Chapter 9
No man is perfect. Nor can this person see the future. Our lives are based on the sheer determination of creating our own future. We decide how we proceed and we must learn the actions of the best cannot be changed without a greater interference. This was something Noah Stilinski had to learn the hard way.
The Sheriff grumbled as he unlocked his door slamming it open. He groggily walked through the doorway leaving it wide open for Stiles to scramble through and close. He placed his files from work down on the couch and left for the kitchen. All the while muttering about the audacity of Peter Hale.
“He doesn’t even have kids and he’s questioning how I raise my kid? What right does he have? It’s not like I hit the kid.” He muttered as he reached and pulled a glass down. As he turned to grab the whiskey he saw Stiles watching him.
Stiles’ face fell as he saw his father reach for the bottle. He glanced down at the papers in his hand before signing lightly and turning to leave. ‘There was no point asking.’ He thought as he began to tear up. Unbeknownst to him, his father saw the tears forming.
The Sheriff froze as he watched his son walk away from him. He could see the tears in his son's eyes as he sat in the living room to finish his homework. ‘What have I done?’ The Sheriff thought as he looked down at the bottle in his hand. The answer to his sorrows wasn’t here, it was in the living room. He took a deep breath and placed the bottle back into the shelf. He could do this. He could do this, for Stiles. He turned away from the shelf and took a step away from the cabinet. ‘Not even a glass. It will lead to another and that is not what Stiles needs right now. I can do this.’ With these thoughts, the Sheriff took another step towards the living room.
Stiles looked up as he heard footsteps approach. His eyes widen when he saw the empty glass on the counter and his father settling down beside him. His eyes began to tear up and a smile graced his face as his father faced him. “Dad! Are you,” Stiles trailed off afraid to ask. Afraid his father would leave if he was too annoying.
The Sheriff smiled at his son's smile. “I'm gonna help, though I don't know what help I'll be. But I'll try!” As he said this Stiles brightened considerably and he immediately pounced on his dad for a hug. With laughter ringing throughout the living room, the Sheriff knew. He knew he needed to step up his game and it all started with not taking that glass.
“Look, Stiles.” AS the Sheriff stated this he sat Stiles on the ground in front of him. Stiles tilted his head curious about what his dad wanted to say. “I know I have been a terrible father since your mother, well since she left us. I know you have done your best to be there for me, but it shouldn't be that way. I should have been the best father I could be, but instead.” The Sheriff broke off his speech as tears filled in his eyes.
Stiles looked at his father with blurry eyes as he reached his hand out to him, “daddy.” Stiles cried with his father and crawled into his arms. The Sheriff gripped him tightly as he sobbed into his shoulder.
“I have no right to cry with how I've acted. But I'm gonna change.” The Sheriff gripped Stiles' shoulders and pulled him back enough to look him in the eyes. “I promise you right now. I will strive to be the father you so desperately need and want.”
Stiles smiled at his father with glee in his face tears streaming down his face as he nodded his head eagerly.
The sheriff took a deep breath to calm down, but it was impossible. He needed to finish first. “I will try so hard, but I can't promise there won't be moments. I wish there was a way around this but I may relapse. But no matter what I will continue to strive for you. I will fight the addiction and I promise you, Stiles.” The Sheriff took a deep breath before straightening his back, “One day I will be a man worthy of being called your father.”
Stiles smiled at his father as he continued to cry, “It’s okay daddy.” He reached his little arms around the Sheriff and sighed deeply. “I will always love you. No matter what you will always be my dad.” Stiles looked up at his dad will a happiness in his face that he hadn’t expected to find. It was going to be okay, no matter what they faced.
Even though the Sheriff would struggle with his goal of beating addiction he would not give up for he had something to reach. He would succeed for Stiles.
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(1-year skip)
Stiles smiled at his best friend Scott as he dropped him off at his house. Even though it was the anniversary of his mother's death he had gone to school. He had braved the internal struggle and faced this challenge. Now he could spend the rest of the day with his dad. His dad, who had been so great. He had done his homework with him every day. They had actually had family dinners again. Like when his mother had been around. It couldn't have been better.
Stiles unlocked the door to walk into a dark home. He frowned in slight sadness thinking his father wasn't home. He turned to lock the door and take his shoes off by the door. He set his stuff down by the stairs and walked to the kitchen. He gazed at the kitchen counter where he could see an open bottle. Tears began to fill in his eyes as he came to the realization of what that may mean.
He stiffened up his lip and started to search the house for his dad. He found him in his study. He peeked the door open to find his father sitting with a glass poured over on the floor. Liquid staining the carpet. He turned to his dad who was crying with his face in his hands, hunched over the desk.
“Dad,” Stiles called as he slowly stepped into the room.
His father snapped his head up where Stiles could see tears streaming down his face. His dad released a breath as he stood and reached for Stiles. Stiles opened his arms letting his dad pick him up. “I'm so sorry,” his dad cried as he clasped Stiles gently.
Stiles face lowered to the broken glass and asked the only question he needed, “Did you drink it?”
The Sheriff shook his head as he cried choking out, “No I didn't but I almost did.” He continued to cry mumbling about how he was such a bad dad, but Stiles simply patted his back gently.
Stiles smiled gently as he pulled back to look at his dad, “The point is that you didn't. You stopped yourself.” Stiles patted his dad's cheeks as he wiped the tears away. “It's okay to make mistakes. Somethings are just really hard to stop, but you did it.”
The Sheriff smiled gently at his son. Although he had not crossed the line he almost did. Even though he stopped himself at the thought of Stiles' face when he found out. HE had almost and that wasn't good enough for himself, but with Stiles words, he calmed down.
Stiles smiled at his dad as he patted his head, “I'm proud of you.” He said with a serious face. Although it looked cute the sheriff was only glad to have done right by his son. It was going to be okay!
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(Time Skip - High Schooler Stiles)
The Sheriff laughed as Melissa sprayed him with the faucet hose. They danced around the kitchen as they were supposed to do the dishes. Stiles and Scott entered the room and joined the fray as a war began in the small kitchen. With laughter everywhere, Stiles felt at home. His smile was wider than it had ever been. Especially with his dad being sober for so many years. It couldn't get better than this.
Stiles waved bye as the McCalls left their home with slightly soaking clothing. Wishes as farewells. Coming back in the Sheriff and Stiles both crashed on the couch. Sighing the Sheriff sat up and faced Stiles calling out his name.
Stiles looks over and raised an eyebrow before sitting up, “What's up?”
The Sheriff fidgeted with his hands as he looked out the window before looking back at Stiles, “Um Stiles. I hope I have been the best father possible these past few years following your mother's death. I hope above all else I am worthy of being called your father now.”
Stiles stopped his dad in his place as he waved his head in the air. “We both already know your the best. What is this really about?”
The Sheriff released a breath as he shook his head. “Never can lead up to anything with you can I?” Stiles smiled at him before gesturing for him to continue. “So Melissa and I are… Well, we. I'm not sure how to put this.” The Sheriff sighed as he put his hands on his face.
Stiles grinned as he grabbed his dad’s hands. “Don't tell me. You're in love!” Stiles smiled brightly as his dad blushed brightly. “Oh my gosh, dad.” Stiles laughed as he patted his dads back, “Are you embarrassed to tell me this? Have you asked her out yet?”
The Sheriff blushed even brighter as he sighed at Stiles’ questions, “I did ask her. I just wanted to tell you that I wasn’t going to replace your mother no matter what and that you can love whomever you want. Okay, kiddo?”
The Sheriff’s blush calmed down as Stiles' cheeks rosed slightly he shook his head as he turned away slightly, “Of course I know that stuff, but why the conversation about loving whom you want?”
The Sheriff’s blush returned full force now, “Well you see we have been together for a while and we wanted to tell both of you.” Before he could finish Stiles started clapping with laughter echoing through the room.
“Okay,” He laughed as he wiped away tears. “OKay. Tell me the truth.” Stiles propped his head up as the Sheriff looked at him with a fond look.
The Sheriff stood preparing to go to sleep and ruffled Stiles hair as he passed, “I just wanted to tell you to love whom you wanted.” With one last glance, the Sheriff headed upstairs to sleep.
The Sheriff was happy with where his life had gone. Now he could only hope Stiles found his way as well. No matter where he went his father would always be right beside him. That was a fact.