Chapter Three: Good News And Bad News.

Lil told Kimi and Phil what happened and they did their best to not say anything about it. Tommy was sitting in the living room and would get nervous every time he heard a phone ring, thinking it was his mom with bad news. Lil was sitting next to him on the couch and she was trying to think of a good way to tell Phil the good news. She just couldn't find the right time with what was going on.

It was one in the morning, Tommy and Lil were asleep when Tommy's phone started ringing. He groaned and picked it up "Hello?" he mumbled. He then sat up and turned the light on "Mom, slow down. What's going on?"

Lil rolled over, rubbing her eyes. She looked up at him with a curious look. She watched as Tommy's face fell, full of heartbreak. He gout out of bed as he hung the phone up "Tommy, what's going on?"

He turned and looked at her, momentarily forgetting she was even there. He pulled on a shirt and then looked at her again "My dad.. He's... Gone."

Lil brought a hand up to her mouth "Tommy..."

She knew he was doing his best not to cry in front of her again. She got up and walked over to him, tears in her eyes "I'm so sorry" she threw her arms around his neck. He wrapped his around her wait and pulled her close.

"I'm going to see my mom and Dil..." he gave her a kiss "I'll call you later, okay?"

"Are you sure you don't want me there?"

"Of course I want you there. But I think my mom will want some time with us." he sighed and shrugged.

"I understand. Call me if you need anything." she kissed him and followed him to the door.

He walked down the hall to the car and Lil walked up the stairs to Phil and Kimi's apartment. She knew neither of them would be awake so she used her spare key to get in. She walked into the bedroom and walked to his side of the bed. She tapped his shoulder until he woke up and looked at her "Lillian, what do you want?"

"I need my brother." Phil shot up when he heard her crying.

He took her arm and walked out to the living room "What did that douche of a husband do to you? I will kill him, Lillian."

Lil let out a small laugh before hitting his arm "He didn't do anything. And be nice! It's Stu... He... He's gone."

Phil looked at her "I take back what I said about Tommy. Where is he?"

Lil fell onto the couch "He went to be with Didi and Dil."

Phil sat down next to her "I can't believe it."

"I know... We've known him our whole lives. I just... I just can't imagine how Tommy or Dil must be feeling."

Phil put an arm around his sister "It'll be okay. I'm sure Tommy being Tommy will act strong around Dil and Didi and then have a breakdown when he's either alone or with you. Just like he was when Charlotte died."

Lil shrugged "I don't know, Phil. I mean, when he found out about it he was a mess."

Phil smiled and looked at her "He cried?"

"You didn't hear it from me." she laughed "But yes. This is different than Charlotte. This is his dad."

"I know, Lillian. But the Pickles are a strong family. They can get through it."

Lil sighed "I do have some good news though. I've been waiting to tell you."

Phil looked at her and raised an eyebrow "What could your good news be?"

Lil smiled at him "Congratulations, Phillip DeVille, you're going to be an uncle"

Tommy walked into his old house and up stairs to Dil's room. He knocked before walking in. Dil was sitting in his chair by his computer and there was a girl on his bed. "Tommy!" Dil ran over to him and gave him a hug "Where's Lil? Didn't you bring her?"

He shook his head "I figured mom would just want her sons as company now." he looked at the girl on Dil's bed "And who is your friend?"

"Oh, Tommy, this is Brittany, my girlfriend. Brittany, this is my older brother, Tommy."

Brittany got off the bed and walked over to Tommy, shaking his hand "It's nice to meet you and I am so sorry for your loss."

"Thanks." he gave her a smile and then turned to Dil "Is mom in her room?"

Dil nodded and went back to sitting in the chair. Tommy shut the door and walked to his moms room. He knocked and slowly opened it "Mom?" he saw his mom asleep and he didn't want to wake her. He shut the door and made his way over to his old room. He sat on the bed and pulled his phone out, calling Lil. He needed anything to keep his mind off his dad.

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Three days later Phil, Lil, Kimi, Chuckie and Grace were at Tommy's. Lil pulled him into a big hug and gave him a kiss. Kimi hugged him next, and then Phil and Chuckie. It was the day of Stu's funeral and as soon as Drew and Angelica got there they were heading to the church.

Tommy looked at Lil when they sat in the church pews "I don't think I can give a speech."

Lil put a hand on his shoulder "You can do it."

He smiled at her as the Priest started talking. He grabbed her hand and tried to listen. Dil was sitting on the other side of Tommy next to their mom, who was in tears. Phil, Kimi and Chuckie were doing their best to stay strong for Tommy. Phil and Chuckie found it harder than Kimi did because they had known Stu literally their whole lives.

The burial service was a private one. Only the Pickles, Finster's and DeVille's were allowed. They were all trying to hold themselves together for Didi's sake.

After the burial was done, Didi just wanted to get home. Dil rode with Drew, Didi and Angelica back to his house. Tommy, Lil, Phil and Chuckie stayed behind "How are you holding up, T?" Chuckie asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." he gave Chuckie a reassuring smile as they started walking their cars.

"How about everyone come to mine and Tommy's place?" Lil asked putting her arm through Tommy's.

"Yeah, we planned on it." Phil said with a laugh.

"Count me in." Chuckie said with a smile.