I do not own Once Upon a Time.
Ok, so very nice fun family time. We are introduced to some cousins.
"Tara, what about this picture?" Matthew asked.
There were about seven of them gathered around the dining room table. Cousins who were not ready to be alone, they wanted to be busy. And finding pictures for the wake the following day was the best way. Neal was reading Sophia a story before she went to bed.
"Oh, that's a sweet picture. First day of school. Eighth grade for Liam, fourth grade for me, and first grade for Killian. He was so little back then…" Tara grinned.
They had been searching through pictures for hours. Roxanne had left an hour ago, needing to pick an outfit for the next two days.
Tara had followed her to the door. "You don't have to leave. Roxanne, no matter what happens, you are still my sister. We have known each other for far too long."
Roxanne was touched. "But what about moving on and letting go of the past?"
"Then, you take us with you."
The two women hugged.
"Oh my god Killian, please tell him this is Halloween?" Samantha asked loudly.
Tara reentered the room to see a slightly uncomfortable Killian. "No, that wasn't Halloween."
Samantha looked at him then turned the picture in question to Tara. There was Killian, about ten years old, in a full Captain Hook costume.
"You missed Killian's 'Captain Hook' phase." James told her, he was a few months older than Killian.
"You bought the picture from your Sweet 16, Tara?" Vanessa asked.
"Yes, that's my favorite one."
"What's your favorite Liam memory?" Steven asked the table. "I think mine was singing 'Amazing Grace' at Grandma Claire's funeral. It was the five of us, Grandpa really appreciated it too.
Tara nodded. It had been herself, Liam, Killian, Steven and Kathleen. The song helped them cope with the loss. "My wedding, when Liam performed Billy Idol's 'White Wedding'. He knew that was the only time he could call me little sister and I wouldn't get mad at him."
"He used to lecture on good form, just like Dad. I miss them now. Wish I had listened better." Killian said.
"Liam was one of the older cousins, it seemed to be his job to take us trick or treating every year. Then we would dump our candy out on the floor and trade pieces." Vanessa added.
Samantha was flipping through pictures. "He took me for my first job interview, then dove me there every day until I got a car."
"Liam and Killian stopped by my gallery maybe two weeks after I met Tara. Straight out asked me what my intentions were with their sister." Neal walked into the room. "I had to read 'The Cat in the Hat' three times for her to fall asleep." He kissed Tara's cheek.
"Liam was just looking out for me." Tara said.
"When we were both shepherds in the school Christmas play. Suffering under the hot lights, it makes a man out of you." James told them.
"You were men at ten? Eric asked jokingly. "Since we are talking about Liam, I'm shocked no one mentioned breaking the fast yet. Those were good times."
"I bet there are going to be tons more stories tomorrow and after the funeral. Liam was a good man and he won't be forgotten." Steven raised his glass, and the rest followed in suit.
Liam was everyone's hero.
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