"Do we have everything ready?" Lily asks as so coos softly to her daughter. "Because Matthew should be here in a few days, I hope so anyway."

Alfred nods as he collects his books and artwork into a small box, "Most of it yeah and Hero and him will go up first than you, me and our little Vivy will go up after." He tapes the box closed before moving to the next one, "Which is awesome so we can say goodbye to everyone."

"I can't believe you wanted to work one more day." She says kissing his cheek as there's a knock on the door.

Alfred stands up thinking it might be Gilbert or Arthur coming over to help box up things but who he sees nearly makes his heart stop. "Dad?"

Robert gives him a weak smile as he takes off his hat revealing his greying hair, "Hello Son um may I come in?" His blue eyes try to look him in the eye but he's finding it hard with all that he and his wife had done to him and he won't be surprised if his son slammed the door in his face.

"Well um sure." He looks past his father not seeing anyone else as he moves to let him in, "Is Mother here or know where you're at?" Alfred sees Lily stand confused still holding their small infant, "It's okay Lily this is um Robert Jones…my dad."

The older man nods slightly, "Hello…" His eyes land on the girl and a large smile grows on his face, "Is that…?"

Closing the door Alfred nods, "Yeah this is Vivian. Um so does Mother know you're here?" It's not that he's not happy to see him but with all that's happened he can't help but feel something is slightly off about this whole thing.

"Well honestly I don't care if she does or not. But I heard you were leaving and I wanted to come and say goodbye and I'm sorry." He's voice is sincere as he looks down not expecting the hug that his son gives him. "Alfred…"

Alfred looks up at him and while he still feels all the hurt and pain over the past year the fact that his father would come see him still means a lot. "I um…do you want to hold her? I mean if you want that is." He looks over at his wife as she smiles.

Carefully Lily hands over her precious daughter and watches as the older man's eyes light up instantly. "She's beautiful…" He whispers quietly hoping this won't be the last time he holds her. "So where are you two going exactly?" Robert can see by the boxes that they won't be coming back anytime soon.

His son clears his throat before answering, "We're going to Maine."

"Maine?"

"Uh yeah I got a job as a head chef in an inn and well…" He looks down slightly not sure what else he should say.

After what feels like years Robert smiles handing over the little girl, "I'm happy for you son. Really I am." He pats his son on the back knowing that he has to leave soon or else Augusta will know something is off. "I just wanted to tell you that, both of you that and whatever your mother said…I'm sorry for it."

He walks his father out sensing that he has to go, "It's not your fault Dad…I'm just happy you finally came…"

"I should have been there when she gave birth and not have let your mother threaten me. And while we might never have…what we once had I am and always will be proud of you." With one last hug he drives off.

It's not going to solve everything or make the pain go away but it's a start and hopefully one day he can send him a invitation and he'll actually come. He stands out there as the light snow continues to fall just thinking of that day, it might not happen but now he has hope. "Alfred, come back inside. It's too cold and you're not wearing a jacket."

"I'm coming dear…" He says as he rushes back inside his socks wet from the snow. "Can you put him on the list of invites?"

The last night and it feels so surreal and yet the conversations are all the same. "Okay who you bang if you could?"

"Really?"

"An honest question."

Arthur sighs as Alfred laughs, "You better not do this shit at your Inn." He says with a joking smile, "And to answer I'd 'bang' that lovely woman down the street at that-"

"Wait the redhead?"

"Yeah?"

"…That's a dude."

After a moment Arthur sighs, "Well I'll say this, his doctor did amazing work."

Now Alfred can't help but chuckle, "So would you still?"

"Probably."

All turn to stare at him before Feli speaks up, "Really?"

"Hell no I was kidding but I had you going for a moment." Arthur lets out a laugh as he lays the ticket down, "Francis get back here."

"How many more tables do we have?"

"That boys was the last one." Arthur can't help but say it with a hint of sadness, "Start cleaning up because we need to have a drink before this lad leaves us for good."

"I'm still only nineteen."

"You're a chef you can have one." Arthur says handing him a small glass, "It's beer I promise so here's to you Alfred and I hope you get a good crew and never forget us."

It takes every ounce of his might not to shed a tear as Alfred nods, "I promise, you guys are and will always be…my family."

"Yeah and you're my little brother ask anyone at the Med Center." Arthur says with a wink as he walks with Alfred out the back door one last time, "I'll be up the minute I get a day off and I'll bring Gil along if only to keep his ass out of trouble." He shakes the younger's hand before hugging him, "Take care of yourself Lad and remember you can always come back as long as I'm head chef." He takes out a cigarette as Alfred waves him one last goodbye before driving off into the distance.

"He's a good kid."

"Yeah Eliza he is…and he'll be a great father and husband no matter what anyone says."

Eliza smiles as she walks back inside with him, "You know you sound like a proud father."

"Well in some ways I am."

It took a long time but thank you for those that have followed this from the very beginning. Just one more chapter to go. -Cat