CHAPTER 36: GOODBYE FRANCE

After the gang had finally managed to put a stop to Mrs Hampton's escape plan and make sure that Ed was still alright after he got caught up in the train's explosion,they all decided to head back to the hotel and finally get themselves some sleep,food and relaxation after such a stress filled,life threatening day that they just went through,even Tyrone decided to rent an available room for the night because even he was exhausted from all the chaos that had just ensued. The next day however was gonna be something they weren't really counting on from the very start of their trip,and it was that they were all gonna head to the airport in Paris and head on home much earlier than they were anticipating,because after all the things they went through the last couple days,they all felt like just going ahead and heading back home early,even if it meant missing Trevor's concert and canceling some of their plans in Paris like Freida's surprise date with Charlie Brown on the Eiffel Tower.

When the next day finally came after a long and relaxing night of sleep,the kids headed over to the airport,got their tickets and started loading up their luggage as Freida sighed and calmly remarked while she looked out a window to see the city "In any other situation I'd be dying to see more of the city,but I just want to go on home right now." to which Sally nodded her head and firmly added in agreement "I just want to go to a place where there aren't any psychos trying to kill all of us on a train. At least I'll live through school." before Franklin shrugged his arms and couldn't help but admit "I am very glad to be going home early,but I have to admit I did have a little bit of fun back there."

"Yeah,getting to pop tranquilizers into bad guys while putting a stop to a runaway train was a rush." Peppermint Patty chuckled and couldn't help but agree with Franklin's statement before Linus noticed that Charlie Brown was on the phone as he walked up to the boy and wondered "You talking to Trevor about the concert Charlie Brown?" to which the boy nodded his head before he continued his conversation with his cousin "Yeah,we're really sorry we can't go to the concert,we just went through a lot during the past couple days and just need to head back home for a break."

"Yeah I perfectly understand that,sometimes I feel like just lounging around for a while after going through a big gig or something like that. Are you still ok with us coming by for Thanksgiving then?" Trevor surprisingly showed support and sympathy for the gang deciding to leave France early while he and Spike were having some coffee at a cafe to which Charlie Brown perked up and cheerfully confirmed that he was "Oh absolutely,we just need to get away from France." to which Trevor gave a sigh of relief and happily lamented in response "Ok that's good,because let's just say that studio and record label food isn't all too good,it's the home cooking with family that really counts."

"Alright,it's about time for our flight to head on out,see you at Thanksgiving." Charlie Brown lightly chuckled and excused himself for the time being before he hung up and told Linus "Trevor's ok with us leaving early and that he and Spike are still gonna be coming for Thanksgiving. So that's good." to which the latter happily retorted while he and Charlie Brown walked back to the group "Well that's nice to know,it would be really awkward to find out that your own family member stood you up at your own concert. I'm just happy we were able to call Pierre and tell him we were leaving so he doesn't walk backstage without a single clue as to where we are."

"Yeah,that would have been really bad for him and whoever he was taking." Charlie Brown rolled his eyes and calmly agreed with Linus's statement before Peppermint Patty called out while she and some of the others began to board the plane "Hey slowpokes,come on let's blow this place already." to which the two boys sighed and promptly followed after the others while they joined their girlfriends.

However the only ones who didn't seem to be joining them were Rebecca and Ed as the former meekly asked "Are you sure that you have to stay here?" to which the hermit nodded his head and regretfully replied with an uplifting grin "Yeah,I just need some time to be alone and think about everything that's happened,but I'll most likely be back in time for Thanksgiving." which prompted the blonde to sigh and reluctantly let him stay "Alright,you do you,so I guess I'll see you back home then?" only for Ed to shake his head and respectfully retort "Oh there's no need for that kind of talk babe,because you're my home." and it was at this point that Rebecca started to smile as she and Ed gave each other one last hug on the verge of shedding some tears before she joined the others on the plane,unfortunately the kids and Tyrone weren't able to get into first class this time and only Snoopy, Woodstock, Andy, Olaf, Gracie, Roger and Herman managed to hook themselves up with some seats,but honestly that didn't matter too much to the kids as they were just happy to be finally heading back home after such a grueling past couple days.

"Hey,where's Ed?" Skylar raised an eyebrow and wondered out of curiosity when he noticed that Ed wasn't on the plane with them to which Rebecca nonchalantly explained his absence while she got in her seat "He said he needed to stay here for a little while so he could think about everything,I actually don't blame him if I were being honest. He said he'll be back before Thanksgiving most likely." before Marcie sympathetically stated in response "I hope he'll manage to turn out ok after all the stuff with his mother being faked."

"I'm s-sure he'll be b-back to his normal self eventually." Claudia shrugged her arms and confidently predicted that Ed would be just fine before Charlie Brown looked out his window and somewhat bitterly lamented "I can't believe a simple letter would have caused all this chaos out here,well then again a lot of crazy stuff happened because I didn't respond to Violette's letter before our first trip." to which Linus perked up and pointed out when he realized that they didn't even see how the aforementioned girl was doing "That reminds me,we didn't even get to stop by Violette's place and see how she was doing. I thought that'd be a top priority on our list." which prompted Lucy to firmly retort as she put her seat back a little "This whole trip was just a roller coaster. Granted I had fun,but it was just nuts the last couple days."

"Yeah,I have to admit that I had a little fun too." Sally nodded her head and cheerfully agreed with the typically crabby girl before the plane slowly started to take off into the afternoon sky,all the while the kids decided to relax and reminisce about their trip,granted it became a very dangerous fight for their lives near the end of it,but they would all be lying if they said they didn't enjoy it.

Home is not a place,an address you memorize.

It's more than seven flights,or apartment 8a.

It's where you never feel lonely whenever you're alone.

That's how you know you are home.

How I wish that we could feel that.

Somehow,right now.

How I wish that we could feel that again.

Home is like a smile you see in a photograph.

No matter what you do it's not supposed to change.

Why can't we all be together the way we used to be?

Back on the ground,no more racing around.

Here safe and sound,and home.

NEXT CHAPTER: EPILOGUE

"Home." Written by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy.

©️Sony Music Entertainment.