Chapter 20 Goodbye Baba
Saori's Pov
It was another day here in Japan except I was highly upset cause I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me with some other woman so I spent my entire drive to work practically mumbling to myself how upset I was after I broke up with him.
After ranting to myself for about 7 minutes I finally calmed my nerves, and headed inside to get ready for work even though I was running a little late.
"Morning Fred sorry I'm late I'll make up the time if you need me too." I called out to Mr. Rose but I got no answer, I also managed to notice that nothing was setup not even the tables for the morning rush at this point I started to get extremely worried
I locked the door to be sure no one would break in and steal anything while I went upstairs to check on Mr. Rose. I searched from room to room looking for him but no such luck until I came to the hall bathroom in which I could see something that looked like his cane sticking out of it.
I ran down the hall to find what I thought was true, Mr. Rose was unconscious on the bathroom floor, I sprang into action trying to arouse him but got nothing so I did the next thing I could think of I called 911.
On The Phone (Saori's Pov)
"911 dispatch what is the nature of your emergency?" The operator asked
"Yes I need an ambulance right away; my boss is unconscious in his bathroom." I replied in a panic
"Ma'am please calm down and tell me where you are located?" The operator replied and asked
"I at Baba's Café located at 8734 Shibuya please hurry." I finished
"Help is on the way." The operator finished
I ran outside to flag down the ambulance when it approached, as I did so Arnold and Gio pulled up because they wanted some breakfast and they saw me in a panic.
"Saori what's wrong?" Arnold asked
"It's your dad in law, I called 911 they're on the way." I finished as he and Gio ran inside to check on him.
The ambulance arrived in 5 minutes flat as I led them to where he was to find Gio and Arnold still trying to arouse him, they got him on the stretcher, with an oxygen mask as I hopped in the back of the ambulance with Gio and Arnold following close behind in his car to the emergency room.
Once we arrived they wheeled him out of the ambulance and into the back room and instantly began to work on home while one of the nurses asked me some information about him.
"Alright Ma'am tell me all you know about Mr. Fred Rose
"Well he's my best friend's grandpa and he practically raised her from when she was a child after her mother was taken from her but anyway I know he has diabetes but as for his more important information you may have to ask his son in law." I finished as Arnold told him the more important information.
We waited out in the waiting room for hours on end for the physicians to get finished with Fred, it was a mere 5 hours later that the physician came out of the back room but with a look of hopelessness on his face in which I did not like that look.
"Hi I'm Doctor Marcus are you the immediate family for Fred Rose?" Dr. Marcus asked
"Well part of us there's one that is not here with us." I replied
"Well I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but upon analysis, Mr. Rose was in diabetic shock due to an insufficient amount of insulin, we managed to stabilize him but due to such insulin shortage he may not make it." Dr. Marcus finished
"You mean my dad is going to die?" Arnold asked
"Yes for you see the only two options we have are we can give him the insulin he needs but too much insulin could be deadly, and if we don't give it to him he still could pass on so as you can see it's a losing situation." Dr. Marcus explained
"Well I say." Arnold started before I interrupted
"No you will not make the life decision for Mr. Rose." I stated
"Please how long does he have to live?" I asked
"Well, being he hasn't had insulin for more than over 42 hours and a diabetic person can only go 2 days without insulin I'd say 6 hours left to live." Dr. Marcus explained
"Please give me time to get his granddaughter here please." I begged with tears welling up in my eyes as he nodded
I then pulled out my phone and walked off as I dialed Sonic. On the other end I was praying with all my heart that he would answer.
In America ( Sonic's Pov)
Me and my friends were all gathered in my living room after leaving a friend of mines birthday party, we were busy reminiscing and laughing when my cell phone rang, I looked at the caller id and saw it was Saori and answered it.
"Hello?" I asked
"Sonic it's me Saori I really need to speak to Amy." Saori replied crying the entire time
"Saori what's wrong why are you crying?" I asked with everyone turning their attention to me.
"Sonikku what's wrong with Saori?" Amy asked
"I don't know but she sounds real upset and she wants to talk to you." Sonic answered as he put Saori on speaker phone
"Saori this is Amy what's wrong?" Amy asked
"Amy you need to get to Japan right away." Saori started
"Saori what is it, is it my Baba?" Amy asked
"Yes, I'll explain everything when you get here, just please hurry." Saori finished as we both hung up the phone.
I then sprang into action getting my friends and myself ready to go to Japan, we decided it would be faster to take the X-Tornado while Rouge and the other's followed in their appropriate planes.
We took off and were in Japan in a matter 4 hours flat, once we landed Saori contacted us again and told us what hospital she was at, with Shadow we managed to chaos control there and arrived in 5 minutes.
Amy was frantic I could tell she was worried as she searched frantically for Saori, we walked around a corner and found Saori in the hallway pacing back and forth. That's when Amy ran to her.
"Oh Saori what happened?" Amy asked
"Apparently your grandpa hasn't been taking his insulin lately, I found him unconscious in his bathroom and well the doctor says he only has 2 hours left to live, and well they gave us two options to give your grandpa the insulin he needs but they are afraid it could be deadly and he could die from insulin overdose or just let nature take its course and let him go." Saori finished
"She didn't want me to make the final decision." Arnold replied
"Daddy, you're here too." Amy stated as Dr. Marcus came from the back
"Are you Amy?" Dr. Marcus asked
"Mr. Rose is conscious and he wishes to see you." Dr. Marcus stated
"Sonikku please come with me?"" Amy asked as I nodded and we were escorted to the back.
Dr. Marcus escorted both me and Amy to the back into the ICU where my grandpa was located, we strolled inside slowly and walked up slowly to the bed he lay upon.
Amy sat down on a nearby stool and grabbed her grandpa's hand to get his attention.
"Amy I'm so glad to see you my grandbaby." Fred started
"Grandpa, why did you stop taking your insulin?" Amy asked
"It's simple Amy I'm tired, my body is tired and my soul is tired I'm just ready to go home." Fred answered
"Then let the doctor give you what you need so we can take you home." Amy replied
"Amy I think he's saying he's ready to move on to the other side." I stated
"Grandpa, why do you want to die?" Amy asked
"It's not that I want to die Amy dear…it's just I have completed all I set in life to do, I got married, I had a child, I opened my own restaurant, I got to see my grandchild become a beautiful woman, and find her true love… I feel there's no need for me to linger here any longer." Fred finished as tears welled up in Amy eyes
"Amy though you may shed tears of sadness now, know that they will dry you can hold on to our memories but in doing so I want you to stand tall and know that I'm here with you." Fred continued
"Grandpa, I will do just that." Amy finished wiping away her tears
"Very good Amy now then a little business, I have something I want to give you hold out your hand?" Fred asked as she held out her hand and he dug around in his quills for something.
He then placed a jewel of some sort in Amy's hand and it looked like a chaos emerald except it was golden but I thought there were only seven can there be more than seven by any chance.
"Fred is that a chaos emerald?" I asked
"Yes I found it a long time ago as a lad and kept it as a family keep sake, I was going to pass it down to my daughter but she left this world long before I could but my granddaughter is just as good, it's never done anything but I feel as though she should have a token of remembering me and also I want you to take over my business now don't jump to conclusions I know you plan on going back to America with Sonic which is why I want Saori to be the new owner in you stead with Arnold working there on the side.
"Grandpa that's such an honor I'm sure she would be more the willing to do so as well as dad. " Amy replied
"Now last but not least I don't want a big funeral." Fred finished
"Why Grandpa?" Amy asked
"Because over the years I always wanted to be close to my daughter and wife when buried but I waited too late to reserve the space the most I could do now was have a shrine built there, that is why I want my body cremated so that my ashes could be laid to rest inside the shrine and there I would forever be by my daughter and wife's side even in piece will you honor my wish Amy?" Fred continued and asked
"Yes, grandpa anything you say." Amy answered as she started to cry
"Thank You Amy and remember live your life and be happy that's all… I…wish…for…you." Fred finished as he closed his eyes with his monitor flat lining.
It was then Amy fell to her knees off the stool and started to cry as a team of nurses came into the room to check on him, I grabbed Amy up off the ground and held her close to me and let her cry into my chest as we walked down the hallway back into the main corridor where everyone stood in waiting.
They saw Amy was crying so they all assumed the worse that Fred Rose was no longer with us but Saori took it just as hard as Amy as she too fell to the ground and cried her eyes out.
Arnold picked her up and let her cry but Amy's tears suddenly stopped when she saw how hard Saori was taking Fred's death.
"Saori, why are you crying?" Amy asked
"Because I let this happen if I had made sure he was taking his insulin instead of just asking him was he taking it this never would've happened, it's all my fault your grandpa's gone, I wouldn't blame you if you hated me right now." Saori replied crying
" Saori I don't hate you and it wasn't your fault, besides like he told me he's at peace now and that I shouldn't shed no more than the tears of sadness that he is gone, once that last teardrop falls like my grandpa said I will stand tall." Amy finished as she hugged Saori instantly making her tears dry up. It was shortly after that Amy told the orderlies what her grandpa wished and that she would return the next day for his ashes so that she could put him to rest where he wished.
At The Café (Sonic's Pov)
Arnold and Gio made everyone drinks as they all sat around talking about what would happen to the shop when Amy tapped on her glass to get everyone's attention.
"Everyone I have an announcement to make." Amy started
"Saori my dear friend, since you were one of the many employees who stuck with my grandpa the longest he wished for me to tell you something." Amy continued as Saori cocked her head to the side
"Since you're in college for business management my Grandpa wants to give you the chance to get your feet wet in the field of business management by letting you own his shop in my place." Amy finished as Saori's mouth merely fell open as well as her falling off her stool.
"Gee, Amy I don't know that's such a big honor, are you sure I can do it?" Saori askedup getting as Amy nodded
"Well if it's his dying wish I'll make sure to not let you down." Saori finished as she hugged Amy real tight
"Dad, I know you will need money so you will be working here also by Saori's side, that is unless you refuse." Amy replied as Arnold shook his head.
"Alright, let's decide the day of the funeral." Arnold started
" No, Grandpa doesn't want a big funeral, he wants to be near mom and grandma so his body will be cremated and his burial will be held tomorrow afternoon after I pick up his ashes." Amy finished as she ran upstairs with me following close behind, when I came to find Amy crying in her grandpa's room looking at a picture she took with him.
"Amy are you okay?" I asked
"No, I'm really trying to be strong Sonic but the pain has a real tight grip on my heart." Amy answered
" Amy baby what your grandpa meant by you being strong, is just like I told you when I first left here, he means for you to be strong for yourself and move on with life, right now Amy all that you can do is cry, don't mask your pain baby let it out, I'm here for you." I explained as Amy barreled into my chest and let out all her frustrations as I held her tight in my arms while she cried.
Before I knew it Amy was in my lap and was a practically cradling her in my arms like a baby, when Arnold came up to check on us.
"Hey is everything okay?" Arnold asked
"Yeah, I'm just letting her cry; if she cries now when we lay Fred to rest she shouldn't shed anymore tears." I explained
"Amy are you hungry sweetie?" Arnold asked
"I little bit." Amy answered
"Alright I'll go and make us all something to eat, and Sonic your a much better guy than I thought I'm glad my daughter has you, and one more thing your friends want to talk to you." Arnold finished leaving the room
"Amy you ready to head back downstairs?" I asked as she nodded
We headed back downstairs where everyone was waiting for us, Saori had already left because it was getting late and she had to get home before her mom lost it.
It wasn't long before Arnold had a steak dinner prepared for everyone as they all sat around and devoured the meal with Amy starting the dinner talk.
"Thanks everybody for sticking around, I know you guys never met my grandpa, but it means so much to me you decided to stay for his burial tomorrow." Amy started
"Hey, what are friends for Amy, if they don't stick around when another friend is down?" Rouge asked
"That makes me very happy and until tomorrow afternoon you guys are free to stay here, cause as you've already noticed this isn't just a café it's also an inn with extra rooms." Amy finished
"Alright sweet pea me and Gio got to vamoose before his son gets home and finds dinner isn't ready." Arnold stated
"Later Amy see you tomorrow afternoon." Gio finished as he Arnold headed back to his place
"When the hour of 9:00 ran around they all started to get sleepy as Amy finished cleaning up and they headed up to their rooms for a night of rest. Sonic and Amy slept in her old bedroom snuggled close together with Amy in his arms as they drifted off to sleep.
The Next Morning
Amy and Sonic had woke up early because they had received a call from the crematorium telling them that her urn was ready for pick up. They went ahead and picked up the urn the contained the remains of her grandpa. She started to cry a little as they handed her the urn but she quickly stopped and soon her and Sonic were headed back to the café.
When they got back to the café everyone was awake, even Saori was there already dressed in black along with Gio and Arnold, Amy sat her grandpa on a table she had set up in the café so that those who knew him could come in and pay their respects before they left to put him to rest.
Amy went upstairs to change into her black dress for the burial with Sonic putting a black suit, everyone was soon dressed in black as the afternoon hour drew close, there wasn't much to be said except for what Amy had to say at the burial as everyone soon loaded into a van that Saori had rented with Sonic and Amy riding in a car that was in the lead with Gio and Arnold, they drove to the same exact burial site that Amy showed Sonic to when she first left Japan.
They got out of the car and walked the same path that Amy walked holding the urn following close behind her as they came to a set of tombstones that laid right beside each other with a shrine built right in between them, everyone then line up side by side as Amy stood beside the shrine and spoke.
"Thank you all for being here as we celebrate the life of Fred Rose, beloved grandfather, father and father in law, as a child he taught all the thing s I would need to know in life and I'm grateful to him for doing so and it's because of him that I am the woman I am today, and I will continue to remember all the things he taught and live my life to its fullest, thank you Baba for everything and may you rest in piece." Amy finished as she kissed the urn
"Would anyone else like to say anything?" Amy asked as Sonic took the urn from her
"Fred though I only knew you for a short time I feel like I've known you all my life, in the short time I've known you, you became a father figure to me in which I've never had and let me just say I was glad to have that feeling and you will be dearly missed and know I will continue to look after Amy for you. Sonic finished as he winked at Amy making her blush it was then that Saori took the urn.
"Fred you've been as good a boss as you have a friend and I just want to thank you for the honor you have given me in being your shop's owner and rest assuredly I will take good care of your business." Saori finished as Arnold took hold of the urn
"Dad, I'll miss you, even though for so many years you probably hated me for what I did, I'm glad I finally got the chance to tell you the truth, please if you would say hi to Mary for me and let her know that I will always love her may you, Mary and your wife rest forever together in peace." Arnold finished
"Amy it's time." Arnold giving the urn back to Amy as she nodded
"Rest In Peace Fred Rose, Sayonara Baba." Amy stated as she placed the urn in the shrine and blew out the candles that surrounded it.
It wasn't long before everyone left the site and shortly after packed their bags, boarded their planes and soon were headed back to America as they bid their final farewells to Saori and the others but not before Saori promising she would come and visit Amy as sooshen as got a break from school.
(Yeah I know that was sad that Amy's grandpa had to die so soon in the story but there is more happiness to come including a little something special for my OC keep reading and reviewing and you might just see some interesting stuff.)