SPACES | 𝘯. 𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘯 (book 3) ✔

Epilogue

It's October 10th. The party decorations were set up in the backyard, a large banner hanging from the doorway with "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLIVIA" written in purple. Deidre was at the other end of the backyard with Emily's tia, setting up the tables and putting the table covers. Via was sitting with Allie at one of the finished tables as they both had a container of popcorn in their laps. I smiled lightly as Via laughed at something Allie had said and continued to hang up the decorations.

"Daddy! Daddy, can I put on my dress now?" Via came running and tugged at the hem of my shirt.

"In a bit, love. Let me finish hanging these up." I replied gently, taping up the balloons.

"But, Daddyyyy!" She complained. "I want to show Allie my dreeeeess!"

"Via, please give me a couple minutes and then we can put on your dress. I'll be quick."

Via pouted and stomped off to the house and inside. I sighed, hating that I made her upset. Deidre took over the decoration that I was hanging up and motioned for me to go and help Via. I thanked her quietly and went inside gently. There were times that I wished nothing more than to call Emily and ask for some help. But.. I can't. I sighed again, sitting next to Via on the couch. She had a frown on her face as she stared at the photo of the three of us that I promised I'd give her.

"I wish Mummy was here." Via spoke softly.

"I do too, love." I replied, putting my arm over her shoulders. "But she is. Even if we can't see her, she's still here."

"But I want to see her. I want her to help me with my dress."

I sighed, hugging Via close to me. "I'm sorry, Via. I wish, more than anything, that your mum was here." I kissed the top of her head, and then placing my chin on top. "I can take you to see her after the party if you want. We can go to the cemetery. You can talk to her." I whispered.

Via looked up at me, "Really?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Of course." Via nodded and cuddled back into me.

During the party, Via hung around the boys and Allie for most of it. While we ate, she sat next to me and ate her hot dog carefully not to get any on the dress. It was today that Emily's grampa told me that he found the dress in the shed and showed me a photo of Emily wearing it. I figured that it was only fair to put it on Via. I took photos of her in front of the cake and piñata before I went up on the roof with Louis on the other end, holding the other side of the rope.

After the piñata was broken, we cut the cake and while everyone ate their cake, I handed Via her gifts and kneeled beside her while Yomara read the cards. I put the money from the cards in a small piggy bank and passed the gifts. I kept my gifts last and let her open everyone else's. She was extremely excited with Harry's gift of a camera for kids.

Finally, when everything else was opened, I handed her the first gift I had gotten her. She squealed and giggled when she saw the astronaut helmet photo on the box, making me laugh and hug back when she hugged me tightly. I sat her back down and handed her the next, a box of space-themed clothes. I handed her the last, a small box that I hesitated on giving her now, but deciding to in the end. She unwrapped it with curiosity and then opened the small box. I saw Yomara cover her mouth and her eyes begin to water when she saw what was in it. She turned away, trying to recompose herself as everyone tried to get a look at what it was.

"What is it, Daddy?" She asked, looking up at me. I bit my lip, clearing my throat before taking the necklace from her and letting out a shaky breath.

"This was your mum's necklace, love." I replied. "She wore it until her last breath and gave it to me. She always said that she was going to give it to you." I explained, turning her around and asking Yomara to lift up her hair. She did, and I easily clipped the necklace on. Via sat back right and looked down at it. "You like it?"

Via nodded, "She wore it all the time?"

"Yeah. She did." I looked up, finding Harry wiping his eyes and the rest of the boys giving small smiles. "That way, she's always with you."

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After everyone had left and the boys were beginning to take down the decorations with Deidre, Yomara, and Tia Val, I excused myself and went into the music room to grab the envelope with Emily's name scribbled on it in pen. I walked back outside and took Via's hand and got her in the car.

As promised, I took her to the cemetery. I parked a good distance away from Emily's headstone and got out before helping Via. I held her little hand in mine as we walked down a familiar path that I walked down all the time. We came to a stop and I stared down at the headstone with Emily's name. "Here she is, love. Say hi."

"Hi, mummy." Via said sadly. I let go of her hand and sighed, kneeling down and grabbing a rock. I placed down the envelope and put the rock on top so it wouldn't blow away. "What's that?"

"It's the song I wrote for your mum. I wrote it the other day." I explained, wrapping an arm around Via's waist. Via wrapped her arms around my shoulders and sighed.

"Was she nice?"

I nodded, "She had the kindest soul ever." I answered. "She always will."

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THE END

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