Authors Note: The song used in this chapter is "Slipped Away" by Avril Lavigne
Walk Away
I miss you…
I miss you so bad…
I don't forget you…
Oh it's so sad…
Erica Gibbs, a fifteen year old beauty, was sitting in the waiting room while a social worker was trying to get some information from her and Erica was being less than helpful. "How's my mom?" Erica asked. "The situation isn't good Erica." The social worker explained. "I want to see her." Erica said. "You can see her as soon as you answer some questions." The social worker replied. "I want to see her now." Erica demanded. "Erica, we have called your father and he is on his way here from Washington D.C. to see you." The social worker told her. "Yeah I'll believe it when I see it. He didn't want anything to do with me 12 years ago, why would that change now?" Erica asked. "Because your mother is dying Erica" The social worker replied sympathetically. "I want to see my mom." Erica said. "Okay come on." The social worker said and led Erica to her mother's room.
I hope you can hear me…
I remember it clearly…
Erica entered the room where her mother, Cynthia, was. Cynthia looked weak and pale. It was at that moment it really hit Erica that she was going to lose her mother. Erica went over to her mother's bedside. "Mom, are you awake?" Erica asked. "Erica, your father is…" Cynthia began to say. "I know." Erica replied cutting her off. "Erica, know I love you and did what I thought was best for you. Now I want you to walk out of this room and never look back." Cynthia said. "Mom, I'm not leaving you." Erica replied in tears. "Go, please I don't want you to see me die, go." Cynthia pleaded. "I love you Mom." Erica said and then she turned and left the room in tears.
The day you slipped away…
Was the day I found it won't be the same…
It wasn't long before Gibbs arrived at the hospital and met the social worker. She then took him to the room where Erica was waiting. "Has it happened yet?" Gibbs asked the social worker. "Not yet. You can wait with Erica." The social worker replied. "I need to see Cynthia; there is something I need to tell her." Gibbs said. "Okay but just for a minute, I think your daughter needs you." The social worker replied.
Gibbs entered Cynthia's room. Cynthia had been coming in and out of consciousness for the past hour. "Cynthia, I'm here." Gibbs said. Cynthia opened her eyes. "Jethro, take care of her I know what I did was wrong and it has hurt both of you." Cynthia tried to explain. "Sssh…let me talk. You have no idea how hard these past twelve years have been. How hard it has been to stay away and how angry I've been. The thing is I never really was angry at you. I was angry at myself I let work get in the way. I won't let that happen again. Thank-you for having them call me, thank-you for giving me a second chance." Gibbs said. "Will you stay with me until it happens? I don't want to die alone and when it happens I want Erica to hear it from you." Cynthia asked. "Of course." Gibbs replied. It wasn't long before Cynthia slipped out of consciousness yet again and died peacefully. "Good-bye Cynthia." Gibbs said as he got up to go see his daughter for the first time in twelve years.
I didn't get around to kiss you…
Good-bye on the hand…
I wish that I could see you again…
I know that I can't…
I hope you can hear me…
I remember it clearly…
The day you slipped away…
Was the day I found it won't be the same…
Gibbs entered the waiting room where Erica was sitting and crying. "Erica, do you know who I am?" Gibbs asked. "You're my father." Erica replied. "Erica there is something I need to tell you. You're mother died a few minutes ago. I was with her when she died, she wasn't alone. She died peacefully; she was sleeping when it happened. "What happens now? What happens to me?" Erica asked. "Well I'm going to leave that up to you." Gibbs replied. "What did my mom want?" Erica asked. "Your mom wanted you to go back to Washington D.C. with me, but ultimately it's your decision. You have grandparents here who want you, an aunt that wants you. But you also have me. I've missed you so much, I've missed watching you grow up and I'd love it if you gave me a chance to be part of your life but you don't have to make a decision today, and I'll stay until you make your decision. Just know that I'll support any decision you make on this subject because this is your life." Gibbs replied. "Thanks. I already miss her, how is that? She's only been gone a few minutes and I already miss her more than I ever knew I could miss someone." Erica asked. "I don't know Erica, I know when you love someone and then they leave us we can't help but miss them and there is this void that can never be filled when they are gone." Gibbs said trying to comfort his daughter. "Did you love my mother?" Erica asked. "Yes, I've never loved anyone as much as I loved your mother. I know you probably have a lot of unanswered questions and in time I hope you will find the answers. But for now it's time to grieve, because I know you are grieving and you need that time. Come on, I'll take you home." Gibbs said as they got up and left.
I've had my wake up…
Won't you wake up…?
I keep asking why…
I can't take it…
It wasn't fake…
It happened you passed by…
A few days later at Cynthia's funeral, Gibbs and Erica said their good-byes to Cynthia. Erica went up to the casket alone and placed a single white rose in the casket next to her mother. "I won't get to visit you for a while because I've decided to go back to Washington D.C. with my father. I love you Mom and I really miss you." Erica said and then walked back over to her family. "Are you okay?" Gibbs asked Erica. "Yeah and I've made my decision. I've decided to go back to Washington with you." Erica said. "I'm glad to hear that. You won't regret it." Gibbs replied with a smile.
Now you're gone…
Now you're gone…
There you go…
There you go…
Somewhere I can't bring you back.
Now you're gone…
Now you're gone…
There you go…
There you go…
Somewhere you're not coming back…
The day you slipped away…
Was the day I found it won't be the same…
I miss you…