10 Years after the death of Fredward Karl Benson
Carly Shay sat in her dressing room on the day of her wedding. Her second best friend Jenny had just finished putting the finishing touches on her makeup and had left to take her place for the ceremony and to give Carly a few minutes to herself. Carly took a long look at herself in the mirror and thought about what had brought her to this point.
Carly was 26 years old and about to marry her number one best friend in the world, Sam Puckett. Sam had changed a lot since Freddie's death. She had kept up her initial resolve to stop bullying. She added to that by not pulling pranks any longer and devoting more time and energy to actually doing well in school. She confided to Carly and Principal Franklin one day that it was one of the ways she felt like she could honor Freddie's memory. Principal Franklin had always had a soft spot for Sam despite her misbehavior and disrespectful nature. He always knew that Sam was smart enough to succeed academically, he was not surprised that she was able to get mostly A's in her classes instead of C's or D's.
Besides also making herself a better person to honor Freddie, Sam also decided to make teen depression and adolescent mental health issues an important cause. She was not alone in this endeavor; Mrs. Benson also took up this cause with her. Mrs. Benson's obsessive nature and organization combined with Sam's strength and sheer force-of-will made a very powerful combination. They worked tirelessly to convince local school districts of the need for more education on the subject; they also worked to make mental health screening a mandatory event on an annual basis.
Carly smiled, Sam recently graduated from medical school at the top of her class. She had her choice of any residency program in the country but had chosen to stay in Seattle so Carly wouldn't have to leave her job. In fact they only had time for the wedding and a two-week honeymoon before Sam began her residency program at Seattle Grace.
Carly had just finished her master's program in education at the University of Washington. She had been going to grad school part time while working at Ridgeway as a teacher. She taught English and Drama; she also was the faculty advisor for the school's drama club. It turned out she loved being a teacher as much as anything. She couldn't imagine doing anything else for a career. She loved the idea of educating young people and mentoring them as they transitioned to adulthood. She still had a bit of a performing streak in her; as a teenager she had used the web show to tap into it, now she used her classes. She was popular with all of the students and a favorite of Principal Franklin's.
There was a knock on the door, "Come in, I'm decent," Carly said.
Spencer poked his head in. "How are you holding up kiddo? Nervous at all?"
Carly grinned, "I have never been less nervous or surer about something in my entire life. I've been waiting for this day since we first kissed for real on Sam's 17th birthday."
Spencer grinned. "Glad to hear it. I'm going to go check on blushing bride number 2. I'll see you inside." Spencer closed the door; he was going to be walking Sam down the aisle.
Their ceremony was not going to be a conventional one. Even in Seattle you couldn't find many churches willing to marry a gay couple. Neither Carly nor Sam was particularly religious anyway, but they did want some sort of ceremony to demonstrate their love and commitment for one another. They wound up creating their very own which happened to involve being led down the aisle by a parent and having that parent stand with them.
The only problem was that neither of them had any parents left to fulfill that duty. Sam's mother was not thrilled when Sam came out of the closet the summer between her junior and senior years of high school. She did not evict Sam from the house entirely but she did not make her very comfortable. In return Sam moved in with the Shays for all practical purposes. Sam was devastated when her mother refused to come to her high school graduation. Sam had worked hard to graduate in the top 10 of her class and wanted her mother to be proud of her as well. When she refused to attend, Sam cut off virtually all contact with her. In early January of Sam's freshman year of college she went on a massive drinking binge and died of alcohol poisoning.
Carly's father was surprised when Carly came out to him at the same time Sam came out to her mother. Thankfully, however, he was not particularly upset by it. He had no moral issues with homosexuality and his travels around the world had given him an open mind in regards to most subjects. He was just worried about Carly and Sam's safety; he knew not everyone was accepting of their lifestyle. Carly would have loved for him to walk her down the aisle today, but unfortunately he had died five weeks before her high school graduation. A fire broke out on the submarine on which he was stationed and he died saving two crewmen from the blaze. The fact that he died a hero did not make Carly feel any better.
She remembered when the men from the department of defense came to Ridgeway to give her the news personally. She was pretty sure they couldn't be there to give her good news and she insisted that Principal Franklin be there with her. She stayed strong until they left and then Carly sobbed and sobbed. She was only able to calm down once Principal Franklin took her into an embrace. She wasn't as distraught as she was at Freddie's wake, but she still needed the comfort and reassurance.
When they had decided to include parents walking them down the aisle to each other Sam was at a loss. Even if her mother had been alive she would never have consented and Sam would not have wanted her to. Melanie could have done it but she was acting as Sam's maid of honor (Jenny was Carly's). In the end she thought the only person she truly considered a parental figure was Spencer. She hesitated before asking Carly about Spencer; she assumed Carly would want him to walk her down the aisle. Carly smiled and told her she would be fine with Spencer walking her down the aisle, she had someone else in mind she could ask.
Carly stood up and examined her dress in the mirror. She was wearing a satin dress that was off the shoulder and came down to her knees. It was light lavender, a shade that Sam loved to see her in. Sam was wearing the same style of dress, only hers was a soft shade of blue, a color Carly thought set against Sam's eyes perfectly.
There was another knock; Carly opened the door herself this time. "Is it time Principal Franklin?"
Principal Franklin shook his head slightly, "Carly, I am about to walk you down the aisle for your wedding. I think that on this day, of all days, you can call me Ted."
Carly laughed, "Alright, Ted, I promise." Carly took his hand and he led the way to their appointed places.
Colonel Steven Shay, Born: 12/13/57 Died: 5/13/12
Sarah Puckett, Born: 11/25/67 Died: 1/6/13
15 Years after the death of Fredward Karl Benson
"AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH," Carly Puckett-Shay screamed. She had never felt so much pain in her life. "Sam, can't you do something? You're a doctor."
Sam remained calm, holding Carly's hand, "I'm a psychiatrist, cupcake. What do you want me to do, talk about how you're feeling now?"
Carly did not appreciate the levity Sam was attempting to interject into the process. "Right now I'm feeling that the next time we have a baby you're going to be the one giving birth."
Sam smiled, "It's a deal, and you're doing great. It will all be over soon."
Just then Carly's OB, Dr. Ivey walked in. "Ok, where are we? Looks like this will be over very soon." She sat down in front of Carly to guide things through the end of the labor and the immediate aftermath. "You're doing fine Carly, everything looks great."
Less than 10 minutes later Carly gave one more final push and then it was over. Their son was born and crying his little head off. Sam cut the umbilical cord, the nurses rushed the new arrival over to the heated cart and did the usual procedures (needed initial exam and shots), and Dr. Ivey delivered the afterbirth and stitched Carly back up where she needed.
When the nurses were finished they handed the new arrival to Sam. She gave the baby a kiss on the forehead, "Come on little one, let's go see Mommy."
Sam handed the baby over to Carly and stood beside her next to the bed. The new baby curled up on Carly's chest and for a few minutes Sam, Carly and the baby just relaxed in each other's company. Sam eventually broke the silence, "I think Spencer and Carol are still in the waiting room. Should I have Carol bring her camera up?" Carly shot her a look; she had just gone through labor and didn't really feel like having her picture taken, not even Carol could make her look good at that point she felt. Sam was reading her mind, "Don't worry; she knows what you're going through and that you probably don't want your picture taken now. Though I think you're way off base. You always look gorgeous and beautiful to me." She kissed Carly on the lips.
Carly returned the kiss. "Remember that when I'm old and gray."
Sam smiled, "You will always be young and beautiful to me, no matter what." She stroked Carly's hair; they both thought about how excited Spencer was going to be. He had been so happy when they told him about the pregnancy. Carol told them he was going to be the happiest uncle in the world.
Carol was Spencer's wife. They had first met the fall of Carly and Sam's senior year of high school. She was an artist like Spencer, only she specialized in photography. She had won numerous awards for her pictures, especially those of the nature and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Spencer was smitten the moment he saw her and her photographs. For her part, Carol was equally taken with Spencer. She loved his child-like exuberance of all forms of art and his love of life. She was very impressed with his talent and she was honored when he took to painting some of her pictures. They married one year after their first meeting.
Spencer had stopped sculpting for a time after Freddie died. Many of his sculptures were whimsical in nature and he just didn't feel like that at the time. He still needed the artistic outlet, however, and turned to painting. He felt more at ease letting his sadness and grief show through the canvas than any statue or three-dimensional piece of art. Eventually he began to gain more notoriety for his paintings than his sculptures. By the time his nephew was born, Spencer was considered, at the age of 43, one of the more important artists in the United States. He had told Carly and Sam that he couldn't wait to paint their family portrait, as well as create the most artistically creative nursery in the world.
Sam kissed Carly on the forehead, "Spencer's waited long enough. I think it's about time we introduced him to his nephew, Fredward Spencer Puckett-Shay."
31 Years after the death of Fredward Karl Benson
16 year old Freddie Spencer Puckett-Shay (he hated being called "Fredward") walked into the kitchen while his mother Carly was making dinner. "Mom, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what's on your mind?"
"I was reading this old interview with Uncle Spencer in Time Magazine for my family heritage report. Do I have another uncle that you and Spencer never mentioned?"
Carly had to think for a moment, and then she knew the reason for the question. Spencer had received considerable notoriety six years ago when the new President had named Spencer as one of his favorite artists and had his work displayed prominently at the White House. At the time Spencer was especially known for a series of paintings depicting his family at various stages of life. In each painting there seemed to be a ghost image, almost as if someone else should be there, but was not completed. An interviewer asked Spencer about this. Spencer had replied that the ghost image was of his brother who had died tragically too young.
Carly knew that Spencer was talking about Freddie, the boy she and Sam had named their son after. When she had first read the interview she had cried gently after reading that answer. She didn't cry this time. When she was done putting dinner in the oven she came over to where her son Freddie was sitting at the kitchen table.
"Son, Spencer was talking about someone named Fredward Karl Benson. He died when he was just about your age now. He was the first person I ever truly fell in love with and he was mine and your mother's best friend in the world."
At that point Sam came into the kitchen from the garage with Katrina, Their 12 year old daughter. "Mom," Katrina shrieked, "I made the team! I made the dance team!"
"Shhh, Katie, mom was about to tell me about Fredward Benson."
"You mean there is another person named Fredward in the world?"
Sam and Carly started laughing, remembering how Freddie Benson hated his full name. "Yes, Katie, there was another Fredward," Carly began, "and he hated being called Fredward as much as your brother." Anticipating both Freddie and Katie's next question Carly continued, "We named your brother Fredward as a way to honor him and his memory."
Carly thought about Mrs. Benson at that moment and wondered if she had named her Freddie after someone important. She suddenly wished she could have asked her, but seeing as she had passed on just two years previously, that was impossible. She and Sam had last seen Mrs. Benson at Spencer's funeral five years ago. Spencer and Carol had perished together in a plane crash in New York. Carly still missed him terribly but was comforted in the knowledge that his artwork was displayed in several prominent galleries and taught in several universities around the world.
Carly hadn't noticed that Sam had left the kitchen until she came back with her laptop and some very old yearbooks of hers and Carly's from Ridgeway.
Sam spoke up, "Gather around kids, and let's look at some photos while you learn about Freddie Benson and how cool your mother was in high school."
The Puckett-Shay family spent several hours that night, interrupted only by dinner, reliving the past or experiencing it for the first time. Young Freddie Puckett-Shay was especially interested in learning about his namesake. When the night was over he didn't feel quite so bad about having the odd name of "Fredward."
Spencer Gerald Shay, Born: 11/11/81 Died: 8/20/36
Marissa Benson, Born: 7/9/71 Died: 10/15/39
62 Years after the death of Fredward Karl Benson
Samantha Puckett-Shay lay on her deathbed, her beloved Carly at her side. Cancer had ravaged her body and though she lay weak, her mind was always sharp. She knew she didn't have much time left, in fact she didn't think she could last the night. Sam had spent her entire adult life studying the human mind and helping people deal with their problems and grief. She had learned how easy it was to fool oneself and she refused to do that at any point in her illness. She just wished she could do something to ease Carly's grief.
Carly sobbed quietly as she held Sam's right hand in both of her own. "I love you so much, I can't put it into words how much I love you."
Sam smiled up at Carly. "Cupcake, you are the most beautiful person in this entire world and I will love you for all eternity." Sam remembered the joke she and Carly always shared, "I'll even love you even when you're old and gray."
"I am old and gray, Sam." It had been a good 20 years since Carly's hair had contained any of its original dark color; she had refused to ever dye it.
"Not to me, cupcake. To me you are as young and beautiful as the day we first kissed."
"Please don't leave me Sam, I don't know what I'll do without you," Carly implored, though in truth she did want Sam's suffering to end. Sam had spent three years fighting bone cancer; the pain being unbearable at times. When they had first received the diagnosis they knew it would be bad, Sam was a doctor and didn't kid herself. Carly had suggested that maybe Sam could relieve her own suffering painlessly and permanently. She would understand if Sam wanted to do that.
Sam would hear none of it. She explained to Carly that to her suicide was the mortal enemy she had been fighting since the day she had found out Freddie had died when she was 16. No matter what, she firmly declared, she was not going to take her own life, now matter how much pain she had to suffer. After a lifetime of combating depression and mental health issues (especially among teens), taking her own life would be like letting suicide win. Carly knew better than to press Sam on this issue.
Three years later Sam's battle was coming to an end. The kids and grandkids had all come to say their goodbyes. Friends had paid their final respects. There was no other family; the only other relative Sam had kept in touch with over the years was her twin sister Melanie, but she had died just the previous year of a heart attack. Now it was just Carly and Sam.
The two life-long friends, lovers, mothers and grandmothers held hands and waited for death to make its appearance. Some time in the middle of the night Sam awoke suddenly, startling Carly who was still holding her hand. She heard Sam talking to someone, but not her. It sounded like Sam was still dreaming; Carly heard her saying, "Fancy meeting you here. Can I just take a moment?"
"Carly," Sam's voice was strong again. "It's time for me to go now. I love you so much and I'll see you soon I think. Be strong, cupcake and know that I will love you for all eternity." Sam closed her eyes then and stopped breathing, a peaceful look coming over her face.
Samantha Joy Puckett, Born: 4/17/94 Died 9/26/72
Melanie Puckett, Born: 4/17/94 Died 8/3/71
65 Years after the death of Fredward Benson
Carly Puckett-Shay lay in her bedroom staring out her window overlooking the woods behind her son Freddie's house. It was a peaceful day outside, the sun shining, the birds chirping. It was a very content scene and Carly thought it was a good day on which to die.
She had been slowly dying, she felt, since the day Sam passed on. Her doctors had said she was getting old and suffering from heart failure brought on by age. Freddie and Katie had been upset upon hearing the diagnosis, it seemed too vague for them. To Carly, though, it made perfect sense. She was dying of a broken heart.
Carly held a photograph to her chest and waited for death to come with her two children at her side. It was a very old picture and had been retouched many times. It was a picture of Sam taken by Carly; it was the day they had moved into their first apartment together. Sam was sitting on the floor, taking a break from unpacking boxes. She was looking up at Carly with a look of undeniable love, desire and pure yearning. People who saw the photo assumed that Carly was the object of Sam's desire. Only Carly knew that on the table behind her was a bucket of fried chicken she had just brought in. She had kept the picture at her side constantly the past three years. She looked at it any time she needed a smile.
Carly could feel the life draining from her body, as if she could feel her heart actually slowing down. She called Freddie and Katie over closer, "I think it's time. Before I go I just want to say that I love you both and that I'm proud of you both." Tears formed in the eyes of both children. Even though they were grown up and had children of their own (and Freddie even had a grandchild of his own) they were still scared. Carly had been there for them their entire lives. She had always been there with advice, sympathy, money and love whenever they had needed it. They had difficulty envisioning a world without both of their mothers.
Carly continued in a weak voice, the strength quickly leaving her body, "Life is so beautiful. I don't regret one day of my life. Please don't regret any of yours. Always remember that life is so beautiful." With that Carly Puckett-Shay closed her eyes for the very last time. She slept quietly for a time, her chest rising and lowering with shallow breaths, until she quietly passed on from this life. Her children, their children and their children's children even, would always take her last words to heart; life is so beautiful.
Carlotta Taylor Puckett-Shay, Born: 7/24/94 Died: 8/23/75
Author's Note. I have decided to break up my epilogue into two parts. I think the impact of what happens to Carly next will be heightened if you have a little time to reflect before reading the second part. Don't worry, I won't make you wait long, just a day or two. And remember a little cliffhanger never hurt anyone. What will Carly find in the afterlife? More importantly, who will she meet there?
