Chapter 10: Gone
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Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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A/N: So sorry! I had full intentions to keep my promise. Unfortunately, when the contest ended I went to bed with a 102.5 fever and didnt feel well enough to do anything until that Friday. And with the end of the quarter this week in school for me I was consumed with school work. But HERE IS THE EXCERPT I PROMISED.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, if you claim you love me, and you claim that Gwen loves me, then why not tell her the truth. Stacey is long gone Shane. The lie cant go on forever."
"Why are you pressing for this?"
I know my promise made it sound like more. Buuuut if I did I would ruin the whole story for you! (And who wants that?) Onward!
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Mitchie told Gwen that Shane had emergency business to attend to. Her simple question had been, "On Christmas?" and the only reply Mitchie could muster out was "On Christmas." Gwen was upset, but no where near as heart broken as she would have been if she knew the truth. Mitchie had seen the devastation on Shane's face when he came to tell her. Mitchie wanted to hold him, and make him feel better. His tear stained cheeks and red rimmed eyes made her heart ache for him. She knew how much he loved Stacey, and she realized how shattered he was at this development. Mitchie was unable to sympathize, but she wanted to understand-for him.
She made breakfast and tried to convince Gwen that Shane hadn't meant to leave, and that she could still open presents.
Gwen immediately perked up at that prospect and was quick to scurry over to the tree, scarfing down a blueberry muffin on the way. Mitchie smiled and watched her, and tried to forget that this girl's mother was dead.
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Shane let the tears flow freely. She was gone. He hadn't even gotten tot tell her how much he loved her before she had died. Rather, he had spent her last evening with Mitchie. He had woken up that morning thinking of Mitchie. Not of his wife. His heart was broken. He thought of Gwen. She would have been destroyed. He let out another sob wiping away his tears. His beautiful, strong girl had left him.
And he had no idea how he would ever feel whole again.
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Shane, made the horrid decision of having them refrigerate Stacey. New Years had passed and Gwen had returned to school, irritated that her father had ignored her. The minute she was gone Shane had them pull Stacey off the ice and had her prepared for burial. A shot gun funeral as he had dubbed it. He wanted to get it over with. In fact, he said his final goodbye and had her placed in the ground. He went home, exhausted. Both emotionally and physically. He curled up in bed and passed out,m with hopes he would never awaken.
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Mitchie looked at Shane as he slept. He had grown gaunt over the past week and a half. He had refused food and sleep as he allowed his grief to consume him. Mitchie pulled off his shirt and softly brushed his long locks out of his face. She stroked his pale cheek and ran her thumb over the dark circles under his eyes. She sighed pulling the comforter over him. He was broken, and she was determined to fix him.
So he could be strong enough to help Gwen when Mitchie herself would leave them.