Time to Fall

Chapter One: Everything I Know

Tom Houston sat on the couch. He was alone in the living room, lost in thought. The television wasn't on to distract him, but it was far from quiet. He had the ambient noise of his son, Tim, and his fiance Becky decorating cupcakes in the kitchen. But even their giggles, squeals, and goofy singing to whatever pop crap was on the radio couldn't bring a smile to his face. He was long gone from even being on a plane of existing where he ever registered it.

Tim was having another birthday without Jane being there. He knew Jane would never be there for another birthday, and that Tim was... really taking that well. Him and Becky were really getting along, and while he knew Becky would never replace Tim's mother... he was really starting to confide in her. And that was good. Very good. But even with Becky there, Tom could never move on that easily. No... he'd needed to excuse himself from the festivities.

Because every time he saw Tim's face, and he saw that glint in his eyes that brought him back to his mom... crash! Bang! He was in the car all over again, wondering what he could've done to change things. Wondering why she had to die so young, and why he had to go on without her. And he loved Becky. He did. He was going to marry her, for god's sake. But... he'd loved Jane, and she was ripped away from him. He already had PTSD. The crash really hadn't helped.

"Dad, come here! You've gotta see this!" Tim called out.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a sec." Tom sighed, bracing himself.

It... was hard to get into a good headspace for Tom in general, but for Tim he would do anything. Absolutely anything. He got up and walked into the kitchen, taking a look at the now decorated cake. The icing was blue, and all over it was decorated with zombies and little men with guns. They were climbing all over it. Tom took a deep breath. No, he wasn't going to have a war flashback. Not now.

"Well?" Becky asked sweetly.

"Yeah... it looks great. Good job!" Tom tried to encourage his son, hoping to god he actually looked like he meant it.

"You okay, dad?" Tim asked knowingly. "I... didn't put any fake blood on it 'cuz I knew..."

"Yeah, no. I'm fine." Tom lied through his teeth. "Really. It's a really cool cake!"

"Okay." Tim sighed. Becky Tom's hand gently, squeezing it. Tom smiled softly, kissing her cheek. There was a knock at the door. "I'll get it!"

"Hey, kid, be careful on the carpets! I don't want you tripping and hitting your head or anything!" Tom chuckled, watching his son dart towards the door.

There were two people that could be behind it, and... they were Tim's favourites. There was no one Tim loved more than his aunts except for maybe his dad. He heard the door open, praying to god it was Emma and that he wouldn't be stuck having to talk to his other aunt. He hadn't even wanted to invite the other aunt. She'd just remembered Tim's birthday and invited herself.

"Aunt Emma! Uncle Paul!" Tim cheered, beaming.

"Hey, kid... I heard it was your birthday." Emma teased, walking in with a box in her hands. She set it down and pulled him into a playful hug. "Look at you! You're almost taller than me!"

"I mean, it's not that hard to be taller than you." Tim teased.

"Tom, are you gonna let him get away with that?" Emma rolled her eyes, walking over to him and pulling him into a hug. Tim hugged Paul, who blushed but hugged back.

"Hey, the kid's got a point." Tom chuckled softly. He walked over to Paul, who held out a hand to shake. Tom took it, using it to pull him into a hug. "Paul, how are you?"

"Pretty good." Paul chuckled nervously. Tom had always intimidated him.

"Treating Emma right?" Tom teased mocking seriousness, having a bit of fun with the power he had over Paul.