Chapter Twenty: Always
The doctors only gave Becky a week to live after her sudden revival...and a month later, Becky was leaving the hospital. Of course, when she was released she was still very weak, and bound into a wheelchair until she gained more stability in her legs. But she was alive, and growing stronger by the day.
Over the week of Becky's revival, Joanne received a call from her law firm. She and Benny had won their case, and Cyber-arts had not been allowed to tear down the building. All the tenants were to be allowed back into their homes that week.
Collins's funeral was held the next week, paid for completely by Benny. The group said their final goodbyes to Collins as they lay him to rest, right beside his beloved Angel.
The gang moved back into the loft, and Benny and Sam moved into the same apartment complex as Maureen, Joanne and Roxie as Benny finalized his divorce from Alison, and made sure he got to control visitation rights.
Aaron moved into the loft for the few months he had before he went off to college. Mrs. Harrison and her two children moved into Collins and Aaron's old apartment(with some legal help from Joanne)
As their lives began to make some drastic changes, the group continued to stay safe and healthy. They kept sharing love, they kept taking risks, and most importantly they kept living life. Just as an old friend had once made them promise to do. They forgot all regret, and did not live in fear, as another friend had once enlightened them to do. And living by the philosophy of another friend, from even longer ago, the older generation made sure to remember this: Yesterday had been for themselves. Today was for them and their kids. And tomorrow was for their kids alone.
THREE MONTHS LATER(April 2009)
Enter Becky Cohen, a sixteen-year-old girl with reddish-blonde hair, blue eyes and her first completed song tucked safely into her guitar case as she enters the Life Café. She has been weakened by a near-death experience with Scarlet fever, leaving her more pale and feeble, though stronger than ever in spirit.
In comes Jason Davis, the son of Becky's father's best friend, and Becky's best friend since birth...and now also Becky's loyal boyfriend. Jason has been taking care of his girlfriend as he finishes his first film on Life Support and living with AIDS.
"Hola mes amigos!"Aaron Collins, tall handsome African-American soon-to-be high school graduate, greets them. "And welcome to the Life Café."
"Thank you, Mr. Maitre-de,"Jason replies, with a mocking bow to Aaron. Aaron laughs, ruffling his friend's hair.
"Would you two like a private seat today?"he teases, winking at Becky and Jason. Jason wraps his arm around Becky's waist, kissing her cheek.
"Nope. We're perfectly public about it,"he assures his friend. Aaron laughs again, as Becky kisses her boyfriend back happily.
"Why did we wait so long for this?"she asks Jason.
"Hm, because we were stupid,"Jason answers simply, kissing Becky again.
"Speak for yourself, man,"Aaron jokes, earning a laugh from Becky and a scowl from Jason. At that moment, Roger Davis enters the Café, with a copy of the school newspaper in hand, looking shocked.
"Excuse me, Rebecca Cohen!"he cries out as he storms in. "Did you just forget to mention to me that you stole my title as the youngest guitarist in the Jazz Band to win the Outstanding Musician Award at the Berklee Jazz Festival?"Becky blushes a little.
"Oh yeah..heh heh. I didn't think it was that important,"she insists.
"Not important? You beat me out! I got it in junior year!"Roger shoutes jokingly, wide grin spread across his face as he pulls Becky in for a hug. "Nice work."
"Thanks, Uncle Roger,"Becky replies, also grinning. Next to enter the Café is Mark Cohen, walking right into Roger, as his vision is obstructed by the camera pressed up to his face.
"Oh, sorry Rog,"he apologizes, putting the camera down. "Hey Jason, I've been looking for you. There was a message on the machine back home from your Visual Arts teacher, something about a movie from class. He sounded pretty excited. Whatever it is, it must be good."Jason grins, as the others all look at him anxiously, awaiting an explanation.
"I showed some of my Life Support movie in class yesterday,"he explains. "I guess Mr. Hughes liked it."
"Sure sounded like it,"Mark comments. "Congratulations Jase. You're now an official filmmaker!"Jason laughs at his uncle's excitement.
"Leave it up to my son to be the only filmmaker to outdo Mark Cohen,"Roger says proudly. Mark grins.
"Yeah, well leave it up to my daughter to be the only guitarist to beat out Roger Davis,"he retorts. And the two friends laugh, along with their kids.
The door flies open, this time letting in Maureen Johnson, Joanne Jefferson and Roxie Johnson-Jefferson.
"Hello everybody!"Maureen greets enthusiastically. She and Roxie are clad in matching hats, sunglasses and jackets, much to the other's surprise.
"What's going on with you two?"Aaron asks.
"Mom took me shopping for the Spring Fling,"Roxie explains.
"They went shopping,"Joanne corrects. "I was just the chauffer."
"You know, I never realized how much mom and I have in common fashion-wise!"Roxie remarks, as she and Maureen both fix their matching hats. The group all laughs, glad to see their youngest member finally bonding with her mothers.
The last to enter are Benjamin Coffin III and his handsome son, Samuel. The two are perhaps the most charming pair of men in New York City...to those who did not know them well.
"Howdy!"Sam shouts, grabbing all the other's attention in the loud, abrupt manner he has adapted from Aaron and Maureen.
"Sammy!"Roxie squeals, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Hey Benny,"Roger greets his friend.
"Hey Roger, Mark,"Benny replies, nodding to his friends. Then he turns to Aaron. "Hey Aaron, I heard you were accepted to NYU. Is this true?"
"It is indeed,"Aaron replies happily.
"Congratulations. You're father worked very hard there,"Benny recalls.
"We're starting off the year with a memorial service for him,"Aaron explains.
"He certainly deserves it,"Benny assures him. Aaron grins. He and Benny have developed a closer bond over the last few months, Benny trying in his own way to take over Collins's paternal role for Aaron.
Mark and Roger exchange glances as Jason and Becky begin kissing again.
"I guess we're going to have to get used to this, huh?"Mark asks Roger.
"I guess so,"Roger replies. "Well, let's look on the bright side...at least we don't have to worry about in-laws."Mark grins.
"Good point,"he agrees.
"Just imagine what it's gonna be like when we're grandpas together--"
"OKAY, we don't need to go THAT far!"
Mark is grateful when Aaron pulls Jason and Becky away from each other to talk.
"Hey Jase, I've been meaning to ask you, how is that film you've been working on coming?"Aaron asks.
"I think I'm almost done. I just need some way to end it. One more clip to sort of sum everything up, you know?"Jason explains.
"Well, we've got all summer to try and find it,"Aaron assures him.
"It looks like things are finally going to start looking up,"Joanne states contentedly.
"Next year will brings lots of surprises though, I'm sure,"Benny adds.
"What will we do when you're off at college, Aaron?"Roxie asks, pouting.
"Oh, you'll manage,"Aaron assures her.
"Well, to celebrate the billions of successes you all keep bringing us every day...let's pig out!"Maureen cries. "Dinner, our treat everyone!"She and Joanne wrap their arms around each other, laughing, as everyone begins pushing the tables together happily. And now that Aaron was maitre-de...there was no one there to stop them.
"You know, times change every year...new fads come and go...people come and go...we make new friends, lose old ones...we grow a little more mature!...usually...but there's one thing in our lives that will never change, no matter how much people try to tell us it will,"Becky explains, standing at the head of the table as the others all take seats.
"What's that?"Aaron asks. A mischievous grin spreads across Becky's face as she jumps up onto the tables.
"Our lifestyle."She grabs hold of a glass left on the table, holding it high above her head. "Dearly beloved! We gather here to say our goodbyes..."
The others all exchange grins, beginning to clap their hands and snap their fingers to a beat, chanting 'La Vie Boheme'. Jason pulled out his camera, capturing this moment. He knew he had found the end of his film.
A/N: And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of the story. This chapter was really more of an epilogue, but I wanted to have an even 20 chapters, so this one became its own chapter. Thank you all so much for reading and sending your feedback! I really appreciate everything. I'm glad so many people enjoyed this story. I know I enjoyed writing it for you! Thanks again for all your support on my first drama and my first SUPER long story. You guys are awesome!