Estrangement

Disclaimer: Don't own Victorious

A/N:

Chapter 35 (A Sister's Bond is Eternal)

As time passed, Tori's relationship with her sister slowly healed. Tori gave it her all in her studies with Kate and was learning everything she could while working harder than she'd done in her life. Courtney's kennel was running great with two partners, since one could take charge when the other wasn't able to. Of course, the key thing was her relationship with Trina, which she was very happy to finally be back in good graces.

After a little over a year, Jade didn't have to counsel the two anymore and was able to let their relationship grow on its own. Trina eventually gave birth to a baby boy whom she named David, after their father. Tori's relationship with Zack and his son grew incredibly strong as they remained there for one another, supporting them. Alex looked up to her with respect like a mother of his own, and Zack saw this. He eventually proposed to her, and she made the decision not without consulting Trina, who urged her to say yes as she wanted to.

The wedding went well, and Jade was the maid of honor while Trina was her bridesmaid. Alex had been chosen as a ring bearer, which meant he was walking up with his new cousin Rachel, who was selected to toss the flowers and rice out onto the aisle. Since her father had been unable to hand her off, Sinjin did the honors as he was the closest relative in position to do so. After the wedding, Holly kept cheering about how Tori had finally decided to get married. The woman would not stop, nor would she stop downing the bottle of champagne meant for the bride and groom.

In late 2032, the youngest member of the entire family was born. Tori was more than happy to give birth to her firstborn daughter, Abigail Martin. Trina was ecstatic over having yet another niece to spoil. So much so that the woman did start to work towards full retirement, but she was still training someone to take her place as CEO of Gold's Gym.

As the years passed, Megan grew much like her mother. She became the best athlete at her school, was granted a full scholarship to whatever college she wanted to go to. She opted for her mom's alma mater and majored in gymnastics. In 2040 she would make placement in the Olympics, her family was extremely proud of her for that achievement.

Rachel went a different path in life, because of her medical troubles she went on to college to aim for becoming a doctor so she could help anyone else struggling with problems they were born with, such as being born prematurely.

At sixteen, with both his sisters in college or moving on ahead in life, Daniel was more than happy to be the center of attention. He was sharp in mathematics and was hoping to study math when he went onto college. Neither Trina or Sinjin had any idea where the hell he got his skills in math from, but they were more than happy with his decision. Little David was brought up the one child that didn't have to suffer any particular traumas or tragedies in life, and of course, his parents didn't spoil him too much. He did, however, have a rebellious streak in him. David and Abigail would constantly run around New York, and getting in trouble with their mothers, with that they'd look to see if Megan was rubbing off on him somehow.

He loved stories about the grandfather he never met, and was thinking about being a police officer like the man. Of course, this was stemmed by the many stories given to him by Holly herself.

Alex went on to study hotel management like his father, and hoped to run the Tipton one day. Zack finally stopped being such a workaholic after his second child was born.

Holly Vega went to be with her husband in the year 2042. On her deathbed, Tori and Trina stood together as she held their hands in hers and smiled tearfully into their mournful eyes. Their husbands and children all stood behind them, not a single dry eye was found. "You two-all I ever wanted was to see you two together." Tori sniffled and looked over to Trina. "My babies, don't cry for me. I'm eighty-two, I don't have any life left to live…and everything I ever wanted, I have with me. You have."

"It's hard to see you go," Tori said with a trembling voice. "Dad's waiting though, I guess…" Her heart pounded heavily in her chest as she moved her head to Trina's shoulder and tried to quell her breaking heart. Holly's lips curved up and she slowly shook her head.

"Ten years…I've seen you two as sisters again. Raising your families, spending your lives together the way it should have been. I've never been happier, or prouder of my girls. You don't need me anymore, you have each other now."

"Mom."

"I love you both." Holly squeezed their hands and pulled them gently. They leaned forward and let her frail arms move around them. They hugged her gently, closing their eyes as she coughed dryly. "You gave me the greatest gift that I could ever ask for in my last years-to see my two babies grow up…to see the love you have for your family-for yourselves. I'm ready to go…"

Holly pulled herself upright, gently kissing her daughters on the forehead. The women leaned back upright and took a slight step back as Megan walked towards the woman. "Grandma?" Megan held up a medal and folded ribbon. She smiled tearfully as the woman looked up at her with a joyous gaze. "I wanted you to have this. My first Olympic medal…"

"Sweetie, I-"

"There might be more in the future." Megan carefully moved the ribbon around her grandmother's neck and sniffled as Holly curled her fingers around the medal. "I love you, Grandma. I wish Travis could be here…" Travis was Megan's fiancé, and one of Holly's favorite people. He was a lawyer and had to work a case right now, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't pull himself away to be there. Everyone knew Holly's heart was failing, which was why they were there, because the doctors said that she wouldn't make it past the night.

"I'm honored you would give this to me…Megan, when you have your first child, I hope you will bring it up the way your mother brought you up."

"I will."

"Good…" Holly returned her gaze to her daughters. Her chest rose slowly as her eyes began to water. Her pupils started to fade, and Tori let out a slight sob. "Trina, you know to look after your little sister, and she's always going to be counting on you. Long after I'm gone, you two will always have each other…never forget this."

"I don't think we can," Trina replied. "I'm sorry we only got ten years together, mom…"

"And they were the happiest ten years of my life, Trina." Trina started to smile as Holly released a shaky breath. "Promise me, promise me you two will always love each other, you'll always remain close." The sisters looked to one another, then back to their mom, both agreeing.

"We could never be away from each other," Tori chuckled. "Not now."

Holly let her arms fall to the bed as she tilted her head to them. "Could you two…hug each other. One last time for me, so I can see my babies happy…before I go."

"We are happy."

"Please?" Tori and Trina slowly turned to one another, both sniffling as they stepped forward and embraced one another. Their eyes closed and their tears fell upon each other's shoulders. Tori felt her sister's heart beating fast with hers, and their bodies stopped trembling. "So beautiful…" They heard a squeaking noise after a few seconds, then silence. When they separated and turned to look at their mom, they felt their hearts stop. The heart monitor's monotonous tone rang out into the room, startling the girls.

"S-She's-"

"She's in a better place," Trina responded with a quiet voice. "With Dad, looking down at us." Tori wiped a tear and bowed her head.

"I can't believe she's gone…mom and dad…"

"I'm glad we're together then. We have each other to get through this." Trina reached over with a tiny smile and Tori placed her hand in hers, giving it a slight squeeze. "We can only go forward from here, I guess…with our families."

"Mom and Dad must be happy."

"Well, their daughters are together." Trina hugged her again, holding her close. "I love you baby sis." Their mother's last wish was for them to always remain close to one another. Tori would be sure to keep this promise, as would Trina. Their children would grow and eventually leave to have families and lives of their own, Megan was already well on that path herself. Their husbands wouldn't be around forever either, and in the end, that strongest and closest bond they had would be the bond between each other.

This time, there was no force in the universe that could tear them apart.

A somber ending, but a good one. This has been a great story to write, and I hope you enjoyed it. To think it was almost ended by the untimely destruction of a flash drive. Thank you for all who read and reviewed, I appreciate everything and hope you'll be around for whatever else comes this way. Let me know what you thought, and with this, another book is closed.