That same morning, Derek woke up bright and early in his room. He was going through his morning exercise routine; but was more somber than usual.
There was something Derek wanted to do on this particular weekend; and he wanted to get it done bright and early.
Furthermore, later in the night, he had to execute his plan involving Desmond, Owen and his father Peter Quinton. So, the morning was the best time to run this special errand.
He joined his parents Peter and Lea in the dining room for breakfast as usual. Peter and Lea noticed the slight difference in his body language.
"Morning, son. Is something wrong?" asked Lea.
"Morning, mum. I'm ok. No need to worry." replied Derek.
"You don't look as ok as before. Do you want to share it with us? Just to get it off your chest." asked Peter.
"Rest assured, dad. It's nothing that is detrimental to any of us. With that said, there is something I want to do this morning." replied Derek.
"What is it, son? Do you need our help?" asked Lea.
"Not exactly...in fact I was hoping both of you could join me....I want to visit my adopt parents' graves today." replied Derek.
Peter and Lea started tearing up hearing their son mentioning Edward and Emma. They knew how much it would mean for Derek if all three of them could visit their graves as a family.
"Son, we are humbled, honoured and grateful that you asked us to join you. We have not visited their graves since coming back to Townsville. It's time we said 'thank you' to them, even though they are no longer with us." said Peter.
Derek smiled in appreciation. The Quinton family quickly finished their breakfast before changing and heading to the Townsville cemetery.
They stopped by a nearby florist near the cemetery to buy a bouquet of flowers each. Then the Mercedes G-class that the family was in drove to Edward and Emma Smith's tombstone.
The car stopped about five metres away from the graveside. The Quinton family stepped out of the car and went to Edward and Emma's final resting place.
One by one, they placed their bouquets of flowers in front of the tombstone.
"Mum, Dad. It took years since you left me; but I'm doing well now. I have found my real parents and we are reunited once more. Thank you for watching over me all these years. Rest in peace now. I'm going to be ok." Derek said these words with tears flowing down his face.
Peter and Lea leaned closer behind Derek and embraced him from behind as Derek continued crying. They too could not control their tears.
"Edward. Emma. We trusted our son to your care; and you did your absolute best for him. We finally found Derek after all these years. Thank you for taking care of our son!" said Peter with tears in his eyes.
"I wish we could thank you in person. We're sorry we didn't visit sooner. I know you both can hear us in heaven. Thank you for everything. We miss you and we love you." said Lea, tears flowing down her face.
The Quinton family stood there for a few more minutes to mourn over Edward and Emma Smith. They composed themselves, said one last goodbye to Edward and Emma and went back to their car.
Just as they were about to enter their car, Derek heard a familiar voice calling him from behind.
"Derek? Derek Smith?"
Derek turned around to see a familiar figure standing in front of his Edward and Emma's grave.
"Oh hi, Dr Crestwell. It's been too long. Good to see you again." greeted Derek, who then walked over to shake his hand.
Dr Crestwell wanted to return Derek's handshake but he stopped in his tracks, shocked.
"What's wrong Dr Crestwell? Is everything OK?" asked Derek.
"Son, do you know this man?" Peter asked as he and Lea approached Derek and Dr Crestwell.
"Yeah. Mum, dad, meet Dr Crestwell. He was at one time the family doctor for the Smiths. I haven't seen him for years." introduced Derek.
Dr Crestwell could not believe what he just heard.
'Mum? Dad? That's Mr and Mrs Quinton. The most powerful couple in Townsville. I heard they lost their son a long time ago. How is Derek their son?' thought Dr Crestwell.
"I'm sorry, Derek. If I may be so bold to ask...how are you related to Mr and Mrs Quinton? I heard you call them mum and dad." asked Dr Crestwell.
"It's a long story...but to keep the long story short, they are my real parents. We were reunited about a month ago. Edward and Emma Smith were my adopt parents." replied.
"That's right. Years ago, when Derek was a baby, we were ambushed by a group of thugs." explained Peter.
"For fear of our son's life, we asked Edward and Emma to take care of our son until we took care of those thugs. So sad they were gone before we could thank them" said Lea.
"Wait a minute...son, you said that this Dr Crestwell was the Smith family doctor. I'm curious, Dr Crestwell. What exactly happened to Edward and Emma?" asked Peter.
Strangely, Dr Crestwell could not answer Peter. He was visibly shaking like a leaf.
"Dr Crestwell? Are you OK?" asked Lea
"Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. I'm dead. I'm so dead." Dr Crestwell could only mumble in fear.
Suddenly, Dr Crestwell dropped to his knees and bowed to the Quintons, sobbing and in mortal fear.
"I'm so sorry, Derek! THIS IS ALL MY FAULT! I DESERVE TO DIE!" Dr Crestwell screamed.
"Woah what do you mean, Doc?" asked Derek, confused.
Dr Crestwell looked up to the Quintons, tears streaking down his face.
"I've kept this inside me for twenty years. I'm so sorry! I lied!" confessed Dr Crestwell.
"You lied? About what?" asked Lea
"Edward and Emma. They did not die of a sickness." said Dr Crestwell.
"Say that again, Doc? If they didn't die because of a sickness, then how did they die?" asked Derek, his anger starting to get the better of him.
"They were poisoned!!!" replied Dr Crestwell.