Disclaimer: Read the first part.
Liz: Okay guys this here is the second part, it's going to be the more depressing part. I hope you enjoy it and please review. Okay one more think and I will get to the fic. I am going to put the last part of the first part up so I don't start in the middle of the conversation. So if it seems like I repeated that I did, but I did it for a reason. Ok now I am going to start the fic, enjoy and please review.
Chelsea: Okay, I gotta get my two cents in! I am sorry about all the evil, possessed, freaky little symbols in the last chapter. I managed to fix everything but still. That isn't the point. But I think that's okay. I was very sad. Because I am always sad. Okay, not always. But even if I WAS always sad, you wouldn't care because that's not why you're here! So I will stop wasting space and let you move onto the fic now...
A Note To Our Reviewers:
Ultimateblood- Thank you SO much for the support ultimateblood! We love you lots! Thank you for your support! Hurrah! Lol...anyway, I hope you thoroughly enjoy this chapter. ^_~
Carrie- I'm glad you liked it! We were worried no one would read it because it was Julie/Charlie. I personally think they're CUTE together...lol. ^_^ Thanks for the review and we're glad you like it! ^_^
Moviechic189- Sorry for making you wait! We've been busy and well, we're very lazy. ^_^ Again, very sorry. But I hope you like this chapter! Now you can finally know what happened to Julie's dad...DUN DUN DUN! ---Part 2---
Coach Bombay came in and told Charlie he needed to talk to him. Charlie nodded and followed the shorter, yet older, man out of the room. A few minutes later, they both came back in. Charlie looked worried but Bombay did not seem have any particular look on his face. Charlie went over to Julie and sat down next to her. Gordon Bombay came and sat down in front of them. Julie looked at Bombay and knew something was wrong.
Julie looked worried. In a voice softer than usual, she asked, "Coach, what is it?"
Bombay frowned and replied with a gentle voice. "Sweetie, I just got a phone call from the Hospital..."
Julie looked between Charlie and Coach Bombay and started to get scared when she saw the looks on their faces.
"Ok, what's wrong, what's happened?" Julie asked frightfully.
Charlie wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her back.
"Sweetie...uhh this is hard. First of all, they got your dad stabilized and he is doing much better. But umm...after they got him stabilized you mom crashed, both her lungs collapsed and they couldn't get them back up." Bombay looked at her the entire time he was saying this.
At first, Julie didn't understand what he was telling her, but then it hit her full force. She didn't start crying at first; she just started shaking her head with a look of absolute horror.
"No, no, oh god please no. Please Coach; tell me your not saying what I think you are. Please don't. No!!" Julie screamed, breaking down into hysteria.
Julie knew what was happening but she just wouldn't accept it. She couldn't. She just kept shaking her head. Then she turned her head to Charlie who was trying his best not to start crying. Tears were streaming down her pale face. He hated seeing her like this. By this point Julie had started crying along with shaking her head back and forth, refusing to believe it.
"Charlie, please tell me it's not true. Please." Julie cried; her face was contorted with agony. This couldn't be happening to her...it just...there was no way...
Charlie didn't know what to do, he didn't know if he could tell her. He looked at Bombay, trying to figure out what he should do. Bombay nodded to Charlie and mouthed to him to tell her, she needed to hear it. Charlie didn't want to have to be the one to confirm the fear Julie had, but he knew he had to. He turned back to Julie who was now sobbing uncontrollably. He pulled her closer to him. She crumbled into his arms, feeling so helpless. She didn't want to believe it.
"Julie, Angel, your mom didn't make it, her lungs were too damaged to be saved." Charlie said. Looking at her crying made him cry himself and pulled her into his lap and held her. He buried his head into her hair and bit his lip, rocking her back and forth.
"Let it out sweetie, let it out." He said, trying to control himself too. When Julie was in pain, he could hardly stand it. When he saw her crying, it felt like someone had ripped out his heart and stomped on it. He bit his lip until a small trail of blood trailed down his chin to keep from sobbing right along with her. As long as she didn't HEAR him crying, she could think he was strong. He wouldn't have to seem weak in front of the one person that meant the most to him. He had to be the strong one. He had to be the one to give her comfort and the one for her to fall back on when she needed it. Julie had grown to be the most important thing to him. He didn't know when it happened, but somehow she had slipped her way into his life and taken hold of his heart. Coach Bombay sat across from Charlie and Julie watching them, not knowing what to do. Then he realized that he should get her to the hospital. He decided that he would give them a little while first. He stood up, walked over to Charlie and Julie, and bent down in front of them. He reached up and wiped a tear away from Julie face. "Hey Jules, I'm going to leave you two alone for a little bit, ok? But not for long; I need to get you to the hospital so you can see your daddy. If you want Charlie to come with you, that's fine. You can have whoever you want with you, okay? But right now you just stay right there alright?" He said gently. Julie nodded but never looked at him. She didn't want to think about leaving the spot she was in at the moment. She felt too safe. It seemed to her that when she was in Charlie's arms, the things going on right now weren't really happening. She knew that eventually she was going to have to get up, change, and face reality. She had to accept that her mom had just been killed in an accident on the way to her hockey game. When that thought went through her mind she pulled away from Charlie's shoulder. "OH GOD, OH GOD! Charlie this is my fault! I'm the reason my mom is dead right now!!!" Julie said starting to cry all over again. Charlie sat her down on the bench and kneeled down in front of her. He gently touched her face with his hand and pulled her face up a little to look at him. With his other hand he held her hand and squeezed it. "Julie, Angel, it is NOT your fault. It's not anybody's fault, well except for the person that hit them. But it isn't your fault, do you understand me?" he said gently while rubbing his hand across her cheek. "YES!!! Yes it is Charlie. I have been asking them all year to come to a game. They said okay and told me they would tell me when they were coming. I was so excited because they were going to get to see us play for real. Not only that but they were going to get to meet you and the rest of the team. So you see Charlie, if I hadn't wanted them to come and hadn't asked them, this wouldn't have happened." She cried, laying her head against his hand. He rubbed her cheek and sat up on his knees until he was high enough to pull her to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her face. (Chels can you try to re word this part i can't get it to come out the way i want it to. I want him to tell her that he can see how she thinks it is her fault but that it wasn't. That her parents had to want to come to the game to the game, they had to be willing to travel that far for it.) "Angel, sweetie, I can see how you can think it's your fault, but it isn't. Julie, your parents wanted to come see you. Yes you asked them, and begged them, but they were the one's that said yes. You mean the world to them and when they said they would come, it was out of love for you. You wanted them to come because you love them. Julie, it isn't your fault. They had wanted to come and they were willing to travel all the way from Bangor, Maine to see you play hockey in California. Julie, your mother wouldn't want you thinking it's your fault, because it isn't. This could have happened to anyone. So don't blame yourself Jules, it isn't your fault, okay?" He said, rocking her back and forth. Julie nodded against his chest. That had made her feel a lot better. "Good, now how about you get out of your gear and get some sweats on. Then you go and see your daddy, okay?" he asked her gently. She looked at him like he had just broken her heart. "Your not gonna come with me?!" She asked with a pathetic tone in her voice, and her lower lip quivering. "Do you want me to, Jules?" he asked. "YES!" she said, a stray tear falling down her cheek. "Okay, that's all you had to say, baby. That's all you had to say. All you have to do is ask, and I'll be there for you. Do you want Connie and Guy to come with us?" Charlie said softly. Julie thought about it for a minute. Connie was the only other girl on the team and she was her best friend, and so was Guy. She finally looked at Charlie and nodded. "But Charlie, I don't want to tell the rest of the team right now. Connie and Guy won't tell...I know they wont. Well you tell them for me? Please?" She asked softly, and Charlie nodded. "Okay, baby, I won't tell them either and yes, I will tell Connie and Guy. You go get ready and I will go find them and Coach Bombay, Okay?" he told her. She nodded and stood up, as did Charlie. "Where will we meet?" She asked. "We'll come back in here as soon as I find them and tell them." He told her and she nodded. "Okay, now go get a shower and some sweats. If you can get your bag ready we will send it back on the bus." He said and again she nodded. She started to walk off to the showers, but he caught her arm and pulled her into a hug. "It's going to be okay, Sweetie. I will help you through this, okay? So will Connie and Guy, and the rest of the Ducks, when you tell them. But for right now me, Connie, and Guy will get you through this." He said lovingly. She nodded. "Ok, now go on. I am going to go find Connie and Guy." She nodded again and he let go of her. They both walked separate ways, Julie to the showers, Charlie to find Connie and Guy. Charlie stopped at the door and looked at her, hating to leave her alone. "Will you be okay alone, Jules?" he asked her; she looked at him and nodded. He nodded back and left the locker room telling himself she would be okay. That she needed some time to herself. He saw Connie and Guy in front of him. They were laughing and having a good time. "I don't know if I can do this again." He said softly to himself. He walked over to them and gave them a weak smile. "Guys I need to talk to you two for a sec." He told them. Guy and Connie nodded and they walked away from the team. Charlie looked down and then started telling them about what was going on. When he had finished they both were looking at him with shocked faces. Connie was the first one that spoke up after Charlie told them.
"She wants us to go with her?" she asked in a small voice.
"Yes Connie, she does. She told me one time that, besides Dean and me, that you and Guy have been her best friends. She needs you two to be with her." Charlie said.
"Okay. If she wants me there, I'll be there. What about our stuff?" Connie stated.
"Coach Orion is going to come and get it so just leave it in there." Charlie instructed.
Connie nodded and got her stuff ready, as did Guy. A few minutes later Bombay came in and walked over to them.
"Hey guys, Julie has calmed down and is ready to go. Are you?" he asked and got three nods. "Okay then, lets go."
They all left the locker room and got Julie. Connie and Guy hugged her when they meet up with her, and then Charlie wrapped his arm around her as they walked to the car. Guy, Charlie, and Julie sat in the back with Julie in between Guy and Charlie. The whole ride to the hospital was quiet; Julie had her head on Charlie's shoulder and was holding Guy's hand. She didn't cry; she just set there staring off out the window. When they got to the hospital she nearly lost it again. Charlie saw this and pulled her closer to him, burying his face in her soft blond hair. When he did that it made her feel better, she hugged him back and pulled away.
"Thanks Charlie, I needed that." She said softly, "I think I am ready now."
"You sure sweetheart? Take your time." Bombay said.
"No, I am ready. If I postpone this I will never get the nerve to do it again. I want to go now." She said, trying not to start crying again.
"Alright then, lets go." Bombay said getting out of the car, locking it once the others had gotten out. They went inside and told the nurse at the desk that she was Julie Gaffney and that they were there to see Mr. Gaffney. The nurse nodded and gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Ok, do you want to see your father or mother first? Her body is still in the room." She said gently. Julie just stayed there for a minute.
"I can see her?" she asked in a very soft voice. The nurse didn't say anything just nodded.
"Can I see my dad first, I want to see him first...then I will see her."
"Okay, that will be fine. He is in room 420, so go on up. You can see your mom whenever you are ready. Just tell the nurse up there when you are and she will take you to her." The nurse said gently. Julie nodded and turned to the elevators and walking off before they could see the tears in her eyes.
Charlie watched her go and turned to Bombay, Guy, and Connie. "I'm worried about her, guys. This is really going to be hard on her. I think she is taking this harder than she is letting on."
Bombay nodded. "You're probably right Charlie, but you know what we have to do?"
Charlie looked at him, "What?"
"Well first of all, we need to catch up to her before she gets on the elevator by herself. But most importantly we have to make sure that we are always there for her, but not to crowd her. If she wants a little time by herself then we will let her. But we need to let her know that we are all here for her, always." Bombay said to them. They started walking towards the elevator and Julie who was just staring at the doors. She hadn't hit the button.
Charlie watched her as they walked toward her. "Yeah, I know what you mean, Coach." He walked over to Julie and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him.
"Why won't they open Charlie? They won't open." She said pathetically. He could tell she was out of it.
"Sweetie did you hit the button?" he asked her sweetly. She looked up at him, and shook her head no. He gave her a re-assuring smile, "then that is why they haven't opened yet. Gotta hit the button for them to open." He said hugging her and kissing the top of her head lightly. He let go of her and hit the button for the elevator. When the little light that marked what floor the elevator was currently on began blinking and moving, he went back to her and put his arm back around her as they waited for it to come. The elevator finally opened and they walked in. When they got in, Charlie hit the button for the floor and looked down at Julie; he noticed that she was bawling. He immediately went to her and wrapped his around her.
"Why are you here Charlie? I am so stupid, I mean I beg my parents to come and when they do my mom gets killed. And I can't even work an elevator. So Charlie, why are you with me?" Julie asked crying. She hated herself. She couldn't understand why Charlie would want to be with such a screw-up girl who was the cause of her own mother's death.
"Julie Ann Gaffney, you are not stupid. You are smart, beautiful, sweet, adorable, and a damn fine hockey player. It's not your fault this happened. The person, who was drunk, that hit them is the person at fault, not you. I promise. Your just upset Julie; you are upset, not stupid. You have a right to be upset too; your mom just died. You're in shock. That's why you were just standing there. And Julie, hun, that is okay. We are going to take care of you, just don't walk off like that. It's okay, and you're not stupid. As for why I am here with you...Julie, I love you with all of my heart; I always have, since the day I met you. I am here because the girl I am so in love with is in a lot of pain and she needs me. I will be here with you through the whole thing Julie; I am even going to call my mom see if you can stay with us for a little while. I know she well say yes; she has always wanted another girl in the house. Does that take care of your questions?" Charlie said rubbing her cheek.
She nodded but was crying. She leaned her head into his hand. When she did that he pulled her to him and just held her. They had gotten off the elevator but hadn't gone anywhere else. Guy, Connie, and Bombay were standing a little ways from them to give them a little room. Charlie pulled away from her, kissing her on the forehead.
"Ready to go see your dad, Julie?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I guess so." She sniffed.
"Okay, come on lets go." He said, wiping the rest of her tears away. He led her and the rest of their group to the room and knocked on the door. Julie's brother came to the door and engulfed her in a hug. He explained to her that he was coming up also but he flew. The hospital contacted him at the hotel when their parents got there. When he got done telling them this he asked her if she was ready to see their dad.
"Yeah, I guess, I am." She answered softly.
"Okay." Jason said.
"What Jase? Can they come in too? I want them to come too." She asked.
"Of course kid." Jason said. Julie gave a weak grin and they all walked in the room together.
"Hey dad, Princess Julie is here to see you." Jason said. Their dad looked over to them and looked at her.
"Hello Julie." He said rudely.
"Hi daddy." She said hiding the hurt of the way he addressed her. "I came as soon as I could."
"You shouldn't have; your brother and I are going home as soon as they let me out of here." He said rudely again. "Whether you come or not is up to you; I don't care."
"Daddy, what about mom? What about the funeral?" she asked softly.
"Oh, well you can come home for that and then come back here." He said.
"You don't want me to stay for a little bit?" she asked trying not to cry.
"No." He said.
Julie just stood there heart broken, crying. She didn't understand why he was being so mean. The longer she stood there the harder she cried.
"Jason get her out of here." Mr. Gaffney screamed. Jason didn't want to because he wanted his dad to talk to her but that would just make him mad.
"Come on Julie, I know you don't want to, but lets go." Jason said softly to her, wrapping his arm around her and leading her out. Charlie and the others were upset and confused also. But they left with the rest. When they got out of the room, Charlie wrapped her up in his arms. They stood like that for a long time just holding her. Even Connie, Guy and Bombay held her.
When they all parted, Charlie asked Julie if she wanted a drink before seeing her mom. He figured she'd need to unwind from her father before facing her mother's dead corpse.
Julie nodded solemnly and followed him to the coke machine. He slipped in a dollar, hit the Pepsi button and handed the cold beverage to Julie when it fell to the bottom.
She gave him a light smile. She knew things were going to be hard...she was just glad she had Charlie... What's going to happen? Well you will just have to review and find out in the next chapter. I know that is a sucky place to end it but I couldn't figure out a good place to end it. Hope you enjoy it; I can't wait to read the reviews.
Liz: Okay guys this here is the second part, it's going to be the more depressing part. I hope you enjoy it and please review. Okay one more think and I will get to the fic. I am going to put the last part of the first part up so I don't start in the middle of the conversation. So if it seems like I repeated that I did, but I did it for a reason. Ok now I am going to start the fic, enjoy and please review.
Chelsea: Okay, I gotta get my two cents in! I am sorry about all the evil, possessed, freaky little symbols in the last chapter. I managed to fix everything but still. That isn't the point. But I think that's okay. I was very sad. Because I am always sad. Okay, not always. But even if I WAS always sad, you wouldn't care because that's not why you're here! So I will stop wasting space and let you move onto the fic now...
A Note To Our Reviewers:
Ultimateblood- Thank you SO much for the support ultimateblood! We love you lots! Thank you for your support! Hurrah! Lol...anyway, I hope you thoroughly enjoy this chapter. ^_~
Carrie- I'm glad you liked it! We were worried no one would read it because it was Julie/Charlie. I personally think they're CUTE together...lol. ^_^ Thanks for the review and we're glad you like it! ^_^
Moviechic189- Sorry for making you wait! We've been busy and well, we're very lazy. ^_^ Again, very sorry. But I hope you like this chapter! Now you can finally know what happened to Julie's dad...DUN DUN DUN! ---Part 2---
Coach Bombay came in and told Charlie he needed to talk to him. Charlie nodded and followed the shorter, yet older, man out of the room. A few minutes later, they both came back in. Charlie looked worried but Bombay did not seem have any particular look on his face. Charlie went over to Julie and sat down next to her. Gordon Bombay came and sat down in front of them. Julie looked at Bombay and knew something was wrong.
Julie looked worried. In a voice softer than usual, she asked, "Coach, what is it?"
Bombay frowned and replied with a gentle voice. "Sweetie, I just got a phone call from the Hospital..."
Julie looked between Charlie and Coach Bombay and started to get scared when she saw the looks on their faces.
"Ok, what's wrong, what's happened?" Julie asked frightfully.
Charlie wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her back.
"Sweetie...uhh this is hard. First of all, they got your dad stabilized and he is doing much better. But umm...after they got him stabilized you mom crashed, both her lungs collapsed and they couldn't get them back up." Bombay looked at her the entire time he was saying this.
At first, Julie didn't understand what he was telling her, but then it hit her full force. She didn't start crying at first; she just started shaking her head with a look of absolute horror.
"No, no, oh god please no. Please Coach; tell me your not saying what I think you are. Please don't. No!!" Julie screamed, breaking down into hysteria.
Julie knew what was happening but she just wouldn't accept it. She couldn't. She just kept shaking her head. Then she turned her head to Charlie who was trying his best not to start crying. Tears were streaming down her pale face. He hated seeing her like this. By this point Julie had started crying along with shaking her head back and forth, refusing to believe it.
"Charlie, please tell me it's not true. Please." Julie cried; her face was contorted with agony. This couldn't be happening to her...it just...there was no way...
Charlie didn't know what to do, he didn't know if he could tell her. He looked at Bombay, trying to figure out what he should do. Bombay nodded to Charlie and mouthed to him to tell her, she needed to hear it. Charlie didn't want to have to be the one to confirm the fear Julie had, but he knew he had to. He turned back to Julie who was now sobbing uncontrollably. He pulled her closer to him. She crumbled into his arms, feeling so helpless. She didn't want to believe it.
"Julie, Angel, your mom didn't make it, her lungs were too damaged to be saved." Charlie said. Looking at her crying made him cry himself and pulled her into his lap and held her. He buried his head into her hair and bit his lip, rocking her back and forth.
"Let it out sweetie, let it out." He said, trying to control himself too. When Julie was in pain, he could hardly stand it. When he saw her crying, it felt like someone had ripped out his heart and stomped on it. He bit his lip until a small trail of blood trailed down his chin to keep from sobbing right along with her. As long as she didn't HEAR him crying, she could think he was strong. He wouldn't have to seem weak in front of the one person that meant the most to him. He had to be the strong one. He had to be the one to give her comfort and the one for her to fall back on when she needed it. Julie had grown to be the most important thing to him. He didn't know when it happened, but somehow she had slipped her way into his life and taken hold of his heart. Coach Bombay sat across from Charlie and Julie watching them, not knowing what to do. Then he realized that he should get her to the hospital. He decided that he would give them a little while first. He stood up, walked over to Charlie and Julie, and bent down in front of them. He reached up and wiped a tear away from Julie face. "Hey Jules, I'm going to leave you two alone for a little bit, ok? But not for long; I need to get you to the hospital so you can see your daddy. If you want Charlie to come with you, that's fine. You can have whoever you want with you, okay? But right now you just stay right there alright?" He said gently. Julie nodded but never looked at him. She didn't want to think about leaving the spot she was in at the moment. She felt too safe. It seemed to her that when she was in Charlie's arms, the things going on right now weren't really happening. She knew that eventually she was going to have to get up, change, and face reality. She had to accept that her mom had just been killed in an accident on the way to her hockey game. When that thought went through her mind she pulled away from Charlie's shoulder. "OH GOD, OH GOD! Charlie this is my fault! I'm the reason my mom is dead right now!!!" Julie said starting to cry all over again. Charlie sat her down on the bench and kneeled down in front of her. He gently touched her face with his hand and pulled her face up a little to look at him. With his other hand he held her hand and squeezed it. "Julie, Angel, it is NOT your fault. It's not anybody's fault, well except for the person that hit them. But it isn't your fault, do you understand me?" he said gently while rubbing his hand across her cheek. "YES!!! Yes it is Charlie. I have been asking them all year to come to a game. They said okay and told me they would tell me when they were coming. I was so excited because they were going to get to see us play for real. Not only that but they were going to get to meet you and the rest of the team. So you see Charlie, if I hadn't wanted them to come and hadn't asked them, this wouldn't have happened." She cried, laying her head against his hand. He rubbed her cheek and sat up on his knees until he was high enough to pull her to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her face. (Chels can you try to re word this part i can't get it to come out the way i want it to. I want him to tell her that he can see how she thinks it is her fault but that it wasn't. That her parents had to want to come to the game to the game, they had to be willing to travel that far for it.) "Angel, sweetie, I can see how you can think it's your fault, but it isn't. Julie, your parents wanted to come see you. Yes you asked them, and begged them, but they were the one's that said yes. You mean the world to them and when they said they would come, it was out of love for you. You wanted them to come because you love them. Julie, it isn't your fault. They had wanted to come and they were willing to travel all the way from Bangor, Maine to see you play hockey in California. Julie, your mother wouldn't want you thinking it's your fault, because it isn't. This could have happened to anyone. So don't blame yourself Jules, it isn't your fault, okay?" He said, rocking her back and forth. Julie nodded against his chest. That had made her feel a lot better. "Good, now how about you get out of your gear and get some sweats on. Then you go and see your daddy, okay?" he asked her gently. She looked at him like he had just broken her heart. "Your not gonna come with me?!" She asked with a pathetic tone in her voice, and her lower lip quivering. "Do you want me to, Jules?" he asked. "YES!" she said, a stray tear falling down her cheek. "Okay, that's all you had to say, baby. That's all you had to say. All you have to do is ask, and I'll be there for you. Do you want Connie and Guy to come with us?" Charlie said softly. Julie thought about it for a minute. Connie was the only other girl on the team and she was her best friend, and so was Guy. She finally looked at Charlie and nodded. "But Charlie, I don't want to tell the rest of the team right now. Connie and Guy won't tell...I know they wont. Well you tell them for me? Please?" She asked softly, and Charlie nodded. "Okay, baby, I won't tell them either and yes, I will tell Connie and Guy. You go get ready and I will go find them and Coach Bombay, Okay?" he told her. She nodded and stood up, as did Charlie. "Where will we meet?" She asked. "We'll come back in here as soon as I find them and tell them." He told her and she nodded. "Okay, now go get a shower and some sweats. If you can get your bag ready we will send it back on the bus." He said and again she nodded. She started to walk off to the showers, but he caught her arm and pulled her into a hug. "It's going to be okay, Sweetie. I will help you through this, okay? So will Connie and Guy, and the rest of the Ducks, when you tell them. But for right now me, Connie, and Guy will get you through this." He said lovingly. She nodded. "Ok, now go on. I am going to go find Connie and Guy." She nodded again and he let go of her. They both walked separate ways, Julie to the showers, Charlie to find Connie and Guy. Charlie stopped at the door and looked at her, hating to leave her alone. "Will you be okay alone, Jules?" he asked her; she looked at him and nodded. He nodded back and left the locker room telling himself she would be okay. That she needed some time to herself. He saw Connie and Guy in front of him. They were laughing and having a good time. "I don't know if I can do this again." He said softly to himself. He walked over to them and gave them a weak smile. "Guys I need to talk to you two for a sec." He told them. Guy and Connie nodded and they walked away from the team. Charlie looked down and then started telling them about what was going on. When he had finished they both were looking at him with shocked faces. Connie was the first one that spoke up after Charlie told them.
"She wants us to go with her?" she asked in a small voice.
"Yes Connie, she does. She told me one time that, besides Dean and me, that you and Guy have been her best friends. She needs you two to be with her." Charlie said.
"Okay. If she wants me there, I'll be there. What about our stuff?" Connie stated.
"Coach Orion is going to come and get it so just leave it in there." Charlie instructed.
Connie nodded and got her stuff ready, as did Guy. A few minutes later Bombay came in and walked over to them.
"Hey guys, Julie has calmed down and is ready to go. Are you?" he asked and got three nods. "Okay then, lets go."
They all left the locker room and got Julie. Connie and Guy hugged her when they meet up with her, and then Charlie wrapped his arm around her as they walked to the car. Guy, Charlie, and Julie sat in the back with Julie in between Guy and Charlie. The whole ride to the hospital was quiet; Julie had her head on Charlie's shoulder and was holding Guy's hand. She didn't cry; she just set there staring off out the window. When they got to the hospital she nearly lost it again. Charlie saw this and pulled her closer to him, burying his face in her soft blond hair. When he did that it made her feel better, she hugged him back and pulled away.
"Thanks Charlie, I needed that." She said softly, "I think I am ready now."
"You sure sweetheart? Take your time." Bombay said.
"No, I am ready. If I postpone this I will never get the nerve to do it again. I want to go now." She said, trying not to start crying again.
"Alright then, lets go." Bombay said getting out of the car, locking it once the others had gotten out. They went inside and told the nurse at the desk that she was Julie Gaffney and that they were there to see Mr. Gaffney. The nurse nodded and gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Ok, do you want to see your father or mother first? Her body is still in the room." She said gently. Julie just stayed there for a minute.
"I can see her?" she asked in a very soft voice. The nurse didn't say anything just nodded.
"Can I see my dad first, I want to see him first...then I will see her."
"Okay, that will be fine. He is in room 420, so go on up. You can see your mom whenever you are ready. Just tell the nurse up there when you are and she will take you to her." The nurse said gently. Julie nodded and turned to the elevators and walking off before they could see the tears in her eyes.
Charlie watched her go and turned to Bombay, Guy, and Connie. "I'm worried about her, guys. This is really going to be hard on her. I think she is taking this harder than she is letting on."
Bombay nodded. "You're probably right Charlie, but you know what we have to do?"
Charlie looked at him, "What?"
"Well first of all, we need to catch up to her before she gets on the elevator by herself. But most importantly we have to make sure that we are always there for her, but not to crowd her. If she wants a little time by herself then we will let her. But we need to let her know that we are all here for her, always." Bombay said to them. They started walking towards the elevator and Julie who was just staring at the doors. She hadn't hit the button.
Charlie watched her as they walked toward her. "Yeah, I know what you mean, Coach." He walked over to Julie and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him.
"Why won't they open Charlie? They won't open." She said pathetically. He could tell she was out of it.
"Sweetie did you hit the button?" he asked her sweetly. She looked up at him, and shook her head no. He gave her a re-assuring smile, "then that is why they haven't opened yet. Gotta hit the button for them to open." He said hugging her and kissing the top of her head lightly. He let go of her and hit the button for the elevator. When the little light that marked what floor the elevator was currently on began blinking and moving, he went back to her and put his arm back around her as they waited for it to come. The elevator finally opened and they walked in. When they got in, Charlie hit the button for the floor and looked down at Julie; he noticed that she was bawling. He immediately went to her and wrapped his around her.
"Why are you here Charlie? I am so stupid, I mean I beg my parents to come and when they do my mom gets killed. And I can't even work an elevator. So Charlie, why are you with me?" Julie asked crying. She hated herself. She couldn't understand why Charlie would want to be with such a screw-up girl who was the cause of her own mother's death.
"Julie Ann Gaffney, you are not stupid. You are smart, beautiful, sweet, adorable, and a damn fine hockey player. It's not your fault this happened. The person, who was drunk, that hit them is the person at fault, not you. I promise. Your just upset Julie; you are upset, not stupid. You have a right to be upset too; your mom just died. You're in shock. That's why you were just standing there. And Julie, hun, that is okay. We are going to take care of you, just don't walk off like that. It's okay, and you're not stupid. As for why I am here with you...Julie, I love you with all of my heart; I always have, since the day I met you. I am here because the girl I am so in love with is in a lot of pain and she needs me. I will be here with you through the whole thing Julie; I am even going to call my mom see if you can stay with us for a little while. I know she well say yes; she has always wanted another girl in the house. Does that take care of your questions?" Charlie said rubbing her cheek.
She nodded but was crying. She leaned her head into his hand. When she did that he pulled her to him and just held her. They had gotten off the elevator but hadn't gone anywhere else. Guy, Connie, and Bombay were standing a little ways from them to give them a little room. Charlie pulled away from her, kissing her on the forehead.
"Ready to go see your dad, Julie?" he asked her.
"Yeah, I guess so." She sniffed.
"Okay, come on lets go." He said, wiping the rest of her tears away. He led her and the rest of their group to the room and knocked on the door. Julie's brother came to the door and engulfed her in a hug. He explained to her that he was coming up also but he flew. The hospital contacted him at the hotel when their parents got there. When he got done telling them this he asked her if she was ready to see their dad.
"Yeah, I guess, I am." She answered softly.
"Okay." Jason said.
"What Jase? Can they come in too? I want them to come too." She asked.
"Of course kid." Jason said. Julie gave a weak grin and they all walked in the room together.
"Hey dad, Princess Julie is here to see you." Jason said. Their dad looked over to them and looked at her.
"Hello Julie." He said rudely.
"Hi daddy." She said hiding the hurt of the way he addressed her. "I came as soon as I could."
"You shouldn't have; your brother and I are going home as soon as they let me out of here." He said rudely again. "Whether you come or not is up to you; I don't care."
"Daddy, what about mom? What about the funeral?" she asked softly.
"Oh, well you can come home for that and then come back here." He said.
"You don't want me to stay for a little bit?" she asked trying not to cry.
"No." He said.
Julie just stood there heart broken, crying. She didn't understand why he was being so mean. The longer she stood there the harder she cried.
"Jason get her out of here." Mr. Gaffney screamed. Jason didn't want to because he wanted his dad to talk to her but that would just make him mad.
"Come on Julie, I know you don't want to, but lets go." Jason said softly to her, wrapping his arm around her and leading her out. Charlie and the others were upset and confused also. But they left with the rest. When they got out of the room, Charlie wrapped her up in his arms. They stood like that for a long time just holding her. Even Connie, Guy and Bombay held her.
When they all parted, Charlie asked Julie if she wanted a drink before seeing her mom. He figured she'd need to unwind from her father before facing her mother's dead corpse.
Julie nodded solemnly and followed him to the coke machine. He slipped in a dollar, hit the Pepsi button and handed the cold beverage to Julie when it fell to the bottom.
She gave him a light smile. She knew things were going to be hard...she was just glad she had Charlie... What's going to happen? Well you will just have to review and find out in the next chapter. I know that is a sucky place to end it but I couldn't figure out a good place to end it. Hope you enjoy it; I can't wait to read the reviews.