"Ariel, come on your father is waiting." Ari chided coming in and seeing
the 8 year old not dressed yet.
" I can't do this." She said tearfully.
"Yes you can." Ari said stroking her hair "I know this is hard but we have to do it."
"Grandma, I'm so angry. Why did my Mom have to die?" Ariel said bursting into tears.
"Your mother was a good woman and she died giving you a beautiful baby brother." She soothed rocking her granddaughter with tears in her eyes. "We are all going to miss her."
Ari sat rocking Ariel for a few moments more. "Come on honey lets get you dressed."
"All right." Ari answered.
"Wes, I just heard. Are you all right?" Cole said over the cell phone.
"I don't know Cole. I'm just so numb inside." He answered.
Justin Gabriel started stirring in the bassinett.
"Cole I have to go, the baby is waking up." He said quickly.
"All right, If you need anything at all please call."
"I will, thank you. Good bye Cole."
Ariel came into her father's room in a pretty navy blue dress. Jen had picked that dress out for her as a gift for when she brought the baby home. It was meant especially for her. For a long time it was just her and Jen but with the impending birth of her new brother Jen wanted to make her feel extra special.
"You look beautiful honey."
"Thank-you daddy." She answered trying to be strong for both of them. But her pretty green eyes deceived her. For a girl of 8 she was wise beyond her years. She carried the best traits of her father and her mother with her.
Wes was very proud of his daughter and wanted her to lead a very normal life beyond what his fortune could provide. He refused sending her away to school, he felt that it would make her feel very alone like he did as a child. He wanted to be there every moment of her life. Jen did too. But now he would have to be there for the both of them.
"Sir, the car is ready." Philips said stepping into the doorway. "Thank-you Philips."
The funeral for Jennifer Collins was one of the largest ever seen in Silver Hills. Wes sat stoically in the church staring at the ivory pink coffin that held the body of the woman he loved.
"It's not fair." He thought but chided himself at the selfishness of it.
Many of the Power Rangers Teams were in attendance at the church Tommy, the red zeo ranger, Carter and Dana, two of their closest friends and members of Lightspeed Rescue, Taylor Earhardt, Yellow Wild Force Ranger and Eric Myer's fiancée there were many others who didn't even know Jen but knew of her work in Time Force and as a Ranger. There was always a mutual respect and a shift in the power when a ranger died that brought the rangers together to mourn the loss. It brought Wes comfort in the camaraderie but also a deep sadness knowing that one day soon he would have to give up his wife's morpher to someone new and fight side by side with a stranger.
Eric Myers, Wes' best friend and godfather to Ariel was asked to give a eulogy for Jen. He looked very nervous standing up there in his Silver Guardians dress uniform. He cleared his throat and began
"Jennifer Collins was known to many of you as the Pink Ranger of the Time Force team. Full of courage, a formidable foe to any and all that dared destroy all that was good, a friend and ally to us all. But she was more than that to those who knew her. She was a loving wife to my best friend Wesley Collins. He had many pictures of her on his desk at work and talked about how she made his life wonderful, how he knew everything would be all right just because she was there. He looked forward to going home every day just to watch her take care of their daughter and see the fun things that they did together. She completed him just as he completed her. Together they created two beautiful children and she was a caring and devoted mother to Ariel Alexandra and Justin Gabriel Collins. When she was home you could find her spending time with her daughter, they would go and play together or if Ariel was tired they would nap together. She protected them with her heart and soul. It was the kind of family you would find in a utopia perfect in every way happy, loving and beautiful." Eric's voice began to crack and tears spilled down his face. Taylor saw his loss of composure and went up to him and began to read the words he had spent the last two days working on.
She began. "She lived a warriors life to the end losing her battle when Justin came into the world. They had told her the pregnancy might kill her with the cellular degeneration but she said that this baby would be a miracle just as her daughter was and there would be no way that she would terminate the pregnancy. I admired her for that. To me Jen was the sister that I never had she was always there for me to talk and help with my problems which at times were many. She cared about me, and Jennifer and Wes gave me the honor of being Godfather to their daughter making it the first time I ever felt welcome in anyone's family. I was always a lone wolf, never a part of anything and to be welcomed into that family was an honor and privilege. I admired Jen's strength and tenacity in battle. Her loving heart which always was ready to give. She was a wonderful, loving, caring person devoted to both her friends and family. She will be missed by us all. Jen I know that you are above us right now watching over us and that makes me feel better knowing you're there on our side. We love you and may the power protect you wherever you are."
Taylor concluded Eric's eulogy with some words of her own.
"Eric summarized the beauty of Jen, but also other than her family and friends she gave to the community, she and Wes hosted a Christmas Party for children who otherwise wouldn't have a Christmas, they could be found at the children's hospital comforting sick children, they founded a house where families of sick children could stay near the hospital for free, they worked at the Cancer Hospital providing free treatment to those who couldn't afford it. She loved all people and worked to make this world a better place to live in. I think she would want us to do the same. So today lets make it our goal to make this world a better place just as she did. Goodbye Jen, none of us will ever forget you."
Many people at the service were crying from Eric's word and then from Taylor's. Wes sat in the front of the Church his children clinging to him listening to the service. Ari and Anthony Collins sat next to them and then Eric and Taylor. Wes' body was visibly shaking and his father reached over to steady him. He looked at his son's tearstained face and reached over and took his hand. He had only seen him this way once before, when he himself was in the hospital and Wes thought he had died. A few moments later the service mercifully concluded. Anthony thought if it had gone on any longer his son's heart couldn't have taken it and he would have had a break down.
After the funeral, there was a private family burial at Collinswood Estate. The other rangers and friends congregated in the grand ballroom of the Estate's main house. After a brief period the family joined them as well. Eric was amazed at how many of the former teams of rangers were there. The Lightspeed Rescue team was there in uniform, all of the Zeo and Turbo rangers, even Andros, Zhane, and Karone. But there was someone missing and Eric went to find him.
Wes was sitting alone in the garden where they had buried Jen. It was the same place he had proposed to her and where Ariel was conceived.
"Wes."
He didn't answer.
"Wes, I know it isn't going to help but I'm so sorry. Whatever you need Taylor and I will be here for you."
"Thanks Eric." He choked.
"There are an awful lot of people here. I didn't think the ballroom could fit that many people."
"Katie, Lucas, Trip and Alex should have been here."
"I know but they were on assignment we couldn't contact them."
"They knew she was dying."
"Wes it's not their fault."
"They had the technology to save her. Why didn't they? It's so unfair Eric. The children need her, I need her and Time Force let her die!" He put his head down and sobbed into his hands. Eric moved to his side and hugged Wes who sobbed into his shoulder.
Another figure watched as well, it moved stealthily out of the garden.
" I can't do this." She said tearfully.
"Yes you can." Ari said stroking her hair "I know this is hard but we have to do it."
"Grandma, I'm so angry. Why did my Mom have to die?" Ariel said bursting into tears.
"Your mother was a good woman and she died giving you a beautiful baby brother." She soothed rocking her granddaughter with tears in her eyes. "We are all going to miss her."
Ari sat rocking Ariel for a few moments more. "Come on honey lets get you dressed."
"All right." Ari answered.
"Wes, I just heard. Are you all right?" Cole said over the cell phone.
"I don't know Cole. I'm just so numb inside." He answered.
Justin Gabriel started stirring in the bassinett.
"Cole I have to go, the baby is waking up." He said quickly.
"All right, If you need anything at all please call."
"I will, thank you. Good bye Cole."
Ariel came into her father's room in a pretty navy blue dress. Jen had picked that dress out for her as a gift for when she brought the baby home. It was meant especially for her. For a long time it was just her and Jen but with the impending birth of her new brother Jen wanted to make her feel extra special.
"You look beautiful honey."
"Thank-you daddy." She answered trying to be strong for both of them. But her pretty green eyes deceived her. For a girl of 8 she was wise beyond her years. She carried the best traits of her father and her mother with her.
Wes was very proud of his daughter and wanted her to lead a very normal life beyond what his fortune could provide. He refused sending her away to school, he felt that it would make her feel very alone like he did as a child. He wanted to be there every moment of her life. Jen did too. But now he would have to be there for the both of them.
"Sir, the car is ready." Philips said stepping into the doorway. "Thank-you Philips."
The funeral for Jennifer Collins was one of the largest ever seen in Silver Hills. Wes sat stoically in the church staring at the ivory pink coffin that held the body of the woman he loved.
"It's not fair." He thought but chided himself at the selfishness of it.
Many of the Power Rangers Teams were in attendance at the church Tommy, the red zeo ranger, Carter and Dana, two of their closest friends and members of Lightspeed Rescue, Taylor Earhardt, Yellow Wild Force Ranger and Eric Myer's fiancée there were many others who didn't even know Jen but knew of her work in Time Force and as a Ranger. There was always a mutual respect and a shift in the power when a ranger died that brought the rangers together to mourn the loss. It brought Wes comfort in the camaraderie but also a deep sadness knowing that one day soon he would have to give up his wife's morpher to someone new and fight side by side with a stranger.
Eric Myers, Wes' best friend and godfather to Ariel was asked to give a eulogy for Jen. He looked very nervous standing up there in his Silver Guardians dress uniform. He cleared his throat and began
"Jennifer Collins was known to many of you as the Pink Ranger of the Time Force team. Full of courage, a formidable foe to any and all that dared destroy all that was good, a friend and ally to us all. But she was more than that to those who knew her. She was a loving wife to my best friend Wesley Collins. He had many pictures of her on his desk at work and talked about how she made his life wonderful, how he knew everything would be all right just because she was there. He looked forward to going home every day just to watch her take care of their daughter and see the fun things that they did together. She completed him just as he completed her. Together they created two beautiful children and she was a caring and devoted mother to Ariel Alexandra and Justin Gabriel Collins. When she was home you could find her spending time with her daughter, they would go and play together or if Ariel was tired they would nap together. She protected them with her heart and soul. It was the kind of family you would find in a utopia perfect in every way happy, loving and beautiful." Eric's voice began to crack and tears spilled down his face. Taylor saw his loss of composure and went up to him and began to read the words he had spent the last two days working on.
She began. "She lived a warriors life to the end losing her battle when Justin came into the world. They had told her the pregnancy might kill her with the cellular degeneration but she said that this baby would be a miracle just as her daughter was and there would be no way that she would terminate the pregnancy. I admired her for that. To me Jen was the sister that I never had she was always there for me to talk and help with my problems which at times were many. She cared about me, and Jennifer and Wes gave me the honor of being Godfather to their daughter making it the first time I ever felt welcome in anyone's family. I was always a lone wolf, never a part of anything and to be welcomed into that family was an honor and privilege. I admired Jen's strength and tenacity in battle. Her loving heart which always was ready to give. She was a wonderful, loving, caring person devoted to both her friends and family. She will be missed by us all. Jen I know that you are above us right now watching over us and that makes me feel better knowing you're there on our side. We love you and may the power protect you wherever you are."
Taylor concluded Eric's eulogy with some words of her own.
"Eric summarized the beauty of Jen, but also other than her family and friends she gave to the community, she and Wes hosted a Christmas Party for children who otherwise wouldn't have a Christmas, they could be found at the children's hospital comforting sick children, they founded a house where families of sick children could stay near the hospital for free, they worked at the Cancer Hospital providing free treatment to those who couldn't afford it. She loved all people and worked to make this world a better place to live in. I think she would want us to do the same. So today lets make it our goal to make this world a better place just as she did. Goodbye Jen, none of us will ever forget you."
Many people at the service were crying from Eric's word and then from Taylor's. Wes sat in the front of the Church his children clinging to him listening to the service. Ari and Anthony Collins sat next to them and then Eric and Taylor. Wes' body was visibly shaking and his father reached over to steady him. He looked at his son's tearstained face and reached over and took his hand. He had only seen him this way once before, when he himself was in the hospital and Wes thought he had died. A few moments later the service mercifully concluded. Anthony thought if it had gone on any longer his son's heart couldn't have taken it and he would have had a break down.
After the funeral, there was a private family burial at Collinswood Estate. The other rangers and friends congregated in the grand ballroom of the Estate's main house. After a brief period the family joined them as well. Eric was amazed at how many of the former teams of rangers were there. The Lightspeed Rescue team was there in uniform, all of the Zeo and Turbo rangers, even Andros, Zhane, and Karone. But there was someone missing and Eric went to find him.
Wes was sitting alone in the garden where they had buried Jen. It was the same place he had proposed to her and where Ariel was conceived.
"Wes."
He didn't answer.
"Wes, I know it isn't going to help but I'm so sorry. Whatever you need Taylor and I will be here for you."
"Thanks Eric." He choked.
"There are an awful lot of people here. I didn't think the ballroom could fit that many people."
"Katie, Lucas, Trip and Alex should have been here."
"I know but they were on assignment we couldn't contact them."
"They knew she was dying."
"Wes it's not their fault."
"They had the technology to save her. Why didn't they? It's so unfair Eric. The children need her, I need her and Time Force let her die!" He put his head down and sobbed into his hands. Eric moved to his side and hugged Wes who sobbed into his shoulder.
Another figure watched as well, it moved stealthily out of the garden.