Chapter Two: The Son
"Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult things we can go through. Today, we are mourning the loss of one of the most fantastic men of this city, no pun intended. We have lost an incredible, dedicated man who contributed heavily to fields of science whilst balancing raising and caring for his family, and many a time he even helped to save the world. I'm sure you don't need me to tell you how well he catered for those around him.
"My father was one of the hard-working fathers. I remember him being in his lab every day when I got home from school, no matter what time of year it was. I remember him always ringing important clients, dealing with security issues, saving peoples lives, rescuing peopleā¦I even remember him rescuing a cat from a tree. But he wasn't a work-a-holic. He wasn't the sort of father that we never saw. It's true that he worked for an extensive part of his day, but his family was always his real passion. He'd always be at the table for dinner, to tuck his children into bed, and to make sure that my sisters and I were loved and cherished, no matter what project he was working on. He was a leader in all senses of the word, not just of the Fantastic Four, but also of his family. He was our pillar of strength. We've had many heartaches in our family, as every family does, and it is thanks to my father that we've had the strength to get through these times.
"Perhaps one of the most important lessons he taught me as a child wasn't taught with words. He didn't sit me down on his knee and explain why this was important, or let me make the mistakes for myself so that I learned them by experience as he did with a lot of his lessons. Instead, he taught me this lesson by doing what he did every day. Stand up for what you believe in. I think all of the Fantastic Four have contributed to what that phrase stands for, and they are right to do so. Stand up for what you believe in, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Day after day he'd be saving lives no matter how many times he would pick up a newspaper and see rumours spread across the headlines. The only time he spoke that phrase with words was when he regrettably mentioned that not enough children today were encouraged to do this. He was a role model to all and I'm intensely proud to call him my father.
"My father is the biggest inspiration to me, and always has been. He never went a day without telling Valeria, Evelyn and myself that he was proud of who we are, and what we have become; a trait which he later continued with his grandchildren. What he failed to notice, however, was that we are who we are now because we had him for a father. My mother told me once that my father used to be shy when it came to emotions, and that he'd hold back with things that should have been said or done. It wasn't too long ago she told me this, when my father first fell ill, but she still knew that he was proud of her even when he didn't say it aloud. She told me that you would only see a look he gave you, one that told you that you did something great, and she told me that seeing him like that made her feel like she owned the world. The relationship between my parents was often printed in the media, and closely watched by a majority of the population, and I believe that a lot of people wished to share a love similar to what my parents had; unconditional, and able to survive all obstacles.
"I can remember the first time I was really aware of his patience, and his devotion to supporting his family through their decisions. He always encouraged us to make the right choice for ourselves, whether it was choosing between ice cream and cereal for breakfast when my mother was out of town, or when it was first revealed that he was going to be a grandfather. Valeria was young when she had her son, Nick, but my father didn't hit the roof and give her a long lecture on being responsible like we all thought he would. Instead, he and my mother sat down with her and told her that whatever her decision was, he would stand by her. Even though she was only seventeen, he had faith in her to make her own decisions and he trusted that she would do the right thing. I think what meant the most to her was not that he trusted her or that he had faith in her, but rather that he wasn't going to question her decision, and that no matter what he was going to be at her side, holding his head high and retaining every inch of pride he'd had for his daughter since the day she was born.
"To his friends and his family, he was a kind man, always willing to help. He always had a solution to any problem, even if it meant working night and day until he found it. He never asked anyone for help, but he was a generous man, and he never wanted to be acknowledged as a hero, or a leader. He never wanted to be branded a superhero, for sure. That was the label he was given through publicity, and to me, he will always be known as a hero, but not of the world, of my own. He will always be my hero, my inspiration, and most of all, the greatest father I could ever wish to have.
"His strength was shown until the end of his days, and even then he was still giving us his enlightening lessons. As I stand here today, I pledge to continue the amazing work that my father started, so that we may remember everything that he shared with us. Dad, I'm so proud of what you accomplished, and I'll never forget everything you taught me. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be half the father that I am, and I have you to thank for that. You will never be forgotten, because you'll always be in our hearts, and I only wish I had another chance to tell you again how much I respect you, and how much I'll always love you.Thank you."
