Museum Studies

No Matter Where You Are

A year had passed since the amazing events with the pillar men, and so much had changed in that time. Roberta's life had changed, transforming like a phoenix rising from the ashes. She still lived in her apartment facing Central Park, but she'd become the curator of the Joestar Museum, as Kakyoin had stepped down upon seeing her range of skills. Kakyoin was currently working from home, chasing his hobby of video game design. It was a chilly winter morning, and Jotaro's daughter was visiting with her two girlfriends. Joseph was also over, making this a little family reunion.
"Whatcha working on, Dad?" Jolyne asked, peering over Kakyoin's shoulder.
"It's an idea for a game I've had for a while, where 5 fighters must travel to Egypt to defeat a vampire lord. It's totally original and not real at all." He replied, winking at Jotaro who winked back. Since he didn't have to worry about keeping his grandfather (and, by extent, the two slumbering pillar men) at bay anymore, Jotaro had relaxed a lot. He didn't show much emotion usually, but he was clearly far more relaxed than he was in the past.

"Got you some hot chocolate, Jiji." Jolyne said, walking over to the sofa with a tray of hot drinks. Joseph took the mug, and looked down with a smile.
"Can I have some marshmallows with it?" He asked.
"We don't have any, but I can go to the store and get some." Jolyne replied, getting her bag.
"Can you get me a slushie?" Foo asked.
"And a monster and some Doritos, babe!" Ermes added. "Ah, screw it, we'll come with you." The three girlfriends headed out the door, and Joseph turned to his grandson.
"I wanted her out the house because I don't wanna make her cry with the news." Joseph said conspiratorially.
"Huh?" Jotaro asked, but he felt deep inside that he knew what Joseph was going to say.
"Jotaro... I went to the doctor's a few days ago, and they say I've only got a few months to live. I promised Caesar that I wouldn't pass away until I'd made sure humanity was safe from the Pillar Men, and here I am."
Jotaro dropped his mug, cocoa and ceramic shards splashing all over the black rug.
"No, no, Jiji, no...." He gasped, tears coming to his eyes. He started to chew his knuckle in the way he did when stressed, as he was unusually upset, all systems firing with muddled, confused emotions. "You're dying?! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I should've been there more for you, I should've been a better grandson, I..."

Jotaro's tirade was stopped by Joseph calling out Hermit Purple and slapping him.
"Now you stop that! I didn't say jack shit because I didn't want to make you sad. Don't cry for me, Jotaro- smile. I'm going to see Caesar and Suzi again, and I won't be in any more pain. And you're not useless- you killed a vampire, defeated a serial killer, saved my life, tracked down a mob boss, helped stop an evil priest from destroying the universe, and made the fake stone that made humanity make peace with the pillar men. So don't you ever say that, because I'm proud of you, kid."
Joseph hugged his grandson, and Jotaro snuffled away his tears.
"I love you, kid. Don't you forget that. I love how you think about Marine biology all the time, and how you say exactly what you think, and how you're not afraid to just be you. And I want you and Kakyoin to be as happy as I was with Caesar and Suzi. So don't cry because I'm gone, smile because I was here. Keep living, for me. Keep going. Keep smiling. And I'll be smiling back at you, even if you can't see me do it."
"Gramps, are you ok?!" Jolyne asked, coming back in from the corner shop. She dropped her bag of marshmallows, and ran over to her great grandfather.
"I'm ok, butterfly girl. I'm just thinking about how I want you all to be happy." Joseph said, adjusting his glasses. "It's what Caesar would've wanted..."
Joseph was silent for a few moments, then grinned.
"So, who wants fried chicken for dinner? We can get that Merry-Wasp or whatever it's called, and I'll take you all to the movies."
"Gramps, you don't have to..." Jotaro began, only for Joseph to cut him off.
"You all deserve to be happy, now that I know you're safe from the Pillar Men. Because that's how I want you to know you all matter to me."
Jotaro brushed away a fresh batch of tears, and looked up with a smile.
"So, what's on at the movies?" He said, and Joseph smiled straight back, happy that he could bring joy to those he loved.