Dream Fanfic chapter 6
Disclaimer: tired of writing everything i do. look at other chapters.
Just to let you know, i will be using younger versions of a few characters, and will use this sign (), and apostrophe, indicate them.


Chapter 6

So to recap: It has been just over eight years since the gang got out of school. Amber, Lionel, Candice, Tory, and Alicia are all 25. Mary and Alan are 46. Maureen is 45, Cheryl is 40, Liza is 35, and Jessica is 32. Amber has a little sister she doesn't know about, named Marianna(Mari) who is 7, and a cousin named Chris(Cheryl's son) who is 6. Maureen and Alan were married shortly after Amber disappeared.
So now we come to the present. A community musical is being put on. Amber's aunts and mother as well as Mary and many of Amber's friends are in it. Amber joined and got the lead.....but no one knows it's her. She came into the musical under the assumed name of Amy Winchester. She is still trying to remain inconspicuous to her family and friends. No one has yet figured out who she is.
That's all about to change.
It happened innocently enough. Amber was standing around talking to Maureen, Cheryl, Tory, and Mary when something distinctly odd happened. What looked like some sort of portal appeared and four people tumbled out. The three elder adults recognized them immediately as Maureen, Alan, Mary, and Tory's father about 25-26 years ago. Maureen' brushed off her robes and glared at Alan'.
Now look what you've done! If you'd just given the time turner to me in the first place, this- Maureen stopped short upon realizing that they were being stared at. The elder Maureen cleared her throat.
How did you get here? The younger shrugged.
What time is this? Maureen' asked.
Dear you've come about 26 years into the future..... The younger Maureen rounded on Alan, who cringed. One thing that Alan had learned fast about Maureen is that you should Never get her angry.
Alan Cook! You've sent us 26 years forward, And broke the time turner! Now what do you think we should do? she said in a dangerous voice. Alan sputtered for a few moments when the portal opened again, three more people coming out. One was Jessica at about 6. The other two ran past them women at top speed. One was a small redhead of about 9, most likely Liza, and the other....
Gimme that brush, you brat!! a blonde girl rushed past, chasing the redhead. Cheryl. Definitely Cheryl at about 14 years old. Cheryl' finally got the brush back from Liza', then pointedly ignored her. Cheryl laughed.
This was one of our stupid games. Cheryl explained to the group. It was my way of getting Liza to apologize to me.
Eventually, though this is how the scene ended up. Alan and Tory's dad were sitting watching from the stage, Maureen and Mary were chatting in the corner, Jessica was standing with them. Liza was nowhere to be seen, until-
Liza, you get your butt down here before you get hurt! Cheryl' yelled up towards the rafters. The others looked up and saw Liza climbing around the lights on the ceiling. How'd you get up there, anyway?
Liza' giggled. I climbed, duh! Liza' looked down and suddenly realized how far up she really was. She paled, then started clutching the support beam tightly. Help! Get me down! Please!
Cheryl' sighed and shook her head. How am I gonna get up there? she muttered. Then they heard Maureen' shout.
Mary! Get down from those lights! What do you think you're doing?
Getting your sister down. What's it look like, poindexter? Mary' laughed. They all watched, astonished, as Mary' found her way over to Liza'. Once she had, however....
Great job! Now how are you gonna get down? Maureen' yelled. Mary' had seemed to realize the problem and yelled in frustration, still keeping hold of a terrified Liza'.
Amber said quietly. She raised her wand. Accio Thunderbolt. Amber's broomstick came whizzing through the air and straight up to Mary' and Liza'. They climbed onto it and flew down. Amber sent her broomstick back to it's place.
After a lot of conversation between the elder women and their young counterparts, the doors to the auditorium flew open, and the Headmaster came striding in, looking around at them all.
I came as soon as I'd got wind of what happened. Here, he told the kids, handing them an hourglass. You can take this time turner home. The kids nodded and left. Not moments after the Headmaster left, Amber and Tory burst into laughter.
Mary had noticed something familiar about the girl next to Tory. She had said her name was Amy, but Mary knew better. She fairly sure that the girl was Amber. The way she laughed, the way she got along so well with the people she did. She didn't dare say a word, though. Amber would tell them in time.
I can't be-believe I just saw my mom and dad when they were kids! Tory choked through laughter.
Hey, I can't believe that was really my mom, dad, and aunts. Amber realized what she'd said. Everyone stared at her. Amber paled, looked around a moment, then disapparated with a Pop, and was gone.
Maureen was trembling slightly. That couldn't have been her....could it? she whispered. The shock wore off everyone slowly.
I thought it might be her. I thought, but i never knew for sure. Mary said. Maureen and the rest turned to look at her.
You suspected that it was her? How could you tell? She's....so different. Cheryl said, voicing what the rest were thinking.
Mary began. She may look different, but in many ways she is the same. The easiness with which she gets along with people, her talents, but most of all, I noticed her eyes and her laugh. Think about it.
They did, and one by one they all realized.
How could we have been so blind? Liza exclaimed. She was right under our noses all this time, and we didn't even know! Because of the little things in her personality. Everyone nodded in assent. Practice was over for the day, and they wouldn't have it again for a week. They all went home, wondering where Amber could have gone to.

Exactly 5 days later, when everyone was gone at work, with Cheryl home to watch the kids, a knock came at the door. Cheryl went to answer it, and when she did, her knees nearly buckled with pure surprise.
Amber stood in the doorway, smiling. Two small children stood behind her. Cheryl's eyes flicked over to them, but then back to Amber. Amber chuckled.
Never thought I'd have to knock to get into my own house.... she mused aloud. She stopped looking around the entrance and looked back at her aunt, who still appeared speechless. Well, do I get a hug or not? she said good-naturedly. Cheryl felt a half-laugh, half-sob escape her as she hugged her niece tightly, feeling tears fighting their way to the surface. Please, Cheryl. Please don't cry. I can't bear to see you cry. Cheryl let Amber in and they sat in the living room.
Who are these two? Cheryl asked, pointing at the little boy and girl.
Oh, they're....my kids. she said. This one is Jimmy. He's 5, and this is Monica. She's 3. I've been married for 6 years to Lionel. Cheryl sat back, taking in the information she had been given.
Why didn't you tell us? Or contact us? Amber, these are huge parts of your life, and we wanted to be a part of them. she said faintly. Amber bit her lip.
I know, and I'm really sorry. I want to give the explanation, but I want to wait until everyone else is here. That way i don't have to tell it several times. Is that ok?
Cheryl nodded. Of course. The sound of footsteps coming down the hallway caused them to turn in that direction.
Chris came running down the hallway, closely followed by Marianna. Chris jumped into Cheryl's lap. Marianna tried to get at him, but Chris hugged his mother tighter. Cheryl sat Chris down next to her and scolded them both for creating such a racket. Amber watched with interest.
Hello, who are these two enchanting children? Amber inquired.
This is Chris. He's my son. His father was killed in a run-in with Cell's supporters, along with Julie. She pulled Marianna close to her. And this is....your sister. Amber looked on as Marianna ran to Amber and hugged her with all her might.
I have a sister? she said, dazed.
Your mom and dad tied the knot and had her, silly. They wanted you to be at the wedding, but we couldn't find you..... Cheryl trailed off, remembering the broken look on Maureen's face when Amber hadn't come. Your mom was actually pregnant when you left. She and your dad married and Marianna was born 6 months later. Amber hugged her little sister back.
I can't believe i finally get to meet you, Amber! Mari said excitedly. Mom and dad told me all about you, but they never knew where you were. Amber smiled and looked at Mari. She had Maureen's eyes and Alan's hair. She had Maureen's spirit. Young and vibrant. It hit Amber for the first time how much she truly missed her mother.
Mari and Chris took Jimmy and Monica to play, and not moments later Liza, Jessica, Mary and Tory apparated into the room. Mary and Tory were staying for dinner. They looked at Cheryl, then all eyes turned to Amber, sitting comfortably on the seat nearby. Shouts of joy went up as Amber was hugged from all sides, tears flowed, and questions were asked. Amber merely told them what she'd told Cheryl, and they all agreed to wait for Alan and Maureen to get back.
Amber noticed Tory staring at her and asked what was wrong.
Tory said. It's just....You've been gone so long. I've missed you so much. Tory's voice broke. Amber rushed to her and hugged her reassuringly.
I'm sorry, Tory. was all she could say. I'm so sorry.
Amber, all of your friends have spent the last 7 years believing you to be dead! We gave up. You didn't call or write. You didn't visit. It hurt all of us. It broke your mother's heart. And mine Amber sat back as Tory finished, deep in thought.
:Why did I ever leave? I have so much here. My friends, my family.....:Amber thought. Then she remembered. :It was for their own good.:
Lionel came about an hour later. They chatted lightly, waiting for Maureen and Alan to return home.
They did about 20 minutes later. Maureen was rushing through the house, not noticing the crowd in her living room. Alan came in after his wife, but saw the group. He grabbed Maureen's arm to stop her. She looked at him, then at the people.
Then she saw Amber. Alan had to catch her because she collapsed in a dead faint. Cheryl and Liza jumped up from the couch as Alan lay Maureen down on it. When Maureen came to, she saw Amber and sat up without warning.
Where have you been? she said almost immediately. Amber sighed deeply. It was the moment of truth.
Yes, Amber. We've been dying to know, and now everyone is here. Cheryl quipped.
Well, I guess.... Amber started, thinking how to phrase this. I guess in the beginning it was that i believed that i just couldn't stand being here anymore. I couldn't stand fighting with mom almost everyday for God knows what, and constantly being babied and protected, even though i can take care of myself. But....then it was that I didn't want to put you all into danger.
Why would you be putting us in danger? Liza asked.
First it was Cell. Now it's Majin Buu. Trouble follows me wherever i go. I endanger your lives just by living. Just by breathing. she stopped and drew a breath, looking at everyone's faces. I thought that if I stayed away, you would be safe. I don't want to lose any of you.
Cheryl and Maureen each put a hand on Amber's shoulders.
Amber, you didn't have to run away. Maureen said. We are in just as much danger without you as with you. We've lost loved ones without you here. Cheryl and Liza were attacked and nearly died because-
No, Maureen, Liza interrupted. I'd rather tell it. She turned face to face with Amber, who was pale. Cheryl and I were kidnapped by Buu. He questioned us, tried to find out where you were.
We told him we didn't know. Cheryl said.
He didn't believe us.
We were tortured.
Thank God Tory and the others saved us.
We would have been goners for sure. Cheryl looked Amber straight in the eyes. Do you see, Amber? Even without you, we aren't safe. We're better off with you here. We need you here, not just for protection. You're family. We love you. Amber was crying by now. She fell into Cheryl's embrace, the pain of the last 8 years coming out in the tears she was finally shedding. Maureen kept a steady hand on her daughter's shoulder, seeing the looks on everyone's faces. Everyone was holding back tears.
Amber eventually turned and hugged her mother for the first time in too long.
I'm sorry, Mom. she said, her voice breaking. Maureen shushed her.
It's okay, sweetheart. You are here now. That's what matters.
Everyone sat down and ate dinner about half-an-hour later. When they'd finished, Cheryl pulled Maureen into the hallway to talk to her.
Invite her to come back. We need her here. Cheryl said the moment they were out of earshot.
Why don't you? She likes you. She listens to you more then she does me. You know it's true, even if it pains me to say it. Maureen answered. Cheryl felt bad for her sister. Amber had never really been as close to her mother as she had always wanted. Years ago, Amber had talked to Cheryl about this repeatedly. Cheryl often offered her to go to Maureen, but Amber refused to. No matter how much she wanted to talk to her mother, she had been used to Cheryl taking care of her, being there for her. Though Maureen was her mom, she hadn't had her around for 6 years of her life. Amber became very attached to Cheryl because of it.
Maureen, just ask her. She's want to hear it from you. I know she would. Cheryl assured Maureen.
Okay, I'll ask her. Maureen said in a slightly resigned sort of way. They went back to the table and sat down. Maureen turned to Amber. Amber. Would you want to, maybe, come back here? We really need you with us. Amber's face lit up.
Of course, that is.... she turned to Lionel, who nodded his assent. Amber hugged her mother. Maureen hugged her back.
I'm never letting you out of my sight again. She vowed.


TBC
More to come! I'll make more if you review me!
TTFN! Ta Ta For Now!