A/N—I have been asked to write this story. It's self-explanatory in the title. This is a sequel to RIP, Tracy Partridge.

I lost my oldest son last night. That makes two children gone: one daughter and one son. I feel like my heart has been broken in two. Chuck has been my rock through Tracy's sudden death, and then Keith's illness and death. Keith and Sue had been having marital problems, and they came to the surface right after Tracy died. We didn't know they'd been having problems; they'd fought hard and frequently throughout their marriage, but they'd always reconciled. However, that changed after Tracy died. He became sullen and his alcohol abuse intensified. He spent some time in jail, due to a DWI last year. That was the last straw for Sue. When he was released from jail, she had his stuff packed up and rented him an apartment.

Danny was a big support and help for him after he got out of jail. Danny knew what it was like, because he went through a rough time when he was around thirty. He and Amy nearly split up, but she gave him an ultimatum: go to rehab or don't come back home. Their marriage has been strong since then. We'd hoped that Danny would be able to be a good influence on his older brother, but nothing seemed to help. He kept spiraling out of control. What we didn't know, was that he had early onset Alzheimer's and cirrhosis of the liver.

Keith's grandfather, Jack Partridge, died of Alzheimer's, and Marjorie was afraid one of her kids or grandkids would inherit the disease. Caring for Jack took a toll on her, and she died six months after he did, from heart failure. The day after Keith and Sue's divorce became final, he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. Of course, she took it hard, and felt guilty that she'd divorced him. We never blamed her; we still don't. She was by his side when he died.

We didn't know about the alcoholic cirrhosis until he was hospitalised three weeks ago. Katherine and her husband in town visiting. She's six months pregnant and had just found out she was having a girl. Keith fell and hit his head at our family dinner, so we rushed him to the emergency room. The head injury wasn't severe, but his bilirubin levels were dangerously high and his kidney function was very low. The doctor decided to admit him and that's when we found out about his cirrhosis. He was put into a medically induced coma, and never woke up. Chuck, Sue, Katherine, and I were by his side when he slipped from this life. Beau hasn't spoken to his father in five years. Sue called him and encouraged him to come, but he never did. I'm afraid if he's not careful, he could follow in his father's footsteps. I hope he comes to the funeral. Sue's not sure whether he will or not. At least he picked up the phone when Sue called him to tell him his father was gone.

I called the rest of the kids. They had wanted to be at the hospital, but it was late and I sent them home. Chuck stayed by my side when I made each call. Laurie was first. The phone rang and rang. She and Bernard were asleep. However, she was wide awake when she answered the phone. That girl has an intuition that won't quit!

"Laurie..." I choke out.

"He's gone, isn't he?" She concludes.

"He is."

"When?"

"About two hours ago. His breathing slowed and he drifted off." I'm trying hard not to cry, but there's a catch in my voice. I hear Bernard mumble in the background.

"It's mom," she whispers. "Keith's gone."

Bernard mumbles something else, and I'm supposing it's his sorrow.

"Bernard told me to tell you he's sorry. We'll call Sarah after she gets off work."

We hang up, and I call Danny. He sounded defeated when I told him.

"I told him to lay off the sauce!"

"I know," I sigh, "but if liver failure hadn't taken him, you know the Alzheimer's would have."

"Yes," he protests, "but he's going to miss out on his first grandchild and maybe he and Beau could've made up."

"No argument there." He's right, and we all know it. It just hurts!

"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, son."

I call Chris next. He took it pretty well, I suppose. Just in shock.

"I can't believe it, mom. He was always larger than life."

"He wasn't in any pain when he went."

"That's good."

After we hang up, I sit there for awhile.

"Shirley?" Chuck asks.

"I can't call Tracy!" I cry. "I know it's been nearly three years, but it still feels like she should be here."

"I know. Would you like me to call William for you?"

I nod, lean on his shoulder and he makes the call. He said he'll call the girls in the morning.

"Do you want me to call Cassidy?"

"I'll call her." He nods and gives me back the phone. Jack answers. Cassidy's asleep. He promises to tell her when she gets up. They're expecting twins in a couple weeks. She thought she was going through the change early, or that she had cancer, but surprise! She's expecting a boy and girl: David and Olivia. He'll also tell the kids.

After calling all the kids, I realise how tired I am.

"Why don't we go to bed?" Chuck suggests. "We've been up a long time."

"I don't know if I could sleep."

"Let's go try." He escorts me to bed. He falls asleep quickly, but here I am awake. I relieve the last moments I spent with my oldest son:

He looks so peaceful, so relaxed. I hold his hand. "It's okay if you need to go, Keith. We'll be fine." He may be a grown man, but he's still my little boy. He was such a beautiful baby and a delicate looking child. I remember when the doctor placed him in my arms for the first time. I never thought I could ever let him go, but that's what I'm having to do now. "I love you, son." I share with him some of my favourite memories, and how much he means to me. Sue, Katherine and Chuck sit nearby, but I don't notice. I stroke his head. His hair is thinning, but he still has a lot of it. I wish he would open his eyes, so I could see his baby blues again, but I know I can't. He stills. Everything is silent. "Keith? I love you." I say his name again and I know he's gone...

-Fin-