{ a/n- NSFF }
Third Person POV
From the minute Chester wakes that day, he knows it's going to be hard. In a half asleep daze, he reaches to the right side of the bed, still somehow expecting to find Grace's body there. What he finds is a disappointment; nothing but cold sheets. Chester sighs, opening his eyes and looking at the spot where she should be lying.
He rises, all of his movements slow and controlled. Chester makes his way out to the kitchen, hoping beyond hope he'll see Grace there. A sinking feeling settles in his chest when he is greeted with an empty room. He squeezes his hands into fists, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. He will not cry today; she wouldn't want that.
Everything seems wrong. Nothing seems whole anymore, it's like anything Chester does he does halfway. He's waiting for Grace, waiting until he can share these moments with her again. Especially the day ItsGrace passed three million, he wanted to celebrate with her like they always did when something happened. They'd open a bottle of champagne, usually for snapchat, and play music and just be idiots together. It was always much more fun to be an idiot when the most beautiful idiot was by Chester's side.
Chester dresses, wearing the shirt Grace got him for his last birthday with her. He would only wear the shirt today. He drives to the local florist, purchasing a dozen bright yellow tulips. Grace always said she loved tulips, especially the yellow ones, because they were so bright and cheery. She always said it was impossible to feel upset when they were around, they were just too beautiful. Chester thinks today might be the day he disproves her theory.
Driving the long, winding back roads of LA, he tries to forget all the memories that will make him wish to go back in time. He specifically took the back roads to avoid driving past what had been Chester and Grace's favorite coffee shop, a place he hasn't entered since their last date there. But alas, he simply cannot forget about the girl who made his life damn near perfect.
Grace seemed to make everything better. He was going to say no to the offer to perform for Rock of Ages, but she told him he would be stupid not to go. She assured him they could make things work, and she made sure they did. Grace always knew how to make Chester laugh, she could always bring a smile to his face. She wouldn't never let him go to bed upset. Grace made his life exciting and bold.
Chester pulls past the gates opening to the long stretch of grassy hills covered in marble headstones. He drives the path until he reaches the third row of hills. He parks the car, but doesn't get out just yet. He sits, with the song "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" playing softly. That was her song; he hasn't played it since that day last year.
Chester takes a deep breath to calm himself, and steps out of the car.
Grace is right in the front, the fourth one from the left. Chester meanders solemnly, taking his time so he can pull himself together. He stops right in front of the slab of stone, reading what was carved on it just less than a year ago.
Grace A. Helbig-See
September 27 1985 - May 8, 2014
Chester sits beside the grave, a heavy feeling in his heart. As he sets the tulips by it gently, he can almost hear Grace's laugh and can imagine her making a joke about him remembering her favorite flower. She had always seemed genuinely surprised when Chester remembered little things about her.
"Hi Gracie." Chester whispers, his voice breaking at the end. "I know it's been a year, but I miss you like crazy. I miss your videos, I miss your jokes, your laugh, your beautiful smile. I miss being able to wake up to you each morning. Everything is lonely without you Grace. I could be with a hundred people and still feel like something is missing."
Chester is crying now, and he doesn't care. He lets the hot tears stream down his face, not even bothering to wipe them away. He's went a year without the love of his life, he deserves to cry. Chester looks at the tulips again, and he almost manages a smile. The tulips aren't just a standing joke for Grace and Chester anymore; they represent something. They represent Grace, and how she could always make Chester happy.
"I love you, Grace Anne Helbig." Chester continues. "I will never stop loving you, you beautiful idiot. Even now, after 365 days of being without you, I can still remember exactly how your laugh sounded. It's still my favorite sound in the world."
After that, Chester sits in silence. He does not leave, not for another hour or so. But he just sits. He's content to sit with her in silence, he always has been. It was never awkwardly silent for them, it was just a chance to take each other in. Chester does so now, closing his eyes to just remember everything about his girlfriend he can. And he hopes Grace is doing the same in heaven.
