The Truth About Tybalt Chapter 11: Love and Fear of the Unknown, a gnomeo & juliet fanfic

Hey friends Hope summer is well! relax while you can!

sorry this took so long but there are so many distractions in life

shoutout to my pals here! All you fantastic authors and readers are the reason I do it! xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxxooxxoxo kisses for all!

Remember to R&R and suggestions and feedback are always welcome!

Enjoy! (also enjoy the elton song too!)

TYBALT" POV

I am reeling at what just happened. The doctors can't explain it. They don't know why she woke up or why she slips in and out of a comatose state. She knows me when she is awake but she sleeps so soundly when she isn't. Moreover, it's been going on for a while. Truthfully, I'm exhausted and I can't begin but to resent her. Not terribly, but I'm sick of hospital food and doctor bills and I want her home and away from the hospital. Sometimes all that gets me through the day is a drink. Whiskey, vodka, beer-it doesn't matter. It takes the edge off things. In addition, it helps me forget that I have no one I want to talk to about things. I have people I could talk to, but I don't want to talk to them! I want Cressida and I want her home and with me. I tell her everything of course. Even the bad. That's what makes Cressida different from other women. She knows me, she understands how life has shaped me the same way it shaped her, and only she can understand why I do what I do.

"If you're gonna drink, don't do it during the day. " She's tells me in one of her waking hours.

I nod, feeling like I could drink right now. Mindless television is playing in the background and our eyes occasionally glaze over the screen. Suddenly she sits up straighter as if she notices something on the screen.

"Tybalt, is it Christmas?"

I realize I have no idea. I'm not into holidays. I pull out my phone. Sure enough, it's Christmas Eve.

"It's Christmas Eve!" I exclaim. I can't believe I didn't notice!

"Why are you here then? Go to church or a party!" She cries, laughing.

"You know I'm not religious and I'd rather be here instead of socializing and pretending to enjoy eggnog and caroling." I scoff.

"What a Grinch!" She exclaims.

I pretend to be angry but I can't hold my scowl without laughing.

"Yeah, I don't know if Jesus is real or not, but if he is: Happy Birthday!" She laughs.

Cressida sighs and turns to me. "Want to know a secret?" She giggles like a little girl.

"You hate eggnog as much as I do?" I reply drolly.

"I secretly love Christmas." She whispers and begins to laugh uncontrollably.

"You're one of them?" I faux scoff. "Merry Chanukah and good cheer and jingle bells?"

"I love it!" She gasps, "I don't even know why because Christmas is pretty crappy when you're a kid living on the streets."

"For real." I reply, staring at her. Suddenly I have an idea.

"Don't go to sleep. I have to get something." I tell her.

"For me?" She asks, excitedly.

"Maybe." I hint before running out. I run down to the "family lounge" where no one hangs out ever. I wait until the on call nurse turns her back and sling the Christmas tree over my shoulder. She must be talking to her boyfriend, because I am able to nab some twinkling lights and tinsel. I also grab a handful of mini candy canes and hot cocoa packets from the lame refreshment station. I also buy some Christmas albums on iTunes to play. When I get to the room, Cressida has fallen asleep. I know she can't control it so I quench my frustration and I begin to decorate the room. The tree goes in the corner. It's all decorated and everything and when I plug it in the little lights twinkle like stars. Next, I hang garlands, tinsel from the walls, and leave the candy canes and hot cocoa where she'll see them. I leave my phone playing carols on repeat softly. I kiss her forehead before heading out, pulling my coat up over my neck. When she wakes up, maybe there will be a little bit of Christmas waiting for her. I'm not one for romantic gestures-that's more Gnomeo's thing. However, it's Christmas, and I've blown off my family and friends and I have to do something-just to feel like I'm not nothing. For some reason, despite the fact that it's starting to sleet and I'm alone-it feels like one of nicest Christmases I have had in a while.

Christmas day calls me to my family. People politely ask about Cressida and I give them brief summaries that get longer as the night goes on. The kids run around playing with all their new toys, showing them to all the guests and basically stealing the show all night long. Featherstone starts caroling and soon everyone joins in, laughing and hugging. For one night, there aren't family politics and drama. There are presents and too much dessert and Lord Redbrick even debuts an ugly red sweater (although I'm not sure he thought it was ugly). And as I see people laughing and eating and being together, I realize how much Cressida would love this. I pray to Jesus that maybe next year she'll be well enough to not have to spend Christmas in the hospital. I can see her between Juliet and Lady Bluebury cooking something or maybe wrestling with the kids in the sparkly wrapping paper. She belongs with me and someday I vow to bring her here.

Unfortunately, as New Years passes, I realize that the vow may be harder to keep than I think. Cressida isn't exactly taking a turn for the better and for the first time it dawns on me that she could be in danger of losing her life. I'm annoyed at her doctors. Nothing they do seems to help and I start to wonder if perhaps there is alternative medicine but Cressida isn't interested. She says she feels better so I visit her everyday or I have someone do it for me.

"I can't believe you sent your cousin to visit me instead of you." She says, which I know is her way of saying she missed me.

"Jules is nice, to you at least." I say. "Also, she didn't need much convincing!" I'm lying when I say this.

"The fact that you had to convince her at all has me worried about living with you when I get home to your garden. People are going to hate me." She replies sassily.

I kiss her forehead, "You're going to love it." She grins at me. Just then, one of Cressida's doctors comes in holding a chart.

"More tests?" Cressida guesses.

"Not at all!" He replies. "I have excellent news. You can be discharged tomorrow."
I am shocked. "I thought she couldn't! I thought she wasn't doing well."

He smiles. "Cressida here has made drastic improvement and if she comes in for regular checkups then I think she can live at home and work back towards an independent lifestyle.

"Isn't this great?" She says to me. I realize she must have known and was going to surprise me later.

"Hell Yeah." I reply ecstatically. Maybe now our life can begin.

I get to take Cressida home the next day. It's a quiet and sunny day and she seems happy to be back in our garden. Together we settle in a routine that includes medicines, exercise, chores, and obviously some fun. We both enjoy gambling and cards so we play poker and rummy for coins and useless items. We both enjoy staying up late so we do. We drink and listen to Elton John records on the back porch and spoon by lamplight into the latest hours of the night. Cressida plants and I mow sometimes. Neither of us talks about the future, because we aren't that couple and we aren't those kind of people. We need to take our time and ease into what we want-which is forever. Forever actually seems like an option now. We listen to a lot of Elton John so sometimes I'll sing Cressida her favorite even though we both know I can't sing.

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

Jesus freaks out in the street
Handing tickets out for God
Turning back she just laughs
The boulevard is not that bad

Piano man he makes his stand
In the auditorium
Looking on she sings the songs
The words she knows the tune she hums

But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly slowly

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly slowly

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

But as usual, I spoke too soon.

I emerge from the darkened den where Cressida and I have been burrowed under blankets since last night to find white light greeting me sharply. I roll off the futon where we lay and trudge into the kitchen.

"Coffee." Cressida moans from under her tangle of sheets. She takes it the same way I do-black with one scoop of creamer.

I begin to make some and while I do, I look outside. Things seem busier than usual and I notice a lot of calling, hurrying, and people with large packages and supplies.

"Get up and get your coffee if you want it!" I call to Cressida. I get my mug and stand in the front door.

"What's going on?" I call to Benny.

"There's a huge storm coming! Everyone's been preparing, you should too!" He replies, coming over to talk to me.

"What?" I respond quizzically.

"Yeah it hit a few towns over and it was really severe and it's headed our way!" Benny exclaims.

I look at him confused. "How do I even prepare for that, man?"

Benny lowers his voice. "I recommend going to Gnomeo's. He's got this great shelter, it's really safe and underground and it's got all kinds of provisions, I'm sure he'd let you guys come too but you should ask."

"That sounds good," I say thoughtfully. "Is that what you're gonna do?"

He nods and looks at the sky worriedly. Already an unsettling breeze is blowing and making the hair on my arms stand up.

Suddenly I feel arms around me from behind. Cressida snakes her way next to me, holding a mug.

"What are you two talking about?" She asks.

"Storms coming." I reply. "I'm trying to find the best shelter there is. Probably Gnomeo's.".

"Gotcha." She replies, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Are you okay with that?" I ask as Benny walks away.

"Yeah of course I am." She says, resting her head on my chest. "Why wouldn't I be?"

I struggle to find the words that say we never really talked about what happened way back when she tried to seduce Gnomeo. Since I'm her guy now, I need to make sure she's moved past it but I was never sure how. I can't figure out what to say but she does.

"I know what you're thinking." She says seriously.

"Am I wrong to wonder?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "I love that you wonder and care. And for the record, I've grown up since then. I've learned some stuff."

"Like what?" I respond playing with her hair. Lose strands are falling out of the wraparound braid she slept in.

"Like that when you have something good, you don't just throw it away." She says, a little shyly.

"So you don't think of him like that anymore?" I confirm. I can't help it. I'm a guy and I get jealous.

"Tybalt, Gnomeo wouldn't have gone to Paris and fought off two crazy armed guys and stayed by side while I was in a coma. Maybe he would have for the woman he loves but he wouldn't for me. But you would do that for me and you do and I know you love me and I know now that it's you I love."

I look at her in awe. "That's the first you've said, "I love you"" I exclaim.

"I know." She grins, we kiss, and I feel like a million dollars.

Cressida and I decide to freshen up and go out to see what we can do to help the effort. People are nailing things down and scurrying around. Clouds are circling and wind ruffles the tops of the trees. We cross the alley to Gnomeo and Juliet's as the wind blows around us. Gnomeo stands on the porch looking out at the coming storm his eyes distant. His daughter plays with toy mowers at his feet, oblivious to the worry that hangs in the hair like the humidity is.

"Hey man!" I call.

"What's up?" Gnomeo responds, coming down the steps.

"Just in the area." I say casually.

"Cool." He replies. "You here for the storm shelter?"

"Were we obvious?" I reply.

"I've had to tell a lot of people that it just isn't big enough but you're family so I assumed to include you guys." He says.

I forgot that Gnomeo is such a disgustingly nice guy. "Thanks." I say, looking at the horizon where clouds gather. We follow him up into the house. Suddenly lightning breaks out across the sky in a horrendous crack. The dark clouds seem to tumbling over each other as the wind picks up.

"Shoot it's early!" Gnomeo says worriedly

"What is?" I say stupidly

"The storm!" He replies. Cressida looks at the sky, shivering.

I realize that people like Benny and Nanette and their parents are nowhere in sight.

"Juliet! We gotta go!" Gnomeo yells grabbing Lissie. Juliet comes down the stairs holding the baby and Charlie.

"Already? I thought it wasn't supposed to come yet." She replies, worriedly.

"Oh hey!" She says seeing Cressida and I. We wave back.

"Yeah I know! C'mon it's already starting to get bad!"

Gnomeo says, urgently. He takes the baby from her arms and we start out across the garden. Rain is spitting from the sky and thunder crashes with the wind. We're nearly there and I notice Cressida has fallen behind me a little bit.

Gnomeo opens the trap door and I jump in first.

Suddenly there is a loud crack and a flash. A large tree comes crashing down and I am thrown backwards. There are screams as the sky opens up and the rain begins to fall. Gnomeo tumbles into the shelter with Lissie and the baby in his arms.

"Where are the girls?" I ask instantly.

"I don't know!" He nearly shouts. "This tree like came out of nowhere and fell." He hands me the baby. "Stay here, I'm going to get them."

I know he isn't thinking clearly and I can't let him go. As much as I want to see if Cressida is okay, I know that if we leave we are risking the lives of the children in here.

"They're going to be fine, man. Juliet is the toughest girl I know and combined with Cressida I'm sure they've figured something out." I say.

"That's my wife and son out there! They could be hurt or worse!" He replies manically.

"I'll go!" I say annoyed. "I have less to lose than you! The only thing I have to lose is out there!"

He tries to protest but I do not let him.

"If something happens to you, who will care for these kids?" I say gesturing to the kids. "They need you too!" I don't let him respond before going out into the storm.

CRESSIDA'S POV

I land on my back onto soft grass. The wind whips with a force I have never felt before and I am afraid I will literally be blown away. I quickly chastise myself for being scared. Now is not the time for fear. Not now. Now I need to focus on staying alive. Rain pelts me like tiny bullets and I can't see anything as I stumble to my feet. I scream hoping someone will reply and someone does. I walk until I bump into something.

"Juliet!" I cry. Juliet is drenched and she holds her son close to her chest. It's the first time I haven't seen her perfectly put together. Fear is dancing on her eyes and taking over the resourceful part of her brain.

"Don't turn around" She says hoarsely. Of course I do because she said that. I see dark clouds almost in a funnel gathered like an angry heard. I want to vomit but I do not.

"We have to get out of here!" I exclaim as rain runs down my face and blurs my vision.

"The shelter is blocked by that tree!" Juliet cries.

Okay. Don't panic!" I say mostly to myself. I clutch Juliet's hand so I don't lose her. I'm afraid she is all I have.

"What do we do? Where's Gnomeo?" She screams to me above the wailing wind.

"The house!" I say surely. "We need to get back to the house. The wind is blowing in our direction and we race across the debris-strewn yard and up the front steps. Lighting cracks across the sky and is followed by large thunderclaps. Charlie screams and I fling open the door and it bangs against the house with the gusty wind.

"Do you have a basement?" I say, breathless.

She shakes her head.

"Okay. It's okay.. We're ok. Just breathe." I say assessing the situation. Suddenly the window in the room blows out and glass and rain go everywhere. Juliet shrieks and holds Charlie to her.

"Upstairs!" I call to her as wind blows around us. She follows me upstairs and I see the bathroom door flung open. I know time is running out. At first I think the tub is safest but then I realize we need some way to be protected from debris and glass.

"Matress!" I say aloud as the sky turns blacker.

"What?" Juliet replies, shaking.

"I need a mattress! We need it! It has to be big too." I add.

"Use mine!" Juliet offers without a second thought. We run with Charlie to her and Gnomeo's bedroom. It's the prefect couples bedroom with a perfectly pressed white duvet and a pretty view of the garden. This doesn't matter now though. Together we grab the mattress and drag it off the bed frame. The silk sheets and duvet fall to the floor. It's heavy but we're determined so we carry it.

"Charlie, I need you to grab pillows ok?" I say to him.

"I'm scared." He whimpers. "Are we going to die?"

"No of course we aren't" I say even though I have no idea. "Now grab as many pillows as you can carry!"

He does obediently. Slowly Juliet and I make our way from the bedroom to the bathroom. The storm is worsening by the second and I wish we could go faster but the mattress is bulky. We get to the bathroom.

"Get in the tub." I instruct Charlie. He does and Juliet quickly arranges the pillows around him, albeit my instructions. We hop into the large tub, pull the mattress over our heads as the house begins to shake and the rain, and wind sound like a train engine, roaring and loud.

Juliet breaks our fearful silence.

"I've never seen a storm this bad in my entire life." She says, tracing her fingers through Charlie's hair. His head rests on her lap.

"I hope the boys are ok." She continues with her eyes watering. If Juliet breaks down, I know I will too and I have to hold us together so I tell a lie.

"I saw Gnomeo go into the shelter before I was thrown backwards by the tree." It's not true. I have no idea what happened to Gnomeo or Tybalt. But I won't think about that right now. I can't or I'll really lose it and all I want to do is survive.

She smiles at me with relief. "You saved my life."

I feel bashful. "Not really."

"I totally froze up but you knew exactly what to do!" She says holding Charlie.

"Yeah, I mean I don't know it was just instinct. I just didn't want to die." I reply ruefully.

Juliet glances at me. "Well, you were amazing."

We're both wet and still shaking. Juliet clutches the mattress on top of us like it will blow off us. Maybe it will. Finally the wind becomes too much to bear.

"I'm sorry I tried to get your husband to sleep with me." I say. I instanty regret it but it's all I see when I look at her. I am constantly reminded of what I did, or tried to do. I was immature and stupid.

She looks at me surprised and I realize that it was a while ago and she probably put it behind her.

"I know." She replies. "But thanks for saying something about it."

"I was so stupid. I really regret everything and I've always wanted to tell you so but it never worked out so I never could and-"

"Cressida." She interrupts me. "It's okay. I was obviously a little mad at first but you're not the first girl to try that."

"I'm not?" I say, feeling bad for Juliet. Even though she's very pretty and has nothing to worry about. I can't imagine how I would feel if anyone did that to Tybalt. I certainly wouldn't be as nice as she is being to me.

"Of course not. He's an unbelievably handsome guy." She whispers with a secret smile to herself.

"He never would have done it." I say, just in case she doesn't know.

"I know he wouldn't. That's why it was hard to be mad at you. I knew he'd never do it" She replies.

"How do you get that kind of trust?" I ask. I've been thinking about my future lately. How I want to spend it here with Tybalt. How I need to know if he wants that too. I think at one point he did, but now I've really messed a lot of things up and I doubt he wants to anymore. We've become so close in ways I've never known I could know but I don't know if we're truly meant to be. I feel like we are but I wish there was like a sign or something to tell me for sure.

"That's what love is." She says thoughtfully. "Trust."

I trust Tybalt but I can't say if he trusts me. I want him to but does he? How do I know? Everything is so unclear to me.

"I love Tybalt, your cousin." I tell her. I need to tell someone I want the world to know I love him. If I could, I'd write it on a sign and fly it from a plane so everyone could see it.

"Oh my gosh, that's great." She says smiling. She seems unsurprised.

"Really?" I say, dazed

"Of course!" She squeezes my hand. I can't believe she's being so nice to me and everything. It makes me suspicious but happy.

"I think I want to get married but I don't know if he does and I want him so badly, like all the time. It's all I can think about and everything he does and is just drives me crazy in this obsessive way" I tell her. It feels so good to talk to someone. I hope that when the storm is over, Juliet and I can be friends. I don't deserve her friendship, but I want to be friends. She's a good listener. Also, I've never had girlfriends and Juliet is always surrounded by a flock of ladies who laugh over drinks and chat loudly. I want friends to tell things too. I want the normalcy that she lives and maybe friendship too.

"Tybalt loves you." She says to me. "He's not one to put his emotions on the table or go the extra mile for anyone ever. However, with you it is completely different. I have never seen him this way. If I was you, I'd go for it."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

"I am. You deserve each other. Don't be afraid. Just go for it. You'll be surprised." Juliet tells me and I am so happy she is stuck under a mattress in a tub with me.

"Thanks" I reply, giving her a friendly smile.

"You're welcome. Hey, do you think the storm might be over? It's been pretty quiet for a while." Juliet asks me, cautiously. I haven't even noticed. I've been thinking. I listen to the silence.

"I think it's safe, but we need to be careful." I deciede finally.

Juliet nods and takes Charlie in her arms. Together we get out of the tub, both shaking a little bit. I lead the way being as careful as I can be. The house is in decent shape. Only a few windows have been blown in. Juliet will have a lot of cleaning to do but it's alright. The storm is obviously over but clouds are still in the sky. We make our way outside and Juliet gasps. The damage is big and with the tree that fell right in the middle of things. She runs out into the yard and I follow trying not to fall.

"Gnomeo!" She cries as rain spits on us from the clearing clouds. We are answered with nothing and I see her resolve breaking so slowly.

Suddenly I hear a male voice and Gnomeo emerges holding his children. Juliet yells his name runs over branches and debris and into his arms. They embrace in the fiercest hug, their family reunited. The children are shrieking and speaking but all I see is the way he holds her. It's like he never wants to let her go. Gnomeo looks over her shoulder and to me. It takes me a moment to register he is speaking to me.

"Where's Tybalt?" He's asking. I do not know the answer.

"Wasn't he with you?" I call, approaching him.

Gnomeo shakes his head. "He went out to look for you."

Dread fills my stomach like lead. Something is not right. I see that Gnomeo and Juliet are coming my way but it doesn't affect me. I call out his name and scream. I begin to dig, not caring that trees and debris are scratching me. I scream his name repeatedly until I hear a sound. It must be him! Driven by some unhuman force, I tunnel to the voice and by some unhuman force, I pull the branches up and there he is. He lays there unmoving like a wounded animal. Has the debris that was on top of him knocked him out? Or is it worse? I fall to my scraped knees gently taking his head to my lap while trying not to scream. There is a pulse, so why isn't he awake? I am scared beyond logical thought. I do not notice the others around me as I stroke his face.

"Wake up." I whisper.

Nothing responds, not even the wind.

"Please. I need you, I want you, I love you." I whisper, my hot tears falling onto his rough cheeks, with their scars that I love.

He remains stone cold and silent and my heart begins to shatter.

"I want forever Tybalt. I want it with you here. Give me forever!" I shout with my shoulders shaking as thunder rolls in the distance. Suddenly, he stirs. His dark eyes flutter open and his lips part to say something and I don't hesitate in leaning over and kissing them with such force, I shock myself. I truly thought he was gone forever, I'm so happy he's alive.

"Are you alright?" I ask when he pulls away. "I was so worried."

"I'm fine." He says and I help him sit up.

"I thought you were dead." I whimper.

"I'm here, it's okay." He reassures me.

I sigh in relief unable to let go of him.

"I heard what you said." He tells me.

"When you were asleep?" I say, wondering if he was just messing with me and had never been knocked out at all.

Before I can get mad about it, he says something I never expected at that moment in time.

"Wanna get married?"

maybe there will be a wedding next! who knows!

bye for now! see ya soon

xoxoxooxoxox-lorelibelle54 or carrie