The Hospice Opening Part I
The summer of 2026 had been passing quickly for all of them, and for no one more than little Wes, for whom the start of the new school year was approaching with rapidity. Before that happened though, there was an event that would have all of the Dalton alumni converging on the school once more, an unusual occurrence in any year. The timing could not have been better, and it was almost as if it had been planned that all of the necessary work to ready the hospice for its patients would be completed and the official opening carried out just days before the school year commenced.
Of course, the first patients had already moved in before the big ceremony, their need greater than anything else. The staff had been there for a week prior to that, ensuring that everything that they would need was in place and working correctly, so that those that would be spending their final days in the facility could be comfortable as their final days approached. In charge of the facility on the medical side was the one man that all those involved in the appointment felt was worthy of the job, Dr Hayden McLeod. He had of course tended to Seth in his final weeks, and that had inspired him to further expand his skills in end of life, palliative care.
In doing so, he was not motivated by financial gain, unlike so many that were now in the medical profession, and thus, when the panel appointed by the various organisations that represented those with long term terminal illnesses had been charged with find a medical director for the new facility, he had been sent a letter asking him to apply for the post. He had been taken aback, not feeling old enough or best qualified for such a role, but he had been informed that it was his people skills, as well as his medical qualifications, that made him ideal for the role. Then they had pointed out that it was a residential post, and as part of the job, he would be allocated a small house in the grounds. That appealed to him, as he was finding it hard to find a suitable home on the salary that he earned as a young, philanthropic medic…
The hospital in which he had been working was also understanding when he informed them that he would be leaving. He knew that had he been working in the other major hospital in Columbus, under the jurisdiction of Thad's father, there would have been an issue. His current employer was broadly supportive of the hospice, and had already stated it would refer patients there without hesitation. It was no surprise that the first patients to arrive at the hospice in Dalton's shadow had come from that institution's casebook.
All but one of them was older, and the young lady in her mid twenties that was the exception had a very positive outlook, just as Seth had done. She was the first to arrive, and was delighted with what they termed her studio, located on the first floor with a view over the river below, running through the lush, green gardens. It was in complete contrast to the sterile hospital room that she had spent the last few months in. her positivity only increased when she realised that she had gained back some of the independence that she had been denied in the hospital. Her parents brought in some of her personal items from home, and noticed at once how much more cheerful her demeanour was, and how her smile was now natural, and not painted on as it had been, there only to save their feelings…
Hayden had been there too on that day, there to explain the regime and the philosophy behind the place, and to introduce her to the nurse and care assistant that would be in contact with her most on a daytime basis; he had identified the concept of a main pair of carers as an essential in his interview for the post, and it had been implemented without hesitation. Taking him aside, the young lady's mother had said, "When I see all of this five star treatment, and think that all of it is free, I marvel at it, and wish that this was how the whole health treatment system in this country should be."
Hayden had smiled, and replied, "Those that were behind the building of this place all believe that money should never be an obstacle when it comes to the standard of care a patient deserves. They came together to have this hospice constructed after one of their own passed away in his twenties from complications related to his condition, MND. They had realised that he had a safety net through them, but so many other people do not, and suffer as a result. Our aim here is to be a home, and not a hospital. We are homely, dignified, and most importantly of all, safe…"
The official opening was scheduled for a Saturday, and the guest list was full of the great and good. The Vice President and her husband would be the ones that would conduct the actual unveiling of the plaque with the name and date, and then give a speech that Trent had written, one that he regarded as his most heartfelt to date. He had entered into it memories of the young man that had brought it all about, plus the words that the President himself had said about the need to improve the nation's healthcare. However, there was one thing about it that made Trent feel uneasy, and that was he had been asked to include words that would affect one of his bird brothers personally, and keep them to himself. He did not like to do such things, particularly when he was in regular contact with them…
Burt and Carole would be there too, of course, along with the whole spectrum of dignitaries that represented Westerville; that included Sue Sylvester, as the local member of Congress. Isabelle would be there too, not just representing the magazine, but coming for herself as well, as someone that had known Seth. True, there would be an article in the magazine, but that was incidental. She had not seen the building at all during its construction, just seen photos and been told things by her brother-in-law, so she would be given a full tour. She wanted to write about it as she wanted the nation to see how end of life care could, and should be done. If she could inspire others to fund raise and build something similar in their own community, then so much the better.
Finally of course, the Carmichaels would be there, along with that group of Warblers that had been closest to Seth and had done so much to bring the place into being. They would witness the dedication of the living memorial to their friend, and also be able to thank the man that had made it a reality in more ways than one; Seth's best friend, and the architect of it all, Skylar…
Many of those that would be present that day would, of course, not be able to see a group of invited guests that were to the Warblers present perhaps the most important of all, outranking even the politicians in their view. It was expected of course that Seth would be there, but his whole angelic family would be joining him. The youngest of all of them, he had grown in confidence and stature in his angelic role, and was now able to breeze through all of the administrative tasks that Wes set for him with as much ease as the former Head Warbler himself had shown when he had occupied the same role for Elizabeth Hummel. Seth still undertook collections as well, often involving young people that had suffered from conditions that were as debilitating as his own had been. That allowed him to talk to them from a position of knowledge, a great advantage. Although he was as yet unaware of it, Wes had decided for that reason that Seth would be the standby angel to perform the majority of the collections from the hospice…
Seth had mixed feelings about the day ahead, as he had never been one to enjoy excessive fuss being made. He had spotted his portrait in the lobby, and he was sure too that his story would be made familiar to all of the patients in the facility; he had a feeling that he would be chosen for collections from the building in many cases, a person that they could recognise when the time came. However, he had never wanted such fame, and he actually didn't feel all that comfortable with the idea that his name would be known for decades to come.
He also recognised though that had it not been for him, and his life story, there would be no hospice on the site, and well, who could not be a little but proud of being the inspiration for such a noble cause? Thus he had left the others behind and come to walk around the place in the half light of dawn, strolling the corridors as diligently as a night nurse. He smiled when he saw that there was a picture of Skylar on prominent display in the lobby as well, and he wished it could remain there. He might have been the one to inspire the idea, but it was Skylar that had made it as beautiful as it was…
The young architect would be the first of the living guests that would enter the premises that morning, arriving just as the clock reached 7am. He intended to carry out a last minute inspection of his own of what his boss was now calling his crowning achievement. That had come after he and three of the other senior partners had undertaken a tour with him at the start of the week, when Skylar had found himself drowning in their fulsome praise. His boss would be attending the ceremony later on, and had indicated that he would like to speak, which seemed like a strange request to the younger man. He had spoken to the organisers, and they had made space in the schedule. In the office, he had heard whispers during the week, mentions being made of his name and a partnership in the same breath, but he had dismissed that idea, as he was much too young…
Satisfied that all in the building was in a pristine condition for the expected crowds, Skylar then headed out into the gardens that he had insisted upon and indeed partly designed. It had been his idea to have mature shrubs and trees had been transplanted in, to give it a look of permanence at once; his idea that tall hedgerows be built to shelter quiet spots, all with excellent views of the landscape as a result of the terraced nature of the gardens on the sloping site. It would give people privacy and solitude, something that they might well crave.
He found one of those spots himself now and sat down on a sunlit bench, closing his eyes as he felt the warmth of the morning sun. His head was suddenly filled with memories of sitting on another bench, in the forest, with the friend that all of this was for. It had been more than two years now since he had arrived home on what had been just an ordinary day to find himself confronted with a heartbreaking scene; a scene that he still saw from time to time in his dreams, the sound of drumming now one that made his heart beat faster, and had him worried… He became aware that someone had sat down at his side, and he knew instinctively who it was. He smiled, his eyes still closed, and said, "I didn't feel a draught."
Seth chuckled, and said, "That is because I have been here for a while, just exploring it all. It is absolutely magnificent, Sky. You've done me, and yourself for that matter, proud. You deserve all of the plaudits and rewards that will be heading your way!" On hearing those words, Skylar smiled, and wondered if all of those whispers might actually be true after all; Seth's words certainly seemed to imply it….
As the architect and his angelic best friend sat in companionable silence in the sun, the current Head Warbler was taking his breakfast in the company of his equally angelic husband not far away. Thad had been woken up to find his apartment smelling of cinnamon toast, and he had clambered out of bed to find Wes preparing it in the kitchen, using a sweet brioche bread to make his husband's guilty pleasure. Thad had come to stand behind the angel, and had wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling into the taller man's neck, kissing him and eventually making Wes laugh…
"I could get used to you doing that, my little one, but for now, I need to keep an eye on the toast to make sure it does not burn. I have already brewed the coffee, so much as I love having you behind me, maybe you could go and pour us both a cup?"
"Of course, my love," replied Thad, checking the clock as he spoke, "but I think that after our breakfast we will have at least half an hour for snuggling time…"
"I planned it that way; I look forward to them as much as you do. Now scoot, or that time will be curtailed by us extinguishing burning toast, and then having to start afresh on a new batch…"
With breakfast over and enjoyed, and all talk of practical things about that day done, Wes allowed himself to be steered over to the couch, where they wrapped their arms around each other, both taking joy from the company of the man they loved. Eventually though, after a good twenty minutes, Thad spoke out. "There is a part of me that is wondering if we did the right thing with the name, Wessie. I'm beginning to think that maybe we should have asked him if he would have any objection to it…"
"It is the most apt name, and hints at the strong bond that lead to the creation of the facility in the first place. I am sure that it will all be fine, and will just be accepted, one of the many important moments today…" answered Wes, who then glanced at the clock and sighed. "Speaking of which, it is time for you to go and get yourself ready. Whilst you are doing that, I am going to pop round and check on some of the others. I need to make sure that everyone knows exactly what they need to do…"
Skylar had been sitting on the quiet bench in the gardens for almost an hour, with Seth at his side, when the silence was broken by approaching footsteps. The two of them looked up at the same time, and saw Julia coming round the corner, with the now toddling namesake of the angel before her walking alongside her. She had known that the promise that her husband had made to her as he left that morning that his visit to the hospice would be quick would in all likelihood be broken, so as well as their son, she had brought his best suit, shirt and tie with her as well, leaving them inside. There would be no time now for him to get home and change, and then return before the first of the invited guests would arrive on the scene.
"I'm sorry to have interrupted your reverie, but I think that both of you have lost track of time somewhat. I can see how that could have happened, as this spot is particularly beautiful. However, the fact remains that the first of the invited dignitaries will be arriving here in just a few minutes over an hour…"
"In just over…" began Skylar, then he glanced at his watch, colour draining from his face and panic taking over as he leapt to his feet. "I'll never be ready for them in time! I shouldn't have sat down, that was my mistake, but I swear that I only meant to do so for a few minutes…."
"Calm down, it is all in hand. Hayden has already given me the keys to one of the empty rooms, so you can go there to shower and shave. I have also brought the clothes that you already looked out with me, and hung them up in the same room with all of your shaving kit there too. I only need to polish up your shoes, and all will be well." she proceeded to hand her husband the keys in question, and with only a glance at the number, he was off. "So, how are you feeling about all of this, now the big day is upon us?" she said, addressing the angel that was now making faces at the child that was giggling beside her.
Seth half smiled, and replied, "Mixed feelings if I am honest. It is nice to know that what happened to me created all of this, but there is a part of me that doesn't feel I deserve it, and another part of me that is half expecting my parents to show up…"
"They wouldn't dare, surely!"
"Well, given that Hillary and Barnaby will be here, back in Ohio for the first time since the court case, I would not put it past them to come and try and ruin things. The only positive is that with all of the dignitaries here, the security guards will not stand for them behaving as badly as they could…"
Julia nodded, then said, "Nor would any of your closest friends. All of this came out of their love for you, and they would not allow those awful people to taint it for one instant…"
The official opening was scheduled for 11.30am, but an hour before that the rows of seats that had been set up in what would be the parking lot at the left side of the entrance to the building had begun to be occupied. The first to arrive, alongside the Carmichaels, was Thad. He like Seth had a slight niggling concern in the back of his head, and again it was about his parents, but in his case the person that he was worried might be the subject of the attack was Hayden. The patriarch of the Harwood family, the self important Dr Rufus Harwood, had never had time for Hayden, the childhood best friend of his eldest son, Dr Rufus Harwood Junior, and had been expressing doubts about the suitability of the young man for his role at the hospice since it was announced…
The initial worry when Thad had heard this was the fact that his father, and indeed his mother, had a degree of influence over the committee that licensed medical facilities in the state of Ohio, and they needed the approval of that group to even open the hospice to patients. That had been secured, but if his father decided to level a complaint at this moment, then it could be withdrawn in a heartbeat. Thad had decided not to share his concerns with anyone but Wes, but from the way that the Carmichaels had been acting, he was certain that they might know all about what was surely an irrational fear….
They joined him now on a tour of the building, impressed by all that they saw on the quick guided walk. They did not need to be told who had created the main mural that decorated the wall in the reception hall, Jeff's hand and style being immediately obvious to all of them. It was therefore with a great pride in all of their former students that the older couple had settled in their seats. In a prominent spot, and first there, they soon began to hold court with all of those that arrived after them. Nobody could resent them for doing so, the couple well known and liked in local society. In them was embodied so much of the ethos that made Dalton the respected establishment that it was…
Skylar had by then changed into his best suit, and having checked his appearance in the mirror, ensuring that his hair was neatly combed and lightly gelled in place, he had come to meet people as they arrived. Each guest had to be greeted, and none more so than the dignitaries. The first to arrive was the mayor of Westerville; he had brought his own photographer, given that there was an election looming in the not to distant future. Skylar recalled however that when the hospice had first been proposed, he had opposed it, only for that to turn to effusive support when he realised that most of the local residents actually were in favour of it… His hypocrisy, and the need to press the flesh now make Skylar feel nauseous, and he was relieved when he heard a strident voice inform the Mayor that he needed to remove himself at once…
Skylar had never been so grateful to see someone in his life as he was to see Sue Sylvester at that moment, but then he noticed that she was smiling warmly at him, and that was disconcerting to say the least. Then he recalled what Kurt had told them all a long time ago, about her sister, and all that had happened to her, and he guessed that was one of the main reasons that she had been supportive of the construction of the facility in what was her congressional seat…
"I am sure that you are busy right now, but I would appreciate it if you could tear yourself away from the arriving nobodies and give me a guided tour," said the congresswoman then, and Skylar quickly realised that it was not actually a request, but an order that he daren't contradict…
"I would be more than happy to oblige you with a tour, if you would permit me, ma'am," said a voice from behind him, and Skylar sighed inwardly, glad that Hayden had been in the right place at the right time to save him.
Sue regarded them both for a moment, then remarked, "Well, the medical head of the facility probably does trump architect in the stakes, so I am at your mercy, Dr McLeod." With a curt nod to Skylar, she and Hayden headed off. As they did, Skylar noticed that Kurt had appeared and was now trailing behind them, and he knew why; only her precious porcelain had any hope of being able to moderate the worst of her behaviour…
Sue had finished her tour and returned to take her seat by the time that the most important of the invited guests arrived, having been proceeded just a few minutes earlier by Burt and Carole. The arrival of the Obamas did not make Skylar nervous in itself; it was the fact that it marked that the big moment had come that had him slightly panicked. Trent had appeared with the couple though, and he gave his young friend the reassuring nod that he needed to make him feel ready for what was coming next. Julia, who had been talking to Carole, was suddenly coming over to stand at his side, and then Hayden was standing on his other side as well. The fact that the normally calm doctor seemed nervous made Skylar feel a little better, much to his shame… He glanced then into the crowd of people that had gathered, and saw his friends, his bosses, his parents - and of course, he saw a group of angels, the newest of them smiling broadly at him.
"He is rooting for you," his wife whispered in his ear, seeing them too. "He is ready for this moment, the moment that is as much his as yours. This building is the physical memorial to him, a place that will stand the test of time. His parents, once so powerful, will not be recalled, but he, the son they rejected, will be. The care that will be provided here will be as good as the care he was shown by all of you, and I think that is exactly what he would wish to happen…"
She fell silent as the secret service agents were now in evidence, checking everything as the Vice President and her husband made their way over from the motorcade. The crowd had risen to their feet, and stood in silence as they made their way down the path to the main entrance. After greeting Burt and Carole, the former introduced them firstly to Hayden, as the chief medic of the facility, and then to Skylar himself, the architect.
"I have to admit that we were given regular updates on this facility from Mr Nixon, and I can safely say that the design concept you had for this hospice is wonderful. So many of our medical buildings in this country look austere, cold and unwelcoming; dull, impersonal concrete boxes that are designed for function only. This looks like a home, or a grand hotel, and despite its age, it looks as if it has been here forever. It is a credit to you, and the love that you had for the young man that inspired its construction," the Vice President said.
Skylar nodded, and then, remembering himself, replied, "I hope that is indeed the impression that people will take away; that it is somewhere to live, not a place to die. A place filled with love and hope, not despair." He then introduced Julia to the couple, and with that done, he and Hayden proceeded to guide the couple inside to give them the guided tour, first of the state of the art medical facilities, and then around one of the unoccupied rooms, of which they expected to have only a few empty in a couple of weeks time…
With the small party inside, the alumni proceeded to flock around Thad, anxious to hear that everything was in place for the big reveal that was soon to come. "The plaque inside was installed last night and was instantly covered up again; that cover was placed so firmly that their was no way that anyone could be tempted to lift it up to take a peek, not even an architect obsessed with perfection. Hayden also saw to it that all of the headed notepaper has so far been kept in the locked medical records cabinets, which there is obviously no way for Skylar to access. He has no way of knowing what is about to come," he said to his attentive audience.
There were nods all round, but then someone spoke quietly, someone who shared the doubts that had started to cloud Thad's mind, much to the Head Warbler's relief. "Let us just hope that his reaction is the positive one that we all anticipate," Sebastian said in little more than a whisper. "The truth is that I have been thinking too much, and well, what if he was so set on the name that he finds what we have done upsetting? Maybe we should have consulted him on our choice here. Skylar is a very private person, and more importantly, all of this, all that he did, it was about Seth, not him at all…"
"I'm sure he will be okay with it," responded Colin, "and if he isn't, then I will have a chat with him. We were always close, being in the same year group, and grew even closer when Seth was in New York our senior year. If he is going to blow up on one of us, and having a falling out, it is best that it is with me, given that I am not in the vicinity all the time, unlike you and Sebastian, Thad."
"I will come with you if it does come to that," Edward said, smiling at his husband, "but in all honesty, I don't see him reacting that way."
A whisper ran through the crowd then, and they all made their way back to their seats without expressing any more of their doubts, doubts which like a contagion had now started to seed in more minds than those of the Head Warbler and Sebastian. They were in place when the short official ceremony began. Hayden stood up on the dais and welcomed all of them, before he gave a brief speech about the ethos of the facility and the thinking behind it all. He then thanked all of those that had donated to the fund to make the vision a reality.
"Without all of you, friends of Seth Kennedy, family of those suffering as he did, and those that run the charitable foundations that show the best of the philanthropy that still exists in society, this building would not exist. It would remain on paper. That it is here and looks so beautiful is, of course, down to the talented and artistic vision of Skylar Willetts, our architect and Seth's best friend. Now, at this juncture, I have been asked to allow another person to speak briefly…"
At that, the senior partner in the firm that Skylar worked for stood up, and began to sing the praises of his young employee, something that received well earned applause. "This building is, it is hoped, to be the first of many such facilities, and that is why we have come to the conclusion that we as a firm, in recognition of what he has achieved here, and what he will go on to achieve in the designs of many more of these buildings in the future, need to make a gesture to him. For that reason, the board has unanimously agreed to make Mr Willetts a full partner in the firm…."
The news was greeted with loud applause, a shocked Skylar taking a few moments to respond and rise up on his feet to shake the man's hand, thanking him for the promotion…
Then all eyes turned to the Vice President. She smiled, congratulated Skylar, and then made the short speech that Trent had written for her. That done, she walked over to the covered sign at the entrance door, and said, "It is with the greatest of honour that I officially declare that this facility is now open to serve the people that need it most. I give you the Kennedy-Willetts Hospice," as she unveiled the sign…
