Home Sick|Oscar Diaz

32(Final Chapter)

"Mateo grab Mommy's hand." Bria said, reaching for his hand. She held his hand with one as she pushed Lydia's stroller. It's Freeridge High School graduation. It was one thing that she didn't want to miss.

She made her way to the auditorium, "Grandpa!" Mateo yells.

Bria follows his eyes and smiles. She quickly walks over to him. "Are these seats taken?" She ask, making Monty turn around.

"Bria!" He said, pulling her in for a hug.

"Hey dad." She said, hugging her father. "I hope you didn't think I'd miss this."

"No I didn't but you look happy." He said,

"Well, I'm not longer pregnant."

"Is this Lydia?" Brandy asks, hugging Bria. "Can I hold her?"

"I wish you had called us when you went into labor." Monty said, picking up Mateo. "You had Mateo-"

Bria rolls her eyes as she passes Lydia to Brandy, "Can we not do this? It's about Monse and Cesar."

"She's here and that's all that matters." Brandy said,

"We will talk about this later." Monty said, sitting in his seat.

The ceremony began, speeches were given and awards were given out. Bria slowly gets up from her seat, "Im going to get them walking across the stage."

Monty nods, "We've got the kids." He said, holding Mateo. Bria makes her way towards the stage and pulls out her phone. First across the stage was Cesar. He almost didn't make it due to everything that happened. Losing Oscar didn't help but he pushed through it with the help of his friends. His plan was to go back with Bria to help out with the kids and to attend college.

"Monse Finnie" Monse walks across the stage with a smile on her face. Jasmine was next then Ruby then lastly Jamal. Bria watched each of them grow up, causing her to tear up a little. "I now present to you the class of 2021"

The room erupted in cheer. The graduates threw their hats in the air as they celebrate their next chapter. A day for most them to remember.

•••••••••••••••

"Got everything?"Bria asks, placing Lydia into the backseat.

Cesar nods, "Yeah, just loaded the last bag."

Bria nods, then looks at the group of friends. "You are all more than welcome to come visit. Just a heads up before hand though." She said, before closing the car door.

"Promise we try to keep in touch." Cesar said.

"Definitely." Ruby said, before giving Cesar a hug.

"I'm gonna miss you Cesar." Jamal also gives Cesar a hug.

"Me too." Jasmine chimes in.

"I hate to break up this moment, but we've got a long drive ahead." Bria said, opening the driver door. "I'll see you guys later."

Cesar gives one last goodbye before entering the car. "Let's do this." He said, buckling his seat belt. "So what's the surprise you have for me?"

Bria smiles, "You'll just have to wait and see. All you need to know is that I couldn't bring it with me." She said, pulling away from the curb.

He raises a brow, "Is it a car? Did you buy Oscar's car back from that guy?"

"You will have to wait til we get there." She repeats.

"I wish he could've seen me graduate." Cesar let's put a sigh.

"I guarantee you that he saw you graduate. He's always with you."

"I can picture him being the loudest in the room. We would've celebrated hard." He said, letting out a chuckle.

"He'd be proud of you." Bria assures. Cesar let's out a sigh before looking out the window. "Just know I'm here for you."

He nods, "Thank you."

—————-

"Welcome home." Bria said, waking a sleeping Cesar. She got out of the car and opened the back passenger door. "Can you help Mateo?"

Cesar let out a small stretch, "Yeah." He said, getting out of the car.

Bria grabs the car seat from the backseat and walks to the front door of the house. "Mateo, can you show him to his room?" She asks, unlocking the door. "The apartment should be ready in two weeks. Just last minute things."

"Thank you."

"Let's go!" Mateo said, grabbing Cesar's hand.

Cesar laughs, "I'm coming." The toddler led him down the entry hallway , where a familiar face sat on the couch He froze in place as the toddler walks over to him.

"Daddy!" Mateo yells.

"Hey! Did you have a good trip?" Oscar asks embracing his son.

"Osc-"

"It's really me." Oscar chuckles and reaches for the nearby walker. He slowly lifts himself from the couch and walks over his brother. The two looks at each other a moment before tightly embracing one another. Tears running down Cesar's cheeks.

"Surprise." Bria said, taking a seat with Lydia in her arms.

"How? You told me he was gone!"

"Well when I got to the hospital. The doctor told me there was a chance he could live but not if he stayed in that hospital. So I called in a favor and got him transferred." Bria answers. "I didn't tell you because I needed people to believe he was gone. I wanted him to have a fighting chance to live the life he deserved."

"This is why I married you." He said, taking a seat next to his wife.

"Who's ashes did you give me?" Cesar asks in disgust.

Bria laughs, "it was ashes from a fire pit at my dads." She answers. "I apologize for not letting you in on the plan.

Cesar nods, "what about the restaurant?"

"Just been waiting on you to help me run it."

"Really?"

Oscar nods, "That job still stands and I could definitely still use the help." He said.

Cesar smiles, "When do I start?"The brothers continued to talk as Bria went to order dinner and to change Lydia. Once dinner arrived, the family sat around the table.

Oscar took a moment to take it all in. He was married to his childhood friend with two beautiful kids. His brother is gonna be a college student in the fall. Something he always wanted for his brother and he did it. This was the life that Oscar wanted for the both of them and they got it.

"You okay, baby?" Bria asks, snapping him out of his thoughts.

He smiles, "I'm grateful."

•••••••••••••••••••••••

A/N: Had you in the first half, didn't I? Anyways, this is the last chapter of this story. I've been playing with idea of an epilogue but don't hold me to it. Hope you guys enjoyed Home Sick has much as I did writing it and reading your comments.

Much love 💕