Hullo guys!! *waves* What's up? Thank you all so much for the kind
reviews!! Here's the next chapter....and I think the final one! Yay! Well,
I hope you guys like it....!
Family Portrait
Ross paid the taxi driver and then got out of the car. As the taxi drove off, and in almost an instant disappeared down the road, Ross stood on the side walk staring up at the house that brought back so many memories. Even though it was still pretty early, it was already pretty dark. Rain clouds where rolling in, and thunder rumbled in the distance. He looked around, and he thought he saw somebody sitting on the front porch. She was now looking at him, and he realised it was Rachel. She slowly stood up and walked over to the stairs, where she stood and stared at him. He slowly crossed the grass of the front lawn until he was at the foot of the porch steps, staring up at Rachel. After a few minutes, Rachel was in tears, and she slowly stepped down one step, so she was face-to-face with Ross.
Rachel: (whispers) You came back.....
(Ross just nods, still looking straight into her eyes)
They stood like that for a few more minutes. Rachel had tears streaming down her face, and a hand up to her mouth, practically blocking out the sobs that she really wanted to let out. Suddenly, Rachel just threw her arms around Ross, and hugged him tightly, sobbing, and it started to drizzle.
Rachel: (while sobbing) I woke up this morning....looking for you! But when I saw the note.....I---I thought that I'd lost you again! I don't want to lose you Ross.....never again! I love you......I love you! Please forgive me.......?
Ross: (while hugging her, he kisses her on the shoulders as she sobs into his) I love you Rachel......and I will never leave you.....ever again......! But you have to tell me that you forgive me too.
Rachel: I forgive you Ross.......
(Ross breaks the hug and they stare at each other for a while. After a while, Ross leans in and kisses her. They get into it, and it's pouring hard now. We move up to a second story window, where we look at one of the windows. The curtains are half closed, and we see Melanie sitting up there, staring down at Ross and Rachel kissing. She has tears in her eyes.)
She was happy that her parents had made up, but somehow she felt so alone. She knew that now everything was going to be okay, but she still felt pain, and she still couldn't stop the tears from falling. But she wouldn't get over it.....she'd find her own way around it all.
(After a while she turns around and we follow her as she starts searching through one of her bedside drawers. She pulls out this little diary/booklet thing and searches through it. After a few seconds, she stops on one page and picks up her phone.)
Melanie: (whispers to herself) Come on......come on......please pick up! Come on......
(It just keeps ringing, and right before Melanie is about to give up, and we hear a man's voice answer)
Man: Hello? (pause, Melanie just stares off into space, tears rolling down her face) Um, hello? Anybody there?
Melanie: (whispers) Hi.
Man: Hello. How can I help you?
Melanie: Nicky?
Man: Yes, who are you?
Melanie: Nicky, it's me.......! Melanie.
~~
When you get caught in the rain
When you're distraught and in pain without anyone
When you keep crying out to be saved but nobody comes
And you feel so far away that you just cant find your way home
You can get there alone
It's okay, won't you say.....
~~
Nicky: (sounds VERY shocked) Melanie?!?!
Melanie: (crying a bit harder) Nicky!
Nicky: Oh my God, are you okay?
Melanie: I miss you Nicky.....I miss you so much! Why didn't you ever call or maybe even WRITE?
Nicky: Well....I-I never thought mom would have----
Melanie: How about me?! I missed you.....
Nicky: Melanie, I'm.....sorry! (pause, there's silence, and Melanie just tries to clam herself down) Is anything wrong.....why'd you suddenly call me?
Melanie: Well, I feel so alone.....and I just wanted to talk to somebody?
Nicky: Where's mom?
Melanie: (ignoring his question) (whispers) Dad's back.
Nicky: What?! (pause) What did you say?? Melanie?
(she just stares down at the phone)
Nicky: Melanie, answer me!
~~
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own, And I know that
I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day
And make it through the rain
~~
Nicky: (quietly) Mel? (pause) He's back?
Melanie: Yes.
Nicky: Why?
Melanie: It's a long story, but I don't really want to talk about it.
Nicky: (sighs) Fine.
Melanie: (pleading) Nicky, why don't you come back?
Nicky: Back? (pause) Home? (pause) No......I'm sorry Mel, but I don't belong there. I would think you would have known by now.
Melanie: Please Nicky....!
Nicky: I'm sorry Mel.
Melanie: You can't just run away like that and just disappear forever! We're your family!!
Nicky: No Mel, a family stays together. We just broke apart a long time ago.....(pause) Just because dad's back doesn't mean we'll be the same as before......(sighs)
Melanie: We're not broken anymore........and it may not be the same right now, but I know that one day it will.
Nicky: One day? Melanie, I am almost 20 years old......when will "one day" happen?? When I'm 30 something and living on my own, raising a family of MY OWN?? (pause) Anyway, I don't think they want me anyway.....you guys don't need me!
Melanie: (shakes her head) Don't say that Nicky......don't EVER say that!
Nicky: What ever Melanie. It wont change a thing. (pause) I miss you Mel, but you should know, if I come back, things will get messed up.
Melanie: (upset) How do you know that?!?!
Nicky: I just know. (pause) Do yourself a favor.....you've got dad back.....and like you said, everything will be back to normal again soon. Just, forget about me. Okay kiddo? (pause) Mel?
(Melanie is crying hard)
Melanie: I dont believe you Nicky....dont you have ANY faith at all??
Nicky: I'm sorry Mel.
Melanie: (whispers, but not really meaning it) I hate you. (she hangs up the phone forcefully and stares at the walls, crying softly. She then looks at the phone and falls face down on the bed, sobbing.)
~~
And if you keep falling down
Dont you dark give in
You will arise safe and sound
So keep pressing on
Steadfastly and you'll find what you need to prevail
Wont you say.....
~~
(we go out to the front porch, where Ross and Rachel are sitting on the porch swing, wet. They're sitting close and just staring out at the pouring rain)
Rachel: (quietly) Did you ever think something like this would ever happen?
Ross: (quietly) No.....not really. (pause) I never thought you would ever forgive me if I came back.....
Rachel: (she looks up at him and rests her head on his shoulder) I never thought I would forgive you either. (pause) But the truth is.....I realised that it wasn't only your fault, and well, I love you so much.
Ross: (stares down at her head) I love you too. (he kisses her on her head and holds her hand. They sit there for a few more minutes in the same positions staring out at the rain. Suddenly, Melanie walks out of the front door and stands in front of them, her eyes red.)
Rachel: Mel! (she sits up, taking her head off Ross' shoulder) What happened?
Melanie: I talked to Nicky.
Rachel: Nicky??
Melanie: yeah. I called him.
Rachel: Well, what happened?
Melanie: I asked him if he could come back.....and he just told me all this stuff, and told me to forget him. And, well, I told him that I hated him and then hung up. (pause, starts to cry again) I don't really hate him.....I just hate the way he views things and views LIFE.
Rachel: (looks at Ross and then down) I'm sorry sweetie.....
Melanie: (shakes her head) It doesn't matter anymore.....
(Rachel leans her head back down on Ross' shoulder and he puts his arm around her. Melanie smiles a bit but she still is crying)
Melanie: (quietly) This morning dad, when I found mom crying in the kitchen, I right away knew what had happened. Truthfully, I never thought I'd see you again. And I felt scared and alone.......but now, you dont know how happy I am to see you. (she smiles at Ross and Ross smiles at her)
(she suddenly turns around and walks down the front porch steps and out into the middle of the front lawn and under the rain. Ross and Rachel just watch her, Rachel looking confused/scared and Ross just smiling slightly. Melanie lifted her head and looked up at the sky. She closed her eyes and felt the cold rain hit her face.
Melanie: (quietly, V/O) Emma? Can you hear me? Where ever you are......everything is fine now. Everything is going to be alright.....but I just wish that you could have been here to see it for yourself. (pause) But I know, that I can make it. Even without anybody by myself, I have mom and dad now.....and we can be a family again. But it wont be the same without you and Nicky.....but at least its part of it.
~~
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own, and I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
~~
Melanie turns around and walks back over to the front porch, and as she does, we see Ross and Rachel standing by the front door, waiting for her. As she walks up the front steps, we fade to her walking through a cemetery, looking for a certain grave. She finally stops at one and stares down at it. She bends down and puts some flowers on top of it and then stands up straight again.
Melanie: Hey Em. How are you doing? It's been 3 months since dad came back again and everything has been doing great. I finally feel complete again.....but I do know that what's missing is you and Nicky. But I know that you're in a better place now.....and that you're watching down on me. I just wanted to tell you, that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for ever being jealous of you....and maybe sometimes hating you because I was jealous that mom liked you better than me. If I could have one more day with you here and alive, I would take all that back and apologise in your face. But I know you can hear me.......at least I hope you can.
(she pauses, a few tears escaping from her eyes. The wind blows and her hair blows to the side, and gets in her face. The sun was slowly setting, and dark shadows started to appear all around)
Melanie: Well, I have to go now Emma. But I promise to come by more often. Just remember......I love you. And I hope you know that......where ever you are now. I miss you, sis.
(she touches two of her fingers with her lips and then touches the grave stone. She looks down at it one more time and then starts to walk away.)
~~
And when the wind blows
And shadows grow close
Dont be afraid
There's nothing you can't face
And should they tell you, you'll never pull through
Don't hesitate, stand tall and say......
~~
(as she starts to walk away, we go high above and watch as she walks through the cemetery. Then, we can hear her start to talk V/O)
I never did return to the cemetery.....because on that day, I realised that Emma wouldn't want me moping around like that. She would have wanted me to try and do something worthy in my life. I had wasted so many tears in my life.....and I knew that in my years to come, I would shed a whole lot more.....but for now, it was more than enough. I tries calling Nicky again, but unknown people answered, claiming that he had moved, and when ever I wrote to him.....he never wrote back. But I could get through it.....I had gotten through much worse, and I knew that everything would be okay and that I would make it through the rain.
~~
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own, and I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
~~
*THE END*
Wow.....I'm done! And I just realised how sad that was!! Heeheehee! Anyway, I really hope you liked that! Please review.....reviews are my life! [after writing fics.....LOL!] Anyway, THANK YOU to EVERYBODY that has reviewed to this fic....I *LOVE* you guys!!!! I hope you enjoyed reading this fic just like I enjoyed writing it!! Bye!
Family Portrait
Ross paid the taxi driver and then got out of the car. As the taxi drove off, and in almost an instant disappeared down the road, Ross stood on the side walk staring up at the house that brought back so many memories. Even though it was still pretty early, it was already pretty dark. Rain clouds where rolling in, and thunder rumbled in the distance. He looked around, and he thought he saw somebody sitting on the front porch. She was now looking at him, and he realised it was Rachel. She slowly stood up and walked over to the stairs, where she stood and stared at him. He slowly crossed the grass of the front lawn until he was at the foot of the porch steps, staring up at Rachel. After a few minutes, Rachel was in tears, and she slowly stepped down one step, so she was face-to-face with Ross.
Rachel: (whispers) You came back.....
(Ross just nods, still looking straight into her eyes)
They stood like that for a few more minutes. Rachel had tears streaming down her face, and a hand up to her mouth, practically blocking out the sobs that she really wanted to let out. Suddenly, Rachel just threw her arms around Ross, and hugged him tightly, sobbing, and it started to drizzle.
Rachel: (while sobbing) I woke up this morning....looking for you! But when I saw the note.....I---I thought that I'd lost you again! I don't want to lose you Ross.....never again! I love you......I love you! Please forgive me.......?
Ross: (while hugging her, he kisses her on the shoulders as she sobs into his) I love you Rachel......and I will never leave you.....ever again......! But you have to tell me that you forgive me too.
Rachel: I forgive you Ross.......
(Ross breaks the hug and they stare at each other for a while. After a while, Ross leans in and kisses her. They get into it, and it's pouring hard now. We move up to a second story window, where we look at one of the windows. The curtains are half closed, and we see Melanie sitting up there, staring down at Ross and Rachel kissing. She has tears in her eyes.)
She was happy that her parents had made up, but somehow she felt so alone. She knew that now everything was going to be okay, but she still felt pain, and she still couldn't stop the tears from falling. But she wouldn't get over it.....she'd find her own way around it all.
(After a while she turns around and we follow her as she starts searching through one of her bedside drawers. She pulls out this little diary/booklet thing and searches through it. After a few seconds, she stops on one page and picks up her phone.)
Melanie: (whispers to herself) Come on......come on......please pick up! Come on......
(It just keeps ringing, and right before Melanie is about to give up, and we hear a man's voice answer)
Man: Hello? (pause, Melanie just stares off into space, tears rolling down her face) Um, hello? Anybody there?
Melanie: (whispers) Hi.
Man: Hello. How can I help you?
Melanie: Nicky?
Man: Yes, who are you?
Melanie: Nicky, it's me.......! Melanie.
~~
When you get caught in the rain
When you're distraught and in pain without anyone
When you keep crying out to be saved but nobody comes
And you feel so far away that you just cant find your way home
You can get there alone
It's okay, won't you say.....
~~
Nicky: (sounds VERY shocked) Melanie?!?!
Melanie: (crying a bit harder) Nicky!
Nicky: Oh my God, are you okay?
Melanie: I miss you Nicky.....I miss you so much! Why didn't you ever call or maybe even WRITE?
Nicky: Well....I-I never thought mom would have----
Melanie: How about me?! I missed you.....
Nicky: Melanie, I'm.....sorry! (pause, there's silence, and Melanie just tries to clam herself down) Is anything wrong.....why'd you suddenly call me?
Melanie: Well, I feel so alone.....and I just wanted to talk to somebody?
Nicky: Where's mom?
Melanie: (ignoring his question) (whispers) Dad's back.
Nicky: What?! (pause) What did you say?? Melanie?
(she just stares down at the phone)
Nicky: Melanie, answer me!
~~
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own, And I know that
I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day
And make it through the rain
~~
Nicky: (quietly) Mel? (pause) He's back?
Melanie: Yes.
Nicky: Why?
Melanie: It's a long story, but I don't really want to talk about it.
Nicky: (sighs) Fine.
Melanie: (pleading) Nicky, why don't you come back?
Nicky: Back? (pause) Home? (pause) No......I'm sorry Mel, but I don't belong there. I would think you would have known by now.
Melanie: Please Nicky....!
Nicky: I'm sorry Mel.
Melanie: You can't just run away like that and just disappear forever! We're your family!!
Nicky: No Mel, a family stays together. We just broke apart a long time ago.....(pause) Just because dad's back doesn't mean we'll be the same as before......(sighs)
Melanie: We're not broken anymore........and it may not be the same right now, but I know that one day it will.
Nicky: One day? Melanie, I am almost 20 years old......when will "one day" happen?? When I'm 30 something and living on my own, raising a family of MY OWN?? (pause) Anyway, I don't think they want me anyway.....you guys don't need me!
Melanie: (shakes her head) Don't say that Nicky......don't EVER say that!
Nicky: What ever Melanie. It wont change a thing. (pause) I miss you Mel, but you should know, if I come back, things will get messed up.
Melanie: (upset) How do you know that?!?!
Nicky: I just know. (pause) Do yourself a favor.....you've got dad back.....and like you said, everything will be back to normal again soon. Just, forget about me. Okay kiddo? (pause) Mel?
(Melanie is crying hard)
Melanie: I dont believe you Nicky....dont you have ANY faith at all??
Nicky: I'm sorry Mel.
Melanie: (whispers, but not really meaning it) I hate you. (she hangs up the phone forcefully and stares at the walls, crying softly. She then looks at the phone and falls face down on the bed, sobbing.)
~~
And if you keep falling down
Dont you dark give in
You will arise safe and sound
So keep pressing on
Steadfastly and you'll find what you need to prevail
Wont you say.....
~~
(we go out to the front porch, where Ross and Rachel are sitting on the porch swing, wet. They're sitting close and just staring out at the pouring rain)
Rachel: (quietly) Did you ever think something like this would ever happen?
Ross: (quietly) No.....not really. (pause) I never thought you would ever forgive me if I came back.....
Rachel: (she looks up at him and rests her head on his shoulder) I never thought I would forgive you either. (pause) But the truth is.....I realised that it wasn't only your fault, and well, I love you so much.
Ross: (stares down at her head) I love you too. (he kisses her on her head and holds her hand. They sit there for a few more minutes in the same positions staring out at the rain. Suddenly, Melanie walks out of the front door and stands in front of them, her eyes red.)
Rachel: Mel! (she sits up, taking her head off Ross' shoulder) What happened?
Melanie: I talked to Nicky.
Rachel: Nicky??
Melanie: yeah. I called him.
Rachel: Well, what happened?
Melanie: I asked him if he could come back.....and he just told me all this stuff, and told me to forget him. And, well, I told him that I hated him and then hung up. (pause, starts to cry again) I don't really hate him.....I just hate the way he views things and views LIFE.
Rachel: (looks at Ross and then down) I'm sorry sweetie.....
Melanie: (shakes her head) It doesn't matter anymore.....
(Rachel leans her head back down on Ross' shoulder and he puts his arm around her. Melanie smiles a bit but she still is crying)
Melanie: (quietly) This morning dad, when I found mom crying in the kitchen, I right away knew what had happened. Truthfully, I never thought I'd see you again. And I felt scared and alone.......but now, you dont know how happy I am to see you. (she smiles at Ross and Ross smiles at her)
(she suddenly turns around and walks down the front porch steps and out into the middle of the front lawn and under the rain. Ross and Rachel just watch her, Rachel looking confused/scared and Ross just smiling slightly. Melanie lifted her head and looked up at the sky. She closed her eyes and felt the cold rain hit her face.
Melanie: (quietly, V/O) Emma? Can you hear me? Where ever you are......everything is fine now. Everything is going to be alright.....but I just wish that you could have been here to see it for yourself. (pause) But I know, that I can make it. Even without anybody by myself, I have mom and dad now.....and we can be a family again. But it wont be the same without you and Nicky.....but at least its part of it.
~~
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own, and I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
~~
Melanie turns around and walks back over to the front porch, and as she does, we see Ross and Rachel standing by the front door, waiting for her. As she walks up the front steps, we fade to her walking through a cemetery, looking for a certain grave. She finally stops at one and stares down at it. She bends down and puts some flowers on top of it and then stands up straight again.
Melanie: Hey Em. How are you doing? It's been 3 months since dad came back again and everything has been doing great. I finally feel complete again.....but I do know that what's missing is you and Nicky. But I know that you're in a better place now.....and that you're watching down on me. I just wanted to tell you, that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for ever being jealous of you....and maybe sometimes hating you because I was jealous that mom liked you better than me. If I could have one more day with you here and alive, I would take all that back and apologise in your face. But I know you can hear me.......at least I hope you can.
(she pauses, a few tears escaping from her eyes. The wind blows and her hair blows to the side, and gets in her face. The sun was slowly setting, and dark shadows started to appear all around)
Melanie: Well, I have to go now Emma. But I promise to come by more often. Just remember......I love you. And I hope you know that......where ever you are now. I miss you, sis.
(she touches two of her fingers with her lips and then touches the grave stone. She looks down at it one more time and then starts to walk away.)
~~
And when the wind blows
And shadows grow close
Dont be afraid
There's nothing you can't face
And should they tell you, you'll never pull through
Don't hesitate, stand tall and say......
~~
(as she starts to walk away, we go high above and watch as she walks through the cemetery. Then, we can hear her start to talk V/O)
I never did return to the cemetery.....because on that day, I realised that Emma wouldn't want me moping around like that. She would have wanted me to try and do something worthy in my life. I had wasted so many tears in my life.....and I knew that in my years to come, I would shed a whole lot more.....but for now, it was more than enough. I tries calling Nicky again, but unknown people answered, claiming that he had moved, and when ever I wrote to him.....he never wrote back. But I could get through it.....I had gotten through much worse, and I knew that everything would be okay and that I would make it through the rain.
~~
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again
On my own, and I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid
I hold tighter to my faith and I live one more day
And I make it through the rain
~~
*THE END*
Wow.....I'm done! And I just realised how sad that was!! Heeheehee! Anyway, I really hope you liked that! Please review.....reviews are my life! [after writing fics.....LOL!] Anyway, THANK YOU to EVERYBODY that has reviewed to this fic....I *LOVE* you guys!!!! I hope you enjoyed reading this fic just like I enjoyed writing it!! Bye!