, I understand. You were with Jack." He pulls me in for a hug. I hugged him back a little tighter, feeling a little comforted by his familiar scent.

Outside in the driveway, Ariande honked the horn a little impatiently. I smile, as we let go.

"I'll see you around 5," I said, before exiting my house.

We were both worried about Dad. And in the Fischbach household, we're really close. But lately, we will never know when a simple hug or a kiss on the cheek, will be our last.