Carrying on the Torch

Disclaimer: I don't own Good Luck Charlie

A/N:

Chapter 48 (Finally Free)

Nearly four years passed by in her life, it was January 30th, 2028. Charlotte walked her way through the hospital halls with Dee, Regina, Brittany, and finally David. Dee was still with Kevin, the two were planning to go away to college together in the fall. Regina was happily living without her inhaler, Spencer did many a great thing keeping her active and helping her to be healthy, just like a father should, he took care of his daughter. Brittany and Christopher broke up a year ago, but only because his family had to move.

David became a close friend and confidante, helping to support Charlotte along the way, and even teaching her to relax through music. About a year after Alice's wedding, she tried to start dating guys again, but none of them hung around very often. David stayed with her through them all, and she actually started to date him a month ago. Everyone was very supportive of this relationship, and she was actually starting to be truly happy again. For four years she visited Mason on a monthly basis, slowly lowering it to every two months then every three months, it was painful to watch him slip away and know that there was no chance of him ever waking again. Not after all this time.

Though her friends were here for support, she just wanted David to go in with her. When they arrived at his bedside, Charlotte gingerly swept away some of Mason's hair on his forehead. He still looked like he was asleep, even after all these years. His body grew some, but there hadn't been a whole lot of change. Not like her changes. She was taller now, and had cut her hair short, stopping it off right in the middle of her neck. She'd grown a little bit of weight, but wasn't stocky. She also finally got a bit of a tan, rather than being horrendously pale.

David stood behind her, holding his hands at his waist. He had a fuzzy goatee now and hair that reminded her of Leonardo DiCaprio back when he was still young and hot. Of course that was before her time, to be honest.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and slid her fingertips along the top of the blanket, reaching Mason's arm. Her body trembled and her chest ached for him. This would be the last time she visited, but she would never forget him.

"Mason…today my sister would have been thirty-two years old. I don't know the life she would have lived, I don't know where she'd be or if she would be happy, sad, married or single. Maybe she would have been a lawyer, maybe a singer, maybe a doctor…" A tear came from her eyes as she thought of her sister's bright shining smile. She had since put those video diaries in a safe place and wasn't looking at them on a daily basis any longer. She didn't have a whole lot of time anymore. "I do know that where she is now, she is happy. Mom, Dad, and even Gabe. She wouldn't want me to be sad or upset…she would want me to live on."

She thought for a minute that she saw his eyebrows move like wind brushing over them, but she would have been mistaken. David walked behind her and moved a chair towards her. Thanking her, she took a seat and cupped her hands around Mason's left arm. "I'm going to be turning nineteen pretty soon, started college at a local community college, but you knew that. Your Uncle and Aunt are doing well, constantly spending time with PJ and Skyler. It's like…their friendship's been completely renewed. I believe you, and my family, would be proud. Oh god, and speaking of families! Skyler's pregnant, but uh…like father, like son, PJ has a real knack for repeating history. It's their fourth child."

She thought of Tyler, then of her own cousin Jennifer, the two of them were almost inseparable these days. They were eleven now, and closer than ever since her extended family moved closer to Denver. "Tyler and Jennifer follow each other everywhere, who knew having them meet would make them such great friends? It's amazing." Young love, innocence, it seemed now that was blossoming everywhere. "Grandma's about ninety-two now, and still going strong. Can you believe it? It seems Regina's family's getting healthier, and would you believe…all of Regina and Dee's cousins are sort of hooking up?" She chuckled softly and curled her lips into a smile as laugh lines began to show.

"Well I don't mean hooking up like dating, but it's strange. Regina's cousin Quinn is eight now, Dee's cousin Richard's ten, and they're just as inseparable as Jennifer and Tyler. Of course, Wilson Dooley's fourteen now, and Regina's cousin Candice, will not stop following him all over the place." Yes, Dee's entire family was going ballistic over it all too, but at the same time, they were toning it down quite considerably. "You should see the Dooley's now, they're not all snooty and rich. It seems they've all learned something from Dee. You'd be impressed, I know. Did you know she's still dating Kevin? They skipped a year and are going to college now together. I can only imagine what you'd say to them right now if you were still here."

She bowed her head, resting her forehead against his arm and sobbing once. Her heart was no longer breaking, but it still tore her up to say goodbye. She felt David place his hand upon her back and looked up, he was smiling softly, relaxing her. She took a deep breath and swept away the tears in her eyes. "I held on for a long time, I did. I never stopped visiting you, even when I dated briefly. I made sure they knew about you…" A lot of guys dumped her because Mason was in his coma, they didn't want to be with a girl that had that much baggage. "I'm better off without most of those people. David, he's been with me through it all. We met back in 2024, and feelings developed over time…he's never pushed me and he's supported me all this time, for that I'm thankful, and I hope you would approve of him, because I've started dating him."

In that moment, she felt a warmth around her, like someone was hugging her. Her heart swelled and she slowly breathed in, absorbing the emotion. "Mason, whatever you're holding onto in this world…please know…it's okay." Tears streamed her face as she gazed towards his closed eyelids. "I'm going to be fine Mason, I'll move on and I'll let you go…you can rest in peace knowing that I'm okay now." Sniffling, she shook her head and reached for a tissue in her pocket. Her heart pounded with a dull ache, letting go was definitely harder than she had been expecting. "Uncle Emmett and Ivy will be okay, Tyler will be fine, your grandpa will be fine…everyone is moving on, living life to its fullest. You don't have to hold on anymore. Be happy. Emmett, your parents are waiting for you. They've been waiting for four years now…"

She knew where her heart stood and just how she felt towards him now that she thought about it. Just because you lose your first love doesn't mean that you can't love again. No, Mason would hate for her to restrict herself like that. Especially since she had been so young. "Mason…I do love you…I didn't know then, but I know now, and I know…I don't want you to be suffering anymore. They say if you love something, set it free. Well Mason. I'll always cherish your memory, just as I do my family, but like I did with them…I'm setting you free. I won't forget you, or the impact you had on my life…"

She put her hand to his chest and bowed her head, sobbing lightly. After a few seconds, she felt an even warmer presence and slowly lifted her head to see four figures before her. Mason was standing on the other side of his bed, smiling at her, shrouded in a warm golden glow. Behind him on the other side of the room, were his parents. Beside his bed, her sister stood with her hand on his chest. She couldn't tell if she was seeing it or not, if it was real or not, but she understood what it meant.

Mason looked to David with a nod of approval, as if to say for him to take care of her. Next, he nodded for Teddy, who slowly removed her hand from above his heart. With that, he turned and moved towards his parents, being embraced by them.

Her tears began to dry as Gabe, Bob, and Amy appeared, all moving to hug her. They told her they loved her, not with words, but through their minds. With Mason, they said they would always watch over her, always make sure she and her family and friends were safe. Then, Erin appeared among them all, smiling at her and extending her arm. She touched her finger to Charlotte's chest. Charlotte felt a flutter in her heart and smiled as her shot nerves instantly relaxed and her aching heart calmed.

"Be happy Charlotte. Live your life. Tell them all, live and love. Laugh. Remember. Never forget. Above all else: Live."

In an instant, they were gone, and Charlotte quickly shook her head. Remember, she would, forget she would not, and above all else she would live for sure.

Mason's heart monitor ceased it's monotonous beeping and Charlotte's eyes flew towards it. Her heart dropped in an instant as the monitor fell into a flatline. He was gone. She turned to David and moved to his chest, sobbing as he put his hands to her arms and held her close. The girls outside rushed in and held her as the nurses made their way into the room.

She had finally let go.

Hours later, Charlotte turned on the camera and gazed into it, still smiling despite the sadness inside. "Hey baby Teddy. Charlie here…Yeah, I decided to go back to that nickname. It's not so bad." She chuckled softly and let her eyes dip for only a moment. "So Mason…has passed on today. He's no longer in pain, and I…I'll be okay." She smiled and quickly nodded her head. "I have David now. Then there's Dee and Regina, never forget about Brittany. You know I've risen in my martial arts belt too! I'm thinking of maybe studying martial arts in college and becoming an instructor. Think I'd be good at it?"

Skyler sat beside her and put her arm around her shoulders. She was eating a sandwich. Her belly was very large from her sixth month of pregnancy. "I think you'd be great dear, but I thought you wanted to go into Journalism?"

"Oh I do! It's a double major! Anyway…" She looked towards Skyler's belly and sighed, chuckling softly as PJ walked into the room. Little Gabriel Duncan had been born March of 2025, May Duncan was born April 4th 2026, and now 'Andrew' Duncan would be born sometime in the end of April and start of May. She lifted her head and looked to PJ, pointing an index finger at him. "You need to watch yourself!" Skyler stifled a laugh and PJ let out an exhausted sigh.

"Some days I just can't help myself, Charlie. Skyler's just too damn hot." He smirked and started walking off. Shocked and embarrassed, Charlotte slowly looked towards the camera.

"I'll edit that out later." She faced the camera and cleared her throat. "So in the end, everything is okay. We'll all be fine, and…maybe one day you'll be making these things for your siblings, nieces, nephews, or even your own children." With an unflinching gaze, she looked to Skyler, who was now moving from the couch. It was more of a wobble when she walked. Charlotte sighed and closed her eyes. "Until then, you'll have to deal with the crazy antics my sister dealt with, it looks like. A house full of crazy siblings and a dad who can't stop breeding…Heh…Good Luck, Teddy!"

Oh dear lord, like father, like son. Well that's it, the final chapter. A long and great run! Thank you to all of you who followed along! Look out for my next GLC fic coming up called "Tortured Souls", it's going to be a rather tense one with a lot of drama, but you know my stories, I always write to please. Look for it and if you miss, I'll PM you when it's up. It's sad that Torch has now reached its end, but I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.