Claudia got sick. Then she got sicker. The doctor said there was nothing they could do. Her head was playing tricks on her. She attacked Stiles at one point. She didn't know who he was. On some days she was lucid, others not so much. Harper had to watch his friend wither away. Stiles stayed strong for the most part. He was taking it far better than his father was. Noah started to drink. Stiles spent more and more time at Harper's home than his.
The day Claudia died it was gray outside. Many people turned out. She was loved by many, but no one loved her more than the three males that couldn't bring themselves to speak. Stiles could barely sit still most days, his mind going a million miles a minute. Noah couldn't seem to handle the ADD on top of the grief of losing his wife. Harper took it upon himself to do everything in his power to make sure Stiles would be okay. He basically took over the mother and father roles.
It was almost a year before Noah even realized that his son was barely home. Even then Harper had to shout and nearly slap the man for him to realize how far he was pushing his child away. After that he cleaned up his act. He spent every day working and trying to apologize to his son. He knew he owed Harper a lot. The man took on the role he was meant for when he himself couldn't bring his mind and body to attention. Stiles didn't hold anything against him though. He loved his father and would do anything for him.
Harper spent any moment he could with Peter. When he wasn't at work or carting around stiles he was by his fiancé's bedside. At times he thought he could feel the wolf respond, but the doctor said it was only his nerves not his conscious movement. He still likes to imagine. He feeds Peter every day, gave him baths, and read him his favorite books.
Today Stiles was with him so he decided he would read one Peter's darker favorites, Battle Royale. He knew it might seem inappropriate for a child to hear, but Stiles had already proven himself a very well-read child. He had begged Harper for the Lord of the Rings books when he was only 5 because he went through a phase where he loved everything that had to do with elves. He even ran around the house dressed as Link for a week.
As Harper started to read the next page the doctor tapped on the door.
"Visiting hours are over now, I'm sure he really does love that you come here every day."
Harper smiled at the woman.
"I know he does I can feel it."
He grabbed Stiles hand and they made their way outside to the car. Styles looked up at his Godfather's face seeing the solemn yet soft look in his eyes. He knew he wasn't old enough to truly understand many of the emotions that passed through the adults around him. He could only smile and hope to cheer up his father and Godfather. All while pushing his fears aside.
"Hey Uncle Harp, can we watch Star Wars when we get home?"
"Yes my little ziemski anioł."