Chapter 8, Saying Goodbye
They were getting closer to Earth. Everyone was relieved to be going back home. The experiment is safe, Lilo has her kids back and Lilo and Stitch have rekindled their strained relationship. But something still wasn't right. As Stitch was piloting home he noticed Lilo seemed sad and upset. She was almost crying.
Stitch: What's wrong Lilo?
Lilo: Nothing. Everything is fi-fine.
Keta: Mommy, why are you sad?
Lilo: I am fine I said!
Lilo tucked her head into her knees and closed her eyes.
Lilo: All of those years with Juan... right down the drain. I can't believe it. Now I am going to be alone for the rest of my life!
Lilo then broke out in tears. This upset Stitch to see his best friend crying, But Stitch was lonely too. He missed Angel. He hasn't seen her for many years. He sighed then kept piloting the ship home to Earth.
Keta: But mommy, you have us!
Lilo: Of course I do. I am not lonely as in by myself, but lonely as in I don't have someone to love like a husband and it makes me sad.
Keta: What can I do mommy?
Lilo: Oh honey, nothing. Just... don't grow up.
Keta: I will try mommy!
Everyone was really quite. Lilo was uneasy.
Lilo: How much longer do we have until we get home, Stitch?
Stitch: Almost there. A few minutes.
Lilo: Oh... ok. So, what will we do when we get home?
Stitch: I... can't answer that.
Lilo: Why not?
Stitch: I don't know what I want to do... yet.
Lilo: What do you mean?
Stitch: Stitch miss Angel, but I miss you too.
Lilo: Oh. I see. Listen, Stitch. Follow your heart. Do what you think is right. Listen to your heart. Not your head.
Stitch thought about this seriously. Stitch knew Angel lived in Florida right now. He would have to move and he wouldn't see Lilo and her kids for a very long time again.
Keta: Stitch.
Stitch: Yah?
Keta: It would be so nice if you stayed with us. And if you don't at least visit me once in awhile. You are the best friend I have ever had. I don't have very many friends at school because I have some problems.
Stitch: What problems?
Keta: Because I am not very smart.
Stitch: Stitch can't talk good! At least you talk good!
They laughed together but now it was even harder for Stitch to decide what he wanted to do. But who needed him more, and what does he need?
Keta: I get picked on a lot because of it. The other girls laugh at me, call me names, whisper about me, and they refuse to talk to me. They also embarrass me all the time.
Stitch: Stitch no like that.
Lilo: I used to get picked on too honey. I was a weirdo when I was little. The other girls did the same thing to me.
Keta: Really mommy?
Lilo: Yes.
Shilo: Keta, I told you to tell me if those girls were being mean to you.
Keta: What's the point?
Shilo: Keta, we may not always get along but you are my little sister and noone picks on you except Haui and I. We are your big brothers and it is our job to stick up for you.
Lilo: And you can always talk to me about it too honey.
Stitch saw them all hug. Just then he realized that he couldn't stay with her. They were a family now and Stitch has to be with Angel who is all alone. Stitch then started to cry. He knew he would miss Lilo and her kids, especially Keta very much.
Lilo: Are you all right, Stitch?
Stitch: Yah.
Lilo: Can I ask you something very important Stitch?
Stitch: Yes.
Lilo: Do you love me Stitch?
Stitch: Huh?
Lilo: Do you love me? Like family?
Stitch hesitated for a second. He then replied.
Stitch: Very much.
Lilo: Well, then when we get back home we have to talk in private.
They then saw Earth in view. Stitch drove the ship down to the tiny island. He landed right in the middle of some trees. Surprisingly he landed right next to Lilo's house. They then all walked out of the ship. The kids went to the playground to play. Lilo and Stitch went inside the house. Lilo had 10 new messages... including one that devastated her. Nani was in a very bad car accident while Lilo was gone. The person in the other car went into a cardiac arrest while he was driving and smashed into Nani's car. He died later that night. Nani was still in the hospital in critical condition.
Lilo(upset): Oh no... Stitch...
Stitch: What?
Lilo: Nani was in a bad car wreck. The doctor said her injuries are so severe she might not... not... I can't say it! It is just to horrible! Everything is all of my fault! I hate myself!
Lilo fell to the ground and cried. She cried long and hard. And Stitch just sat there patting her back. Just like the old days. Like when Lilo went to her parent's graves. Stitch was there supporting her again.
Lilo: Ok, lets go to the, the hospital.
Lilo got into her car. Her an Stitch where on there way to the hospital. It was silent the whole time. Lilo went on and off with crying. On the way there she passed the playground and saw her kids playing. Five minutes later they went into the hospital.
Lilo: Excuse me, miss! I need to see a woman named Nani. She was in a bad car accident. What is her room number?
Receptionist: May I ask what business you have with her?
Lilo: She is my sister.
Receptionist: Oh, yes. Lilo. Right, just go to the fourth floor, room #437.
Lilo and Stitch slowly made there way up to Nani's room. They were both nervous and upset. Finally they reached rom #437. Lilo went in and Nani was on an oxygen mask. She was badly bruised, internally bleeding and had several broken bones. Nani's husband, David greeted Lilo and Stitch when they went into the room.
David: It was just so... so sudden. I just couldn't believe it.
Lilo: Oh, David. Nobody could have stopped it. We could sit here and blame ourselves and always feel regret, or realize we couldn't do anything about it, and at least have a guilt free conscious.
David: You are right... but I think we need to say goodbye. Her injuries are just to extensive and she is bleeding uncontrollably.
Lilo faced the other way and tears rolled down her face. David then came to her and turned her around.
David: We all have to say goodbye someday. Nobody lasts forever, Lilo. Someday your death will be mourned too. It is the circle of life. Do you want to go the rest of your life wishing you had said goodbye?
Lilo: N-No. No I do not.
David: Lets leave the room now, Stitch. They need to be alone right now.
Lilo slowly makes her way to Nani's bed. Nani is barely alive, surviving off of life support. She had to make the toughest decision of her life.
Lilo: Nani. I just, just wanted to say something. I am so sorry for being so mean to you. You have been so understanding with me. And now... now you are dying. Please, forgive me.
Lilo cries on the side of the bed. All the sudden she feels Nani's hand touch her face.
Nani(silently): I will always love you Lilo...
Lilo: I love you too.
The doctor then came in and explained Nani's condition.
Doctor: Listen, Lilo. This is going to be hard for you to accept. Nani is in very bad condition. She is suffering great pain every single moment. Now, you have to decide.
Lilo: Decide?
Doctor: Wether to pull the plug or not. On life support she can live up to four more months, but she will be in great pain. Think about it. This is a major decision.
Lilo thought for more than an hour. She then decided to pull life support. Besides, she couldn't afford it. Lilo then gave Nani a hug. Nani weakly hugged back. The doctor then slowly shut off life support. Nani gently drifted into an eternal sleep. Lilo fell to the ground and cried. David then came in and hugged Lilo. They both cried together. Stitch didn't understand this though. He had never encountered death before. Lilo and David slowly walked out of the room and out of the hospital. David drove Lilo and Stitch home.
David: You two take- take it easy.
As David drove off he tried to hide it but he was crying.
Stitch: What happened to Nani?
Lilo: Well... Stitch. She died. Death is when someone is hurt so badly, or gets so old that they don't breath or eat or talk anymore. Their souls then go to heaven where there is no pain and suffering. They will always be happy.
Stitch finally understood what it meant. Lilo told her kids when they came home that night. Stitch also had to make a decision. Wether or not to leave.
Lilo: Stitch... can you come in my bedroom.
Stitch: Coming!
Lilo: Stitch, you need to decide. Do you want to live here with me and the kids or go live with Angel?
Stitch(disappointed): Oh.
Lilo: Stitch. I may have lost someone. My husband and I are divorced and Nani died. But Angel has nothing, nobody. She is all alone in Florida. And there isn't enough room for you both to stay here. Make your decision.
Stitch logically though about what he should do. He followed his heart to Angel. Before she said goodbye to him she drove him to their old home. Where many years ago they laughed and had fun.
Lilo: Stitch. Do you remember this place?
Stitch(sadly): Yah.
Lilo: It is where we lived when I was just a child. We would always cause trouble. Nani would be hollering at us to calm down.
Lilo and Stitch couldn't help but laugh. But this home was not only where they used to live but it was part of who they were. It was there childhood memories. When they had nothing to worry about except what fun thing they would do next.
Lilo: We have one more stop.
Lilo drove to the beach where her and Stitch used to spend there summers. Just lying in the sun, basking in each others love and friendship.
Lilo: Remember this beach?
Stitch: Oh yah.
Lilo: It was where we spent our time together... where we would just talk to each other. Sitting by a nice fire. It is also the same beach we caught one of our first experiments.
Stitch: Yah.
They just sat there as they did when they were best friends all those years passed. They then got to the airport. Stitch went into the airport and Lilo stood there waving goodbye. Stitch waved goodbye too and walked into a new life with Angel and out of Lilo's life forever. All though they both were sad they knew it was for the best. Two weeks later Lilo met a guy who had just been widowed. They married 3 months later. Stitch went to Florida to meet Angel where she waited with open arms.
Stitch: I have missed you Angel!
Angel: I have missed you too. I was thinking you weren't going to come!
Stitch: Well, what now?
Angel: I don't know. We will just have to wait and see what happens.
Stitch looked off into the glistening sun, remembering Lilo and all the fun they used to have. Stitch then took angel in his arms and went off to start a new life. But whatever happened to Gantu and Dr. Hamstervëil? Lets just say some people have trouble fixing things. The end.
Author's Note: Thank you to all who read this story and reviewed it. The moral of this story is never take your family for granted. They won't be there forever, and that times and things change and we have to be willing to accept it when it happens. Life is very precious and you never know how long you will be on this Earth. Live each day as it were your last and remember... love knows no boundaries. I would like to thank Green Hope5 for encouraging me and supporting me during this story. I would also like to thank Tobias for accepting Broken Bonds to put on his website. And a great big shout out to all new and old fanfic writers. Pros and novices alike. You are all very talented and have the wonderful gift of writing. Thank you all very, very much.