Chapter Title: Grandfather
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
Ages in this chapter: River (29), Tanner (53), Dashen (59)
Chapter Summary: River says his final goodbye to Virgil Colton.
"I need a favor from you, young one. Only one."
River Salvus nodded quickly, meaningfully. Anything Virgil Colton needed, he would provide. The old man's days in this life were limited, River knew. With his limited Force abilities, he could sense it. More than that, he could see it in the fading blue eyes that once held such vitality.
"Anything, Colton. Anything."
"Good, good. You look after my boys, all right? I know, I know, they're in their fifties and can take care of themselves, but sometimes they need a little help. I won't be around. Just need to know there's someone to be there."
The nodding became continuous, and River couldn't stop the motion long enough to prevent the tears that welled up. "Yeah, yes. I will. You know I will. I always have since I was able to, even though they thought that they were looking after me. I've watched you with them since I came into this family."
"You have. Those two… pain my backside for longer than I can think. Idiots too. But stars help me, they've been my sons and I can't say goodbye unless I know someone is there for them. Always."
There was a sad smile now that River managed to stop his head from nodding, he knew that Colton was saying goodbye, making his rounds, filling any holes.
"I knew I was lucky when they found me. I was six years old and terrified. Unsure about almost everything. But something inside told me I was lucky. Those two. You. Nyssa. Fen. Of course, I couldn't possibly understand the depth of that luck until a few years had passed and I got a little older. By then, Dash and Tanner, they had themselves together, they did, but you still helped to guide them in so many ways. I won't let you down, Colt. I swear it. I love my brothers too much for that. I love you too much for that."
"Told my boys that you were a good one after we got to know each other. Reading that old book you had. You remember?"
River thought back so many years ago. That first time that he and Colton connected. Six, pressing hard toward seven. Still a little nervous around Colton who towered over him in height, width, reputation, attitude… everything. He'd been staying the night at the home of Colton and Nyssa while his brothers worked late. Nyssa had looked after him mostly, though late into the evening, a young River had asked Colton about a word in the paper book he was reading.
"Experimentation!" River said out loud as the memory came sharply into focus. "That was the word. Seemed huge at the time. So many letters. I'd never be able to pronounce it or remember what it meant."
Colton grinned as the light returned to his blue eyes, a strand of his long hair falling into his face.
The hair - River thought - one of the man's distinctive features. That radiant shining blond was now etched into an aged and tired gray-almost white.
"Experimentation." Said Colton a paused moment later. "Yes, that was the word. You came so close to getting it right. You tried and tried. That's when I knew you'd do well in this family. That's when I knew you were a good kid."
The mind wandered back again those years ago. That six-year-old version of himself had eventually snuggled up to Colton's side. And then
of all things, the man that with reputation known throughout all of the planet of Terra, sat with him, reading to him from his favorite book adventure series. He read into the late evening, until the boy fell into a contented sleep at his side. That relationship - a grandfather and his grandson - went on to deepen from there, Colton was indeed filling a 'grandfatherly role' as Nyssa would call it. One that would differ in ways from what he shared with his brothers. One that both River and Colton would cherish. At the time River had not a clue what a grandfather even was, but his brothers explained and he read and learned and eventually, he understood and was so very proud to have someone to fill that new roll.
"You know, Colt, I loved anyone who read to me from that book. But you, you had all these crazy voices and emphatic touches to it. I still read that series every year. For me, it never gets old. Actually, it keeps some of those past memories alive too. You and my brothers taking time out of busy schedules to do nothing more than sit with a child they hardly knew, and read to him. A simple task I guess, in the grand scheme of things. Me though, I reveled in it and cherished every single second someone would take that effort to care about me." He shrugged. "Weird, probably, right? Chaotic world that we live in, and I get excited about someone reading me a book."
"Lessons you will pay forward when you have your own family. That wife of yours, Corym. She's a hell of a woman. You'll do right by each other. And when you have children of your own…"
River blushed slightly. He and Corym had been married for a couple of years and River knew without a doubt that he wanted kids, but they'd not yet discussed it in depth. Still…
"It's you, young one. You've always wished for a family to carry forward. We always knew that, almost from the beginning. You and Corym, you've been in love since you were a teenager. Just a matter of time."
Colton's mouth upturned in a knowing smile watching the slight embarrassment warming over the younger man's face.
River shrugged lightly. "Guess I wasn't tough to read as a kid, huh?" A tender laugh. "She is though… the best thing to happen to me after my brothers. "I admit, I fell hard for her long ago. Glad she felt the same."
"Hold hard to her, young one. I'm not a very spiritual person, but Nyssa calls those type of connections, the bond of soulmates. Those who find each other and never let go. She's convinced it's a thing. Your brothers found each other. Nyssa and I. You and Corym. Whatever it is, just don't let it go. Not ever."
The old man moved painfully, adjusting his position on the couch, tapping his comlink a few times to send message to someone. River figured the message was probably going to the most trusted man in his circle, Sydenious Greyer. Most likely, to Sy's accomplished daughter, Kishel, as well. They'd be taking over the business and estate upon his death, but Colton would keep a finger in the game until that last minute of clarity.
Another hour of companionship passed before River figured it was time to take leave. That thought confirmed with shadowed figure of Nyssa standing at a distance. As with her husband, she looked every year of her advanced age and most likely would find her own final calling in the near future. A year or two perhaps - at most. For now, she still looked after her beloved. River gave her a nod and started to stand. Colton set a calloused hand on the young man's wrist.
Not wanting it to the final gesture they ever shared, as gently as could be, River returned to a seated position and leaned into the crux of Colton's arm. The exact spot where he'd landed during the book reading so many years ago; the moment that bonded them as family. He stayed for an extended moment before reaching a hand around to lay against Colton's cheek, and then pressing his temple against the gray hair.
"I promise, Colt, I'll be a father to my children that you were to your boys. And I will watch over your boys - my brothers, your sons - for you. You have my word as your grandson. We love you so much. I'll see you soon, okay?"
River knew he'd not see Colton again. He just knew. But he couldn't bring himself to actually say the word goodbye.
"I know you will see to them, young one. Always such a good soul, my grandson. You be sure to tell your children stories about me now, you hear?"
"It's on the top of my list for the future. They'll know all about my incredible grandfather."
River stood again, this time Colton's hand stayed put. He was bone tired; body and mind exhausted from a long eventful life and the sickness raging through him in this past year.
"Love you, young one. See you soon." Colton said, echoing the non-goodbye from the younger man.
And then River left the room, giving a gentle hug to Nyssa before departing.
"Kajee, thank you, for visiting. He loves you all dearly, just has never always been the best at showing it, but you do know. His boys know. They'll be by to visit soon. I talked to them today. Dashen especially is having the most difficult time accepting the end."
"He and Colton have unbreakable ties. He'll be okay though. I meant what I said. I will look after he and Tanner. They'll need me for a while. I'm ready to give back what this family has always given call us if you need us, all right? Love you, Ny."
A hug and some final words and River left the house, not looking back. Wanting to remember Colton as he saw him a moment ago, with a warmth in his eyes and a sliver of a smile on his proud face.
Time to go cry his eyes out, River thought, and then spend some much needed time with Corym. She'd understand. She always did.
After that, he'd start his new job of looking after his older brothers.
It was a promise he'd made after all. To a dear friend. To his grandfather.
He intended to keep it.
END
