*Finally finished chapter 15! It took me a while trying to piece it together. Enjoy!*
Woody opened his eyes and found himself in a familiar place, one he hadn't seen in many years.
"Andy's old room?" He said, looking at the sky blue walls with white clouds. It was soft beneath his feet and he saw he was standing on Andy's bed. Molly's crib was against one of the walls near the closest. It all looked the same from when Andy was eight. "What, what's going on? What am I doing here?" Just then he heard a familiar giggle.
"Silly sheriff, surely you recognize the room where we first met?" Woody spun around and gasped. On the nightstand, sitting on the edge was Bo, all put back together. She wore a flowing white dress with a white scarf that covered her hair. It flowed behind her and she stood. "Don't you remember? You were standing right there, on your spot."
"You were on the nightstand looking radiant in the glow of the sun." Woody said smiling. Bo smiled back and started walking towards him.
"I began to walk over to you."
"I started getting weak in the knees."
"I made my way over and stood just a few inches from you, and the first word I said to you was..."
"Hello, and you had me hooked. You've stolen my heart, Miss Peep."
"You've had mine just by one look." She closed the space between them, wrapping her arms around him. He embraced her, resting his head against hers.
"You look beautiful."
"Thank you. I had to see you. I wanted you to see me whole again before I go." He held her tighter. He didn't want to let her go. Bo stepped back and placed her hand on his face. "Don't forget about me."
"Never."
"But don't grieve over me too long. Live your life, be happy, and take care of our family."
"For you my dear, anything." She smiled. The sun shone in, lighting up her face. Tears streamed down her cheek and Woody brushed them away.
"I have to go now." She turned to the sun and began to lift up. He got down on one knee and took his hat off. She floated back down to him, placed both hands on his face and kissed him. "My heart will forever be in your hands."
"As will mine, my darling. I love you, Bo."
"I love you too, Woody." She kissed him again and slowly floated up to the clouds.
Woody opened his eyes and looked around. He was alone, lying on a makeshift bed surrounded by white dividing panels. His hat was resting on a chair in the corner. Bo was nowhere in sight; it had been a dream. He moved the blanket off him and saw the two newly sewn cuts on each side. The realization hit him immediately and he slammed his head back down on the pillow and let the tears run free. Beginning to hyperventilate, he went to turn on his side, but hissed in pain. Covering his eyes, he called out for his wife.
"Bo. I'm sorry, Bo. Come back. Please come back." He continued to sob and gasp too, not hearing the two voices behind the dividers.
"Hey. I think he's awake." One voice said.
"He is and he's having a panic attack!" The other said. Soon, Woody felt a small hand on his shoulder.
"Woody, buddy, it's Buzz. Just breathe." Buzz said. Another voice spoke to him, sitting beside him.
"Bro? It's okay. It's Jessie. Everything is alright." Jessie said softly.
"No, no it's not. Woody sobbed, his arm still over his eyes. She's gone. Where is she? I want Bo. I want my wife!" Jessie looked over at Buzz.
"Go find, Rosetta. Now." She whispered. Buzz left, leaving Jessie to pull the covers back over her brother. She moved close to him, allowing him to rest his head on her side. She rubbed his back. "Oh Woody. Deep breaths, okay? There you go."
"I miss her so much, Jessie."
"I know, bro. I miss her too."
"I wish it were me. I should've been the one to..."
"Don't even finish that sentence, Woodrow James!"
"But it should've been me! Not her! It should've been me!" Jessie held him tighter as Buzz came back with Rosetta coming in behind him. Jessie waved her over. "Hey bro, someone wants to say hello to you."
"I'm really not in the mood to see anyone else, Jess."
"Not even your favorite daughter?" Woody's eyes opened and he saw his little girl, standing by the side of his bed. Jessie moved away from him and let her brother sit up so that he could open his arms. Rosetta didn't hesitate and buried her face in his chest.
"We'll be outside, hon." Jessie whispered to Rosetta. She left with Buzz. Woody held his daughter tight, stroking her hair.
"Oh Rose. My little Rose. I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I'm so, so sorry about mom."
"It's okay, daddy. She's at peace now. Come on, lie down with me." Woody rested his head against the pillow and Rosetta sat next to him, resting her head on his arm. Once she got settled, she looked up at him. "What are you feeling right now?"
"Sore. Tired. Angry. Hurt. I swear I blew through the first three stages of grief. I'm on the fourth, depression. How do we go on without her?"
"We'll find a way, dad. We always do. Sure it will be hard, but we'll get through it."
"I remember everything. I remember holding onto her, falling and hitting the ground, hard. I broke our fall. She was still in my arms, shook up, but alive. Her arm had broken off from the impact, but the rest of her was still intact. She had passed out, and I remember leaning up to kiss her head when I heard the sound of wood cracking. Thinking fast, I kind of threw her, not roughly, but I did throw her out of the way. I didn't want her to get hit by the debris."
"You saved her, dad. You literally threw her out of harm's way." Rosetta said. "Do you remember anything else?"
"The rest is kind of a blur, but I do remember feeling the blade of the windmill cut through my cloth. I felt tightness in my chest. Right before I lost consciousness, I thought of you and the others, and prayed that all of you had survived."
"Oh dad." Rosetta said, laying her head on his shoulder. Woody grabbed her hand and rested his head against her forehead.
"I don't know what I would have done if I lost you, Rose. Now that I lost your mother, I don't know how I can do this without her, how we can move on without her."
"We can, dad, you can. You are an amazing father. You kept me safe all those years when mom left the first time. We have been through so much crap, but you have always been there, even in times when you were afraid. We are strong and have survived so much. We will survive this. We have to, for mom."
"You are absolutely right, whirlwind." He said, resting against the pillow. "We will get through this. Together."
"That's what I like to hear. Besides, I'll need you around in case I need some advice taking care of my kids." Woody sat up.
"Wait, does that mean you found them? That's wonderful, sweetie."
"Now hold on, let's not jump the gun just yet. I only just met them, but Owen and I, we both experienced the look with Nick and his sister, Tori. Nick is a little mix of you and Owen. And Tori, she reminds me so much of me and mom. Her full name is Victoria, just like mom's middle name."
"Then that is truly meant to be. They are destined to be with you, Rosetta." He hugged her. "Your going to make an amazing mother, baby girl."
"Thank you, grandpa." She giggled. Woody gasped
"If I wasn't recovering right now, you'd be in big trouble for that one, little girl!" They both laughed.
"You need to get some rest. I can stay with you for a while if you'd like."
"Thank you, Rose. But you should be with Owen, or getting to know your future kids more. Your old man will be okay."
"Owen understands, dad. And my kids will still be there later. You're stuck with me." Woody smiled.
"Alright. Just for a little while." He kissed her forehead and they lay together, slowly drifting off to sleep.
So last chapter, one of you asked why I chose the name Victoria. I have always loved that name and feel that it's unique in it's own way. Plus I loved watching the show 'Victorious' on Nick, and thought Victoria Justice was perfect for that role. Also, the dream scene at the beginningwas inspired by a Deviant Art piece called 'My heart in your hands, by artist Lily fox. I thought it was a perfect way to say goodbye to Bo!*
