Part 17: Happiness
(Many years later) We find our old friends in a hospital. And when I say old, I mean that literally now. It's been a very long time since we last saw them. One of the rooms in the hospital, contains a very familiar person. An old man is laying in a hospital bed, hooked to a heart monitoring machine. He has full gray hair, along with a same color goatee. An IV is running through his right arm, and there is a breathing tube connected to his nose. He doesn't really like the tube in his arm, for he had one in his arm for far to long before. This, was the man that was once known as Subject Delta. Of course, he hasn't gone by that name in a while, not since he learned his true name.
On his right side, an old woman is sitting in a chair holding his hand. In between their laced fingers, one of her fingers has ring on it. On his left hand, he is wearing a ring as well, coupled with the old mark on his hand. The woman has her white hair tied back, and is wearing a familiar pair of eyeglasses. This aged old woman, just happened to be Sofia. The years that have we have not seen have taken a toll on her as far as what she looks like goes.
On his left side, a middle aged woman is sitting in a chair holding his left hand. Her short black hair is starting to become gray as well, but is still retaining some of its color. Around her neck is a leather strap necklace, and at the bottom of the necklace was the symbol on the old mans hand. She always wore that necklace, just as her form of keeping him close. This woman, was his beloved daughter Eleanor.
Now I know what your thinking: "What are they doing in a hospital?" Well... there's a bit of a problem with our old hero. That problem being, he's dieing. Only this time, there is no way to stop it. He has been lying there for a few days now, and was starting to show signs of getting worse in the past few days. The entire time that he was in the hospital, Sofia never left his side. Also, as soon as Eleanor had heard the news of him, she immediately rushed to where he was. Both of them wanted to be there for him when he was like this.
On the wall of his hospital room, the man who was once known as Subject Delta, had his favorite pictures. Not only were they on the wall, but they were strewn all across the room. Some of them were in color, and some of them were in black and white. But the similarity of them all, is that they all told a story of his life.
The first one of his pictures, was a black and white of him, Sofia, Eleanor, and three former little sisters that they had adopted. They were standing in front of a house, because it was the first house they had bought. Another, was a color picture of him standing in front of his first car he had bought. Another of the pictures, was a color photo of Eleanor and the younger girls going to their first day of school. That was a hard day for both him and Sofia.
There was another color picture on the table, that was of him and Eleanor. The two of them were just standing and looking, watching the Apollo 11 make its voyage up to the moon. Another black and white picture, was of him and his entire family at a carnival. One of his proudest pictures, was that of Eleanor's graduation photo. The reason it was a proud picture, was because she graduated valedictorian. He also had photos of the other girls when they graduated, and held them just as proudly.
His other photos, were that of him and Sofia. One was a black and white picture of him and her, the night her proposed to her. He was kneeling in front of her holding the ring up to her, and she had a surprised look on her face. The next picture was of the two of them standing there in their wedding outfits. The rest of the pictures were just of random moments in time. Some of him and his best friend Jack, some of him and Eleanor, and a lot of other moments in time. But by far, his favorite photo was indeed the oldest. It was centered in the middle of a hospital table, and was black and white. It was their first family portrait, which contained him and the rest of his family, all smiling happily. It was the first picture of all five of them together, and loved it dearly.
Before the scene we came into, there were a few people that came into his room and talked to him. His younger daughters had came in to visit him, and even brought their kids to see. He loved all of his children, and grandchildren alike. They all just seemed to bring him so much happiness, and made him feel like the father he wanted to be. They all said hello, and their goodbyes to him. They reminisced on their past, looked at old photos, and just enjoyed every moment they were having.
After all of his younger daughters and their children had gone, another person came in. It was an old man, but a very familiar person. It was his old and dear friend, Jack Ryan. He had aged just like Delta had, and was no better off as far as how much time he had left. The two of them talked for a while, and went on about their past. They finished talking, and Jack bid him a teary farewell as he left. Now, it was just him, his wife, and his daughter.
"You really don't have to be here." he told them in his deep old voice. Sofia lifted up his hand, and kissed his fingers. "We're going to be here for you to the very end John." Sofia told him as a tear snaked down her face. At the same time, Eleanor had tears running down her face as well. "Why must you always be taken from me?" Eleanor asked mournfully. "There there now." he said to Eleanor, "No tears Eleanor. This isn't anything like last time. This time, we have no control. Death is a natural part of life... and I've come to accept that. I don't know what's gonna happen after this, and I'm not going to pretend to know... but no matter what, I'll love you both."
Both of the women started sniffling, and just couldn't bear the thought of him being gone. They both climbed up on the bed, and snugged themselves close to his sides. He responded to it by putting one arm around each of them, and holding them as tight as he possibly could. "I know I don't have much time left..." he told them in a whisper, "But I want both of you here beside me. The both of you... have given me something very great. And that is... the family I thought I would never have. My two angels... I love you both so much... and be good while I'm gone."
After he finished, he gave out one final sigh... and his heart monitors went flat. Both Sofia and Eleanor looked up, and noticed that he was still smiling. He looked as though he died a happy death. And all honesty, he had. Eleanor lifted her head up, and gave him one final kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye daddy... I'll miss you." she cried to him. Then both of them just lied there, crying on the body of the man that was the very heart of their family.
His grave marker was placed under a shady oak tree, in plain sight for all to see. Many people had come to the funeral, and a lot of them were friends that he had made over the years. All of them got to say their goodbyes to him, and place a flower on his grave marker. On his marker it read: "John M. Crissinger- Hero, Husband, but above all, a loving Father." Then, below the writing, was the symbol that he bared for so long.
Most everybody had left by now, except for a few people. That being his wife, his best friend, and his children. "You were a good man John." Jack said to the stone, "Let no one say otherwise. It took a lot to do what you did. Not just in Rapture, but in this world as well. You are more then I could ever be, that's for damn sure. I know death is a natural part of life, because we're all on that road... But I'll still miss you. I know your in a better place... but I guess I just miss my friend."
Jack the turned to Sofia and Eleanor, who were just starring down at the marker with sadness. He approached them, and reached into his back pocket. "John wanted me to give this to you." he told them taking out and envelope in his pocket, "He said, to make sure you get it. He said it was important that you read it." Eleanor took the envelope slowly from Jack, and looked at the front of it. It said nothing on the front, so she turned it over to open it. Inside, there was a letter that he had wrote, only some time before his death. Eleanor just decided to read it out loud to everyone.
"Dear friends and family,
If you reading this, it means that I have left this world. But I don't want any sadness over my death, for it won't do anything. I've lived a good life, despite what may have happened in the middle. I'm willing to over look that, and for good reason. You've all given me a great thing, something I thought I could never have. And that, was true happiness. Jack, you're a good friend, and you've got a kind heart. I don't think we would have made it very far without your help. So, I thank you, my best friend. Sofia, I never would have thought that the two of us could have made it this far. But, I was willing to go the distance for it. Not just for my sake, but for you as well. No matter what has been said before, we had our time together. I love you, and take care of Eleanor. And speaking of Eleanor, there is something very important I must say to her. Eleanor, you are the greatest gift I could have asked for in this world. And you were also the best thing that I brought to this world. I may not have been there for a while, but I was able to be there when I was. I got to watch you experience life, to grow, to learn, and become something better than myself. I love you, and I'm sorry I couldn't have been there for you. Now that all is said and done, I want you all to go out and live. Life is the greatest of all gifts, so don't waste it on being sad and holding grudges. Go out there, and live, love, forgive if necessary, and always keep your head high. I know I'm gone physically, but I'm not really gone. Just remember all of the times we had together, and be happy with your life. Know that I'll never truly leave you, for I'll be here... Now and Forever. Love, Johnathan"
Eleanor lowered the letter from her face, and just looked up to the sun with a smile, as tears of joy ran down her face. She than reached down into the bag she had at her side, and pulled something out. It was the glove that her wore as a big daddy, she kept it all that time. She then placed the glove on top of the stone, and positioned it so the symbol was facing forward. And then she thought of one final thing, one last thought of her father.
For the longest time, I thought I was alone in this world. That I was destined to never have my own choices. But I was proven wrong, by one person that loved me from the start. At first I thought it was artificial love, but again I was proven wrong. Father... my true father, saved me in every way a person can be saved. But he didn't stop with just me. He spread his love, his kindness, his morals, his drives to everyone. Mother thought that no one could do that willingly, but he did. He proved that there is such a thing as true love. They may not have felt it before, but they learned how to. And if the two most unlikely people can learn to love... then there's no end to the possibilities that this world has. His acts of kindness, forgiveness, and true caring will be remembered by us all. I know he is in a better place now... for he has rightfully earned it.
Well, I hope you all have enjoyed it. I know I liked writing it. This was my first ever fiction, so I will now take the time to give thanks to all who stuck by me through the end.
Archivist: Thank you so much for your support through the begging. You helped me get inspired to do one of the most important parts of the story
SubjectDeltaBubz: A loyal fan, and thank you for being there when I was just starting.
Verakun: One of my most loyal followers. You may have commented a little late, but you stuck by me through the end. Thank you, so much.
Fire Nerbil: Some people may take what you said as offense, but I didn't. You gave it to me straight forward, and that's how I learn. So, I gotta thank you for that. You were very mature with how you said it as well.
Well, if I missed any other long time followers I'm sorry. I hope you all enjoyed, and I once again thank you for supporting me through all of this.
