AN: I want to apologize for the wait, it has been quite the year for me and this chapter has been rewritten at least 7 times. I never meant for this to take so freaking long to update, I meant for it to be up flipping last year but circumstances were most defiantly not in my favor. I want to thank those of you who have been waiting, and have been patient and encouraging while waiting for this. And I want to thank those of you who are actually reading this (after waiting a full year, no joke, the last update for this was 7/7/12 and now it is 7/7/13, I am probably the biggest jack ass ever for that) and I will make you wait no further, the final installment of Tend to the Roses.

oOoOoOo

Arthur did not hear from Alfred in the days following him learning what haunted Alfred's thoughts. He tried to not let it worry him, or let the fear that Alfred could snap at any moment over run him, trusting that Alfred would have enough sense to not do anything foolish while caring he had a small child in his care.

It was on the sixth day of no Alfred that the man showed up on Arthur's porch with little baby Matthew tucked neatly in his arms cooing away and blabbering out words that were still classified under baby babble. His eyes were tired and skin pale but Arthur didn't question it, stepping aside to let the man in. He held out his hands to take Matthew, and though he knew Alfred trusted him the man held the child closer and shook his head. "Would you like something to drink?" He asked ushering Alfred into his living room. Alfred nodded slowly as his eyes roamed around rocking gently on the balls of his feet.

"Water would be nice." He mumbled in return. Arthur nodded and moved to the kitchen. Alfred followed quickly and placed himself a safe distance from Arthur as he retrieved the glasses.

"I haven't seen you in a few days," he said watching Alfred out of the corner of his eyes. Alfred nodded and ran the fingers of his free hand through his mangled hair.

"Yea... I... It's been a rough week." He said eyes stuck to the child in his arms. "I've been struggling. Trying to convince myself that you're right." Arthur turned and handed Alfred the glass, staying silent as Alfred continued. "But it was… is hard," he said staring into the glass, "There are so many reasons for why it was my fault. I want you to be right. You must be right because that's what everyone says. My therapist and the cops, my family, my friends. All of them tell me it's not my fault. Just a freak accident. A huge freak accident. But the only person who made it actually sound believable, that it was a freak accident and not my fault, was you and I don't understand why. It's been so hard to believe when every single day I have to live in his house with his kid. I feel like I stole it from him. Everything I wanted and could never have handed to me on a silver platter covered in blood." He said voice cracking as he spoke. Arthur moved to comfort the man in front of him but Alfred shook his head, placing the glass on the counter and readjusting little Matthew in his arms. "It's easier to believe it when you say it and I don't understand why. But I'm okay with that." He said with a smile drowning in tears. Arthur sighed and wrapped his arms around Alfred, holding him as close as he could with little Mattie in the way.

"Sometimes it just takes time for the truth to sink it. Don't tell me you believed your parents the day they told you Santa wasn't real." Alfred chocked on a chuckle and shushed him.

"Shh, Mattie's still so young; he doesn't need to know that yet." Arthur chuckled and pulled away from the hug to give Alfred a light thwack on the back of his head.

"Oh hush you; he can't even understand what we're saying." Alfred smiled at him once more, this time with no tears marring his face.

"That doesn't make it any less bad to say." Arthur sighed and held out his hands once more to hold the child and Alfred complied with a yawn.

"Tired?" Alfred nodded, his lips smacking in exhaustion.

"Yea, sleep has been a little hard to get." Arthur nodded sympathetically and patted Alfred's hand.

"I'm not too surprised. You've been under a lot of stress lately." Alfred laughed and rubbed his nose in Mattie's hair.

"You have no idea." He muttered. "All I really want is a nap. Just a really good nap. No dreams, no worries, just some good, deep sleep."

"My couch is quite nice and I am free at the moment if you are in need of a nice napping spot and a babysitter." Alfred smiled sleepily and handed Mattie over to Arthur.

"Yes please."

oOoOoOo

Fall was approaching and Arthur felt bad that he would be leaving Alfred alone to care for little Matthew. Alfred had been doing better, and if he wasn't, Arthur didn't notice. He was still concerned though. Alfred had told him that the accident had happened in the fall. He hadn't said when during the fall, but he said it was coming up. It would be the first anniversary, so Arthur was preparing. Reading all the books on grief he could. Seeing just what he could do so he could make the transition into the second year without Matthew and his wife as smooth for Alfred and little Matthew as possible. From what he had learned, there wasn't very much he could do other than be there for Alfred, and perhaps make several meals that Alfred and Matthew could eat while Alfred was going through his mourning faze. Perhaps it would just be a good idea to have the two move into his house the week of so he could keep them, and by them he meant Alfred, under his watchful eye. He knew Alfred wouldn't agree, not wanting to be a burden, but he still had to try.

oOoOoOo

It had happened in October, Alfred had said after putting Matthew to bed one night, early in October. The roads were still good, and the weather had not turned sour just quite yet.

October was now right around the corner. Little Matthew was walking and talking (though only a few words here and there) and had turned one in August. Alfred had cried when Matthew had called him daddy, but he was used to it by now. He would flinch every now and then, but he always responded. Arthur felt that if Alfred could make it through October, he could make it through the rest of his life.

oOoOoOo

"Arthur."

"Mmmmh?"

"Could you do me a favor?"

"That depends," he said as he made the two of them lunch, "On what the favor is."

"I want you to come with me." Arthur paused before returning to lathering mayo onto Alfred's sandwich, just the way he liked it. "To the cemetery." Arthur lightly placed the second slice of bread he had been holding onto the sandwich and cut it in half and placing the knife in the sink. He turned to Alfred who had been silently watching him, teeth digging into his lip and eyes following him carefully.

"I'd be honored to join you Alfred." His shoulders dropped and a satisfied smile graced Alfred's lips.

"Thank you."

oOoOoOo

"Come on Mattie!" Alfred cooed happily as he swung the little boy up into his arms. Mattie let out a shriek and giggled as he grabbed Alfred's face and smacked at big drooling kiss onto Alfred's cheek. Arthur had to admit, Alfred had pulled himself together quite well. Both he and little Matthew were in nice suits, and he had managed to keep Matthew from shoving his tie into his mouth every five seconds, which was an accomplishment in itself.

The walk to the grave was not very far from where Alfred had parked, and it was far more peaceful than Alfred had thought it would be. The plot was under the shade of a maple tree and the graves were covered in flowers. Arthur thought it was quite lovely. He could defiantly imagine resting here for the rest of eternity.

He glanced at Alfred, who was standing quietly beside him with Matthew babbling away. His eyes were glazed and far off and Arthur could see the wall breaking. He placed a hand on Alfred's back and Alfred sniffled. "I miss him Artie."

"I know."

"I wish he was still here."

"I think you always will."

"Will I ever feel better?"

"No." Alfred glanced at him with tearfully confused eyes.

"No?"

"No, I don't think you ever really and truly feel better. I think there will be days in which everything is good, and days in which everything is bad. But I think you'll learn to live with the pain and be able to coexist with it."

"And if I can't?"

"Then I will be by your side, dragging you kicking and screaming through life because I will not allow you to dig yourself a hole. And, along with that reason, that is what friends are for." Alfred sniffled as he held Matthew close. Matthew reached up and slapped both of his chubby little hands onto Alfred's cheeks cooing,

"Daddy no cry! Daddy happy! Happy daddy! Happy!" Alfred smiled.

"Daddy is always happy with you Mattie." The child cooed again and settled his head onto Alfred's shoulder as Alfred sat in the yellowing grass of fall. Arthur smiled and plopped down next to him with a soft grunt.

"I think you're going to do just fine Alfred."

"For some reason, I think you're right."