Chapter 22: Moving on Alone
During the coming days things are tense in the Springs household. Rory has his misgivings, and Sandy has hers, but they try to keep it from affecting Sunny as much as they can.
He, on his end is wrapped up in his own worries. How will he ever find his one and only? Having struck out with Lauryn, he tries with one of the Lothario sisters, Emily, with no luck (especially since the nosy librarian decided to join the conversation).
He tries online but there just is no connection there, also he could be chatting with a 55 year old dude and that's just not his thing. But mostly he's just distracted by the games he can play instead.
In the park he runs into this gorgeous girl from San Sequoia, and she seems to be in a flirty mood, so he gives it a go, but that's a hard pass too. What is he doing wrong?
Meanwhile, Sandy has a space journey planned. She at first goes on an exploratory mission, which works fine and brings her back a strange seed which she gifts to her sister.
Then it's time for the big one. Sandy is so excited as the takes off, a solo mission, chasing a lost aircraft in space. When they find it, they find it in pieces, and Sandy is left trying to figure out what happened. After salvaging what can be salvaged, she returns home, only to end up in the same wortex that tore the other ship apart! Sandy pushes the rocket to the limit, fighting to get lose. She does, but the ship is badly damaged. A controlled landing is out of her hands, and as she close in on earth, it's approach is far too fast for her liking - there is nothing she can do but brace for impact and pray to the Plumbob above as she come smashing into the ground.
In the control room, Rory is watching in horror as his wife crashes to the ground. In a second, all misgivings are wiped from his mind as his heart stop, the fear of losing her removing any remaining doubts he might have had. As he sees the rocket break into pieces he is certain she is dead, and a real dread fills him. One in which she is no longer a part of his life.
At first, he stands frozen, then as he sees a flutter of movement in the wreckage, it's as if he wakes up, and he runs all he can down to the site.
"Don't! It might explode!"
"We need to secure-" but Rory isn't listening. He saw movement, he know he did. As Sandy slowly crawls out of from under the debris, he reaches her and wraps her into his arms. "Don't ever scare me like that again, I cannot live without you!" he whispers in her ear as he holds her close, unwilling to let her go before she whimpers a bit.
"Are you hurt? Let's bring you to the doctor."
"I think that's the best suggestion I've heard all day," Sandy says, happy to allow her husband support her as she links off to the medical area.
Even if it is a bit awkward with seating only for two around the table.
But it's fun to have someone around when mum is busy with the plants or feeding Rosalie.
But for Candice this isn't home, nor can it be. And one morning she announces that she is ready to move out.
"But where?" Willow asks her.
"I found a retirement home, in Oasis Springs. Annie lives there and she told me it's a fantastic place."
"A home? Really?"
"I'll have food, company, medical assistance should I need it, and lots of things to do. And the cold here really isn't for me anymore."
It's clear to Willow that her mother has made up her mind, so there isn't much to do but to agree to take her there.
She calls Sandy, and the two of them escort their mother to her potential new home in Oasis Springs - Yuma Heights Retirement Home.
As they walk inside, they are met with a room filled with people watching tv and playing games. There is a piano, a guitar, a chess table and game tables. "See everything you might need," Candice says as Annie gets up and comes to great them.
"I'll show you around," she says giving them a tour of the place. There is the work shop, where you can do wood working or painting. A large kitchen for cooking or just eating what the staff cooks at meal time. "And you saw the common room when you walked in," Annie concludes, before leading them upstairs.
"I'm sorry to say that the only free room is the one at the top. Quite a few stairs, but you'll have the best view of the house in return."
"I'm sure I'll be fine," Candice assures her. As Annie leaves them alone, Willow turns to her mother.
"Are you sure? You know you're always welcome," she says.
"I'm sure. I'll do well here. And it's a change. Without your father, I need one. Something new to occupy my time." As the girls leave, she looks around her new room. She can make this work, even if the bed is big and empty without Charles in it.
But sitting here, alone, will do her no good. Getting up, she heads back downstairs, to get to know the others and find something to do.
He, on his end is wrapped up in his own worries. How will he ever find his one and only? Having struck out with Lauryn, he tries with one of the Lothario sisters, Emily, with no luck (especially since the nosy librarian decided to join the conversation).
He tries online but there just is no connection there, also he could be chatting with a 55 year old dude and that's just not his thing. But mostly he's just distracted by the games he can play instead.
In the park he runs into this gorgeous girl from San Sequoia, and she seems to be in a flirty mood, so he gives it a go, but that's a hard pass too. What is he doing wrong?
Meanwhile, Sandy has a space journey planned. She at first goes on an exploratory mission, which works fine and brings her back a strange seed which she gifts to her sister.
Then it's time for the big one. Sandy is so excited as the takes off, a solo mission, chasing a lost aircraft in space. When they find it, they find it in pieces, and Sandy is left trying to figure out what happened. After salvaging what can be salvaged, she returns home, only to end up in the same wortex that tore the other ship apart! Sandy pushes the rocket to the limit, fighting to get lose. She does, but the ship is badly damaged. A controlled landing is out of her hands, and as she close in on earth, it's approach is far too fast for her liking - there is nothing she can do but brace for impact and pray to the Plumbob above as she come smashing into the ground.
In the control room, Rory is watching in horror as his wife crashes to the ground. In a second, all misgivings are wiped from his mind as his heart stop, the fear of losing her removing any remaining doubts he might have had. As he sees the rocket break into pieces he is certain she is dead, and a real dread fills him. One in which she is no longer a part of his life.
At first, he stands frozen, then as he sees a flutter of movement in the wreckage, it's as if he wakes up, and he runs all he can down to the site.
"Don't! It might explode!"
"We need to secure-" but Rory isn't listening. He saw movement, he know he did. As Sandy slowly crawls out of from under the debris, he reaches her and wraps her into his arms. "Don't ever scare me like that again, I cannot live without you!" he whispers in her ear as he holds her close, unwilling to let her go before she whimpers a bit.
"Are you hurt? Let's bring you to the doctor."
"I think that's the best suggestion I've heard all day," Sandy says, happy to allow her husband support her as she links off to the medical area.
That night, the two of them talk - truly talk - about everything that has been going on. With clarity of mind, Rory can put into words his crises, and to his utter relief Sandy is willing to hear him out. "So what are you feeling now?"
"Only gratefulness that you are alive and still here. I know I never want to lose you, you are the most important thing in my life and I cannot believe I lost track of that for even a second."
"Oh that would so get you woohooed if I didn't think woohooing might not kill me." Sandy jokes.
As Harvestfest rolls around, Sandy and Rory both feel they have much to be thankful for. So does Candice and Charles, who are once more gathering their children, children-in-laws, and grandchildren in the house for a feast. Candice has been cooking most of the day, and everyone is in a good mood.
During a moment, Rory speaks to Charles about his and Candice's relationship. "How did you hold on when things were tough and she wasn't herself? How did you know not to give up?" he asks. Charles is more than happy to share.
"Because I knew she was in there, and she has worth fighting for even if she didn't know she was lost. Besides, what's worth fighting for is rarely given for free." Rory feels that's something he can relate to. He's never appreciated Sandy more in his life than he does now. He's just happy that she realised that it was him that was lost, and that he was worth waiting for.
As the guests leave and the house is cleaned, Charles is in a great mood. He keeps cracking jokes and greatly enjoys the comedy channel before heading off for a bath. But instead of calming him down, the bath winds him up, and as he steps out of it he finds himself laughing so hard he has a hard time catching his breath. His heart is racing, his breath shortening, until he collapses on the floor. His last thought is that this was a bit sooner than he had in mind, but that this was not the worst way to go.
Hearing him fall to the floor, Candice comes rushing in, finding him lifeless on the floor. And as the grim reaper comes to take his soul, she knows that she is now truly alone in the world.
It's a cloudy and cold day as the family gathers at the Willow Creek cemetery to bury Charles. His grave is covered by flowers, and they are all heartbroken by the loss.
Bringing her mother home, Willow sit down to have a conversation with her. "You can't stay here alone," she tells her mother. "At least for a while, live with us."
"But where would I sleep? You only have two bedrooms."
"So you take Christmas', she can sleep with me until we find a more permanent solution. But I don't like you being here all alone without dad."
Candice agrees. The house just isn't the same without the love of her life there.
Christmas is happy to have her grandmother around, even if it does mean giving up her room for a while.
"Only gratefulness that you are alive and still here. I know I never want to lose you, you are the most important thing in my life and I cannot believe I lost track of that for even a second."
"Oh that would so get you woohooed if I didn't think woohooing might not kill me." Sandy jokes.
As Harvestfest rolls around, Sandy and Rory both feel they have much to be thankful for. So does Candice and Charles, who are once more gathering their children, children-in-laws, and grandchildren in the house for a feast. Candice has been cooking most of the day, and everyone is in a good mood.
During a moment, Rory speaks to Charles about his and Candice's relationship. "How did you hold on when things were tough and she wasn't herself? How did you know not to give up?" he asks. Charles is more than happy to share.
"Because I knew she was in there, and she has worth fighting for even if she didn't know she was lost. Besides, what's worth fighting for is rarely given for free." Rory feels that's something he can relate to. He's never appreciated Sandy more in his life than he does now. He's just happy that she realised that it was him that was lost, and that he was worth waiting for.
As the guests leave and the house is cleaned, Charles is in a great mood. He keeps cracking jokes and greatly enjoys the comedy channel before heading off for a bath. But instead of calming him down, the bath winds him up, and as he steps out of it he finds himself laughing so hard he has a hard time catching his breath. His heart is racing, his breath shortening, until he collapses on the floor. His last thought is that this was a bit sooner than he had in mind, but that this was not the worst way to go.
Hearing him fall to the floor, Candice comes rushing in, finding him lifeless on the floor. And as the grim reaper comes to take his soul, she knows that she is now truly alone in the world.
It's a cloudy and cold day as the family gathers at the Willow Creek cemetery to bury Charles. His grave is covered by flowers, and they are all heartbroken by the loss.
Bringing her mother home, Willow sit down to have a conversation with her. "You can't stay here alone," she tells her mother. "At least for a while, live with us."
"But where would I sleep? You only have two bedrooms."
"So you take Christmas', she can sleep with me until we find a more permanent solution. But I don't like you being here all alone without dad."
Candice agrees. The house just isn't the same without the love of her life there.
Christmas is happy to have her grandmother around, even if it does mean giving up her room for a while.
Even if it is a bit awkward with seating only for two around the table.
But it's fun to have someone around when mum is busy with the plants or feeding Rosalie.
But for Candice this isn't home, nor can it be. And one morning she announces that she is ready to move out.
"But where?" Willow asks her.
"I found a retirement home, in Oasis Springs. Annie lives there and she told me it's a fantastic place."
"A home? Really?"
"I'll have food, company, medical assistance should I need it, and lots of things to do. And the cold here really isn't for me anymore."
It's clear to Willow that her mother has made up her mind, so there isn't much to do but to agree to take her there.
She calls Sandy, and the two of them escort their mother to her potential new home in Oasis Springs - Yuma Heights Retirement Home.
As they walk inside, they are met with a room filled with people watching tv and playing games. There is a piano, a guitar, a chess table and game tables. "See everything you might need," Candice says as Annie gets up and comes to great them.
"I'll show you around," she says giving them a tour of the place. There is the work shop, where you can do wood working or painting. A large kitchen for cooking or just eating what the staff cooks at meal time. "And you saw the common room when you walked in," Annie concludes, before leading them upstairs.
"I'm sorry to say that the only free room is the one at the top. Quite a few stairs, but you'll have the best view of the house in return."
"I'm sure I'll be fine," Candice assures her. As Annie leaves them alone, Willow turns to her mother.
"Are you sure? You know you're always welcome," she says.
"I'm sure. I'll do well here. And it's a change. Without your father, I need one. Something new to occupy my time." As the girls leave, she looks around her new room. She can make this work, even if the bed is big and empty without Charles in it.
But sitting here, alone, will do her no good. Getting up, she heads back downstairs, to get to know the others and find something to do.
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