Hello, everyone. This is finally the last installment of our Memories Fade Away fic. It's short, simple and hopefully, sweet. We're glad you enjoyed it and we appreciated all your feedback, comments, and reviews. We hope you enjoy this last one. D&E

Disclaimer: We don't own this song. The title is Until They're Gone and it's by Bobby Tinsley. It's amazing and all credits go to him and the people who are affiliated to this song.

Part 3: Caleb

Why do say the things that bring each other pain?

Why do we argue about a past that we can't change?

I watch her, my darling daughter, the wind blowing against her beautiful features. Her hand is clutched tightly in his as she shivers. I smile as he turns to look at her before placing their interlocked fingers in his coat pocket. They smile at each other before exchanging a short kiss. I turn away and stare at the nothingness before me. A view of endless clouds and light shine ahead of me. I know I'm gone. Away from the ones I loved and the ones who loved me. My little Kirbear.

How come we sit in the same room without saying hello?

Why can't we turn the other cheek, I need to know

The last time we spoke, it was on tainted ground. She had just come out of the hospital, bruised and sprained. I had just visited her to see if she was alright and to try and knock some sense into her. But she's a Nichol, through and through. Stubborn as they come and strong as they can be. She refused to hear my pleas. She was an alcoholic and nothing was going to change that. Perhaps I could have let it to her gently; after all, I made that mistake with her mother. They're so alike. Even if Hailey was the exact replica physically of their mother, Kirsten had her personality. They were both tough, beautiful, challenging, intelligent people. If only she hadn't inherited so much of her mother.

We never miss the ones we love

Oh, we argue and fight

She was an alcoholic as well and I had handled it the wrong way. I turned to another woman, who bore me a child. I wasn't going to do that with Kirsten. I was going to help her. Or at least make an attempt. But I hadn't seen that I had already failed her in so many ways. As a father and as a man. I told her angrily about what she had done, forced her to become ashamed of her actions, insinuated that she was a bad parent and that she was an alcoholic. She retorted with a line I had used when she found out about Renee and Lindsay, "An error in judgment." We always argued and fought. It was like second nature to us. She had told me once that all she wanted was for me to be proud of her. I was a stubborn old fool never to tell her that she was the most important person in my life and that I thanked God everyday for blessing my life with her even if I didn't deserve her. I was more than proud of her. I was full of pride that she was my daughter and that she had grown into the woman she was.

We don't appreciate them while they're in our lives

We let our pride get in the way

I realize that the car is still parked in the lot, they haven't driven off yet. I hear her sobs, loud and pained, muffled by the closeness of his body to hers. I see them, his back against the car as she is huddled against him. He holds her close, one arm around her, the other hand, stroking her hair gently. Her arms are wrapped tightly around his middle as she clings to him, grabbing the fabric of his jacket firmly in her hands as she continues to cry uncontrollably. Her face is buried in his neck. I know he feels the sting of her tears against his skin. I know he wants to stop her tears but he doesn't know how other than being there for her. His face rests at the side of her head, turning every now and then to place a kiss on her temple.

And blame each other even though we both are wrong

Why don't we ever miss their love until they're gone?

Sandy was the son I never had. I hated him from the moment I laid eyes on him. At first, I had thought that he was just using her for her money. He was this scruffy, self-righteous, New Yorker that was with the beautiful, rich Newport princess. She loved him, though. I threatened to cut her off and she said it was alright with her as long as she was with Sandy. We used to be so close, when she was growing up. After her breakup with Jimmy, she moved to Berkeley against my wishes and our relationship deteriorated from there. I always pushed her to be the best and I believe it was I who pushed her straight into Sandy's arms. They wed and I, being my proud self, refused to attend. She said she understood. Sandy was the complete opposite of who I was. We never got along but I loved him all the same. He kept me on my feet and secretly, I was proud to have such a son-in-law. Someone balanced and blessed with morals to keep my Kirsten safe. He did just that and so much more. I heard his thoughts this morning. I feel the same about him. He's a son to me regardless of how it seemed on the outside. He was only friend in Newport. He was my only son.

Why do we go so long without saying how we feel?

Why do we open wounds, we know will never heal?

I watch as they finally make it home to their family, their sons. Seth and Ryan take turns enveloping Kirsten in their arms as they notice her tear-stained face. They know why she's crying and they're happy that she's home with them to deal with it. Together. As a family. I hear her laugh as Seth says something funny. Ryan stares at them, shrugging his shoulders. I know he missed his mother. I can read his thoughts. He loves Kirsten as though she bore him into the world. She loves him the same way. He's a secretive young man and refuses to tell her but she knows. Ryan pulls out a chair for her at the kitchen table as Seth places a box of leftover take out before her. Sandy sets another few boxes next to it to give her a wider array of choices. She smiles gratefully at them as she forces them all to eat with her.

How come we search for love that truly satisfies?

When everything we would ever need is before our eyes

They're her family. Her trio of men refuse as they want her to get her nourishment. She gives them all a patented Nichol glance and they all sit down next to her, eating what she places before them. I'm so happy for her as she smiles contently before eating her own food. Kirsten never had a normal family growing up. She never had a strong family dynamic and that was for the most part, my own fault. I turned away from them and turned to my business and my money. But where are they now that I am gone? They're gone as well and my family… My family still thinks of me, prays for me. Remembers me with love and adoration, both of which I shouldn't deserve. Kirsten's found the family she's always wanted. The family she's always deserved.

We never miss the ones we love

Oh, we argue and fight

I've read her letter. Time and time again since she left it on my grave. Sandy was right. I would get I somehow and as I read it the first time, I felt closer to her than ever before. She brought her heart to me. Told me of things I had never known before. Her feelings. I am given an opportunity to tell her goodbye and that there is nothing to be forgiven between us. We are eternally father and daughter. That bond will last until the end of time, no argument has broken us, and our apologies have been heard.

We don't appreciate them while they're in our lives

We let our pride get in the way

They sleep, nestled safely in each other's arms. She lies on her side, his arm draped around her stomach. I've already told him my goodbye, many times before. It is her final goodbye that I have not yet given. I couldn't until I knew she had read my letter. Until she knew how I felt and now she had. I walk over to her side of the bed, watching as peace is painted over her angelic face. I lean over to kiss my darling daughter on the forehead. My lips pressed against her forehead, I murmur, "There is nothing to be forgiven. You are my daughter and nothing will change that. I love you, Kiki."

And blame each other even though we both are wrong

Why don't we ever miss their love until they're gone?

She stirs gently as I remove my lips from her forehead. I stroke her hair one last time as I turn and walk away. "I love you, too, Daddy," I hear her say. I leave, tears in my eyes as I join my wife in a painless existence. Her letter lies with me. My letter lies next to her. This is our eternal farewell to one another.

I'm praying out that God would help me make a change

I'm begging now, right now that you will feel the same

My Dearest Kirsten,

I'm praying out that God would help me make a change

I'm begging now, right now that you will feel the same

I'm sorry. I'm writing you this letter because you were right. I'm not proud of what I've done or who I've become but you were. I've done a lot of things in my life that I shouldn't have. I always thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was doing right by you and your sister, your mother. But I wasn't. When you needed me most, I was gone. I am the reason that so many things have gone the way they have. You were right.

We never miss the ones we love

Oh, we argue and fight

I don't deny my cowardice or my negligence when it came to our family. I was a fool. But you see, Kirsten, you cannot deny that something is wrong. The accident, your drinking. Something is askew with you and I don't know what it is. It could be me or it could be Sandy, for all I know but something is not right. You scared us, Kirsten. You're scaring us. So many people love you and you can't treat yourself this way. You cannot allow yourself to fall so deep. You are your mother's daughter but you are not your mother. Her addiction doesn't have to be yours as well.

We don't appreciate them while they're in our lives

We let our pride get in the way

When she was sick, you bore the responsibility and that's my fault, Kirsten. You are a strong woman but you have to admit to your weaknesses. You need someone. It doesn't matter if in the end, you don't turn to me for help. I will understand. Turn to Sandy. Turn to someone because we're all behind you. You need to fight this, darling. Not me. That's all we've been doing for so long and it's time for a change. I can't stand to fight with you. I was wrong in telling you so abruptly everything you've ever done wrong in a single night. I'm sorry.

And blame each other even though we both are wrong

Why don't we ever miss their love until they're gone?

This was Julie's idea, you know. To write you this letter. She was right about so many things about us. Everyone's always right about us. Everyone that is except for you and I. We know nothing about our relationship and I am for the most part to blame. I distanced myself from you when all the while you were right there next to me. A relentless force to be reckoned with and I refused to see. I never appreciated you, Kiki. I let my pride get in the way and I blamed you for what you had done and who you had become.

We never miss the ones we love

Oh, we argue and fight

I pushed and pushed and pushed until you left me. It was my fault, Kirsten. I wasn't there. I was never there and I'm sorry. You are a strong, beautiful, intelligent, nurturing woman and I had nothing to do with it. I cannot take credit for who you are because you found that all on your own. I pushed you in different directions, all of which were wrong for you. You made your own path, Kiki and I'm so proud of you.

We don't appreciate them while they're in our lives

We let our pride get in the way

Kirsten, I'm sorry. I truly am. I hope you can find it in your heart to somehow forgive me for what I said to you. But please, Kiki, realize that you are hurting yourself. I don't want you to suffer. I don't want you to destroy yourself and the life and family you've created. They need you. Take care of yourself. Don't allow your Nichol pride to get in the way. Don't let it ruin your family as I ruined mine. You are special, Kiki to everyone around you and they want you to get better. You are strong where I was weak and I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for everything I've done and haven't done in your life but you are your own woman. I'm proud of you. You can fight whatever it is that comes at you. Remember that.

And blame each other even though we both are wrong

Why don't we ever miss their love until they're gone….?

I love you always, darling.

Love,

Your father, Caleb