Disclaimer: All the characters in this fanfic belong to Disney and any other company that owns the series 'In A Heartbeat'. This is part 10. Please review!!! Note: flashback(s) are italicized and in blue.
Scenes from the previous episode…
"That's funny, because I was never gone," Tyler remarked.
"Physically, you weren't," William told him as he tried to wake Daphne up.
"What are you saying, Will?" he asked him. "Mom, are you OK?"
Daphne sat up on the couch and went over to Tyler. She hugged him, much to her surprise.
"What is going on?" Tyler asked again.
"I'm so glad you're back," she said between tears as she continued to hug him.
"Back from what?" Tyler asked.
"From your amnesia," his mom told him. "I knew you would be back soon."
Tyler just looked at her.
"Me too," he said with a confused look still painted on his face.
To be continued…
No One Else but You: "The one"
Tyler was still dumbfounded by what he just heard. 'I had amnesia? For this long? I can't imagine the time I have lost…what about my friends…what about Val?' Tyler had a long talk with his parents, which gave him an insight of what really happened. He still can't make himself believe that he really was gone for that long. 'It seemed like only yesterday…'
"Tyler, what was the deal with that Wilson kid, anyway?" asked William.
"Well, I remember that during the game he threatened me that if I stand in his way I'll be 'gone'," Tyler responded. "I guess he did mean it."
"Well, you're safe from him now," assured Daphne. "I'm just glad you're back. I missed you."
"I know, but it seems like I was gone," he told her.
"I'm sure you're friends will be delighted that you're back," Daphne told her son.
"How were they when they heard the news?" Tyler asked them.
"They were actually the ones who found you," William informed him. "Of course, they were devastated. I mean, it was a relief that you were fine, but the news about the amnesia probably made things complicated."
"Do you want me to call them?" asked his mother.
"No, it's fine," he told her. "Um, did Val call? How was she?"
"No, she didn't call," Daphne told him. "But from what I heard, she was really distressed by what happened."
"OK, thanks," Tyler said before he headed upstairs. "Um, can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure honey, anything," she told him.
"Can you not tell anyone about this yet?" Tyler prompted. "I'd rather tell everyone myself. Please?"
"If that's what you want," Daphne remarked.
"William?" Tyler directed to him.
"I'm in," William assured him. "I promise."
"Thanks," he said before heading for his room.
A week has gone by, and Tyler's leg has seemed to heal. As for his return from the other side, none of his friends have found out yet. Luckily, his friends' busy schedule made things a lot easier. His single encounter with one of them was only when Hank called to ask how he was…
"Hey Tyler!" Hank greeted.
"Hey Hank!" he answered, a smile playing on his face.
"How are you?" he asked.
"I'm doing fine, um,…what's your last name?" Tyler asked humorously.
"It's Beecham," Hank answered, rather disappointed that Tyler forgot.
"Oh, sorry I forgot," he told him.
"Do you want to meet with the gang later?" Hank asked him.
"Sorry, but my head is really throbbing," Tyler lied.
"OK, well, I hope you feel better then," Hank mentioned before he said his goodbye.
That call was three days ago. Now, Tyler was ready. In reality, he really didn't know how to say it to his friends. He figured he should tell Hank first, and remember to give him back the football. 'How did I get this back anyway? He must have returned it to me after what happened.' Then he considered telling Jamie and Caitie next. 'Brooke can wait. I'll tell Val last.' The thought of her reminded him of something. He went in his closet and searched for something.
"Where's that jacket?" he asked himself. "Come on…"
After minutes of unsuccessful searching, he gave up and sat on his bed. When he climbed onto the bed, he noticed the jacket hanging on the door.
"There it is," he claimed as went and grabbed it.
Inside one of the pockets was the present he meant to give her days ago. It was a long box that seemed to contain a watch or a bracelet, but it wasn't a sort of jewelry at all. Looking at the box, Tyler remembered that one special moment…
"Hey Val!"
"Hi Tyler! Do you want to come in?"
"Sure."
"So, what's up?"
"OK, I know this must be the ugliest thing you've seen in your life…" He took out the leprechaun snow globe.
"I bet it is."
"Well, my dad gave this to me when I was about to have my tonsils removed. He told me that it will help me and that everything will be all right. I believed him, and everything did turn out OK. So I want your dad to have it."
"Oh Tyler, that's so nice of you. Thanks." She gave him a peck on the cheek.
The two looked at each other, and Val invited him to stay and play scrabble. He eagerly stayed, and they played scrabble all night long, along with Brooke.
Tyler placed the box back in the jacket. 'I remember that night clearly…the night I knew she was the one.' Tyler looked at this watch. It was around the time that Hank gets home from school. He immediately grabbed a coat, a small backpack, and the football, before heading to Hank's house.
Tyler rang the doorbell, and conveniently Hank answered it.
"Tyler?" he said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Can't I visit you once in a while?" Tyler said, acting innocently.
"Of course you can," he told him. "Come in."
After they were seated, Hank asked him how he got there.
"I asked for directions," Tyler told him.
"So, what did you want?" Hank asked him.
"Actually, I came to give you back this," he said as he took out the football from the bag.
"But this was for you," Hank said, handing the ball back to him.
"Although this championship ball was awarded to me, I want you to have it as a token of my appreciation," Tyler told him, hoping he remembered the line as well as he did. "You've always been there for me through good times and bad, and you've always been my inspiration. Thanks for being my best friend, and brother that I never had."
"That's what you said, or in this case wrote when you gave the ball to me after…" Hank stated before his voice trailed off.
Hank dropped the football to the floor, and just looked at Tyler in shock.
"What did you just say?" he asked again of the recognizable line.
"I'm back," he told Hank with a small smile on his face.
Hank still couldn't speak.
"Hank, say something," Tyler ordered him.
"Th-- That's-- That's great," he said before giving his friend a small hug.
"You should have seen the look on your face," Tyler told him with a laugh.
"Me too," he agreed. "When did this happen?"
"Last week," he answered.
"So when I called…" he started to ask.
"Yes, I was back," he retorted.
"Did you tell anyone yet?" Hank asked him.
"You're the first one," Tyler told him. "You should feel special."
"Well, I'm flattered," Hank told him lightheartedly. "When are you planning to tell the others?"
"Today," he informed him. "Well, I better get going."
"OK, I'll see you around Tyler," Hank told him.
"I'll see you around, Beecham," he stated before leaving.
Tyler hurried to the school, hoping not to miss Caitie and Jamie. To his luck, they were still there as always --- under the bleachers. Tyler headed towards them, ready to drop the bomb.
"Whoa, hey there," Jamie called out.
Caitie and Jamie were the only ones there. Tyler was actually hoping they were the only ones there.
"Are you lost or something?" Caitie asked him.
"No, I was just looking for you guys," Tyler told them. "Why, am I interrupting something?"
"No, not at all," Jamie said as he moved away from Caitie. "How did you get here in the first place anyway?" Jamie asked him.
"Because I know this is where you hang out," Tyler answered.
"How did you know that?" Jamie asked him again.
"Well, isn't this where you two hang out after school most of the time," Tyler remarked.
"Who told you?" Caitie said. "You couldn't possibly remember that unless…"
Like Hank, her voice trailed off.
"You're back, aren't you?" Jamie asked with a smile.
"Yes, genius, I'm back," Tyler told him.
"Well man, that's good," Jamie commented. "Welcome back, Tyler."
Caitie, much to his surprise, gave him a hug.
"I'm so glad you're back," she said with glee. "Val will be so happy."
"I suppose she will be," Tyler said as he returned her hug. "So, what's up with you two?"
Jamie moved over to Caitie's side and put his arm around his shoulder. Caitie put her arm around his waist.
"Are you serious?" Tyler asked them. "That's great. I'm happy for you guys. It's about time."
"Yea, we're happy too," Jamie told him as Caitie blushed.
"So, I guess I'll just leave you two lovebirds alone," Tyler remarked. "I'll see you guys around."
"Bye Tyler," they both said in chorus.
"Now, where were we?" Jamie said
Tyler returned to his house, and ate dinner. After the meal, he went back up to his room and took the jacket hanging on the door. Hurriedly, he told his mom that he was leaving for a while, and will be back a little while later. As soon as he got out of the house, he rushed to his car and drove straight to Val's house. On his way, however, he noticed that someone was in the station. Thinking for sure that it was Alex, he went in to tell him the news. When he got inside, Alex's office was closed. No one was in sight. 'Why is the light on then?' As he proceeded to turn it off, he heard a faint sound of something hitting another, a sound he certainly recognized. 'Who's playing basketball in there? I'm the only one who does that every night.' Curious, Tyler headed for the basketball court. Whom he saw was definitely one he did not expect. 'Val? What is she doing here? At this time?'
Tyler just stood there as he watched her shoot the ball to the hoop. 'She must have been practicing. She used to suck at this game.' A smile crept on his face. Quietly, he approached her. When the ball bounced off the backboard, Tyler caught the ball. Wondering why she didn't her the ball hit the ground, Val turned to see someone behind her.
"Tyler!!!" she screamed. "Tyler, what are you doing here?"
"Just looking around," he told her calmly. "What are YOU doing here?"
"Um, just playing basketball by myself," she said consciously, but calmed down when she remembered that he has amnesia.
"Having fun?" he asked as he shot the ball, and it went it.
"Yea," Val said as she looked at him curiously. "Why are you here?"
"Actually, I want to give you this," he said as he took the box out of his pocket.
"What's this?" Val asked him.
"Just something I meant to give you a long time ago," Tyler told her as he anxiously waited for her to open it.
"Thanks, I guess," Val remarked as she proceeded to open it.
It was a long box, seeming to contain some watch or bracelet. Val inquiringly glanced at Tyler. 'What's this for?' Tyler looked at her. 'Just open it.' Val went on and opened the box. When she saw what was inside, she was filled with confusion and a hint of bliss. Inside the box was a note saying: Remember that night we played scrabble.... That was the night...And in scrabble tiles it read: I KNEW YOU WERE THE ONE. Tears started forming in her eyes. Suddenly, an overwhelming feeling overcame her. She couldn't think. All she could do was look at the present. Then suddenly, she looked up and saw Tyler standing in front of her. He reached out and wiped the tears of her face, while tears formed in his eyes as well.
"I came back to tell you that I love you," Tyler whispered to her.
Val couldn't even begin to speak. She wanted to tell him that she loved him so much. She wanted to tell him how she missed him. Not finding the words, Val hugged Tyler as she started to cry again.
"I've missed you so much," Val managed to speak out. "I knew you'd come back."
Tyler hugged her back, never wanting to let go.
"And I did," he said.
"I love you too, Tyler," she told him looking into his eyes. "I wanted you to know that, but you went away. I was afraid to lose you. That's why I came here every night. I wanted you to come back. I thought you'd forget. I th--…"
Tyler put a finger on Val's lips.
"I'll never forget you, ever," he told her before putting his lips on hers.
The kiss seemed to last forever, both releasing all the pent-up emotions that they had been holding back for so long. It was a moment they never wanted to end. Reluctantly, Tyler moved away from here.
"So, do you want to play ball?" Tyler asked suggestively.
"You're on," Val remarked. "That is, if you can keep up."
Val grabbed the ball, and the two started their game. As the night went on, the ever-present sound of the dribbling ball on concrete floor echoed through the walls. The sound of the ball going in the hoop was constant. The court was back to life. Everything was back. And things were once again as they were…only better.
The End
Well, that was the last chapter of the series (sorry Mad Cow L ), but there will be more. I already have ideas popping out of my head. Anyway, thanks to all of you who supported and read this fic.