Epilogue

Hallie Bertier opted to not play for the Titans the following season, despite the protests of her brothers, boyfriend, and coaches. She patiently explained to them that she was content having achieved that dream but wanted to focus on making other dreams come true, namely going to college. Still, she spent much of her spare time on the field and at practice, supporting her boys. Gerry and Julius were at every game as well and the three sat together cheering on their friends. Thomas, Blue, and Alan would often join them.

Sunshine made first string quarterback since Rev also opted not to play in favor of preparing for college and spending more time volunteering at his church. Occasionally, Boone would throw Sunshine onto defense. Just before a Hail Mary pass, he would point to Hallie in the crowd before calling the play. He had to switch to doing so when it was the veer play about halfway through the season because the opposing teams were picking up on it, much to Hallie, Gerry, and Julius' amusement.

Hallie and Rev received many calls from Louis while he was in Tennessee at Austin Peay State University. He easily made the football team there and was loving it. Blue was working for the Alexandria school system. And Alan was going to the community college to get a degree in auto mechanics. Thomas was getting ready to head off to basic training in the new year.

After graduation, Hallie and Sunshine moved down to South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina. He made starting quarterback with ease, but also pursued a degree in television production. Hallie, meanwhile, took Rev's longtime advice and earned a degree in counseling. Shortly after graduating from USC, the couple returned to Alexandria to have their wedding among friends and family, with a few friends flying in from South Carolina. Louis and Molly were flying in from Tennessee. Though they had separated shortly after Louis left for college, Molly had flown out there after two years and they had rekindled their relationship. Molly, Cheryl, and Sarah were bridesmaids. And the entire team was there with their families.

Gerry and Julius walked Hallie down the aisle. A year after Hallie left for college, her brothers got a house together. However, that would probably change soon since Julius disclosed to Hallie his plan to propose to Veronica soon. And God knows, Emma's patience with waiting for Gerry's proposal was wearing thin. Hallie gave him a bit of grace since Gerry had spent the last five years training for the Paralympics. He'd qualified for Shot-Put in the '76 games in Toronto. Coach had helped train and guide him the whole way, it was a bit easier now that he was retired. Julius, Hallie, Mrs. Bertier, Boone, Emma, and Sunshine all went to Toronto to see him compete. Unsurprisingly, he won the gold medal.

Hallie couldn't have asked for a more beautiful late summer day for their wedding. And Rev performing the ceremony made it all the more personal. And her boys never passed up an opportunity to dance and have a good time. They even threw football shaped balls of rice at their getaway car.

Two years later, Hallie and Sunshine welcomed their first child, William Louis Bass, named for their Coach and friend.

But in the fall of '81, Hallie stood in her kitchen, fixing dinner while looking over some case notes and keeping an ear and eye on Will in the other room. The toddler would get into anything he could. Suddenly, the phone rang. She turned the stove down to low and went to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Princess." It was Julius but something in his voice sounded off. Instantly, Hallie had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"JJ, what's wrong?"

There was a long pause. "…There's been an accident. Gerry, he, uh, went down to the store and this…drunk driver didn't see him crossin' the street…" Hallie's legs began to buckle at Julius' words.

Sunshine arrived home about twenty minutes later to find his wife sitting at the kitchen table, holding Will, dinner unfinished on the now off stove. He knelt in front of her after seeing her red and puffy eyes. "Hal, what's going on?"

She sniffed and squeezed his hand that was on her knee. "Gerry's gone."

For the first time, Hallie was annoyed with her pregnancy. At over seven months along, they wouldn't let her fly. So, the Bass family had to drive the nearly nine hours from Greenville, SC to Alexandria, VA. Sunshine was patient with her and Will, as the latter had never been in the car this long.

They stayed at the Bertier house, which had long been empty save for Mrs. Bertier. She was glad to have her daughter and family under her roof. She especially loved having Will in her arms. The Bertier house was seldom empty over the days leading up to the funeral. The former Titans team and many community members milled through with love and service. Hallie and Julius hardly left each other's sight. All too soon, the fateful day arrived.

Hallie stood in her old room, as it had hardly changed. She fiddled with her black dress, anxiety rolling through her nerves. Sunshine appeared behind her, pinning her arms and resting his hands over her swollen middle. She took a deep breath and relaxed into him. He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Will is with other kids. Veronica and Nikki are staying with them." Hallie nodded and followed Sunshine downstairs.

The actual ceremony of the funeral was open to the public and well attended. There were whispers going around the community that the gym at T.C. Williams would be renamed for Gerry. Hallie lost count of the number of mourners offering her, Julius, and Mrs. Bertier their condolences. But the graveside was for the Titans only. The leaves of the trees in the cemetery were shaded orange and red as the once whole team surrounded the casket. Julius stood holding Mrs. Bertier's arm while Sunshine had his arm around his wife. Louis and Rev stood just behind her. Petey and Blue were on Sunshine's other side. Alan stood on the other side of them. Boone and Coach were on Mrs. Bertier's other side. The rest of the team that was able to make it filled in behind them.

Cheryl Yoast, all grown up and beautiful, walked over to the casket and laid down a red rose before returning to her father's side. Beside Hallie, Julius began humming. "Hey hey, goodbye." She was taken back to the bus ride home from camp. Blue leading the same song and Gerry's smile as he got into it.

"Na Na Na Na…Na Na Na Na…. Hey Hey, Goodbye," everyone joined in to complete the song with Julius. One by one, every former Titan hugged or kissed the foreheads of the Bertier ladies before passing in front of the casket. Hallie stood, silently crying, staring at the casket in front of her. Once all the Titans had made their procession, she stepped away from her husband and brother to stand beside the box that held her brother's body. Placing a kiss to her fingers, she pressed her fingers to the sleek wood before returning to Sunshine's arms.

A few weeks later, Hallie and Sunshine had their second son. Another boy they named George Gerry Bass after the Superman of the Titans.