So, That's Your Dad? (Freddie Mercury) | Under Construction

Chapter Seventy: Last Goodbye

       I don't remember being here. Nor do I remember waking up here once I fell asleep. But here I am. Seeing one of the most beautiful sights I have seen in the world. I don't even think I am on earth right now. This place was far too beautiful and bright. The light was almost blinding, like the sun. The grass felt very soft on my bare feet and I can see that I am still in my pajamas. There was a waterfall and river right in front of me, and that amazed me as well. But something felt different. It wasn't bad. But it was an overwhelming feeling of peace. I'm not sure why because I have felt everything but peace over the past few years. 

       I turn around and I am just completely in awe. I didn't know what to do or say besides cover my mouth in disbelief. He looked so different. He was so much happier now than I have ever seen him before. He was looking right at me as if I have already been here and he's seen me every day. I slightly release the grip that I had on my lower face area. 

       "Daddy?" Was the first word to come out of my mouth. Which was astonishing for me to say. I haven't called him that since I was very little. But right now he looked like how he did when that was what I knew him as. "Tiffany." He replied and smiled warmly at me. He recognized me. I had a feeling that he would've forgotten about me because he was at peace here. And I sort of gave him anything but that. He wanted me to be happy at the expense of his own happiness. Which will always make me feel guilty. 

       I strut closer to him and instantly took him into my arms once again. It felt great to hug him again and it felt like the way he used to hug me. And I knew that I wasn't hallucinating because I could feel him. He was physically there and it wasn't as if I was hugging the air. He was wearing the outfit that I always loved. Which was why I took it from his house in the first place. The all white outfit that he wore to the live at the rainbow show in 1974. His whole entire shirt was almost blanketing me. I felt very safe and comfortable. 

       I look up at him because I am still amazed and overjoyed to see him again. "Is it really you?" I questioned as I carefully placed my hand against his cheek. He gently gripped my hand from his face and continued to hold it. "Yes darling, it's me." He answered me calmly. "But how? I can feel you. This is impossible." I tell him. My eyes went wide when thinking about what might've happened for me to end up here. "Did I? Am I dead?" I asked. My father chuckled. Even in the next phase he still thinks I act ridiculous. "No, of course you're not dead. I just invited you here. I wanted to see you at least one last time." He told me. 

       I was still confused once we completely separated from each other. I started to cry because I couldn't help it. It was a combination of so many different emotions. I was so happy to see him again and to know that he is ok. But I was also devastated because this could be the only time that this will ever happen. He started to wipe away my tears. "Oh darling, don't be upset. Because then you're going to make me upset, and this is the last place to cry." He tells me. I smile through it all and tell him that he has no idea how damaged I have felt. "I completely understand darling. Come walk with me." He says. 

       We started to walk side by side along the grass. "Talk to me, Tiffany. You know that you can about absolutely anything." He reminded me. I remember when he would say that to me but I was always scared to open up to him in fear of judgement. "To tell you the truth dad, I have been absolutely distressed lately. You, you're dead dad. I'll never see you again." I tell him carefully but yet bluntly at the same time. "I'm not dead, you just can't see me." He responded. I exhaled to make sure that I wouldn't give in to shedding a single tear. "Even if that is true, it still breaks my heart that you're no longer with us." I said. "Darling, I am terribly sorry that I left you and your brothers. But I can tell you that I am in a better place and I am in good hands." He informs me. "And I believe you dad." I responded. 

       We soon made it to a large oak tree and took a seat under it. It was far too bright out here and I really needed some shade because it was difficult to see. Now I was able to get a really good look at him. "Dad, you look so handsome and young again. Not that you didn't before, but you just look so different." I did my best to compliment him. I didn't want to come off as rude in any way. "Thank you, darling. You can actually present however you want here." He said and smiled. "So you decided to be twenty-nine again?" I raised an eyebrow. "Twenty-eight." He corrected me. I rolled my eyes. 

       "So, how exactly does the afterlife work?" I wondered. "Darling, I can't tell you everything. I want you to find out for yourself one day" He answered. "I see." I respond. There was a moment of silence. "Dad, are you alone here?" I ask. He shook his head. "No Tiffany, I'm not. I'm reunited with my two sons that I lost before you came into the world." He answered. I'm now very intrigued. "Where are they then?" I questioned in an excited manner. "They're asleep right now. Unlike you when you were younger, they're a lot more cooperative when it comes to taking a nap." He says and laughs. I can't help but to laugh as well. I think about the times when I was much younger. I would scream and hold on to anything solid close by so that I wouldn't have to take a nap in the middle of the day. Oh how I would love to have an afternoon nap at nineteen every day. "And they've been waiting for me for a long time." He added.

       "I wish I could come here early." I comment. Was that necessary to say? Probably not. But am I telling the truth to him? My dad's smile soon went away. "Now darling, I don't want to ever hear you say that. When your time comes, we will still be here. Even when my grandchildren's time comes, we'll be here." He told me. "You will?" I wanted to be sure. "Yes, I promise. And no matter what, I am still your father. I always will be." He reminds me. 

       "I know, dad. It's just that I'm going to miss you so much." I replied and then put my head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder afterwards. "I understand, sweetheart. You're going to go on to do amazing things. You may not know it, but I do. The world needs you right now." He tells me. I'm not so sure if I believe him. "You know, they all miss you down there." I mentioned. "They do?" He asked. "Of course." I answered. He sighed. "Well I miss them more. Make sure that they all know that." My dad told me. 

       "I love you, dad." I say. He carefully turns his head and kisses me on the temple of my head. "I love you too, Tiffany." He says. 

       When I open my eyes again, I am back in the bed that I had fallen asleep in. What just happened? That felt so real. But returning in my bed only reminds me that I can't see my dad anymore. That he's physically gone. Rami was still awake because the lamp on his nightstand is on. I can also feel his hand gently caressing my upper arm. "Tiffany, did you have a bad dream?" He asked me. I shook my head. "No babe, it was a really good dream. I just really wish that it was real." I answered. 

       I took a few minutes to get myself together before sitting up and getting out of bed. "I'm going to go check on Fred. I'll be back in a minute." I tell him and quietly walk out of the room. I check on my son for a moment and see that he is just fine. But I really wanted to look through the box that had everything I got from Garden Lodge. I smiled when looking through the pictures again. I then looked through the box to find the white outfit. I couldn't find it anywhere. Where on earth could it be?