A:\thelastgoodbye.txt Featured Sites100MB free spaceWhat's New Featured Sites100MB free spaceWhat's New THE LAST GOOD-BYE By: Amy Hanna (AnnieO) Edited by Sharon Blank (Trivia) Note: This story takes place ten years after "From This Moment" It was raining, as if the heavens themselves had decided to mourn the loss along with the people arriving at the home. The people arrived dressed in black and their every movement showed the sorrow that they felt. He stood at the window alone except for the small bundle he held in his arms. He stared out, watching them come, not noticing the figures quietly approaching from behind. "Daddy," Nick said softly, "Why are all these people here?" Goose turned and saw his children standing there. He looked at his eight year old son, who said, "Is it because Mom isn't coming home?" Goose looked sadly at his sons and slowly nodded his head in answer. He then motioned for his children to enter the room. He glanced down as the small bundle in his arms stirred and he was rewarded by a flash of her emerald green eyes. He slowly sat in a chair and took in the sight of his four older children. Nick, his eldest, trying hard not to show how he felt, trying to be brave for his younger brothers. The twins, Joseph and Caleb, at seven, were trying hard to understand why. Zach, only five, still did not understand, he just wanted his Mom to come home, and Arhya, his Arhya, she would never even know her mother. He took a calming breath before speaking. "They've come to say good-bye to your mom, Nick." "When's Mommy coming home?" Zach asked. "Zach, Mom's not coming home anymore," Goose said, trying to keep his voice from cracking. "Why? Where did she go?" he asked. Goose looked at his youngest son. Unsure of how to answer his question, he turned away for a moment to get a hold of his emotions before dealing with this question. "It's all her fault." Caleb said. "Whose fault, Caleb?" Goose asked, afraid of the answer. "Arhya's. Mom was fine till she came. Then Mom went away to have her and now Mom's not coming home." Goose took in his son's expression of pain and forced the flash of anger he felt back down. "Caleb, it's no one's fault at all. Some times things happen that you can't stop or change." "Why couldn't she die instead!" Caleb yelled at his father, startling Arhya and causing her to cry. "I didn't want a sister. I want Mom to come home!" he cried as he ran from the room, bumping into Zach Foxx on his way. "Whoa, Caleb, where are you going in such a hurry?" the ranger captain asked as he picked Caleb up from the floor. Goose stood in the doorway of the room, an expression between hurt and anger on his face. "Let go!" Caleb demanded as he struggled in Zach's grip. "Caleb, calm down," Zach said as he tried to hold on to the boy. "I hate her! I hate her!" Caleb screamed as he fought Zach. Eliza came running up the stairs at the sound of Caleb's screams and immediately came to her husband's aid. "Caleb, look at me," she said in an authoritative voice as she forced him to look at her. "I want you to calm down now and listen." "NO! I want my Mom!" he cried, his voice incressing in volume. Goose came over and, handing Arhya to Eliza, took Caleb up in his arms. "I want Mommy to come home, Dad." He cried into Shane's shoulder. Zach and Eliza lead the other children downstairs. Shane waited till Caleb had calmed down before he spoke. "Caleb, I know that you're mad right now, I wish that Mom could be here to, but it's not Arhya's fault. She is not the one to blame, no one is." Caleb sniffled and wiped his tears from his face. "But why did Mommy die?" he asked. "I don't know. Sometimes things happen and people we love have to leave us sooner then we want them too. As long as you remember her, she'll always be with you." Goose said, his eyes filling with tears. "Really?" "Yes," Goose turned as he heard someone approaching, "Yeah, Doc, what is it?" "It's time," Doc said simply, his usually cheerful face sad. Goose nodded and took Caleb's hand in his. "It's time, Caleb, we have to go say goodbye now." Caleb nodded and slowly followed his father. It was a simple service, friends and family all present. Goose thought it strange that the last time he had been in a church was the day that she had promised herself to him forever. Forever turned out to be shorter then he thought. Commander Walsh stood at the podium preparing to speak the eulogy. He looked out at the crowed that had gathered to say goodbye, his eyes misting slightly as he began to speak. "We come today to bid farewell to a friend, mother and colleague. Niko was someone that touched the lives of many people. She was a Ranger, and saved millions of lives with her actions. She was a friend, and touched many of us with her spirit. She was a wife and mother, and we offer her family our greatest sympathys. Shane, Nicholas, Joseph, Caleb, Zach and Arhya, you are in all of our prayers." Commander Walsh steped down as Captain Foxx came up to take the podium. Foxx's voice was rather choked as he spoke. "I have been asked to read from a poem. It's titled "September" I Saw you today Just across the way And the memory sparked like an ember Of warmth and love Holding hands though our gloves As we strolled through the chill of September A kiss and a smile Oh, it's been a while Since the two of use were together Since we could be seen In our own company Come clouds or stormy weather But still I remember The days of September When the two of us were together And I miss you the most Haunting me like a ghost Those memories of September (note: September: Written by: Sharon Blank and used with her permission) Zach stepped down and Goose walked up to the podium. He looked out at the faces before him and cleared his throat before speaking. "Thank you everyone, for being here for my family on this day. I was going to say a few words, but I found that I couldn't write any today. I instead decided to read a poem written to Niko by our children. We try to stop our tears We try to stop our fears We try to stop our pain But we must say goodbye We try to understand We try to see the way We try to stop our tears But we must say goodbye We wish she never left We wish she would have stayed We wish we could stop our tears We wish we didn't have to say goodbye We bow our heads in sadness We bow our heads in prayer We bow our heads and whisper We must say goodbye. Goose went and took his children in hand and followed the casket out the door into the rain, his tears falling freely as he did so. They made slow progress to the burial plot and the pastor began the prayer. "Lord, we ask that you take Niko Gooseman into your kingdom and allow her to continue to watch over her friends and family. May she find peace forever in your care. We commit her body to the ground and pray that you will give her family the strength the overcome their loss, amen." He paused. "At this time I have been asked to request that everyone join in singing "Amazing Grace." Amazing Grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost But now I'm found Was blind but now I see Twas grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed Amazing Grace How sweet the sound That saves a wretch like me I once was lost But now I'm found Was blind but now I see (Amazing Grace: Old hymnal) Goose stared as the casket was slowly lowered into the ground, his children all shedding tears. He felt a part of him die along with Niko that day. His heart felt as if it was missing a part that he could not replace. He walked to the head piece and slowly ran his fingers over it reading the inscription Her Lies Niko Gooseman Wife, Mother, Friend, and Hero She will be missed by all May she find the peace she always wanted "How am I going to do it Niko? How can I raise them? I can't do this by myself." "Daddy," Caleb said as he and his brothers walked up to his father. "We're ready to say it." Goose motioned for Caleb and the others to come over to him, "Just go and say whatever you want." He said to his sons. They nodded and looked at the headstone, "Goodbye, Mom," they each said before turning and walking away, leaving only the memories. The end. ************************** ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Back to AnnieO’s fics Back to Main Fanfic Page Back to Main Page