A/N: Goddammit! It's huge! Enjoy it.
The next day Francis was escorted home by Plank. The man looked much better, but still need to stay in bed for a few more days until he was completely healed. The blonde stayed for a couple more hours to make sure everything was safe, and made sure to leave two of his men on watch until the end of the week.
Everything, in fact, went well during this week. Francis was recovering quickly and when, on Saturday, he was able to get out of bed, he told Kevin he was making a delivery and the recipient didn't want to pay causing the entire fight that made him stay that way. He also told that he was forced to do that sort of job, but didn't tell who forced; Kevin didn't seek to know, for now, only by Francis already be talking about those things was enough.
Kevin's arm was also healing pretty fast, but the practices were still being dull because of the pain, but he was sure he would play in Saturday's game. Kevin thought it was fair to tell Francis what had happened to his arm even though probably Plank had already told him.
This week Kevin noticed, somewhat happy, that Edd and Derek were strangely distant, even if a day or two they had lunch together. Nazz then told him that the two were no longer together, and for the first time Kevin thought that things were starting to work. However, he tried not to talk to Edd for a while to make room for the boy, who had enjoyed having this time to put his head, and especially his feelings in place.
Everything was peaceful and perfect, causing Kevin to think that nothing of the last events had really happened. His only concern now was with the game on Saturday, in three days.
Kevin was worried because he wasn't able to throw the balls as perfectly as before. Not that he expected that his arm would be completely healed in a week after being shot, and he knew that it would heal faster if he wasn't training, but he couldn't stop training.
He couldn't admit that his arm was hurting as fuck.
He started training, then, with the left arm, but it was harder than he had thought.
"Dude, what the fuck?" Troy approached Kevin. No wonder it was strange to see Kevin start training out of nowhere with his left hand.
"What?" Kevin continued throwing the balls.
Troy held Kevin' shoulder causing him to turn to him. "Don't play the dumb on me, Kevin. Whatever is going on with you is starting to affect ... your whole life. "
Kevin sighed, but had nothing to say.
Troy continued. "You're different too. And I honestly don't think you should play Saturday..."
"WHAT?!"
"Dude, look what's happening. Your right arm must hurt so much that you had to start using the other, and with this you can't even hold the ball properly. "
"I know but ..."
"I know you want to mask whatever is happening pretending that nothing happened, but, man, this isn't helping" Troy smirked. "Without knowing anything about what happened I can tell you that ... you're fucking screwed."
"It's not exactly what's happening. I..."
"That's exactly what's happening."
Kevin grabbed the collar of Troy's t-shirt. "Can you shut the fuck up? I'm fine to play. "
"At least start on the bench." Troy pulled away from Kevin. "For the good of the team."
Kevin knew he wasn't good for the team at the moment. He sighed. "Whatever."
Troy took the ball from Kevin's hands. "I'll help you."
Kevin raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand you."
"I didn't tell you to stop training." He threw the ball to Kevin who got with the left hand and smiled.
"Sucker!"
...
"Double D, snap out of it!" Eddy closed the door of Edd's locker, who sighed. "We are going out tomorrow after the game."
"Eddy, I am not really in the mood to party."
"Please Double D. It's been a long time since ya don't go out with us." Ed held Edd's head between his giant hands. Edd couldn't help smiling.
Edd came loose and said, "I know Ed, but even if I go, I will not enjoy myself, and I can still spoil your party with my mood."
"Ya'll at least go see me play then, huh Double D?" Ed pouted.
"How can I say no?" Edd replied smiling.
"Aww Double D!" Ed grabbed Edd again.
"Yeah, yeah! But you will at least stay half an hour there with us."
"You won't give up, will you Eddy?" Edd asked still in Ed's arms.
Eddy crossed his arms and smiled. "What do you think?"
"Very well then."
Eddy wrapped an arm around Edd's neck making him lower himself. "That's what I'm talkin' about."
"Well, well, why are the fags so excited?"
The Eds turned to see Roger and two of his friends.
"What do you want asshole?" Eddy made Edd stay behind him.
"Eddy, please don't." Edd whispered in the ear of his friend.
"What was it Eddward? I just wanna talk" Roger extended his hand to the side and tilted his head, "I missed you."
The other two laughed.
"What do you want? We didn't do anything." Ed put himself alongside Eddy.
Roger's brunette friend walked to his side, getting in front of Ed "I feel like punching you just looking at these fucker faces of yours."
Ed frowned.
Roger grabbed the collar of Eddy's shirt. "You are so annoying."
Eddy didn't flinch. "Suck me!"
"What?" Roger punched Eddy's face before he could respond.
"Oh my…" Edd held Eddy when he pressed him against the locker, unbalanced.
The brunette advanced against Ed, but he had no chance against the trackle of the football team.
Roger and the other with brown hair and freckles were walking toward Edd and Eddy, when Roger fell, hit by a punch he didn't know where it came from. He looked up discovering that the punch came from Kevin. Roger frowned, wiping with his thumb a trickle of blood running from his mouth. "What the...?"
Kevin made he stand. "What did I say about messing up with Edd, especially for you?"
"I not even..."
"You're suspended from the team." Kevin said releasing the other.
Roger stared with a frown. "You can't kick me out of the team, the game is tomorrow!" He hissed.
The freckled and the brunette moved away from the Eds.
Roger grabbed Kevin and tried to hit him, but Kevin was faster and punched with his left hand. Roger overbalanced backwards and his friends had to hold him. Roger dropped sharply away from the two .
"You should've thought of that before... or did you think I was kidding?"
"You are the one who are kidding me, you need me on the team."
"Not really." Kevin knew that Roger was an important piece to the team, and they would have problem on Saturday without him, but Roger had to learn his lesson. "Now do me a favor and get out of here."
Roger pointed a finger at Kevin and smiled, licking the wound in his mouth. "You... You pay me Kevin!"
When the three left Kevin turned to the Eds.
"Are you okay?"
"I could have taken care of them." Eddy said with his hand on the eye that began to turn purple.
Kevin scoffed. "Of course you could!"
"I coul..."
Ed pushed Eddy away and put a hand on the shoulder of the redhead. "Kevin, thank you, I wouldn't have been able to help my Double D!"
Kevin smiled and placed a hand on Ed' shoulder "No problem."
Ed turned and nudged Eddy. "Yeah, yeah, whatever." The shorty crossed his arms, making Edd laugh. Kevin rolled his eyes.
Kevin approached Edd and put a hand in his face. "At least you are fine." He smiled. "You're going to the game tomorrow, right?"
Edd smiled, but it was Ed who responded. "Yes! I managed to convince Edd." Ed clapped his hands proudly making Kevin and Edd laugh.
"I will, but I confess that I didn't wanted to."
"It would be a shame."
Kevin looked deep into Edd's eyes and only turned when he heard Nazz greeting them, going to talk to her.
Eddy approached Edd and made him low down to be able to speak in his ear. "What was that?"
Edd blushed, but thanked Nazz mentally to be there. "Greetings, Nazz, Marie."
"Hey Double D, it's been a while since we don't talk properly." Nazz hugged him strongly. "I miss you."
"I was going to say the same thing, I miss talking to you."
"Hey guys, I wanted to invite you to a presentation I'll do in my uncle's bar, this Sunday night." Marie was with a smile from ear to ear. She saw Edd make a sad face and added, "I think it's better to everyone be there."
Edd realized the indirect and couldn't deny anything in front of the girl's enthusiasm. "I will be there."
"As if I would see anything from yo..."
"It'll be a pleasure." Ed grabbed Eddy by the neck preventing him from finishing the sentence.
The shorty got freed from Ed and pushed him. "What's wrong with you today?" Eddy crossed his arms when everyone laughed.
"We need to go now." Marie tangled her fingers with Nazz's, pulling her away. "I really hope that you appear in the bar on Sunday."
"I talk to you later." Nazz waved to the boys.
"I really won't show up on Sunday." Eddy raised an eyebrow.
"Yes you will." Ed glared at Eddy.
"It will be an opportunity to hang out with the gang of the cul-de-sac again." Edd smiled.
Eddy rolled his eyes. "If you want so badly... Let's go Lumpy, I want to play that new Batman game today and put some ice in my eye."
Edd was following the other two, but Kevin held him by the wrist and when he turned he held his face with both hands.
He whispered looking into Edd's eyes. "I'm still waiting for you."
Edd's heart sped up.
Kevin kissed his forehead not giving opportunity for the other to answer. "I hope to see you cheering for Peach Creek tomorrow." Kevin smiled and left.
Edd took a deep breath, because he didn't realized he was holding his breath. "Oh my ..." He put his hand over his chest. "Stay calm!" He smiled.
"Are you coming sockhead?"
Edd turned smiling to his friends. "Only if you order pizza!"
...
"Take this with you for good luck." Francis held a thin chain with a small round pendant at the end.
Kevin took the necklace by the pendant and opened it, inside was a tiny picture of him and Francis. Kevin smiled as he remembered when they had taken the picture.
He closed his hand and smiled. "Thanks uncle." He said putting the necklace.
This Saturday morning dawned drizzling, but that didn't stop everyone from Peach Creek to go and cheer for their team in the first game of the finals. Near the time of the game, however, the sky opened causing the morning to stay a little cooler, but no rain at least.
Kevin was holding with one hand the pendant his godfather had given him a few hours ago, now again alone in the locker room, for being the first to arrive. He wanted that Francis could be there to watch the game, even though he might not be playing, but his godfather was still able to leave the house.
"Hey Kevin."
"You're late Troy." Kevin said smiling.
"But the others aren't even here." Troy raised an eyebrow while removing his shirt putting equipment.
The redhead laughed. "But you're a case apart. You're going to say what to do today. "
"Kevin, you are still our captain."
"Yes, I know, but I don't feel like talking today."
"Don't give me that now."
"Ok, ok, but I'll just talk before entering the field, you can handle with the rest."
"What a fucking captain we have." Troy smiled.
Kevin wasn't excited mainly because his uncle wasn't there and he can't play. Everything that was happening in his life lately was leaving him exhausted and even though things were peaceful for a while, Kevin felt that something was going to happen.
Yet he fought so hard for his team that each word of motivation that Kevin said as everyone arrived caused the team to choose only one option to the end of the game: the winners.
When they entered in field, unconsciously Kevin searched for Edd in the crowd, and smiled when she saw him wrapped in a thick scarf, arguing with Eddy.
When the referee started the game, the world went silent and all his attention turned to the field. Even at the bench he could feel the pressure of the game, so much that when the match started he couldn't help but scream the plays for the team, like he said he wouldn't do.
Castiel, the team's QB reserve, was now playing in Kevin's position, and even though Castiel was good, Kevin wished you could be able to play, none of the players of the team was as good as him an the quarter back position. Still, Peach Creek finished the first half with the advantage of a touchdown.
Being outside the match, Kevin could better assess the opponent. They were good, but it looked like they were not playing as a team, were not focusing, and this was troubling them. Kevin spoke several plays with the coach, who changed some, but all had an excellent result during the game.
The second half ended with Peach Creek winning by five points. This difference might have done with the opponent to focus more, because they've turned the game in the third period, getting the advantage of a point.
On the last quarter, Kevin wanted to play, he had to play. As much as the right arm was hurting, he made the best moves he could and didn't want to risk the game using his left hand. Kevin was an excellent player and even injured he made a difference in the team. Derek noticed that difference; It was very easy to receive Kevin's balls, he mentally thanked the redhead be playing again.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, however, Kevin was no longer able to play, was exhausted and his entire right side ached, needing to be replaced. But Kevin came out happy with his performance; he had played the best he can. It was evident that his presence in the game had been a big help, and now the team was only twenty-three yards to score a touchdown and win the game.
And the game ended as Peach Creek wanted: winners. Derek scored the winning point and a few minutes later the game ended up not giving the opportunity for the other team try to turn the scoreboard.
Everyone ran and threw themselves on top of Derek, who needed a few seconds to recover as everyone rushed to jump on top of Kevin, knocking over benches, water and everything that was around.
Peach Creek was closer to win the winter games, missing one game next week and two more, on the same day, in the week after this.
"Let's change Kevin, we are all going to Derek's house to celebrate." Troy said, helping Kevin to get up. "Not many people will go this time."
Kevin laughed. "It's a consolation, but today I'm going home, I don't want to leave Francis alone while he isn't fully recovered."
Troy smiled gently. "Hmm! I understand, but it's a shame. Do you want me to go with you? "
"I know you offered by education." Kevin and Troy laughed. "But you don't have to, I'll make a nice lunch for the both of us and you have to represent me at the party."
Troy shook Kevin's hand and hugged him. "You know, I hope Francis get well soon."
"Me too."
"Until tomorrow then... at the bar."
"Of course, see ya."
Kevin waited until everyone had gone to be able to change alone, without anyone asking why he wouldn't go to the party. He lingered in the bath and now that his muscles were getting cold, his body actually began to hurt. He got dressed, black pants, black shirt, boot, especially for top, gloves and scarf and went to the parking lot, where his bike was.
Halfway Kevin began to feel a strange sensation, it was like a bad, but he was perfectly fine. After a few seconds the sensation passed and Kevin continued driving without giving too much importance to it.
Half an hour later, Kevin parked in front of his house and removed his helmet, being assaulted by a strong cold wind. When he turned off the bike he noticed that the door of his house was half open, he descended slowly from the bike and went toward the entrance. Kevin put one hand on the door and pushed slowly.
"Uncle?"
Kevin came in and closed the door behind him, looking around. He hadn't forgotten the door open before the game, nor would Francis have left opened if that were the case. He walked into the kitchen, it was empty and in order, then into the living room.
"Holy shit!" Kevin fell backwards with his heart racing. His breathing became irregular and his stomach twisted.
Kevin's startled to hear knocks on the door. He walked away from it to see it opening slightly, but then his eyes filled with water to see Edd appear.
After the game, Edd managed to escape from Eddy' sight and went straight home, he didn't like parties and this would be no exception. While studying a book of ancient history he could see from his bedroom Kevin arriving and hewanted to see if he was okay.
"Kevin, Are... are you all right?" Edd approached the redhead.
"D-don't… don't come…!" Kevin spoke so low that Edd couldn't hear.
A tear trickled down the redhead's cheek. "Kevin, what happened?"
Kevin looked back into the room, but he didn't want Edd move closer, but he couldn't move or thing straight.
What happened?
When Edd came close enough of Kevin he looked at where he was looking.
"Oh God..." He brought his hands up to his mouth to see Francis's body on the floor, surrounded by a dark puddle of blood. The strange to see that scene was that Francis strangely resembled Kevin and thinking about it Edd had to suppress the urge to vomit.
The room was a mess; the couch was knocked down, all the objects were on the floor, broken. Someone had wanted something and had not found it.
Edd knelt alongside Kevin and made him look at him. When his eyes met with the cyan's of Edd, he couldn't control the tears, but his face had no expression.
A noise upstairs made the two look at there, bringing Kevin to reality. "They're still here." He whispered getting up and catching Edd by the hand. Kevin looked at the image of his uncle on the floor one last time and left.
Already near the bike, Kevin put his only helmet on Edd, mounted it letting the other climb right after. Kevin didn't have time to look back, but Edd could see a figure standing in the doorway, where he was moments ago. He turned to look ahead and stood staring at the flowing hair of Kevin, trying to imagine what was going on through the redhead's head at the moment; if he was upset with the situation, he couldn't even imagine how Kevin was. Edd embraced him as a form of consolation, but he knew it wasn't enough.
Faced with this whole mess Kevin just wanted to run away as far from his home as possible. He couldn't think straight; he kept turning the imagine of his godfather lifeless in his mind, and he couldn't hold back the tears. In the midst of the clutter in his head one place seemed to be viable.
Upon arriving in the simple seven-storey building, Kevin went upstairs, with Edd right behind, without bothering to wait for the elevator. On the top floor, Kevin went unconsciously to the apartment of Plank and beat vigorously with his fist.
He wasn't sure if the blonde would be there or not, but given the situation, it was his only option. Seconds later, Plank appeared and looked worried for the redhead standing at his door.
The punk was about to ask what had happened when Jim came running into the room. "Uncle Kevin. Uncle Kevin." Jim threw himself into Kevin's arms, who held him trying to smile. Jim faced Kevin for a moment and put a hand on his face when he saw that he wasn't feeling well. "Uncle Kevin, why are you sad?"
Kevin tried to speak, to say that he wasn't sad, but he couldn't suppress the tears and all he managed to do was embrace Jim as hard as hard as he could.
"Kevin what ...?" Plank approached Kevin, but Edd put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Plank let the two walk in and closed the door. "You're the guy who left Kevin's house the other day."
"Yes, call me Edd."
"I'm Plank, but not wanting to be rude, can you tell me what happened?"
Edd sighed, he didn't know whether or not he should tell him, but if Kevin brought them here, Plank should be reliable. "I don't know if you know, but Kevin's godfather was ..."
"Francis was murdered."
"What?"
Kevin put Jim on the floor, and stared at Plank, trying to stop crying. "And I couldn't do anything... Someone was still in the house, so I came here... What's going on? Who did this to him?" Kevin turned his attention when Al appeared and Jim clung on his waist.
"Who got murdered…?"
"Al you can excuse us? I don't want you involved in this."
"But Kevin's not fine…"
Plank gave a kiss on the forehead of Al and Jim. "Please."
Al stared at the blond for a moment and then took Jim's hand. "Let's go upstairs to see how the others are?"
Kevin was looking for the two children while they get out and couldn't help feeling guilty. "Plank, I'm sorry I came here and got you involved in this, but I had nowhere to go, I..."
"Kevin, there's no problem; I'm here to help you."
"What am I supposed to do? I didn't call the police because of what Francis does... did..."
"And you did well. Listen. I'll call Melvin to go with me to your house and resolve the situation there. You can stay here with me as long as you want, because now you have no more conditions to go back to that house. Francis once told me he had a saving for you; I will see if I can have access to it. Later, when things calm down I'll be back to get you, ok?"
Kevin couldn't assimilate right the things the blonde was talking, he simply agreed with his head. He no longer had anything to lose, which would cost finally fully trust Plank?
"You can also stay as long as you want, I just don't advise you to get too involved." He directed to Edd.
"Thank You. And if it won't bothering you, I'm going to stay here with Kevin. "
Plank smiled and went to talk to the boys that he was leaving. When he came down, he showed the apartment to Edd while Kevin went to the deck. Plank said if he linger the two could use his room because he'd sleep with the boys. He showed the kitchen, that didn't have a lot, but enough to not pass needs.
Overall, Edd couldn't have felt more comfortable in a simple apartment; Plank was careful with things and even more so when it was the comfort of the two brothers.
It was after noon when Plank went out and, given time, Edd decided to make something to eat. He didn't know what the boys' diet was, so he did pieces of grilled chicken, tartar sauce to accompany, some rice and salad. When everything was ready, he went call the other, but didn't know where they were, so he remembered Kevin talking he was going to the deck, and Edd thought maybe it was upstairs. Edd looked for the ladder and when he found it, the two brothers were descending it.
"I felt a very good smell an' my stomach started to rumble." Jim said smiling while his brother helped him down the stairs.
Edd smiled and introduced himself. "Well thank you. We haven't been introduced; you can call me Edd or Double D."
Jim reached out his hand to greet him. "I'm Jim." And then he laughed. "I like how Double D sounds."
Al placed a hand over his mouth to hide his laughter. "I'm Al, is a pleasure." He also gave the hand. "Oh, and thanks for the meal."
"It is nothing. Do you want help to serve the dishes?"
The brothers finished to get down the stairs. "No, I can manage it." Al smiled. "I think you'd better go see how Kevin is." He pointed to the top of the stairs.
Edd lightly bit his lower lip and smiled. "Thank You."
Edd went up and was marveled at the garden that gave beauty to the terrace, it was like a slice of life amid the chaos of the city. He looked to the side and saw Kevin sitting on a chair on the deck. That scene was so beautiful and sad at the same time that Edd felt like he could cry. He approached, but the redhead didn't seem to be aware of what was happening around him. Edd admired once again the red that stood out in the middle of so much green.
"Kevin?" Edd called, but Kevin stared fixedly at the horizon.
Then Edd went up and stood next to Kevin, who finally realized his presence there. Kevin looked at him and took his hand bringing to his front and, without standing up, he hugged Edd's waist.
"What do I do now?" His voice came out not louder than a whisper. He failed to contain himself and cried again, embracing Edd stronger.
Edd stroked the hair of Kevin. "I'm sorry Kevin, but... hmm, I don't know. I can't imagine how you are felling."
"Everything happened so fast that I don't know how I'm feeling. Everything seems just a nightmare that at any moment I'll wake up and everything will be back to normal. I really want to try to wake up, but... If I hadn't gone to that game, I wasn't even able to play. Things could've... "
"If you were with Francis, you might not be here now."
"It doesn't matter..."
"It matters to me!" Edd paused. "And… hmm, to Nazz, to Rolf, to Troy, to Sarah, to Jimmy, to Johnny and even to the Eds." Edd wanted to make Kevin realized he wasn't alone after all.
Kevin cried more. "I still feel that it would've been better."
"Nothing that happened was your fault Kevin, and I… appreciate you being here with me. I know it's no good I say that now because it's not going to change what you're feeling, but I'm just saying that so you know what I'm feeling. Francis is special to you, as you are to me. "
Kevin sighed, let out a little Edd, but continued embraced. "Can you stay with me for now?"
Edd didn't have to answer.
The two were left alone on deck for a long time until Al and Jim appeared with two plates full of food for them. Jim made the situation a great picnic, and made a point of trying to feed Kevin, giving food in his mouth, but he couldn't keep balance of the dish until Kevin and ended up dropping it all. Being there with Al, Jim and mainly with Edd, soothed the sorrow that Kevin was feeling, but the feeling of being adrift wouldn't let him.
Everything happened too fast not giving time to Kevin process what actually had happened. He didn't know what he was feeling; deep inside his godfather was still alive, excluding the fact that he knew he wasn't. Kevin was shocked, and Francis dead simply didn't seem real.
The sun was starting to go down and Plank had not yet given news leaving the brothers worried since the punk never stayed more than two hours away, and it was going to do five hours. Shortly after, Plank arrived with Melvin at his side, and assured everyone that everything was going without many problems.
"We investigated the house to see if we could find any clues about the killer, but he was meticulous. The only thing we found was it." Plank reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a dog tag handing to Kevin. "I just can't tell if it was from Francis or not."
Kevin examined the object, turned the faces and one was written 'In fine'. Francis wore one of these, but not with these sayings.
"This one here isn't the one of Francis and by chance, didn't you find another one? Usually we use the chain with two of these. "
Plank shook his head.
Kevin showed it to Edd. "Do you know what this means?"
Edd took the tag and looked at the words which were delicately etched. "'In fine'..." He read squinting. "It is Latin!" Kevin motioned to Edd continue. "Oh! It means 'at the end '."
"At the end...? It doesn't make sense." Melvin made a confused face.
"Exactly." Kevin took again the tag.
"Exactly, what?"
"It must have another tag."
Plank sighed. "Must have, but wasn't in the House. Come on I want to take you to a place. "
"Where...?" Kevin was going to ask, but Plank was just leaving.
When they got down, J.P and J.J were waiting near a black car, in which Melvin got in. In Plank's jeep it went Kevin, Edd and the brothers.
"Where are we going?" Kevin asked again.
"I thought Francis deserved a funeral... at least, but it had to be out of town, it's going to take a while for us to get there... I hope you don't mind. "
"I have to be thankful for it." Kevin put a hand on the shoulder of Plank.
As the car leave the town, the landscape was being predominated by trees on both sides of the road, and in certain parts closing on a natural tunnel, where beams of light penetrate the foliage. An hour and a half after, Plank stopped the car where the road ended and from then on they had to walk by a dirt track. After five minutes of walking, they arrived in a beautiful open field, green and dotted with small white flowers, which lead to a cliff where the cityscape got lost on the horizon. It was six thirty and the sun was setting. Edd was delighted with the beauty of the place, it was hard to imagine that something like this existed relatively near Peach Creek and he never knew.
Since they arrived at the cliff Kevin's attention didn't get lost in the beauty of the place, but rather on the cross, near the slope, which dramatized the entire scene. He walked slowly to near the cross and couldn't imagine that underneath it lay the body of Francis, he simply didn't got it.
Plank approached. "I couldn't think of a place more worthy of Francis."
Kevin gave a shy smile. "I can't imagine a more perfect place than this."
He looked at the cross, around this Plank had put some white roses and, on it, a chain of the same roses. Kevin, honestly thought that in life Francis would have loved the place.
He sighed. It was hard to imagine talking about Francis in the past when he still seemed to be so present, get used to the fact that that place was now where his uncle was lying would be a task that Kevin didn't want to do. Still this place now had a incredibly great sentimental weight on Kevin, and Plank could not have chosen better.
Edd came hand in hand with the brothers; Jim loosened up and hugged Kevin's leg. "Don't be afraid, now he can protect you from heaven, he will always see you." Jim gave a broad smile looking at Kevin.
"Thanks Jim, I hadn't thought of it this way." Kevin ruffled the boy's hair.
Al looked at Edd, and then also got loose going to hug Kevin. But he didn't say anything. The redhead didn't expect that Al would do that, no matter how much the boy had got used to him, he never showed any signs of physical affection towards Kevin.
"Thanks Al." He also embraced the boy.
"He will put some angel in your life to take care of you as well as Plank appeared on ours."
Kevin's eyes filled with tears, but he didn't have time to respond, Al walked away and got Double D by hand, bringing him closer to Kevin, making both of them smiling.
Edd held Kevin's face between his hands and gave a gentle kiss on his lips and hugged him. "I'll be on your side for whatever you need. And I want you to know that I'm proud of the person you've become and I'm sure Francis has always been proud. "
Kevin smiled, embraced Edd stronger and whispered, "I think I've already found my angel."
Edd pulled away, looking at Kevin. "Excuse me?"
Kevin just shook his head and hugged him again. After that Kevin asked if he could stay alone for a while, so Plank said he would return to the car, taking the boys with him, as well as Melvin, JJ and JP.
"Will you be okay?"
Kevin put a hand on Edd's face, caressing his cheek with his thumb. "I just need to say goodbye." He smiled.
Edd put a hand over his hand, stroked gently and walked away, leaving Kevin alone.
Kevin watched Edd, and when he was sure he was in fact alone, he sat in front of the cross.
He sighed deeply, looking for words to start. "Old man I... I wish things had been different since the beginning. You were always the best father, mother, brother, family and friend I could have wished, I… I wanted to have made that clear before; that you know how much I'm grateful for all what you did for me." Kevin felt his throat closing, and sighed so he could continue. "You've always been my safe haven and now I don't have anywhere else to go. I'm lost without you, Francis, and the worst of all was that I couldn't say goodbye, couldn't say I love you enough and now it doesn't make sense to say it all." He paused and held the pendant that Francis had given him this morning. "If you knew how much I'm sorry for not being with you when... when everything happened. I... Please... Please forgive me." Kevin wanted to continue talking, but the words no longer come, starting to cry.
He put a hand on the cross, and made one more effort.
"Just... forgive me."