Chapter Text
The Baudelaires find Chelsea sleeping by her father's grave two days later. She dug it far away from any vengeful eyes, deep in the trees. Somewhere warm and peaceful. Somewhere the Baudelaires barely found her.
Although they somehow manage to get her to leave her father's resting place, she stops by Kit's grave on their way to the house in the tree. They let her sit there for as long as she needs and then take her to the house to get some food and water.
They know how complicated her relationship with her father was. So they know how much she's hurting now. They let her be in silence for as long as she wants. She doesn't have to talk to them to communicate. They understand.
Chelsea spends the first few nights sleeping outside with her father, still wishing he would miraculously call out her name and she'd dig him out and they'd be happy.
But deep down she knows that will never happen.
When she returns to the house after another cold night alone, she notices for the first time that there are four Baudelaires. Then it hits her - Kit had a baby. She named her Beatrice, after the Baudelaires' mother. Right, they told her that a couple of days ago.
She spends most of her nights crying and shivering, sometimes humming her father's song to help her fall asleep. She cries harder when she realizes her father's voice is beginning to escape her memory. Then she sobs violently as she realizes she has nothing to remember him by.
During the day, she either sits silently in a corner or does her best to help if the Baudelaires ask. They try not to. She appreciates that.
But no matter how much time passes, it doesn't get better. She still feels that giant hole that's growing bigger and bigger with each passing day. She used to be afraid it would eat her alive. Swallow her whole. Now she's gotten used to it. She's grown numb to that fear.
And as the year comes to an end, Chelsea still feels the same as before.
"It's been a year," Violet says, joining Klaus on the couch.
"That means the seawall will flood again tomorrow. This is our chance to leave."
"And go where?"
"We can't shelter her forever. Her parents knew that."
"If we leave, what will we find?"
They hear the front door creak and know that Chelsea has gone away for the night. They sigh deeply, sharing a sad look. They can't imagine what she's going through. If she leaves this island, it will mean that her father is really, really gone and she has no family left.
If she leaves, she'll leave her father forever. She'll never be able to visit him again. They're not sure she's ready for that. She hasn't spoken a word in a year. They hope she'll be strong enough when the time comes.
But as they stand on the shore the next morning, the boat ready to go, they fear Chelsea will not join them. They sigh deeply and share another sad look before smiling at the two little girls in the boat. They push it into the water and Violet gets in. Klaus continues pushing.
They look back one last time, but Chelsea is nowhere to be seen. Their hearts break for her.
But then Violet sees movement by the treeline and makes Klaus stop pushing the boat. A bright smile lights their faces as the troubled girl appears.
She's running towards them and they wait patiently. When she's close enough, Violet helps her get into the boat and Klaus keeps pushing it.
Although she's crying, for the first time in a year, the dark rain cloud over Chelsea's head seems to dissipate. Of course, she's heartbroken that she won't be able to visit her father ever again, but time goes on and so must she.
Maybe when they get back to the city she'll find her old house. Maybe she'll get a good job and will get enough money to buy and renovate it. All of his things will be in her possession then. She will have everything to remember him by. And that's something worth living for.
Although they didn't have the best relationship, she misses her father like crazy. She'll miss him until she joins him in the afterlife. But that is a long time away from happening.
She's not ready for whatever is to come, not in the slightest. But if she waits until she's ready, she'll be waiting for the rest of her life.