With the ending of the previous chapter I think you'll know what happen in this chapter. I'll try to have this chapter finished later this coming week. My birthday is in two days!

Tobias POV

The next morning I wake up and open my eyes briefly only to see a mess of beautiful, honey blonde hair tickling my nose. I close my eyes again and relish in the moment as I wrap my arms a little tighter around the gorgeous girl laying next me. She is all I could ever want and ever need. I want to ask her to move in with me but I know this isn't the right time. I don't wanna be away from her. After this is all over I'll ask her. I just hope she says yes.

I open my eyes again and bury my face in the back of her neck. I shift a little to kiss the side of her neck, knowing this will wake her up. After a moment she starts to stir.

"Mmm" She hums.

I smile and keep kissing that spot on her neck, likely leaving a mark. She shifts in my arms to face me and without opening her eyes, she presses her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. After a couple minutes we both pull away, breathless. She smiles brightly at me and I smile back.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, indeed." She responds.

"Thank you." I say, simply.

"For what?"

"For yesterday, for this past year and a half, for everything. I don't know what I'd do without you. You've changed my life, for the better. I love you more than anything, more than my own life."

She smiles and her eyes cloud with unshed tears.

"I love you too. Always. You're my dream come true."

"Let's just stay in today. I'm not really in the mood to go anywhere, after yesterday's events."

"Okay. I'm gonna shower and I'll be down soon so we can eat."

"I could always join you." I tease.

She blushes and kisses my cheek then whispers in my ear, "Someday".

"I'll hold you to that."

She smirks and pecks my lips before getting up and gathering fresh clothes then heading to the bathroom. Meanwhile, I change into a black T shirt and jeans. I tidy up a bit before I head downstairs. As I'm about to make my way to the kitchen, my phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Tobias. This is Dr. Harris calling."

"Hi Dr. Harris. Is everything alright?"

"I'm afraid not. Marcus, unfortunately, passed away last night in his sleep."

I freeze. Marcus is dead. It can't be. I just saw him yesterday.

"I'm truly sorry to have to deliver this news to you. I know he enjoyed your visit yesterday. He told me so."

I regain my composure enough to speak. "So did I. I'm glad that I got to spend time with him yesterday."

"I already called Mr. Kang and made arrangements to have the body transferred to the funeral home that he indicated in the papers he signed. You'll need to go down and inform the funeral director that you're there for Marcus."

"Okay."

"Again, I am truly sorry for your loss, Tobias. I know you and your father didn't have the best relationship, but your presence made his last days worthwhile."

"Thank you for everything, Dr. Harris. For taking care of my father."

"It's my job, Tobias. Your father was pretty stubborn and had his moments but he changed after his diagnosis. Even before we contacted you, he would tell me about you and all of his regrets. Yes, he was angry at times but at the end of the day, he knew he messed up. He knew he wasn't a model father and wished things had been different. I think now that he's gone forgiveness is the next step for you, if and when you're ready. I'm not a priest or a therapist but whenever a patient of mine dies, I usually suggest to families that they should talk to that person even if that person isn't here physically. Whatever you think was left unsaid, just say it. Don't hold a grudge. I know one day you may have children of your own. Give them all the love you weren't given. Tell them the good things about their grandfather. I hope you'll take my advice. For your own inner peace."

"I will, Doctor. Thank you."

We say our goodbyes and hang up. I sit on the couch with my head in my hands. After a few minutes I hear Tris' footsteps descending the stairs. I didn't even have time to prepare our breakfast.

"Tobias?" She calls, with a puzzled look on her face when she sees me sitting on the couch and the kitchen untouched.

"What's wrong. What happened?" She asks when she sees my phone in my hand.

"Marcus is gone." I respond.

She gasps. "Oh, Tobias. I'm so sorry." She wraps her arms tight around me and I return the embrace. Silent tears stream down my face.

I never thought that after what Marcus did to me that I'd actually be mourning his death. Maybe I can forgive him one day. I want to forgive him one day. For my future children and for myself. It'll be the last thing I'll do for him. I know that's what he wanted the most. I want to grant his last wish.

I don't know how much time has passed before I finally pull away from Tris' embrace. She's crying a little too as she wipes away my stray tears.

"Do you still wanna eat?" She asks me.

I shake my head. Even though I know I should, I don't have an appetite now.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I'll take something with me when I go down to the funeral home. I promise. His body should be there soon if it's not already. Maybe I'll go buy him a suit first or something. And I'll have to call Evelyn and let her know."

I sigh and unlock my phone and dial her number. She answers on the second ring.

"Hello, Evelyn."

"Hello, Tobias. Are you calling for the reason I think you are?" She asks, hesitantly.

"Yeah. I just got the call. He died last night in his sleep. I saw him yesterday."

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay. In shock, but I'm okay. Obviously I need to make all the arrangements now. Marcus requested a funeral and burial."

"When do you think it'll be?"

"I'm gonna try and schedule it for this weekend. I'll let you know for sure hopefully tomorrow. I gotta go buy him a suit before I go to the funeral home later and then take care of everything else."

"Okay. I'll be waiting for your call tomorrow."

"Bye Evelyn."

"Bye son."

PAGE BREAK

I don't spend too much time finding a suit for Marcus. I don't have time to waste so I have to guess on his size and choose a standard colored suit. I drive to the funeral home to drop off the suit and take care of the other necessary details like his obituary. He was fairly detailed in the papers he signed yesterday so I make sure that everything will go according to his wishes. They let me see his body before they take it to be embalmed. He actually looks pretty peacefully. He never complained of being in pain while I was around. I'm glad he didn't suffer.

By the time I return home to Tris I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. Tris comforts me and I am truly grateful that she is by my side