Title: Is It Really You?
Summary: A long-lost love returns from the grave and secrets are revealed. Will Martin risk everything to get her back after she leaves him again?
Rating: T for bits of tragedy, slight language, and the fact that the rest of the fic was rated T so this should be too.
PP: Ok, I have some explaining to do. I know that the last time I updated was in April, and for the HUGELY long wait I am very sorry. I just got really lazy and uninspired. That's why I'm not writing a surprise ending anymore, so I can just get this fic over and done with for good. Not that I didn't enjoy writing it, it's just that I've been working on it for SOOOO long. I think it's about time to move on. The surprise ending wasn't that good anyways, so you're not missing out on anything. As for this chapter, the FINAL chapter, there's a bit of depression in the beginning, but don't let it chase you away! I promised a happy ending and a happy ending I will deliver! It's also written from Martin's POV, just in case you don't pick it up. Well, I think I've rambled for long enough, I'll speak again at the end of the chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 15B: The Myth Of The Phoenix
"Love is everything it's cracked up to be... It really is worth fighting for, risking everything for." Erica Jong
I shielded my eyes against the blast, just as an instinct. It wasn't really that bright. When I put my arm back down, she was falling towards me. I immediately put my arms out and caught her, before gently lowering her to the ground. Her eyes were shut; her lips slightly parted. "Rachel?" I gently shook her, trying to get a response, because something didn't feel right even though she looked completely unharmed. "Rachel, talk to me!"
She didn't even flutter an eyelid and I started to get seriously worried. That was when I realized she wasn't breathing. I frantically checked for her pulse but couldn't find one. Fear had really set in by that point and I started shaking her harder than before while I screamed her name.
When she still didn't react, and realisation started to seep its way in, tears began pouring down my face. I put her on the ground and sat back, completely and totally lost. After everything I'd gone through to find her, to save her, she gave everything to save me. It wasn't fair, dammit! I clenched my fist unconsciously and was surprised to find something in my hand. I looked down and realized I was holding Rachel's bracelet. My breath caught in my throat as the memory of the look in her eyes when I gave it to her came back to me again. I gulped and tried to wipe away some of the tears. I failed miserably though; there were just so many on my cheeks! I could only imagine Rachel's voice if she could have seen me then; telling me not to be sad because of her; that was never what she wanted.
I picked up her wrist and put the bracelet back on for her. I tried to think of something to say, but even if I had thought of something I don't think I would have been able to get it all out before completely breaking up so I settled with giving her a tender kiss on her forehead.
When I pulled back, the bracelet caught my attention. I looked back at it and saw the rubies glowing in this really eerie way. They stopped glowing shortly after I noticed them though, so I shrugged it off. My tears kept flowing as rage began pulsing through my veins. (Man, I was going through some serious mood swings.) I slammed my fist into the ground and grit my teeth. "Dammit Rachel! What the hell were you thinking! There were so many things I needed to tell you; so many things I wanted to do with you. I was the one saving you. Why did you do this?"
"Because I'm selfish when it comes to stuff like this."
My head snapped up at the voice and I spun around to face an impossibility. Laying in front of me was Rachel, dead, but standing behind me was another living Rachel. I froze as she just smiled at me; a twinkle lit up her eye. My mouth moved wordlessly but she somehow knew what I was trying to say anyways. "Ever hear the myth of the phoenix? How one rises from the ashes of another?" She walked forward and blew away the 'other' Rachel, who mysteriously turned into ashes. "It's not just a myth."
I stared at her for a moment longer before closing my mouth and shaking my head at her, a grin on my face. She gave me a questioning look and it was my turn to answer something that wasn't spoken. "You know, most people would find this completely strange and unbelievable. That's where I'm unlike most people. All it took was one look at your eyes and I was just glad that you were back." I stood up then and swept her into my arms, holding her tight. "What's with the selfish comment though?"
"There's no way I was gonna stand back and watch Daniel take you away from me. He and Azrael already took everything else important away from me: my childhood, my relationship with my mom, my father; they weren't going to take the thing that means the most to me right now away too. I won't be able to live without you. I know it was terrible of me to make you watch that happen right in front of your eyes, but as I said, I'm selfish. I'd rather it happened to you than to me. Besides, I've got the powers of the phoenix on my side. You don't."
The last part was said to help ease the mood a bit and I thanked her for it. It put a smile on my face, something I thought I'd never wear again. "You gave me a real scare though. I thought I'd never see you again. Now, I'm never letting go of you again, got that?"
She looked up at me and her smile warmed me up inside. "But, if you never let go of me, how am I supposed to do things like change and go to the bathroom?"
"I guess we'll have to do it together then, won't me?"
She laughed, but I knew that she heard the seriousness in it too, because she held me even tighter and didn't let go as we watched the sun set, seeming to signal the end of this chapter in our lives.
That was 2 years ago. Now, he was standing in a spruced-up room in the basement of what looked like an apartment building, wearing his best white shirt and black pants. In the next room, about 20 of their closest family members and friends were waiting patiently. He could hear the sounds of their happy chatter coming through the open doorway and wondered why he was so nervous. His palms were sweating and he was fidgeting really bad.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see the director standing there, smiling at him. Martin gave him sort of a half smile and chuckled nervously. The director took his hand off Martin's shoulder and walked into the next room to prepare for the 'main event'. Martin began pacing as his patience began to seriously wear thin.
Then, there was the sound of a toilet flushing and another door opened up to show Rachel fixing her bright blue, floor-length dress; smoothing out all the wrinkles in the fabric. She looked up when she realized Martin was watching her and smiled. She stood up and walked over to his side; linking her arm in his. They looked into each others' eyes and Rachel spoke. "Well, are you ready for this?"
"I've been ready for a long time. What about you?"
"Yep. Let's get this show on the road."
The director walked back in then and realized Rachel was there. He asked them the same question they had just asked each other and they both said yes. He left again and Martin gave Rachel the bouquet he had been holding for her. She thanked him, just as "The Way" by Clay Aiken drifted out of the next room. That was their cue, so they shared a quick kiss before walking into the next room and down the aisle.
The ceremony wasn't very long, and it went by really smoothly. When it came time to exchange rings, they had their own vows pre-pared. Martin went first; taking Rachel's hand in his own. "I, Martin Mystery, take you, Rachel James, to be my wife, my partner in life, loving what I know of you and trusting what I do not know yet. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become and, if it's even possible, falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever else life may bring us and to understand when you feel like cheating the heating companies and conjure your own fire to keep us warm instead. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward, for as long as my heart still beats."
He slipped the ring on her finger and she smiled, nearly in tears already. She took his hand next and said her vows. "I, Rachel James, take you, Martin Mystery, to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our union and, if it's even possible, love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we face together. I also vow to find a way to deal with your obsession with slime and goo. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward, for as long as my heart beats."
There were tears of joy running down her face by the end and she had nearly broken up quite a few times. Someone handed her a kleenex and she gratefully accepted it after she slid the ring on his finger. The final words were said, "You may kiss the bride," and they leaned in for an emotional and eternally binding kiss. They signed the papers, along with Diana as bridesmaid and Billy as best man before the group all left their seats and surrounded the newlyweds. They were congratulated more times than they could count before someone's watch alarm signalled that it was time to head back to the park where people had been setting up for the open house reception. Martin swept Rachel into his arms and they were the first ones out, on their way to start their brand new life... finally together forever.
PP: Ha, it's finally complete! I finally finished all the lovey-dovey fluff! I really prefer writing tragedies, but I suppose I needed to write a fluffy ending too. And in case you're confused, there are actual legal places to get married like the one I decribed; my parents got married in a place like it. I also wasn't quite sure what to call the guy in charge so he was just 'the director' because it's not a religious ceremony so he's not a pastor. Any questions or comments, feel free to ask or tell me! Well, that's the end of it all, so I'd really like to take some space to write out some thank-yous. First, to all the reviewers, in no specific order: Half-Angel, Uranasu, S.P.D. Purple Ranger (6 reviews, the most out of everyone! You rock!), Calico Kitty 09 (The very first reviewer!), My Chemical Romance, JPElles, Ominae, closet geek, Star Cyber 2, golden-eyedwolf842, Isky, KaiOu madHokKa, and solitary warrior. I love all of you so much! Then I have to thank the people who put this story on their Favourite and Story Alert lists. It really meant a lot to me! And of course, last but not least, FrenchFry, who was always there for me to bounce ideas off of and tell me the honest truth of what she thought. This fic owes a lot to her! Well, I think that's about all that I have to say, so adios amigos, and I hope you liked the happy ending and find plenty of good reading to keep you going.
PotatoPuff, out.