Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When he first woke up, he was alone. All he could think about was what he’d done.

Wendy. Danny. What had he done to them. What happened to them? What happened to him?

He remembered exactly when it happened. The first time he stepped foot in that wretched place. He felt his conscience tell him it wasn’t right, that he shouldn’t be there.

But… there was something else. Something that told him it was for the best. Best for Wendy and Danny.

He must be in hell… but where was he?

It was white. Completely white. He had no sense of up or down, left or right, forward or backward. And all he could do was think.

How could he do that to Wendy? She would probably never trust anyone again. She would be anxious. She’s a good mother. She played with Danny. She protected Danny. She loved Danny. And he tried to take an axe to her.

How could he do that to Danny? He would grow up without a father. He would be traumatized. He was so smart. He died because of how smart Danny was. He was a horrible father. How could he ever hurt Danny?

But after a while, all he could think about was the good memories.

Like when Wendy gave birth to Danny. It was the best day of his life. Wendy was beautiful. She was sweaty and had tears down her face, but she never looked so beautiful.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Look Jack. It’s Danny. It’s us.”

His eyes softened and he sat down next to her. He put a hand on her head and pulled her into a half hug. He slipped a hand down onto Danny’s head too.

“Yeah,” he said with tears in his eyes.

“Danny,” he whispered, feeling the name in his mouth. “Us.”

Chapter Text

He wandered around aimlessly. He didn’t know how long he walked for. All he thought about was Wendy and Danny. And what he had done. The hotel.

And then, he saw a man.

His sense of direction was restored and he walked towards the figure. It was a butler.

“Hello Mr. Torrance.”

“Hello Grady.”

“She’s waiting for you. It’s why you’re being let out of the void.”

“Aren’t I being punished?”

“Yes and no. The hotel drove you insane, but you shouldn’t have done it anyway. But now that your wife is here, your punishment is lifted.”

“Will she hate me?”

“Yes.”

“Will she forgive me?”

“Eventually my wife did. Your wife loves you deeply. I’m sure she already has.”

“Will… he hate me?”

“Yes.”

“Will he forgive me?”

“I’m not sure. My little girls were just happy their father was acting normal again. But your son had to grow up without a father. I have no clue how that will have impacted him.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready.”

“No one ever is.”

Chapter Text

“Wendy.”

She turned around. She was wearing the dress she wore on their first date. A vibrant red one that was perfect on her. The brightest smile on her face. He hadn’t seen her smile in far too long. But she had tears in her eyes.

“Jack.” Then the smile faded and she looked sad. “Jack!”

She ran to him and hugged him close. He held her tight. “Jack! Jack!” She cried into his arms.

“Now now Wendy. Why’re you crying? I’m here. I’ve waited for you for so long. And I’ve longed to see you smile and laugh.”

She looked up into his face and laughed, tears still streaming down her face.

He smiled sadly at her. “Do you… forgive me?”

She looked back at him. “Almost. Almost. But I love you. I will.”

“You wouldn’t even forgive me for dislocating Danny’s shoulder.”

“Do you drink?”

“No.”

“Do you live at a haunted hotel?”

“No?”

“Are there any affairs I should be worried about.”

“What? No!”

She started laughing a little. The tears stopped. “Oh. Am I the only one for you?”

He laughed too. “The only one.”

“Forever?”

“And ever.”

“Even after death we won’t part?”

He laughed louder. “Yeah I promise. So do I have permission to kiss the bride?”

She smiled up at him. “Of course.”

Chapter Text

“Jack.”

The void had become so much more than whiteness. Wendy brought color into his life. The Grady’s family kept them company too. It was peaceful.

“Yes Wendy?”

“He’s here.”

Ah.

Danny.

Them.

When he went to see him, he was in the whiteness. But it wasn’t completely white. More like a very pale grey.

Danny looked like he did when Jack died. But also like a grown man. It was such an otherworldly thing that he didn’t know how to explain.

“Danny…”

His son’s face darkened. “Father.”

Shit. Jack thought he would be more prepared for this. “Danny… Danny I’m so sorry. I… I never wanted for it to happen.”

Danny looked down he started to cry. “God… you’re so much more pathetic than I thought.”

“Danny… Danny I’m so sorry. I love you Danny.”

Danny walked over to Jack and slapped him. Right across the face. Then he took him and hugged him close. “Yeah Daddy, I love you too.”

And they cried together until Wendy came and then they laughed and hugged.

Wendy. And Jack. And Danny. Them.