Chapter Three: The Wife

"When Reed first got sick, I didn't believe him. He sat me down when he came back from the hospital, when he hadn't even told me he was going to begin with, and told me that he didn't have long left...a few months at the most. When someone you love tells you that they're going to be taken away from you and that there's nothing that can be done to stop it, it's hard to believe. It took a long time for it to really sink in that it would be his last Christmas, his last Thanksgiving...and then I stopped thinking about the lasts. I had to try and help him fulfill his final wishes without wondering whether or not it would be the last time he'd lie beside me at night, or whether or not it was the last time he'd have the strength to lift his grandchildren and hold them. I remember seeing a longing in his eyes a few days before he died, the last day where were all together as one whole family, and he was watching all of the grandchildren on the floor playing with their Christmas presents, and he had his youngest granddaughter, Imogen, on his lap, and I could see how much strength it was taking for him to hold on to her, but no matter how much it exhausted him, he wouldn't pass her on to someone else, because he knew, as well as we all did, that it would be his last cuddle from her.

"I think it's safe to say that no man can ever replace Reed, at least not in my heart. Some people come in to your life, and you just know that whether they're part of you for a second or a lifetime, they're going to leave an irreversible impression on your heart. Reed and I were married for thirty-five years, and whilst what we had was not as perfect a marriage as some people believe, we were perfect for each other. It didn't matter how many times we argued and disagreed over both little things and catastrophically big problems, we knew that we'd make up again, because we knew how terrible we were at living without each other.

"It was with this union that we gave life to three children; Franklin, Valeria and Evelyn. Being a father was everything to Reed. He was strict at times, as all fathers are, and I can remember many times when we had the disagreement about whether or not our daughters should be allowed out in what they were planning on wearing, and how old they should be when they had their first boyfriends, but he loved out children more than he loved his own life. He never feared showing his emotion towards them or myself. If he was scared that they were growing up too quickly, he'd talk to them about it. If he was worried that they were getting themselves into trouble, he'd talk to them about that as well. He was always affectionate, despite his tendency to be quiet and reserved when we were teenagers. Back then, he was never a man of words, but he always had a lot going on in his mind. I think it's safe to say that as things settled down, he realized that he didn't need to hide his emotions away from those who loved him.

"I can still remember many conversations that we had together, but none so much as I do when we were talking about our children, and how we wanted to see them grow up into wonderful people. He had so many dreams for them. At this time, we were expecting our first child, our son, Franklin, but Reed was so proud to learn that he would be a father every time I fell pregnant. In fact, in the case of Evelyn, Reed noticed that I was pregnant before I was even aware of it. He wanted to teach our children about so many things, but above all he wanted to see them grow up wise, respectful and successful, and I'm proud to say that he achieved that. Together we bought up three wonderful children into three wonderful adults, who have gone on to be three wonderful parents. Franklin is a science professor at M.I.T, the university that Reed and I first met at, Valeria is a talented doctor, saving lives every day in ways that the Fantastic Four never did, and Evelyn is a geneticist, something that her and Reed talking for hours in his lab when she was first studying. Reed achieved his dream. He raised his wonderful children and I'm proud to be their mother, just as he was always proud to be their father.

"Reed lived his life the best way he could. Whilst, as a team, we had our fair share of enemies, he never sought out a reason to fight. He was well loved and he would be honored to see so many of you taking time away from your day to pay your respects to him. He was a kind soul, the type of person that you just couldn't get enough of - well, at least I think of him that way. I married him, didn't I? If I could live my life over again, I would go back to the time when Reed asked me to marry him, and ever for a million times over I would still say yes! Marrying him was the best decision I ever made in my wife, and I wouldn't change that even if I had the chance to do so. I loved him with all my heart, and I hope that wherever he is, he knows that I will keep on loving him with the same strength for the rest of my days.

"Things have really changed since Reed has gone. When I wake up in the morning I have to take a moment to remember why the other side of the bed is untouched, and its so hard when I realize that he isn't just in the lab. I get terrified that I'll never remember half of the things that I'll never have forgotten in the first place if he were still here. The ache from losing him hasn't gone yet, and I don't think it ever will. He's the only man I've ever been in love with. A long time ago I gave my whole heart to him, and I never got it back from him. I hope that he keeps it forever, because I know that's how long I'll continue to love him for.

"I'm not sure where he is now, but my heart believes that he is in heaven, and that he is with his family; with his parents, his brother, and some of our close friends who have been lost through our years. I know that he is happy where he is, because he is at peace. He has no unfinished business, and when he knew his time had come to leave us he was ready. I had to admit that I was angry when his health started to really deteriorate. I was angry, because I felt that he should have fought harder to stay with us, but I could see from every look in his eyes that he was fighting as hard as he could. He wanted to see his grandchildren grow up as successfully as his own children did, but he had every faith that his children were more than capable of doing so, and he just wished that he was able to see this happen. Thankfully, we'd had time to prepare for the day we lost him as a family, and while it was hard to know in the time leading up to his death that he would be leaving us, it gave us peace at mind to know that he would not suffer with his illness much longer. We were able to say our goodbyes to him, and somehow, we had the strength to let him go, and it was with a smile on his face that we last saw him.

"I know that Reed and I will see each other again. In the meantime, I know that he will guide us as we live our lives here on earth. I know that he will watch over his children, and his grandchildren, and that he will protect them from harm. Reed, you will always be remembered, and you will always live in our hearts for as long as we live. I love you so much, darling."