Life in the Hills 3

Chapter Thirty Seven - The Hymn for the Missing

The warm breeze provided a sense of warmth for the brunette, as she remained in the courtyard. Normally, a return to school wasn't much accepted but this was a different story. With the school shut down for a few days, it was more of a relief to return to classes.

Picking her eyes up from the book she was engaged in, she watched the bodies pass through the hallways and smiled, just when someone familiar came by. Cody Rhodes walked in stride, as he made his way to his class but for Eve only a smile was offered in exchange. The smile would soon vanish when she thought about what she did that night. He had token her virginity – which she wasn't made about – it was the other part of this that bothered her. Knowing she did something like this to Ted made her feel like a horrible human being. Cheating is cheating; doesn't much how little or how much you did. It will always be cheating.

She couldn't stop herself. Once Cody had laid a kiss on her lips, she had fallen into the trance and there was no escaping it. His touch brought the chills to her skin, he possessed the perfect kiss and he was gentle. What more could be asked? She didn't know. It made her wonder if she was falling yet again.

"Hey you –"

"You should be in class – you've got one more period left," The concern was presence in her gentle and sweet voice, "You need to pass that class or you won't graduate."

"He's in not today," He answered simply, "I just came by because I really need to talk to you."

This doesn't sound too good. Ted never usually came up to address anything and the tone he brought forward with his sentence wasn't too appealing for the brunette, who could only think something bad happened. Maybe he found out about Cody and hers little rendezvous?

"What do you need to talk about honey – is everything okay?"

This was something that was on his mind that he needed to get off his chest as soon as possible. He killed him to do something like this to her, of all people but it had to be done. Time was only making the situation worse and worse and he had to tell her.

"You know I love you. You're an amazing person and I can't even imagine how lucky I've been these past few months," His hands traveled over, holding a tight grip over her small cold hands, "But I can't do this anymore. I can't do this to myself nor can I do this to you any longer. You deserve so much better than this and that's why this must happen. I don't know how else to put this but Eve, we've got to end our relationship."

The break up – that's what he wanted to talk about. Her chin lowered and she remained quiet. Her mind went to work as she slowly thought about what they had been through and immediately could conclude that this wasn't because he didn't want to be with her but Ted wanted to be with someone else.

Releasing a sigh, Eve spoke up, "I know what this is about and I understand. Ted, you're still in love with Maryse."

"What? No, she has nothing to do –"

"Stop telling me something I want to hear. Sure, I don't want to hear that you want to be with Maryse but you know what Ted – I care about you. I care about you so much and I care if you're happy. You're not happy with me and I know you'll be happy with her. I never told you this but I know you never got over her. You're in love with her and I want you to be with her but more importantly, I want you to be happy Ted. That's what matters the most to me – that you're happy. If you're happy, then I'll be happy."

The emotional confession that spilled through Eve's lips was somewhat relieving. It just goes to show how good of a person Eve is. He knew something now – he was meant to be with Maryse. He knew it, Eve knew it – what else was there to tell him that he should be with Maryse? As much as he didn't want to hurt Eve, he was glad the truth came out.

"I'm sorry this has to end like this Eve – I never meant for this to happen like this and I want you to know that you're an amazing human being. Any guy in this world would be lucky to have such a smart, sweet and caring girl like you and you're going to make someone really happy – I just know it."

"And you're going to make me happy when I see you happy," Giving up someone you love this easily, especially when it was to someone who wasn't quiet your best friend either made it tougher but it had to be done, "Now you go – go on and tell her how you feel."

He had one last thing to say, "You're one of my best friends, you know that? I hope it can stay like that."

As he released her from grip she had held him onto, Eve smiled, "Of course."

This was the perfect ending to a perfect story. As Ted departed, Eve remained seated and thought about what she just did. It was the right thing to do and she was happy that she did it. She finally let her heart out and truly spoke about how she felt.

As she was left alone, she'd soon be joined by some company – he was in the form of Cody Rhodes. The football player came forward, seeing the brunette in a state of need, "Hey Eve, is there something wrong?"

She didn't speak. Her lips remained tightly shut. Shutting her eyes, she reopened them as tears flowed out and down her cheeks, "Ted and I broke up."

Even with the fact that she left him go like this, she still felt empty and alone now that she had nobody. She loved Ted – she loved him enough to let him go and now this had to happen. Cody, unaware of what he should do, just wrapped his arms around the brunette and could only comfort her in this time of need. Only reassuring words would help the brunette, as the tears rolled down and absorbed up by Cody's shirt. The sweet smell of his cologne was refreshing as his hold became tighter.

"I'm here for you," Said Cody and it was the only set of words that Eve needed to hear.

It was like yesterday she left and now after months of being away from the place she called home, Stacy Orton was officially home.

There was no homecoming for her as this arrival was a much sadder one than anything. Stacy didn't return home. She only had two stops – one stop: drop her children at her parents and stop two: the hospital to find Randy who was in intensive care. Coming through the main entrance of the hospital, she grew extremely worried.

The thought of seeing Randy in such a condition as Torrie had explained to her earlier frightened her. A serious head injury was sustained and now Stacy had returned to discuss what was to happen next. If there were to be any improvements or anything along the lines of that and with every step closer to the doctor's office, she only continued to worry.

There was some relief at the end of the tunnel – John and Torrie – the two remained glued to one another at the end of the hallway. A smile was offered by Torrie, who jolted over and into the arms of her best friend. The mother of two raked Stacy's hair and her tears rolled down before being absorbed by Stacy's shirt. When Torrie pulled away, she tried to smile, "I'm so happy you finally decided to come back."

After Torrie and Stacy's reunion, John came over offering the blonde a hug, "Good to see you again Stacy."

She put effort into her smile but it didn't last, "I need to know what's going on. Is Randy okay?"

No response. There was this awkward silence in the air. John offered his hand onto Torrie's back, as a sign of comfort. Seeing how weak Torrie was at the moment, he offered to tell Stacy, "The doctor wanted to speak to you about him. Stacy, it's really serious and he's right there in Randy's room waiting for you."

John's tone wasn't much reassuring nor did it provide a good sign that everything was okay. Clearly, something was wrong. Taking one final look at the couple, Stacy gathered her strength and pulled the knob to Randy's room – this would be the first time in a long time she'd see him and it would have to be on a hospital bed. As the door was opened, she quickly closed it and found Randy's body hooked up onto machines.

Stacy soon found the doctor, looking at the machines that were helping Randy. He nodded in disappointed and Stacy took the news that whatever it was, it wasn't getting any better. As the doctor turned his body around, he found the young woman staring down at Randy's body, any second away from releasing her emotions.

"Are you Mrs. Orton?" She nodded. The doctor came forward introducing himself, "I'm Doctor Michaels – it's nice to meet you."

All she wanted were answers and nothing less than that, "Is it bad doctor?"

He offered the chair before her, "Please take a seat," Doing as she was directed, she sat on the chair that laid bedside. Her eyes could only look down at Randy who remained still. The doctor eventually took a seat and began detailing Randy's conidtion, "Randy sustained a severe head injury, which required emergency surgery. After the surgery, he had lost all function of his brain and is now left in a vegetative state. I'm sorry to inform you Mrs. Orton but we tried out best."

What she feared the most was true. This was it – it was all over. Randy was practically gone. Stacy lost him. Trying to keep herself composed, Stacy held onto her chest as she began to breathe hysterically. Her eyes traveled back to Randy's lifeless body, as she took a hold of her husband's hand. She would never be able to kiss him again. She would never be able to hug him. Not only would she suffer but her children would grow up without a father. Now she took this as being her own fault – if she hadn't left – if she just hadn't left none of this would have happened. Life would be normal but her decision cost her the one thing in the world she loved the most.

"But –" There was a little more, a little more hope, "Though he is in a vegetative state, there's a chance that he may wake up from it. Though it's a low chance, there's still some hope that he could wake up from all of this but I warn you, it may take a long time or may never happen which is why we need to come to a decision."

Even with the grain of hope given to her it wouldn't change anything.

"You're the only one who can make that decision. According to the living will that Randy had, if he was ever in a situation like this, he left the decision in your hands. Now, you can stay whenever but if you choose to continue leaving Randy in this condition, we're going to have to move him to a long term healthcare facility if needed. I'll leave the two of you alone and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

As the doctor left the room, Stacy moved closer to Randy and left her hand resting on his hand, gently patting it, "Randy, I'm sorry," Stacy muttered as she looked at him.

What was she to do? Such a monumental decision lies in her hands at this moment and what she was to do, she didn't know. This was going to require time and deep thought. Was she willing to do something like this? Did she still garner some hope to pull herself through this?

She didn't know but this was going to be the biggest decision she would ever make in her life.

It was a funny story – Nikki and Dolph, that is – if you had known the two from before you'd know how Nikki couldn't stand the abrasive Dolph Ziggler. If you look at the two of them now, you would never think that Nikki once hated him. With their lips inseparable from one another, Nikki couldn't keep her hands off her new boyfriend.

Over the course of the past few months, she felt alone. There had always been something missing from her life and now that void had been filled with someone she couldn't imagine herself living without. Looking into his eyes, she felt safe and loved. It's funny how it took so long for her to realize what she wanted and it was always in front of her, all this time.

Competition of who was happier was a tough and tight race but somehow, Dolph would be the winner of that. Let's imagine this – the girl of your dreams is right there but she never liked you nor had the patience to deal with you. Turned down and turned down, he never gave up and look at him now. He's now with the girl of his dreams and he couldn't ask for anything better than this.

Nikki rested on his lap, arms draped over his neck and slowly pulled away from the kiss they once had locked on, "Gosh, I just love to kiss you," She pecked him on the lips, "I would do it all day."

"You don't know how happy I am to be with you. I can't even begin to explain everything to you," Admitted Dolph, as he gazed into her eyes, "I've never been this happy, in such a long time."

Nikki's lip curved into a smile, when hearing she was responsible for how happy he was, "I remember before, you were a completely different person, something I didn't like. Why did you act that way? I mean, after I told you how I really felt you showed this different side I liked. Why'd you act the way you did?"

It was a complicated subject but now that they were together, he had to be up front and honest about everything.

"It's so stupid, you wouldn't want to hear it but I thought you liked it. I thought you weren't going to like the real me. The entire time I thought you liked the way I acted. I didn't think you were going to like the real Dolph and I wanted to be with you so badly and I would do anything for that, so that explains why I did it."

His purpose for his actions was sweet but she couldn't understand why he wouldn't be himself, "Why'd you do that? I'm going to like someone for who they are and not something I should expect them to be. Dolph, I like you for you. I like you for who you are and that's what I like – the truth."

"I'm sorry about all that – I acted like a jerk half the time to you."

Her lips pursued together, "Don't apologize. All you have to do is be yourself and I'm going to like you for being yourself. I like honest Dolph Ziggler – not the lying one."

With his little secret out in the open, he pushed his lips up against Nikki's and was forever grateful to have her right in his arms.

"I am just sick of this place."

Kelly's feelings about being stuck in the local medical center weren't positive ones. Today was discharge day. Accompanying Kelly on the wonderful journey was Maryse, who kindly agreed to take Kelly home. As much as she loved her stay, it was time to go.

"You've mentioned that about twenty times. You need to relax. The car's outside and I'm going to take you home in no time," Playing the role of the reassuring friend, Maryse choose to feed the blonde with words she wanted to hear, "And I'll be staying over to keep you company and we'll have a blast. Don't you worry – I'll be nurse Maryse."

"Oh dear god – get me back into the bed! Get me back!"

"You're funny."

As Maryse began to roll her out in the hallway, she took the time to reflect – especially with the set of gifts that rested in her lap. One was a chocolate brown teddy bear from Evan while a bouquet of lilies – Kelly's favorite – laid onto her lap. The mess she got herself in. Something was set in stone – this decision was going to be a difficult one indeed. Evan or Cody? Evan Bourne or Cody Rhodes? Her heart wanted both but she could only have one and one only. This wasn't going to be a polygamist relationship.

Cody – she knows he's in love with her as much as she is in love with him. He's a perfect guy and any girl would be lucky to have him.

Evan – he's been in love with her for ages and he's always been there for him no matter what the circumstance and just like Cody, any girl would be lucky to have him.

Kelly Blank never liked decisions like this. She never liked something that was completely up to her. She was indecisive female that can never make up her mind and this situation would test her skills.

Since the earthquake, she hadn't seen either of them. The closet contact they made since then was the deliveries that were made with their gifts. Kelly wasn't aware of how either of them were feeling right now. All she needed was to talk to them and see if everything was going to be okay. If somehow, they can all coincide with one decision and try avoiding hurting the other.

Like she said before, Kelly hated decisions like these.

"Did you go to school today? How's West Bev holding up after this quake?"

"Not too bad – the locker rooms were totally messed up but most of West Bev is in good shape," Beamed the French Canadian, "But luckily, I won't be going in tomorrow or the day after. I'm jetting off to New York to spend the holidays with her. Since Mom's cruising Australia and Daddy's soaking the sun up with his brand new whore – Sophia offered for me to come up to New York City and spend some quality sister time. I need a good vacation after the hell I've been through. With breaking up with Mike and still head of heels for Ted, I need to leave. I just need to be away from the hills for a few weeks. Will you survive without me?"

"Daddy's with Carolyn, right?"

"Carolyn – Whore? Same thing. She's just with my dad so she could get some money out of it. She's just a gold digger. She doesn't love my father. He asked if I wanted to join him and I refused if that whore was going to be around so I opted to spend it with Sophia. Are you going to go anywhere?"

"Well, I might. Mom went to Florida to meet Michael's family and Torrie and John invited me to come with them with my Dad to Boise and spend the holidays with my Grandparents. I haven't decided but I have to figure something out before I leave."

"– You have to figure out your mess with Evan and Cody, right?"

"Did you see them in school today?"

"I saw Cody only. He seems a little – I don't know bummed I guess. He's not really into it in school and it was just odd of him. Cody's never that type of guy to be like that. He's always full of life and happy but he was sad. Evan, I didn't even see him at all today – nobody has seen him."

She was at a crossroads in her life and didn't know in which direction she should travel in. Go one way you'll break this heart and if you go the other way, you'll break another heart. Nobody won in these situations.

"What am I going to do?"

Maryse could only offer this piece of advice for Kelly, "Search inside your heart – the answers in there and you'll find it."

For the first time, in a long time, Maryse brought forward a wonderful thought that Kelly would be sure to think on.

She found herself collapsing onto her bed after her first day back at school, since the chaos that the earthquake had brought. She found herself exhausted and slumped with a ton of work to do. Tiffany had hit a point where she couldn't look at a book or anything. Luckily, winter break wasn't too far away.

Just as she thought she'd receive some quiet time, her mother game in with a letter in her hand, "Honey, a letter came in for you," Tiffany didn't show much interest until, "It's a letter from Harvard dear – it looks mighty important.

Now her mother got her attention, Tiffany was sitting up straight and took in her hand the letter. A few months ago, Tiffany sent her application for Harvard much earlier in anticipation that she could receive the decision earlier than others would expect. It was a shining moment for her. Harvard was Tiffany's dream school – it was a place she could always imagine herself going to such a place and begin her pre-med studies there. Since she was a little girl, she hoped and dreamed for the day she'd receive this letter and this could very well hold the fate of her future. The contents of this letter could change her life forever.

Her hands were shaky as she began to rip apart the letter. Her mother grew anxious as the time went by and hoped the best for her only daughter. Tiffany was growing eager as she pulled out the letter. Closing her eyes and taking one last deep breath and when she'd open them, her life could change forever.

Accepted.

Tiffany fell back and released a high pitch scream. As she fell back, her feet went up into the air and she repeatedly began to kick the air. She did it, she actually did what she wanted. Hard work pays off.

Coming back down to earth, she came into her mother's arms and wrapped her arms around her body, "Mom, I did it! I actually did it – I'm got into Harvard! I'm going to Harvard!"

As much as her mother was happy for her, she didn't mean to burst her bubble or ruin her moment but with the financial condition her parents were in, they couldn't afford a school like Harvard.

"I'm so proud of you honey but I'm unsure if you could go to Harvard. The tuition is extremely expensive and we still need to pay this house off and we have so many other financial problems. I don't want to get you upset but you may not be able to go to Harvard. As much as we'd love to have you go, we wouldn't be able to afford it."

Tiffany could feel her heart being ripped out of her body and into the open fresh air. Her dream of going to Harvard was being shattered and her chance to make something of herself was becoming more distant and distant.

Her mother was right – as much as she didn't want to admit it – but she was right. Harvard was expensive and she couldn't do that to them no matter how badly she wanted to go. Her parents problems were far more important than Harvard and would only put a strain on everything.

"I'm so sorry dear."

Tiffany remained silent as she went back to her bed and digested the thought of everything, as her mother exited her bedroom. She fell back on the bed and could feel the tears forming up from this. This is how your dream being destroyed felt like. It wasn't much of a good feeling. Why'd she have to be in a place like this? Couldn't she just been that lucky girl to get everything she always wanted? Life didn't have that in the plan.

Even with the possibility of getting some scholarship money, it would still be tough to pay everything off and she couldn't do that to her parents. It was too much. Perhaps a school somewhere in California will have what she wanted.

Her phone began to ring and when she pulled it up, she found Jack's name on the screen. She answered, "Hey Jack."

He immediately knew something was wrong. She didn't sound right, "Tiff, is there something wrong? You don't sound too well."

He would find out eventually so why not tell him, "I got a letter from Harvard today. It was the decision letter and I got accepted."

Now this wasn't making sense. You get accepted into the America's most prestige school and you're upset about it? None of this was making much sense, "Tiffany, you got accepted into one of America's best schools and you're sad about it. What could you be sad about?"

"It's expensive Jack. Harvard cost a lot of money and my family doesn't have that. We're spending a lot of money on trying to get this house paid off and they can't afford my tuition costs. As much as I want to go to Harvard, I can't just put my parents in such a position like that. But its fine, I can go to a school somewhere in California – maybe a state school since they aren't too expensive."

"I'm so sorry to hear about this Tiffany."

Genuinely, he felt bad for Tiffany and the position she was now stuck in. She had such a huge opportunity before her and she couldn't have it because of money issues. Jack felt he could possibly do something about this. Tiffany was a good girl with a good heart and she deserved the best. She deserved to go to Harvard. She worked hard and Jack was going to try his best to get what she wants. After everything she had endured, he was going to make it his goal to help Tiffany.

"Tiffany, I've got to make a quick call – I'll call you right back."

Jack knew exactly what he could do now – he said he was going to give Tiffany a good life in Beverly Hills and he swore to stand by his decision. He was willing to do anything to help Tiffany – just about anything.

"Are you sure you're going to do this Stacy?"

As the night grew dark, Stacy was asked the question once more before she was about to enter Randy's room. Torrie and John stood by the female's side in this time of need and hoped to help her get through this. Stacy was in the middle of the biggest decision of her life but finally, she made a conclusion of what exactly she wanted to do and it wasn't easy making this decision.

Stacy decision was to take Randy of the machines that were keeping him alive. It was hard – the hardest decision she ever had to make and even harder than leaving Beverly Hills a few months ago. Why she was choosing to let Randy go? The chances of him recovering were low – lower than anyone could imagine. Only a miracle could keep him alive but she couldn't wait for one. She didn't want him to suffer any longer and wanted to set him free. She loved him so much but you have to love someone so much in order to let them go and she had to let him go. She'd wait a thousand years for him to wake up but Randy wouldn't want that for her.

Earlier in the day, the twins – Emily and Connor – came by and said a heartfelt goodbye to their father. Stacy tried her hardest to explain to her young children what was going on. It was difficult to explain but the two of them ultimately understood what was going to happen and neither were thrilled to see what was to happen. They were going to lose their father – a monumental figure in their lives would be gone forever.

Randy's parents were present earlier and Randy's friends couldn't make it back in time to give their final goodbye. They only provided Stacy with the strength she needed to go forth and they let her know that they'll be there for her no matter what happens.

Torrie, who couldn't compose herself, remained by Stacy's side as well as John. The two had just returned from saying goodbye to their friend. Torrie repeated the question once more to Stacy, hoping she would change her mind but the decision had been made. Torrie nor John wanted this to happen but the two of them both knew that Stacy knew what was best. They trusted her to make the right decision.

The tears were forming in her eyes as she walked toward the door, grasping the knob. Turning back around one more time, she looked at her friends, "Randy would have wanted this – he wouldn't want any of us to have to deal with this and – and," She sobbed out, "I've got to say goodbye guys."

Opening the door, the image of Torrie crying with John in her arms was the last thing she saw, until the doctor was in there, "Mrs. Orton – I'll give you a few moments and I'll be outside whenever you're ready," said the doctor, just before he exited and left Stacy alone with Randy.

With the strength she had left, Stacy followed the noise of the machines that were keeping Randy alive. A dimmed light rested upon ceiling. Stacy pushed the chair aside and went down on her knees and found her eyes facing Randy directly. This was it – her chance to tell Randy goodbye.

"Randy… Randy – the love of my life, my soul mate, my everything. I don't want you to leave," Her hand crawled over and interlocked with his, "I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay. I'm sorry I left like that, I'm sorry. If it wasn't for me leaving, you and I may still be together, happy as can be but no. I was so stupid to leave you here and when I return, this is how I find you. This is my entire fault. I deserve this. I thought leaving you was the right thing to do but now I realize it was a stupid mistake. This was all a stupid mistake and if it wasn't for me, you'd be standing right beside me."

She felt it was all her fault. Her decision caused all of this and now she was suffering the consequences. Why it had to happen to her, she didn't know.

She was losing the love of her life – it's someone that can never be replaced and honestly, she'll never find someone like Randy ever again. No one could replace the space that Randy had filled.

"No one is ever going to replace you – do you hear me? I can never love someone like I've loved you. You're irreplaceable, Randy. No one could fill your shoes. No one will love me as much as you have. No one will ever be able to be the husband you are. No one can ever be the father you were. No one will ever be like you Randy, no one."

Their long history only made this all difficult.

"I had a crush on you since I was in elementary school and I would have never thought I'd be with you right now. I never told you but when I was little, Candice and I would have pretend weddings and I'd always pretend I was marrying you. Little did I know my pretend wedding would be a reality one day. I was lucky – I am so lucky to have someone like you. Someone to make me smile, to make me laugh – you did all of that Randy. You were my everything and you'll always be my everything."

Stacy's head crashed onto his hand. Her teardrops fell onto his hands, "You're going to miss so much. Connor's first soccer game, Emily's first ballet recital, birthdays, Christmases – everything. But I know you'll be watching over us. You're going to watch over us and keep us safe."

I tried to walk together
But the night was growing dark
Thought you were beside me
But I reached and you were gone
Sometimes I hear you calling
From some lost and distant shore
I hear you crying softly before the way it was before

Releasing his hand, Stacy pulled herself up. She had one more thing to do – one last thing to do.

"– Randy – I love you. I will always love you and there is no one or nothing that will ever change that. You were my everything and you'll always be my everything," In between sobs, she released gasps of air as her eyes grew redder and puffier, "I'm going to love you to the day I die and I know that one day, I'm going to see you again. I'm going to see you again and I'm going to wait for that day. That day will be the greatest day of my life – when I get to see your face and on that day, I'll love you more than I love you right now."

Where are you now
Are you lost
Will I find you again
Are you alone
Are you afraid
Are you searching for me
Why did you go I had to stay
Now I'm reaching for you
Will you wait, will you wait
Will I see you again

Coming over his face, she came down a left him with one last kiss. Her soft lips touched his cold ones. It was the perfect way to say goodbye – more than perfect. After pulling away, she stared down at him once again and said one last word.

"Goodbye."

Coming back down, she held onto his hand and the doctor came in asking, "Are you ready?" And she didn't even turn back to look at him and simply nodded.

Here it comes – this would be it. The last time she'd ever see Randy. The last time she'd ever get to hold his hand. It would all be over after this moment. Memories of their time together came flashing back from their first meeting – to their first kiss – to their wedding day – to every significant event that involved the two of them.

The doctor came forward in a marching stance and slowly began to unhook the many machines that were keeping Randy alive. Stacy didn't take her eyes off of Randy and never once released his hand. As the sound of the machines came to a close, there was one significant machine that would not close but provide the doctor and Stacy with the information needed.

Her eyes focused in at the Randy but she would soon freeze up and her head would collapse onto his hand, continuing to cry. That ill-fated noise had filled the room and accompanying it was the flat line. It had marked the end of a life.

A/N: This was a very hard chapter to write, especially the final scene. I wanted to express each emotion possible.
Now, thanks to everyone for the reviews. My writer's block is getting better - thank god!
Please be kind and leave a review :)
Take care xxx

Next chapter - Maryse heads for New York, Jack has a surprise for Tiffany and Stacy thinks about a life without Randy