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SHE NEEDS HIM

chapter nine, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPÀ

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ANASTASIA STOOD ON HER FRONT PORCH IN A FLORAL YELLOW MINI DRESS AND A BROWN LEATHER BLAZER. She had one hand wrapped around the vibrant colored scrapbook and the other was holding her matcha latte.

"Morning mom," Stacy smiled softly, kissing her mother's cheek.

Jaqueline Paton smiled down at her daughter, she felt awful for having to leave on her husband's birthday but when work calls, work calls.

"Hey, Stasia," Jackie replied, her Italian accent was always so strong whenever she said Anastasia's nickname. The woman took a seat on the cushioned swing seat, patting the spot beside her for her daughter to sit.

"I'm sorry we haven't been able to catch up while you were here," Stacy frowned, playing with the hem of her dress.

"That's okay. We've both been so busy, and I've only been here for four days. I promise when I get back next month we'll do a girl's day, yeah?"

Anastasia nodded, feeling a pit in her stomach when her mother told her she'd be back in a month. She shook off her anxiety and forced a smile.

"I have to get going, Mio caro. I'll see you sooner than you know," Jaqueline bid her daughter farewell. Kissing her forehead and climbing into the cab her boss had sent for her. "Say hi to papà for me!"

"Bye, mamma," Stacy mumbled, as her mother was already driving away.

Anastasia stayed quiet staring at her shoes that were swinging with her legs. A yell of her name pulled her out of her trance, Stacy snapped her head up only to see Nick waving her over. She stood up slowly, calmly walking down the porch steps and taking big breaths.

"Are you alright?" Nick frowned, pulling her in for a hug. Normally, Stacy would drive the triplets to the graveyard, but Matt spontaneously volunteered the night prior.

"I guess," Anastasia answered him, rubbing his back.

Nicolas smiled down at her. He stood back, examining her outfit. Something they used to always do before heading to the graveyard. Nick clapped happily, twirling her around and then stepping back for her to examine his outfit. For once, Nick was wearing his glasses. The glasses Stacy spent hundreds of weeks trying to convince him he looked good in. She scanned his outfit, washed denim jeans and a pink linen button up. Along with his AirForce 1's of course.

"Spectacular," she commented, clapping her hands together. Nick giggled, doing a bow in gratitude. The two piled into the back of the car, whispering amongst themselves.

"Morning, Stace," Chris waved, turning around in his seat to fist-bump the girl.

Stacy smiled, repeating his first word and accepting the fist bump. She then turned to Matt who pursed his lips awkwardly and nodded to her through the review mirror. Anastasia awkwardly mirrored his actions, hearing a stifled laugh from Nick.

The drive to the graveyard was only fifteen minutes, however, Chris found a way to play some Italian music which made Anastasia laugh but sing along. The triplets were part Italian, though they were never really as eager as Stacy to learn the language.

Even though it was a solemn day for Stacy, the triplets would never stop attempting to get many smiles out of the girl. As the minivan slowed to a stop, Anastasia fell quiet. The smile on her face turned into an anxious frown as she straightened out her dress.

Matt spared a glance towards where the girl was standing, he watched as she anxiously fixed her hair and occupied herself while waiting for Chris to climb out of the car. Once everyone was out, and the car was locked, they made their way down to where the graveyard's flower fields were. Twelve-year-old Stacy chose this spot (which wasn't originally a part of the graveyard) because it was where Silas and herself would always sit and think together after going on drives around the town.

"After you," Matt softly spoke. Anastasia took a deep breath and walked around to the gravestone, smiling softly and gesturing for the very polite boys to come over.

Chris, Nick and Matt all walked over, being careful and respectful of where they were stepping. The four gathered around the stone, sitting silently on the neatly laid picnic blanket.

"Ciao, papà," Stacy spoke, glancing up at the clear sky. She allowed the triplets to take turns sharing stories and speaking to Silas quietly.

An hour went by in a blink of an eye. The three siblings had laughed, shed a couple of tears, and overall were happy they came again today to visit their best friend's father. The hour consisted of Chris telling stupid jokes, Nick sharing embarrassing stories from over the past year, and Matt adding in his input here and there. Anastasia was grateful to have her three best friends by her side for an hour, it meant a lot to her as having them there with her for a little bit came as sort of an icebreaker to Stacy. As they talked, Anastasia took her quiet time to put together a pretty flower crown for the grave head. She felt as if them telling stories and cracking jokes really made her less anxious to be sitting in a graveyard alone.

The three boys bade her farewell and made their way back to the parking lot. Matt had decided he would quickly drive his two brothers home and then come straight back to the graveyard and wait in the parking lot for Anastasia.

"That was our graduation last year," Stacy smiled to herself, flicking through her scrapbook page from herself and the triplets' high school graduation day.

She continued to flip through the scrapbook and before she knew it, two hours had passed and tears were calmly streaming down her face. She got up sadly, closing the book and tucking it under her arm.

"Bye, dad. I'll see you soon," she sighed, placing the flower crown she had made hours earlier on the top of the cobblestone plaque.

She nodded toward the grave before walking away from the grave and toward where she could see Matthew's minivan parked. Stacy sniffled quickly, fixing her posture and wiping her eyes as she neared the car.

"Hey," Matt softly spoke as Anastasia took a seat beside him.

"Hi."

Matthew pursed his lips, not wanting to bombard her with questions, and instead kept his focus on the road and drove her (and himself) home safely. 

ANASTASIAPATON just posted
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ANASTASIAPATON, happy birthday papà! i miss you always + fit check because pops always loved 11 y/o stacy's fits :)))

NICOLASSTURNIOLO, FIRST!!!
↳ ANASTASIAPATON, i love my fans

NICOLASSTURNIOLO, happy birthday, Miley Silas! <3

VADAMARLEY, he loves you so so much, stastia x
↳ ANASTASIAPATON, he loves you too, V

MATTHEW_STURNIOLO, 🤎🤎

FELIXPATON, i love u sis
↳ ANASTASIAPATON, love you!!

CHRISTOPHERSTURNIOLO, happy birthday to my favorite avenger 🐜

LAYLABARNES, Why are you posting yourself? It's not your birthday
USER6, did you not read the caption?
USER8, this layla girl is pissing me off help

USER1, bro's invalidating the purpose of her dad's bday.

USER5, Posting yourself? That's fucking selfish.

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STURNIOLO.TRIPLETS

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STURNIOLO.TRIPLETS, happy birthday to our second dad. we know you're always watching over us <3

ANASTASIAPATON, you guys are too cute, he adores you sm

NICOLASSTURNIOLO, love you papà paton!

EVAMELOCHE, the sweetest guy ever, miss him sm </3
↳ ANASTASIAPATON, he loved you sm, eva :(

CHRISTOPHERSTURNIOLO, the goat fr 😕

MATTHEW_STURNIOLO, missing him always

LAYLABARNES, Omg you guys know ant-man? Tell him I say hi!!
↳ USER10, he's dead...

THEPATONTWINS, appreciate you three sm, thank you <3

USER1, he looks so pure here
↳ ANASTASIAPATON, jeez you switch up fast.

JOSEPHAVERY, <33

LORELAIMILLER, forever with us.

USER17, bro imagine 💀

USER3, :((

CORYJACKSON, 😕💖

JUNIPERADAMS, so sweet :/

ESTELLACAMERON, i'm so sorry </3

HEARTS444STURNIOLOS, <3

MAKSTURNIOLO, aw :(

USER90, ew y'all like him? 

SHORTHAIRCJROS, we miss him :(

USER78, these bday posts r embarrassing... 

STURNIOLO.TRIPLETS have turned off comments on this post.

( 💟 ) MAL SPEAKS,

a bit of a sad filler chapter today.
sorry if it's badly written, i can't
write from experience and i would
feel bad to write as if i have experienced
this and invalidate the feelings
of those who know what it's like
to lose someone so close to you. 

also yes, i included some crossovers
once again! i just love seeing how excited
everyone gets over seeing esty, cory and all!!

have a great day my lovelies! take care of
yourselves <33

mwah, mal :)