Ok first off a huge hi, welcome and thankyou to Ida (IxHeartxMaj) for taking the time to read the ENTIRE story to date, and review! Don't worry – your English was awesome!! And also to Suzanne Longbranch – Welcome aboard!
Here is chapter 28. A chapter I like to call 'the rollercoaster'. It was seriously SO draining and emotional to write! I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you for all the reviews on the last chapter!
PS. Welcome back to live fan-fiction Em!!!
PPS. A huge thankyou to Fio at ZF for her help with translating Maria's lullaby into spanish for me!
Chapter 28
A piercing scream shattered the early morning silence in the Montez household, causing Maria to knock her coffee over as she flew up the stairs and into her daughter's bedroom.
"Gabi? Oh baby, what's wrong?" she asked fretfully, finding Gabriella sitting up in her bed, crying hysterically.
"Mom! Mom, you're here..." Gabriella cried, reaching for her mother, and running her hands over Maria's face. "You and Troy...Taylor...Chad...all of my friends...you were there, but then you were all slipping away from me, and I couldn't reach you – I tried calling out to you and running and pulling you back but I lost you all and I was all alone..."
"Shhh honey, it was just a bad dream. Just a dream. I'm here now, everything will be ok," she hushed as she comforted her distraught daughter. Humming a gentle tune, she pulled Gabriella's head into her chest and began to sing softly.
Calla pequeño bebe, no hay necesidad de llorar
Mama esta contigo, estoy muy cerca de ti
Siempre estare aqui y te consolare cuando
Necesites a tu madre o cuando necesites a un amigo
Y estare aqui para amarte una y otra vez
Estare aqui para amarte una y otra vez...
-:-
Hush little baby, there's no need to cry
Mommy is with you, I'm very close by.
I'll always be here and comfort you when
You need your mommy or you need a friend
And I'll be here to love you again and again,
I'll be here to love you again and again...
The sweet lullaby had always calmed Gabriella as a tiny baby and now worked that same magic, as Gabriella's tears slowed and eventually subsided to the occasional sniffle.
"You know you can talk about it, Gabi," Maria said gently.
"I know," Gabriella replied softly. "I will, just...just not yet."
Maria nodded and kissed her forehead. "I know how hard it is baby. When you're ready...you know you can always come to me about anything..."
"I know. I love you, Momma."
"I love you too Gabi. More than anything in the world."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
"So – in summary – someone like...say...Jerry Siegel ...paints a very different picture of a 'hero' than someone like Erik Siemers who writes for the Albuquerque Tribune. Siegel's Spiderman might save the world with his heroic super-human powers, whilst the fire fighter Siemers writes about saved 20 young men and women from a burning apartment building last week. By definition, the actions of both Superman and that brave fire fighter may be deemed heroic, gaining both of them 'hero' status. However, the two are so different – this must demonstrate to us that there is more than one point of view about what the true definition of a hero is. What I want to find out is what your definition of a hero is. After considering all the examples we have looked at from various pieces of literature and media items – what do you think defines a hero? That is the question this assignment I am about to hand out is based on. The class will be split into four groups of 8. Each group will be required to work together to come up with their own definition, which will then be presented to the class. I will be looking for solid reasons for why you chose the definitions you present, so you will need to come up with a convincing argument. Now, if there are no questions, I am going to ask you to select your group members right away, and move to sit with them. You have the rest of the lesson to begin planning your presentations."
Troy looked around at his friends and found them already migrating closer together than they were already seated. It was by some miraculous stroke of luck that this was the one class the whole gang had together, and eight was the perfect number for a group assignment, with Gabriella on home-school at the moment.
"Ok, guys so...err...what are we gonna base our presentation on?" Jason asked vacantly.
Taylor, ever the organised one, chipped in her thoughts. "Why don't we start off by brainstorming a list of all the qualities we think someone must have to be considered a hero, then we can formulate our definition and argument from there?"
"Good idea, Taylor," Kelsi nodded, and Taylor shrugged and grinned proudly.
"Ok," said Sharpay, pulling a sparkly pink pen from her purse. "I'll scribe since I have the neatest penmanship by far. What first?"
The gang tossed around suggestions for the next ten minutes, before sitting back and reviewing their mind-map.
"Ok, so far we have come up with: courage, bravery, strength, sacrifice, determination, focus and perseverance," Sharpay read out. "Anything else that we need to add?"
"What about fortitude?" Taylor suggested, only to be met with seven blank stares. She rolled her eyes."Fortitude – the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit," she recited.
"Oooooh," the gang replied in-sync. "Yeah, write that, Shar!"
"Ok, courage, bravery, strength, sacrifice, determination, focus, perseverance and fortitude...who or what are we going to write about that encompasses all of those qualities?"
"Who or what..." Troy repeated slowly, before looking up. The gang could just about see the idea light bulb flick on in his head. "Sharpay...you're a genius!"
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
"Ok, I've got chocolate, peanut butter crackers, Reese's Pieces, caramel popcorn and gummy bears. Oh, and Goldfish Crackers. All of your favourites!" Lucille Bolton grinned proudly.
"And we have a freezer full of ice cream," Maria chipped in with a wink.
"And I bought over Centre Stage, Just Like Heaven, The Holiday and Moulin Rouge! – all the sappy chick flicks we can enjoy without Troy moaning about us making him watch girly movies. Although - just quietly - he secretly loves them."
Gabriella smiled at the older ladies' thoughtfulness. "You two...you're...I couldn't ask for more loving, caring or thoughtful women to be looking after me right now. Thank you for going to so much effort to make me happy...I love you both so much."
Lucille set down the basket of goodies she had put together and wrapped her arms around the frail young woman who had captured her son's heart. "Love you too, honey. You know, I reckon I'm one of the luckiest mom's in the world – I have a pretty great son and I've been given the opportunity to share a loving, incredibly talented and not to mention gorgeous young woman with her equally as amazing Mom."
"You know what; I feel the exact same way!" Maria said incredulously. "I have a wonderful daughter who just amazes me every single day, and I get to share a generous, compassionate and gifted young man with his mother who has been a constant support network for me.
Gabriella laughed. "Don't go all sappy on me just yet you pair – we've got these for that," she gestured to the stack of DVD's.
"It's so good to see you smiling, my angel," Maria told her sincerely, stroking her cheek.
Gabriella hugged her. "Thank you, Mom – for everything," she whispered in her ear.
"Ok Missy – let's get this girls-day-in underway, shall we?" Lucille said brightly, picking up the basket of goodies and the DVD's.
"I'll grab some ice-cream," Maria laughed. "And Gabriella is going to try and eat some of these yuuuummy calorie filled deliiiicious snacks, aren't you Gabi?"
Lucille sighed, wrapping an arm around Gabriella as they made their way into the lounge room. "I'm going to the wrong doctor. I wish Dr Frankston would give me permission to eat all the junk food I could. Instead, I get stuck with the guy who constantly tells me 'Remember Mrs Bolton – chocolate is an 'occasionally' food'...he's just no fun at all."
HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM
Saturday the weatherman predicted rain. At nine in the morning, the sky was filled with dark thunder clouds. By ten, bright rays of sunshine were streaming through a chink in the black sky, and by ten thirty the clouds had completely disappeared.
Gabriella leaned against the railing on her balcony and smiled sadly as she looked up at the now clear sky.
"I should have known you wouldn't have let it rain on your parade, Kenz. You know, your Mom has asked me for a favour today. I hope I can do you and your family proud."
After watching the sun glisten on the moist leaves of the tree beside her for a moment, contemplating the day ahead, Gabriella returned to her bedroom and opened her wardrobe, sighing softly as she pulled out the simple lemon coloured dress, three-quarter black tights, and long black cardigan her mother had hung in there ready for Mackenzie's funeral today.
Lillian and Peter – Mackenzie's father – had requested that all funeral guests where at least one item of coloured clothing in celebration of their daughter's vibrant personality. Gabriella knew that it is exactly what her friend would have wanted.
Securing a headscarf in a matching shade of lemon yellow to her dress over her head, Gabriella slipped on a pair of black ballet flats and made her way down to the kitchen where her mother was waiting for her.
"Ready honey?"
"If you mean in the sense that I'm dressed and ready then yes...otherwise – no, not at all."
Gabriella was scared. She had only ever been to one other funeral that she could remember, and that was her father's. Her grandparents had died when she was younger but her parents had thought it best for her not to attend their funerals. She smoothed her dress nervously before grabbing a few handfuls of tissues and stuffing them into her purse.
"Ok, let's do this before I climb back into bed and sleep until it's all over."
Maria wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the side of her head. "Be strong, my baby girl. It will be ok."
By the time the actual funeral service started, so many people had turned up that the minister had to organise for speakers to be hooked up outside the church, so that those who could not fit in the church could hear the order of the service from their standing-only spots in the car park.
Gabriella looked around the congregation and couldn't help but feel proud that so many people loved Mackenzie. However as her eyes returned to the front of the church and fell upon the small coffin - covered in beautiful pink and white lilies – she felt a shiver run down her spine. She just couldn't fathom the thought that her friend was inside that box. It didn't help that a dark voice in the back of her head was telling her that could be her in there.
Suddenly the air felt thick and Gabriella gasped as she fought for a breath of air. She felt her mother squeeze her hand and soon her breathing returned to normal.
"You ok sweetheart?"
Gabriella nodded. "It's just a little overwhelming, that's all."
"Just remember to take deep breaths and if you need to go outside for some air you let me know, ok?"
Gabriella nodded as she turned her attention to an embroidered banner above the altar, and began counting the stars in the border as a distraction.
Maria and Gabriella were soon joined in their pew by Peyton and her parents, Savannah's mother Kathryn, Cody and his parents Eliza and Markus, Dr Zamitt, and several of the Oncology nurses. Before too long, the service began. Gabriella could feel herself growing more and more emotional as the opening hymn came to a close and the minister began to talk, however she held it together reasonably well until Mackenzie's father, Peter, stood to deliver the eulogy.
"Three months shy of eighteen years ago, God sent a beautiful ray of sunshine to grace the lives of myself, my wife Lillian and our son Fletcher. Mackenzie Louise Ross may have only spent a short amount of time on this earth, but her life was filled with amazing achievements as she showed the world the true meaning of the words courage and determination. Her middle name – Louise – means 'famous warrior' and our Kenzi-Lou certainly lived up to her name in every aspect of her life, particularly throughout the past 5 years as she battled cancer with such strength and dignity that one could not meet her without being touched deeply.
I still remember that April day where I met my beautiful daughter for the first time. I felt like it was my duty to protect her from the world, to keep her safe from harm. 13 years later we learnt that there is always something a parent cannot shelter their child from, as we were thrown into the world of cancer. Mackenzie handled her diagnosis like a true warrior – telling everyone that things would be ok and insisting that life go on as normal. After completing her treatment and spending some time enjoying the off-treatment life, Mackenzie's relapse came as a blow to our entire family. Once again, Kenz was our strength, our saving grace, our warrior princess. She held it together better than any of us could and immediately switched into survival mode – determined to fight back at that damned cancer with everything that she had.
As we know, her body grew tired of the fight, and our precious daughter is now dancing free amongst the angels in heaven. Instead of walking her down the aisle at her wedding – as I dreamed about so many times when she was growing up – I am escorting her to her final resting place. But grieve not – for while Mackenzie may not be with us in person, her spirit will live on in all of you here today. The lessons she taught throughout her short life will remain with everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting her. She will never be forgotten.
I will now close with a short poem I came across last night which I thought was the perfect tribute to my daughter.
God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be
So He put His arms around her, and whispered 'come with me,'
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now rest,
God broke our hearts to prove to us...
HE ONLY TAKES THE BEST!
Mackenzie, our angel – we love you with all our hearts and you will never be forgotten. Daddy, Mommy and your brother Fletcher miss you more than words can say, but we will never let you be forgotten. We will continue to raise money for cancer research so that one day, a cure WILL be found.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you on behalf of the Ross family, for taking the time to honour our daughter today, and giving her the send off she deserved. Thank you for loving her as much as we do."
There was not a dry eye in the house as Peter Ross stepped down from the microphone. Gabriella quickly wiped her eyes and struggled to regulate her breathing once more as she knew the time was drawing near for her to fulfil a final promise to the Ross family.
Maria gave her hand another reassuring squeeze as the minister announced her name. She stood shakily, breathing deeply as she made her way to the microphone, followed by 6 pall-bearers, including Peter, who stopped at Mackenzie's coffin and lifted it onto their shoulders.
The first strains of piano music washed over Gabriella as she drew one more deep breath, closed her eyes and began to sing.
"When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
-:-
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be...
-:-
You raise me up... To more than I can be..."
Gabriella's last note hung in the air, her tribute to her friend an inspiration which had the congregation in tears once more. Mackenzie made her final journey from the church to the gardens of Rosario Cemetery, Santa Fe, and it was here that Gabriella clung to her mother's side, crying openly as she watched the coffin disappear into the ground.
"I am so proud of you, my baby," she whispered. "I bet Mackenzie is too. She would have loved hearing you sing for her."
At that moment, a beautiful emperor butterfly landed right on Gabriella's hand. Gabriella stared in amazement as the graceful creature lingered for a moment, fluttering its colourful wings gently, before taking off once more, and flying high into the sky.
Gabriella suddenly smiled properly for the first time since that morning.
"Oh, she heard me. And yes - she's proud."
-sniff-
Ok, so I need to aplogise because I just realised there was NOT ONE TROYELLA SCENE in that chapter. It kinda needed to pan out that way, though. The next chapter is full of teeth-rotting Troyella sweetness, though, so hopefully that makes up for it! The song used in this chapter was 'You Raise Me Up". I have the Westlife version on my iPod, but it has been covered by about 7479303008985 people.
Next up: The Wildcat's define a hero.
Stay tuned, and review, review, review :D
Charli xox
FUN FACTS:
The Albuquerque Tribune is a real newspaper in Albuquerque. Erik Siemers is a real person who writes for the paper. Rosario Cemetery is a real cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Google is my friend.
