Let me start off by just saying I'm sorry. I should've had this written and posted months ago. I'm SO sorry.

I know that because of my long absence, I have probably lost most of my readers. I kind of deserve it though.

However, it's finally here! I promised I would never abandon a story. This one's for everyone who is still interested in this story and has stuck with me and my absurdness. Is that even a word? Haha

Disclaimer: ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS STORY ARE CHARACTERS!! And I own nothing. I just bought the Burning Up book though.

Senior Citizens

The day Lilly got diagnosed with breast cancer was one of complete shock. It hadn't run in her family genetics, and she wasn't aware that it could develop so late in her life. She was 61. She shouldn't have been so naïve. However, she was strong. She had to be, not only for herself, but for her family. For Joe.

Joe hadn't taken the news so well. He just couldn't believe that the love of his life had been diagnosed with cancer. Cancer. He hated that word. It sounded so big and frightening. He never believed something like cancer would happen to someone he loved. But it did, and he was so afraid.

When the doctor broke the news to the elderly couple, Lilly had remained stone-faced, save for a few rebel tears that made their way down her cheeks. Joe on the other hand, had broken down. He openly wept and clung to his wife. He was so scared for Lilly. He was scared that she would be in pain. He was scared that she'd be scared. He was scared he would lose her.

But he would not, could not give up hope. He would do anything to beat that filthy six letter word. He would do anything to make Lilly well again.

They fought the uphill battle for about a year. Lilly's pale white-blonde hair had fallen out do to numerous rounds of chemotherapy. Joe was so proud of her. Lilly was so brave through every appointment, every treatment, everything! But Joe did not know how she felt inside.

She was going mad on the inside. She really didn't know if she would beat the cancer. However, it wasn't death that she was afraid of most. It was the thought of leaving Joe. The gates of Heaven wouldn't even be of comfort to her. The afterlife was nothing without Joe. She also couldn't bear the thought of causing Joe as much grief as her death would cause him. No, she needed to be strong. She needed to beat this. But she wasn't so sure she could.

On the eve of April 3rd, Lilly knew her battle was lost. In the hospital, she gave Joe a single, soft kiss and he cradled her in his arms. "I love you Joe. Forever."

Tears streamed down Joe's face as he shook his head violently. "No Lilly. Please! I promised I wouldn't let anything like this happen to you!"

Lilly placed a weak hand on his cheek, shushing him. "None of this was your fault," she whispered. "It'll be okay Joey."

"Why couldn't it have been me instead?" Joe murmured.

"Don't you ever say that!" Lilly tried to say fiercely, but it came out as more of a harsh whisper. She coughed violently from the strain and when it was over, she felt herself slipping away. The beeps symbolizing her heartbeats on the monitor slowed. Joe held her tighter to his chest.

"I love you so much Joe."

"I love you too Lilly Pad," Joe told her, his tears dropping onto her face as he kissed her forehead. "Until the end of time."

A small smile crept onto her face as the line on the monitor went flat.

--

One Year Later

Today was the anniversary of the incident. Kellan Jonas knew his father would be upset, so he was bringing his kids over to visit with him, to ease the pain and to take his mind off of things for awhile.

It was strange; his dad kept saying he was going to be gone soon. No one knew what he meant, but they knew for sure he couldn't mean death. He was completely healthy and fit! A nice visit with his grandkids would hopefully knock some sense into the old man.

When they pulled onto the driveway, Kellan shut off the car's engine and turned towards his three kids. "Remember what I told you before we left."

Thirteen-year-old Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Yeah dad, we get it. No mentioning Nana or else Papa will turn into an emotional wreck."

"Right," Kellan answered his sassy daughter. "Make sure you keep an eye on Delaney."

Three-year-old Delaney opened her mouth in protest. "I'm a good girl!"

"Sure you are," Kennedy muttered. Kellan gave her a look and then focused back on Delaney. "Just make sure you're good for Papa, alright Laney?"

Delaney smiled. "Ohtay daddy!" Kellan grinned at his daughter before turning to his son. "Joseph?"

"Yeah?" seven-year-old Joseph II asked.

"Be good." Kellan told him sternly. "We don't need a repeat of what happened at Great Aunt Miley's house." Joseph just giggled. "I mean it buster!" Joseph's smile vanished and he nodded his head in compliance.

The all got out of the car and walked up to the front door. Joe was waiting for them and opened it before they even rang the doorbell. "Kellan," he said as he hugged his son warmly. "It's so nice to see you."

"You too dad," Kellan replied.

"Papa!" Delaney cried as she stretched her arms out above her and bounced excitedly.

"Laney!" Joe scooped her up into his arms easily and gave her a kiss. "My, my you've grown."

"I've grown one inch!" she said elatedly, holding up her little index finger. Joe laughed.

"That's very good princess!" He set her down on the ground and pulled Kennedy and Joseph into a hug.

"Kenny, I swear you get prettier each time I see you!" Joe said. Kennedy rolled her eyes. "You say that every time Papa. And please don't call me Kenny."

"Sure, well it's true! Do you have a boyfriend yet?" Joe asked.

"No, Papa."

"Good, you don't need one." Kennedy rolled her eyes yet again and sat on the couch. Joseph tapped his grandpa's arm.

"Guess what I did at Miley's house the other day!"

"Joseph." Kellan warned.

Joseph leaned in toward his grandpa. "I'll tell you later," he whispered. Joe ruffled his hair. "Sounds like a plan," he laughed.

"Well I better get going," Kellan said. "Deena or I will pick them up in a few hours."

"Alright," Joe said. Kellan and the kids exchanged goodbyes.

--

About an hour later, after Delaney had been put down for a nap, Joe came downstairs to find the other two kids sitting on the couch watching TV. Joe joined them, but couldn't help but notice Joseph staring at him.

"What's up sport?" Joe asked. Joseph shrugged. "I dunno."

"Come on, you can tell me anything," Joe told the boy.

Joseph sighed and looked down. "I was just thinking about Nana," he said quietly. Joe took a sharp breath, but his facial expression quickly returned to normal. No need to get upset. He'd see his love, his Lilly, soon. "Oh?"

"You idiot! Remember what dad said? We weren't supposed to bring up Nana!" Kennedy yelled at Joseph. He guiltily looked at his shoes.

"No, it's okay," Joe insisted. "I don't mind talking about your Nana at all." Joseph brightened. "Really?"

"Really," Joe smiled. "What do you want to know?"

Joseph thought for a moment before looking up at his grandpa. "How you two met." Joe grinned and got a distant look in his eye.

"Well," he said, "It all started with a sweatshirt."

"A sweatshirt?" Kennedy asked, clearly interested now.

"Yep!" Joe exclaimed. "In fact, I still have it. Hang on." He pulled himself from the couch and walked upstairs. He entered the master bedroom and knelt beside the bed. He reached under until his hands felt the smooth wooden surface of a box. He pulled it out and blew off the dust. Tears pricked his eyes as he ran his fingers along the painted flowers that bordered the box.

It was Lilly's box of trinkets.

After the wave of sadness had passed, he gently opened the box and immediately found the infamous sweatshirt. It was on top of everything. He removed it from the box and held it in front of him. There he was. Barney, smiling back at him. Memories came flooding back to him and he fought to keep from crying. Lilly really had grown to love that sweatshirt.

He closed the lid of the box and gently slid it back under the bed. He carried the sweatshirt back downstairs, where Joseph and Kennedy were waiting.

"Here it is," he said, holding it up for them to see. Joseph smiled and Kennedy's face scrunched in disgust.

"You mean to tell me that Nana Lilly fell in love with a boy who wore a Barney sweatshirt?" she asked disdainfully.

"Why yes Kenny, that's exactly what I'm telling you," Joe responded, not phased one bit by his granddaughter's attitude.

"Ew," she said.

"Hey, Barney is and always will be the man!" Joe defended.

"Sure Papa," Kennedy said with another roll of her eyes. Joseph was getting tired of his sister's negativity by this point.

"Would you just can it Kennedy?! I want to hear the story!" he hollered. Kennedy gaped at her little brother as Joe chuckled.

"Lets all get along now. Alright, so who wants me to continue?" Joe asked.

"I do!" Joseph said excitedly. Kennedy nodded her head for him to continue. That's exactly what Joe did.

He told them everything, sparing no details, from the swing contest, to the kiss by the playground, to realizing his feelings for her in middle school. He also told them about how they grew apart when Lilly met Miley, when he and his family moved, and when he found her again as Lola. He told them of how much he missed her when the Jonas Brothers were on the road and how Lilly had surprised him with a pregnancy. He told them over the miscarriage, but also of the miracle that brought them Kellan. He told them of their wedding and how he had never felt as complete as he had the day Lilly Truscott became Lilly Jonas.

He even told them about how and when Lilly became diagnosed with breast cancer. He told them all about how strong their Nana was, and that they should be proud of her. He told them everything except for those last few precious moments with his beloved wife. He wanted to keep those to himself. He felt he should. Not just to keep them sacred, but he knew that if he voiced it, he would break down.

He wouldn't do that. Not today. Besides, he was going to be seeing Lilly very soon anyway.

By the time he was finished telling his long story, Joseph had his mouth open in awe and Kennedy was softly crying.

"That's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard!" she cried. Joe just smiled. "Is that all true Papa? Or did you embellish," Kennedy asked.

"It's all very true," Joe told her.

"Usually that kind of love only happens in the movies or in books, not in real life," she said.

"I know. I guess I just got lucky," Joe said smiling.

"Well I hope I'll be that lucky some day."

"You will be Kenny. I promise," Joe said. Kennedy beamed. "You know, I see so much of her in you," Joe told her.

"Really? You do?" she asked. Joe nodded.

"I really do."

Just then, the doorbell rang, signaling Kellan's arrival to pick up the kids. Joe opened the door as Kennedy went upstairs to get Delaney. The girls came back downstairs and Kennedy handed Delaney off to her dad. "Bye Papa. I love you," she said, hugging him tightly. "Love you too Kenny," he said, kissing the top of her head. She gave him one last smile before leaving.

"Bye bye Papa," Delaney said groggily.

"Goodbye princess," Joe said sweetly. He kissed her hand gently. Kellan smiled and looked over at Joseph, who was still sitting on the couch.

"Come on pal. Say goodbye to Papa," he said. Joseph squirmed on the couch, but didn't get up. "Come on Joseph," Kellan repeated.

"Can I talk to Papa real quick?" he asked. Kellan looked at Joe, who nodded silently. "Alright. I'll be waiting in the car." Kellan turned to go, but Joe stopped him. "Yeah Dad?"

Joe gave his son a long look before speaking. "You know your mother loved you so much, right?" Kellan looked a bit taken aback.

"Yeah, I know that," he said quietly.

"And you know I love you too," Joe continued.

"I know you do dad. I love you too," he said. Joe smiled at him and gave his son a hug. "Bye son." Kellan smiled and carried Delaney out to the car.

Joe closed the door and turned to Joseph, who was staring at the floor. "What did you want to talk to me about?" Joe asked him as he sat down beside him.

Joseph took a shaky breath before looking at his grandpa. Joe immediately was concerned when he saw the tears in the young boy's eyes. "What's wrong Joseph?"

"I-I like this girl, but she won't talk to me," he admitted. Joe raised his eyebrows.

"You're having girl troubles?" he asked. Joseph nodded shyly. "You can't be a Jonas and have problems getting girls!"

Joseph looked down at his feet, his ears turning red. "I know. But I am." Joe pulled the boy close. "What's the problem? Are you having trouble talking to her or is she being mean or…?"

"No, I don't know. I just want to talk to her. I really like her. I think she could be my Lilly," Joseph declared. Joe took a deep breath. He knew what he could do.

"Why don't you wear this next time you see her," Joe said, giving his grandson the Barney sweatshirt. "For confidence and luck."

Joseph grinned, toying with the little sweatshirt in his hands. "Will this work?"

"If this little girl really is your Lilly, then it will work," Joe said wholeheartedly. Joseph wrapped his arms around Joe's neck. "Thank you so much Papa," he whispered. Joe hugged the boy back. "You're welcome."

"I promise I'll return it as soon as it has worked its magic," Joseph said. Joe shook his head.

"No, you keep it." Joseph's eyes widened and he gave Joe another hug. Outside, the car horn beeped.

"Well you better get going," Joe said. "Good luck."

Joseph grinned. "I love you Papa."

"Love you too kid."

--

Later that evening, Joe knew it was time for him to go. He had lasted this long without Lilly, but in his heart, he knew he needed to be with her, and she needed him with her.

He pulled Lilly's box out from underneath the bed for the second time that day and clutched it to his chest. He laid down on the bed and turned out the light. He reflected on the day and how he had helped Joseph out. The sweatshirt would work wonders for him, he was sure of that.

Joe soon fell into a deep sleep, dreaming only of Lilly and her smile.

I'm coming for you love.

Joe never woke up the next morning. He had died peacefully in his sleep. He was finally with his Lilly Pad.

And together, they watched down on their family and on Joseph, as he successfully made a move on the young girl, coincidentally named Rose, wearing the sweatshirt. It was the beginning of a new era.

Joe turned toward Lilly and gave her a kiss, pulling at the article of clothing on her torso. Lilly pulled away and laughed. It was one of Joe's old sweatshirts. Even clothes in Heaven couldn't compare to Joe's old sweatshirts. She would always wear them. Forever.

It all ended with a sweatshirt.

Yay it's done! Finally! I hope the whole "Joe & Joseph" thing didn't confuse anyone. I just thought it'd be cute to have Joseph II.

I hope you all enjoyed the conclusion and how it was done. Cayce, or MyJonasSensesAreTingling3, helped out a lot with the premise of this. So give her some credit in the oh so lovely reviews I know you'll be leaving :-)

Once again, I'm very sorry for waiting so long to update this.

Love you dearly,

Deni