Cara lay in her hospital bed, listening to all the beeps and buzzes going on all around her. Her mind was still in a blur about yesterday's events…oh my God…that was really all just one day! She stared blankly up at the ceiling, trying to clear her head and think of something new, but it was pretty damn hard to do. The door opened, and in walked Abigail with a huge bouquet of roses in a glass vase.
"These are from the boys," said Abigail, placing the roses on the bedside table. "They're all outside. Peter's still in his room though."
"How is he?" asked Cara.
"He's fine," said Abigail, sitting at the foot of Cara's bed. "Just really sleepy."
"Yeah, same here," said Cara. "Man…I can't believe it…Jeff's actually…dead."
"I can't believe it either," said Abigail. "And I know this is probably horrible to say, I mean, I'm his sister and all, but I'm glad he's gone. There's gonna be a lot less grief in our lives now."
"Yeah," said Cara. "I mean…I'm free."
"And Peter's got gonna lay a hand on you unless…well…you know," said Abigail, giving Cara a wink.
"Yeah, you've got that right," said Cara, smiling. The door opened again, and Mike, Mickey, and Davy stuck their heads in the door.
"Hey, we're just showing someone where you are," said Davy. "We'll be in when they're out, we're gonna go over to Peter for a bit!" The three ducked out of the room, and two more people walked in. There was a redheaded woman with green eyes and horn-rimmed glasses, and a tall dark-haired man with round, dark eyes.
Cara sat up right away. "Mom? Dad?" she asked, appalled.
"Yes dear, it's us!" said Mrs. Lovelace, rushing over to her and grabbing her hand. "Oh, when Abigail told me what happened I didn't know what to think! I was so worried darling, so worried! I know we haven't been there for you a lot since high school but I promise that after this I won't let you out of my sight!"
"Yeah, who knew Jeff was that rotten?" said Mr. Lovelace.
"It's okay guys," said Cara, choked up. "I've managed…I'm just glad you're here now!"
"Oh dear, I would hug you but you're all beat up," said Mrs. Lovelace. "Oh, those boys out there are just darling Cara, I'm so glad you found them!"
"That Peter kid ain't so bad either," said Mr. Lovelace. "You deserve someone who would risk his life for you Cara."
"Peter's perfect," said Cara. "And thank you, I don't think I could ever find a better group of friends…or a better set of parents."
"Oh dear you don't know how much I've wanted to hear you say that," said Mrs. Lovelace.
"So your parents and I were talking about both of us moving back in with them," said Abigail. "We'd get a place close by the boys!"
"Cara, we'd love to have you back in the family again," said Mrs. Lovelace. "Your brother's going to be coming home soon as well, and of course Abigail will be with us. What do you say?"
Cara had to think for a minute. It would be very odd not staying with The Monkees anymore…but to have a real family again, to give her parents a second chance…she was free now, she could make her own decisions and live a normal life, one she never had.
"I'll do that," said Cara.
"Oh, wonderful!" said Mrs. Lovelace. "We actually have a place now!"
"And those boys are welcome anytime," said Mr. Lovelace. "Great group of kids, really!"
"Thanks mom and dad," said Cara. "I love you guys."
"And we love you too sweetie," said Mrs. Lovelace. "Well, it's time for us to go now, the doctor said that you and Peter should be getting out any minute now. We'll meet you at the boys' house!" Cara's parents walked out of the room.
"Abigail," said Cara. "How in the world did you get a hold of them?"
"Easy," said Abigail. "I called!"
"Oh…right," said Cara. That was something she never thought to do. The boys, except for Peter of course, who was in his own room, stopped by for the last few minutes before Cara and Peter were let out. Cara was surprised she was well enough to walk, but as soon as she changed out of her hospital gown, she was up on her feet and walking out to the waiting room where the boys and Abigail were. Peter was there too, along with Bill and Jane, who had to be treated as well.
"So?" asked Mickey. "How was the surprise visit?"
"Very nice," said Cara. "They really do seem to care about me after all."
"Well, they're your parents," said Peter. "They have to love you, it's their job!"
"I guess so," said Cara. "How are you Peter?"
"Never been better," said Peter. He gave her a soft kiss and they sat down next to each other.
"So Cara," said Bill. "Now that this mess is all over and everything, how's about taking your job back at Psychedelic Psycho?"
"Bill, nothing would be better," said Cara. Peter gave her a glance. "Well, except for one thing."
"Oh, it's okay, I understand," said Bill. He wrapped his arm around Jane and kissed her on the cheek.
"So that's happening now?" asked Cara.
"Yeah," said Mike. "Bout time too, it was starting to bug me."
"And now, all's well that ends well ladies and gentlemen!" announced Mickey.
"Oh come on Mickey, it's not over yet!" said Davy. "We still have to get home!"
"Oh, right," said Mickey. "Well, let's head out everyone!" Mike had managed to get The Monkeemobile back thanks to Charles, who had called for a tow truck when he had seen Mike's beloved car still on the side of the road where he left it after it broke down. Mike was overjoyed and thanked Charles to no end. The group got into two separate cars, the boys, Abigail, and Cara in the Monkeemobile and Bill and Jane in Jane's car. The caravan traveled back to The Monkee's pad where Cara's parents were waiting. They waved them down, and the group leapt out of their cars. Cara went aside to talk to her parents, and Peter looked on.
"Hey Pete, how you holding up?" asked Davy.
"Well, I feel better about life," said Peter. "I think Cara's gonna move back in with her parents."
"Well yeah, probably, but she'll be close by," said Davy. "Abigail will be with them and she told me that they've got a place near here."
"Yeah…it'll just be weird with her not here all the time," said Peter.
"I'm sure she'll be here plenty mate," said Davy. "Don't sweat it." Cara came bounding over to Peter after she was done with her parents.
Peter picked her up and twirled her around. He set her down and said, "So how are things with your parents?"
"Well, I'm sure you've heard that Abigail and I are moving in with them," said Cara. "But they said that you and the boys and everyone are welcome any time you want!"
"Oh, that's great!" said Peter.
"And I'll be around here an awful lot," said Cara. "They're gonna have me get my driver's license finally and a car so I can drive back and forth. And Bill gave me my job back at Psychedelic Psycho!"
"That's great Cara," said Peter. The whole group walked inside the house.
"Boy is it good to be back in our own old pad," said Mike, setting down his bags. "Home sweet home!"
"Yeah," said Mickey. "With those good ol' stairs, good ol' kitchen, Mr. Snyder…everything!"
"Yeah, and no one trying to run us out, that's for sure," said Davy.
"Say boys, why don't you play us a song?" asked Cara.
"You know, that ain't such a bad idea," said Mike. The four boys leapt up to the little bandstand they had set up in their house and grabbed their instruments.
"What do you suppose we'll play?" asked Davy.
"How bout that new one you've been working on?" asked Mickey. "What was it? Sleepy Jean or something?"
"Oh, you mean 'Daydream Believer'?" asked Davy. "Nah man, it ain't ready yet!"
"Davy, look at our crowd," said Mike. "I think we have the least discriminating audience out there!" The group looked out to see Cara, Abigail, Bill, Jane, and Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace.
"Yeah Mike, guess you're right," said Davy. "Ya know what? Let's do it. Peter?"
Peter sighed and put his bass down and dragged the keyboards out. Sitting down on the stool and his fingers poised above the keys, he looked and Davy and waited for the signal. Davy nodded and Peter started off with a pretty little piano introduction. Cara had never heard Peter play keys before—it was nice! He was so talented…her parents caught her gazing at him and gave her the all-knowing parent eye. Cara shrugged it off and kept looking; she didn't care—she was happy!
Davy came in with the lead, a pretty little melody with vivid, descriptive lyrics, and Mike with some cheery little guitar fills. The chorus came in, and once it came around enough times, the audience got the idea and sang along. There was clapping, singing, laughing, and dancing. It was like nothing bad ever happened! Cara watched the boys up there having all the fun they could, playing beautifully and enjoying every last note. As soon as the song was done, Peter swooped down from the stage and gave Cara a long, uninterrupted kiss. At that moment Cara knew that she was right where she belonged. She had a man to love who loved her, great friends who would stand by her side for anything, and finally, a family. And she wouldn't trade her new life for the world. Peter broke the kiss and looked into her eyes, and she could tell that he was thinking the same exact thing. This was a brand-new chapter in all of their lives, no one regretted a thing.
THE END
Thanks everyone! Well, it's all over now, but before you shut your computers off, I have some questions about the story to ask you, because, yes, I do care what you think! You can answer these via review or message, whichever you want. Be honest, but also nice, it's possible! Here we are:
What was your favorite part/chapter of the story, and why?
What do you think I could've done better, and why?
Who was your favorite character out of my original ones (so Cara, Abigail, Jane, Bill, Rick, Charles, Alice, or Jeff, etc.) and why?
Did you think I got Mike, Mickey, Davy, and Peter's personalities down well enough?
Overall, what did you really think of the story (plot, characters, writing, themes) and why?
Once again, thanks for reading and sticking to the end! It really means a lot. I'm going to be taking a break to figure out what my next story will be, but I'll be back in some time. And if you have any questions for me…hell, why not? Thanks!