As promised the duo checked in on the gang in a year and they seemed to be doing just fine. It was Christmas in fact and Darry seemed to be heading to Johnny's place.
"Evening Mr. Cade." Darry said simply. "Evening to you too son. What can me and the Mrs. help you with this fine evening." Mr. Cade asked sipping from his coffee mug some. "Only came by to invite you over for some Christmas ham if your willing?" Darry asked seeing Mr. Cade smiled at him for once.
True to his word he had stopped drinking not only for his wife, but for his dead son. A son he wasn't ever getting back. "We'd be delighted." Mrs. Cade said having overheard the conversation. Darry nodded smiling some before heading back home. "You don't suppose those other two will pull blades on me again do you?" Mr. Cade asked slightly nervous. "Don't be worried Dear. Darry set them straight once and he'll do it again." Mrs. Cade said kissing her husband lovingly. "Now stop worrying and help me get the star on top here." Mrs. Cade said to her husband.
He chuckled softly climbing up on the step stool and placed the silver star on top of the tree. He then got off of it and plugged in the lights. All at once they blinked on eliminating the tree In various reds and green.
"I can't remember the last time we had a tree." Mr. Cade said softly to himself. Truth be told the only tree they had ever had was a poorly drawn one his son had made. He never kept it. Threw it away as soon as he was given the chance too. He looked to his wife who was smiling more so than ever. "Oh I almost forget dear. Here." Mrs. Cade said handing him a package wrapped in newspaper. "It's hardly Christmas. Only Christmas Eve." Mr. Cade said softly looking the present over.
"It's from our boy. He left it under his bed with a note to not be opened till Christmas." Mrs. Cade said seeing her husband's face drop some. "Our boy." He said sadly slowly opening the gift. It was a frame photo of the only family picture they ever took together. Johnny was barely even three in the photo and he was holding wishing flowers in his grubby little hands.
Mrs. Cade looked over at the photo and started to smile softly. "Only our boy would do this." She said softly sounding like some proud mama bird.
"So shall we get ready for dinner then?" Mr. Cade asked pulling on some shoes and cleaning himself up, while his wife did the same for herself. Mr. Cade very reluctantly left his car in the drive. His wife wanted to walk and if his wife wanted to walk that meant he had to too. He just prayed those other two boys wouldn't try to kill him again.
"You have some nerve hanging around here." Steve spat out coldly to Mr. Cade. "I invited them both." Darry said firmly to steve who gave him a shocked look. "Her I see inviting. She's forgivable. But him. He's not." Steve spat out venomously. "You don't ever have to forgive me. In fact I don't ever expect you too. But at least give me another chance. Okay. All I ask." Mr. Cade said firmly making his wife smile.
"Fine. You get one more chance but that's it." Steve said oddly calm. Darry sighed some shaking his head as his younger friend headed on inside. "Sorry it's still taking those two time to get use to both of you being well….nicer." Darry said. "It's fine." Mrs. Cade said following the boy on inside. She looked around and smiled sadly. "Haven't been in here for years." Mrs. Cade said sadly. "Years?" Darry asked genuinely confused.
"Oh I met your boys mama and papa when I was pregnant with….Johnny. Nice woman. Very nice. Thought of her as my own mama almost." Mrs. Cade admitted shyly. "Yeah I remember you hanging around here an awful lot. Wasn't a fan of it." Mr. Cade said shaking his head. "No you weren't. I'd get an earful from you every time I'd come back from here." "Yeah I was an ass." Mr. Cade said seeing the other boys grin.
"Never thought I hear the day , you'd openly admit to being an ass." Two said cracking up laughing.
"I'll admit to it." Mr. Cade said snickering some. He watched as Darry cut ham slices for everyone and then sat down. They all began to eat and drink some cider. All in all it was a rather nice get together. The cades stayed a little bit longer before heading back home.
"I have one last gift for you." Mrs. Cade said, smiling warmly. "Okay? And what would that be." Mr. Cade asked getting a look from his wife. "Not What Love who. You're going to be a daddy again." Mrs. Cade said touching her stomach gently. Mr. Cade looked at her briefly in shock and then he got the biggest smile on his face. He had another chance to be a good father. He hugged his wife dearly and kissed her lovingly.
"Any ideas for a name?" Her husband asking touching his wife stomach and then kissing it gently. "I'm not sure. I don't even know the sex of the child yet." Mrs. Cade said softly.
"I don't care what sex the child is. As long as they are healthy and happy. That's all I care." Mr. Cade said smiling even more. "I'm going to be a dad again." He said quite thrilled at the idea this time. Last time he could have cared less. "This time I'll do right. I won't even lay a fowl hand on this child. I swear. " Mr. Cade told his wife seriously. "I trust you'll keep your promise. Have you thought into what I suggested the other day love?" Mrs. Cade asked her husband softly.
"I suppose I could try it out. I don't like the idea of therapy though love. I honestly don't. But if it's what you want me to do. Than I'll do it. I can start looking for a therapist next Sunday." Mr. Cade said gently. "Good. All I ask is you go to a few sessions. Then you can stop if you wish to." Mrs. Cade said gently.
Author's note- next chapter will be Mr. Cade's therapy sessions. Not sure if I wanna have the newest Cade addition be a girl or boy. Also any name suggestions would be nice. Thanks. Also huge shout out to the night ninja for having so many ideas for me to work on. You are the best!
