One Last Day (CC A/I, TEEN) Complete

[littleroswell]

One Last Day



This beautiful banner was made by Singerchic4. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything pertaining to Roswell or the songs I’ve used in this fic. I’m simply offering a piece of my imagination that was inspired by our show.

Category: CC/Canon fic
Rating: Teen
Couple: A/I

Summary and Setting: After Alex’s funeral and after prom. These are two different times in this fic. (You’ll understand better after you read a little bit.) In this fic, the timeline goes like this: prom was on a Saturday night, there was a week of school where everyone was reviewing for finals, and then Alex was killed on that next Saturday originally but Sunday after I’m done with this. His funeral and his burial was that Monday afterwards. Isabel can’t move past the guilt and pain of losing Alex just as she felt like she was finding him. On the night after Alex’s funeral, Isabel falls asleep, praying and wishing and hoping with all her heart for just one more day to spend with Alex…one more chance to let him know how much he meant to her and that she’s sorry for how she had treated him in the past. Her prayers are heard. Read to find out how.

Author’s note: This will be a very short fic, It’s only 7 parts long with the prologue. Since it is already written, I will be posting a new part every two weeks. This was inspired by the song below, “One More Day” by Diamond Rio. The quotes are from the show in the episode “Crazy”. Please let me know what you think about this fic!

One More Day

Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me,
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you.

Chorus:
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you.

--- Instrumental ---
One more day.

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do, with one more day with you.

Repeat Chorus

Chorus:
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day.

Leave me wishing still for one more day.
Leave me wishing still for one more day,
With you.

One more day.
One more day...

Prologue

Isabel sat on her bed, crying hysterically just like she had done everyday since Alex’s accident. She couldn’t seem to stop. Today they had buried him and she had finally had to accept that he was really gone. After having walked and walked and walked, she had finally turned in the direction of home and kept going. When she made it to her house, her parents had been waiting for her and Max. She had no idea where her brother was and right now she didn’t care. He couldn’t heal Alex and that had disappointed her. She knew that he wasn’t God and couldn’t fix everything, but it had devastated her to know that just when she had allowed herself to finally give her heart to Alex, he was taken from her.

“Oh, honey, Sheriff Valenti called and told us what happened. I’m so sorry. Is there anything we can do?” Diane had asked, gathering her daughter in her arms to hold her.

“Anything at all, Isabel, you tell us and we’ll get right on it. I know it’s going to be rough for a while but I hope you know you can talk to us,” Phillip had added sincerely.

Isabel hadn’t looked them in the eyes. “I think I just want to be alone for a little while. I just can’t believe…” she closed her eyes, allowing the words to trail off. She sniffed and hugged her parents briefly. “I’m going to my room. Please leave me alone for tonight. I love you guys.” She had fled to her room, leaving her very upset parents in her wake.

That was the night he had died. Now she sat looking around her room, wondering how her world would go on. She had finally been ready to let someone into her heart and was ready to share her life, and she had always known deep in her heart that it would be Alex. Now what was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to go on?

She thought back on all the times she had spent with Alex and the times he had been there for her. It was with shame and guilt that she remembered how many times she had treated him badly or led him on, knowing how he felt about her and knowing that she wasn’t ready to have a steady, real relationship. She remembered the time when she entered his dreams to find out if they could trust Alex not to tell that they had switched his blood for Max’s at the hospital. She had realized then that she would eventually give her heart to him…that she could trust him. But at the time, she had been scared to try…she hadn’t been ready.

Then there was the time at the Crashdown after Liz had told Alex the truth and she had changed the ketchup in the bottle to mustard. She smiled at the memory of Alex’s slurping on his drink and how his eyes had widened at what she had done but he hadn’t said or done anything. He was obviously a bit nervous about everything, but he took it well and had been nothing but a friend after that.

There was that camp out in Fraser Woods when Alex had drug his father along simply because he knew she would be there with Max and her father. The time they had spent stargazing had been important to her. She had enjoyed it and really felt the connection they had made, but again her fear had caused her to treat him badly. She had told him to stop following her at the UFO Convention. He had bought her that book on constellations and she had told him he was suffocating her because he was always around.

She had gone to him when Max and Liz had disappeared and basically strung him along again with agreeing to kiss him, using the excuse that she wanted to find out more about what was going on at the time. Then Tess had shown up and even then he was trying to be a good friend and Isabel had almost agreed to a night with him when Tess had appeared at the Crashdown. Isabel cried at the shame she felt because she had just jilted Alex.

“What you think I’m being weak because I don’t want anything to happen to you? I mean, to us? To all of us?” Alex asked.

Isabel studied him for a minute, allowing her wall to slip just a bit. “You really do want to protect me, don’t you?” she asked in wonder. No one had ever cared that much about her except for Max and Michael.

Alex smiled. “I’d do anything.” He took her hand and she allowed it for a moment.

She looked at their hands clasped together and admitted what she was thinking. “Nobody’s ever said that to me before. I mean, except for Max and Michael, but they’re my brothers so…”

He leaned in closer, hoping to have finally broken through her wall. “Isabel, I meant what I said about having somebody. I mean, everything gets easier once you’re not alone.”

She allowed herself one last confession. “I just always thought that if I, um, if I let someone in it would make me too…”

But he finished the sentence for her. “Vulnerable?”

And Isabel had just walked away, leaving him there, holding his heart out to her while she had gone off with Tess for a girls’ night. What kind of person had she been? All the times she had been mean to him and snapped at him and hurt his feelings! He had always gone above and beyond what any normal person would do to show he cared about her and wanted to be close to her and all she did was push him away.

Lying back on the bed and cuddling a small throw pillow, Isabel allowed the tears to flow freely. She was crying so hard that her eyes were hurting and starting to swell up. Her face was hot and her nose was running and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. But she did nothing to stop the flow.

Liz’s words from earlier in Alex’s room were haunting her. She did feel responsible for Alex’s death. She had vehemently denied that they had anything to do with it, but she knew that if Alex had not been involved with them…with her, he would still be alive. That hurt more than anything, but she couldn’t wish that he hadn’t known their secret. In the short time they had spent together, they had formed a bond that had no rival. Nothing, not even death, would be able to break the friendship and love that held them together.

Looking up at the ceiling, Isabel said the first prayer she could remember praying in years. She wasn’t sure she believed in God in a traditional sense, but she thought there must be some sort of higher power out there. “God, I’m so sorry about the way I acted. I was such a horrible person and he was so good to me. I didn’t deserve Alex.” She looked over at the picture she had on her night stand from prom of her and Alex. They looked so happy together, and for the first time, she had been. She had been sure that she and Alex had a future ahead of them. “Oh, Alex, I wish I had just one more day with you…just one more day to show you how I really felt about you. One day without my insecurities and fears holding me back. I would show you how special you really are.”

Isabel picked up the picture from the prom and held it to her heart under the pillow. “I promise you, Alex, if I had that one last day with you…I’d make it all worth it. I love you so much!” After saying this, she burst into tears again and, closing her eyes, fell asleep holding onto that picture.

[littleroswell]

Ok, here is the new part. I'll be posting part 2 I think a week from Thursday or Friday. Please don't forget to let me know what you think.

One Last Day

Part 1

“Isabel…Isabel, come on, sweetheart. Wake up,” a voice called, breaking through Isabel’s dreams. As her eyes fluttered open, she noticed that the voice belonged to her mother who was standing over her, shaking her shoulder.

Smiling, Diane moved to the door. “You’d better hurry or you’ll be late for school. You don’t want to be late for your reviews for finals next week. Breakfast is ready downstairs if you want to eat before jumping in the shower.”

Before Isabel could say anything, her mother had left, going back downstairs to the kitchen. Sitting up, Isabel felt a moment of confusion. Her mother had acted like there wasn’t a thing wrong in the world. How did she expect Isabel to go to school when Alex’s funeral had only been yesterday? And reviews for finals were last week. This was the week of final exams and Isabel’s teachers, along with the teachers of the others in their group, had told them they could take them as they felt they could, as long as it was all done by Friday morning.

Deciding that maybe a shower would do her good, Isabel made her way to the bathroom where Max was just coming out, and almost ran into her. “Oh! Oh, morning, Isabel. You have plenty of hot water and you’d better hurry if you want a ride this morning. You must’ve slept through your alarm again.” He didn’t notice her look of complete disbelief as he made his way downstairs, whistling.

Had everyone lost their minds? Was she the only one who felt like she needed to grieve for a bit longer than a couple of days? It was then that she realized her eyes didn’t feel puffy like they should after all that crying. After closing the door and stripping, she looked in the mirror and was surprised to see that her face wasn’t red and swollen and blotched either. Not one to question blessings, Isabel shrugged and climbed into the shower, allowing the hot water to penetrate her muscles that weren’t as tense as she had thought they would be.

After drying off and throwing on her robe, Isabel moved to the chair in her room where she always laid out her clothes for the next day. Looking at the outfit in front of her, she frowned. Her black slacks and lavender blouse with the silver buttons stared up at her. “I thought that blouse was at the cleaners. I know I just wore it last week.” Shrugging, she put the shirt in question back in her closet, not wanting to wear it so close to the last time. Pulling out a red halter top and her black jacket that matched the slacks, she quickly dressed.

As she was finishing a light application of makeup, her stomach rumbled at the smell of pancakes that wafted up from the kitchen. “How can you think of food on a day like this?” she mumbled. When the only response she got was another growl, she decided not to argue and made her way over to her school bag. Maybe school would help take her mind off of Alex. It couldn’t hurt to try. She certainly didn’t want to put off her finals forever.

Picking up her bag, Isabel had been ready to heft it up to her shoulder as she had brought most of her books home to study for her exams. She nearly fell backwards when it lifted easily, as if there was nothing in it. Curious, she pulled back the zipper and looked inside. Her bag was empty with the exception of a couple of notebooks. Shocked, Isabel wracked her brain, trying to remember what she did with all her books. The thought crossed her mind that Max might have put them in his jeep. Thinking that must be what happened to them, she tried to shake the uneasy feeling that filled her body. Was she going crazy?

Making her way downstairs slowly, Isabel tried to steer her thoughts away from the funeral yesterday. As she watched her family go about their normal routine, however, she felt outrage that they couldn’t give Alex more time to be settled into his grave before they moved on with their lives like he just didn’t matter. Her father sat, reading the paper over his coffee like always and her mother was singing away over the griddle. Max was wolfing down his pancakes and reading the sports section of the paper.

Angry at them all, Isabel pulled out her chair at the table loudly and swiftly dropped into it. No one seemed to notice. Her mother set a plate of pancakes in front of her and started to smile when she noticed the tears in her daughter’s eyes and the angry expression on her face. “Isabel, honey, what’s the matter?” she asked, concerned.

Phillip pulled the paper down from in front of his face to look at his daughter. He frowned and placed a hand over Isabel’s. “Sweetie, is something bothering you?”

Isabel stared at first her mother and then her father. When she turned to look at Max and saw that he was waiting for an answer as well it was too much. She burst into tears. Clearly startled, Phillip and Diane looked at each other wide-eyed. Diane moved to hold her daughter and then both parents turned to Max. “Do you know what might be bothering your sister?” Phillip asked. He knew that Isabel would not be able to answer herself just yet.

Max held up his hands, just as confused as his parents. “Nothing that I know of! I swear, I don’t know anything that might have upset her.”

That made Isabel snap out of her sobbing fit. “How can you all just sit there and act like nothing is wrong?” she demanded. “Alex was only just buried yesterday!”

When she burst into tears again, she didn’t realize that everyone had frozen for a moment. Her family all looked at each other and shrugged one by one. “Isabel, you aren’t making any sense. What do you mean Alex was buried yesterday? You just went to the prom with him on Saturday night and he looked pretty healthy and alive when he dropped you off afterwards,” Max asked her.

Pulling away from Diane’s embrace, Isabel looked around at the faces of her family. They all looked bewildered and that, in turn, confused her. “Wha-what do you mean? The prom was last Saturday. This is Tuesday. Alex died on Saturday night.” When their expressions turned from confusion to concern, she put her hands to her head. “He was killed in a car accident…hit by that semi. Max, you were one of the pall bearers at the funeral!”

“Honey, you must have had a really bad dream last night for it to seem so real!” Diane said, coming to the conclusion that Isabel must have dreamed the whole situation. “What did you eat before you went to bed?”

Max nodded. “She did have some of those cookies you made with ice cream and chocolate syrup. You usually don’t eat that much right before bed, Iz.”

Shaking her head, Isabel started to hyperventilate. “No, that’s what I had before bed last Monday night,” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

She had been staring down at the table while trying to figure out what was going on. Now her attention was drawn to the front page of the paper that lay there. Snatching it up, she held it up in front of her face. She looked at the date…Tuesday, April 24th, 2001! The prom had been on the 21st and Alex had been killed on Saturday, the 28th! The last thing Isabel heard before she blacked out was her mother calling her name frantically.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Isabel could hear someone calling her name from beyond the blackness. Groaning, she tried to open her eyes. As they fluttered a couple of times, she waited for the faces looking down at her to come into focus. All three were concerned. “Iz, you ok?” Max asked.

She shook her head a little and started to sit up. Diane tried to push her back down, however. “Sweetheart, I think you should stay here on the couch and rest. You obviously had some really disturbing dreams last night and something is bothering you so I think you ought to stay home today.”

Isabel wasn’t listening, however, and determinedly sat up and looked at her brother. “Alex is alive?” she asked quietly, voicing the one thought in her head aloud.

Max nodded and frowned. “Of course! You’ve been talking to him on the phone every night since prom on Saturday.”

Ignoring the voices that were talking around her and about her, Isabel tried to figure out if it was possible that she had dreamed the whole thing. Was it possible to dream up a whole week, Alex’s death, his funeral, Liz’s accusations, and remember it all so clearly? She could remember what she wore the night Alex had died when she was at the Crashdown with the others. She could remember crying for hours on end. She could remember what she wore the day of the funeral. She could remember Max, Michael, Valenti and Kyle being pall bearers. She could remember Maria singing “Amazing Grace”. It was all so clear!

Then she remembered her prayer and wishes the night before. She had promised that if she had one more day with Alex, she would show him how much he meant to her. Her face cleared in that moment. Was it possible that God had heard her and answered her prayers? Or was it some weird alien power to be able to travel through time? Or worse, was it possible that this was all a dream?

Suddenly, it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter one bit if this was a dream or a gift from God. All that mattered was seeing Alex again, and if by some miracle that was possible, there was nothing that would keep Isabel from him. Glancing at the clock, she jumped up, startling her parents and Max and grinned from ear to ear. “You’re right, mom, it was all just a bad dream. I won’t eat that combination before bed again. Come on, Max, we have to hurry or we’ll be late for school!” she said.

They all stood up and looked unsure. “Kitten, are you sure? You can take today off if you aren’t feeling well,” Phillip assured her.

“Daddy, I appreciate the concern, but really I’m fine. Max, come on! Let’s get out of here,” Isabel said again.

Meeting his parents’ stares, Max shrugged again and took off for the door. Grabbing his bag, jacket and keys, he followed his sister out the door and to the jeep. Jumping in, he cranked up the car and stayed silent until they had made it a little ways down the road. “You wanna tell me what happened back there this morning?” he finally asked.

Smiling at the sunshine that streamed through the window, Isabel looked at all the signs of late spring outside. “It was all just a bad dream…one I’d rather forget. Let’s just enjoy the beautiful day and get to school,” she answered.

Glancing at her skeptically, Max shifted gears. She was never that anxious to get to school. “You sure you’re feeling ok?”

Isabel gave him a brilliant smile. “I’m fine! Now can we please just drop it and get to school?”

Shrugging, Max let it go. “Ok, whatever you say.”

[littleroswell]

One Last Day

Part 2

As soon as Max stopped the jeep in front of the school, Isabel hopped out and started to dash for the entrance, but Max grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him. “Isabel, what has gotten into you? You’ve never been this anxious to get to school. What was that all about this morning?” Max asked her.

Isabel’s eyes glanced at the school, down at the ground and back at the school before finally meeting her brother’s. “Max, I know that you all thought it must have been a dream but it was so real…Alex had been killed, Liz was sure it was foul play related to aliens, Valenti was telling us it was suicide, and it was just chaos. I’ve never been so devastated in my life.”

Max held her eyes, concerned. “Iz, it was just a dream. Alex is alive and well and avoiding you to make sure you aren’t going to break his heart again. You went to the prom with him only a couple of days ago!”

Annoyed, Isabel withdrew her wrist from his grip. “Then how is it that I can remember his funeral down to the tiniest detail? I remember what everyone wore, that Maria sung ‘Amazing Grace’, that you, his cousin, Michael, Valenti and Kyle were pall bearers, that I had bought a brand new black dress just for the occasion. No one’s dreams are that clear, Max. Just before I fell asleep crying last night, I made a wish to have just one more day with Alex. I don’t know if it’s been answered or what but I’m going to take advantage of whatever time I have with him. I hope it was a dream but if it wasn’t…if I wake up tomorrow and he really is dead and this is the dream, I want him to know how I feel about him.”

Giving his sister a sympathetic but patronizing smile, Max nodded. “I think it’s a good idea to let those you care about know how you feel. Just be careful not to get your heart broken in the process.”

Ignoring him, Isabel made her way inside the school to the ladies’ room and made sure she looked ok, before heading toward her locker. She kept looking around for the others of their group and especially for Alex. When Tess came up to her and started asking about her weekend, the prom and how things went with Alex, she was only half listening to her words. She was paying more attention to the way she was talking…as if everything was right with the world. Grinning, Isabel remembered what the question was and answered her. “We had a terrific time! I’m so glad I asked Alex to go with me. What about you and Kyle?”

Tess shrugged. “We decided we’re more like siblings than a couple. I was a little disappointed at first but after what happened between Max and I, I realized that Kyle was right.” She waited for Isabel to ask what she meant, knowing that Max hadn’t told her about the kiss yet.

Seeing someone coming down the hall behind Tess, however, Isabel’s heart sped up and she totally forgot about her conversation. “That’s nice,” she responded absently. Then she dropped everything in her hands to the floor and practically attacked the tall lanky figure that was flanked by a girl on either side. “Alex! Oh my god! It’s true then! You’re really here…alive!” She hugged him tightly as if she would never let go.

Startled, Alex slowly wrapped his arms around Isabel and looked over her shoulder at Max, Michael and Tess. Max looked concerned at Isabel’s reaction to seeing the dark haired computer nerd but the other two just looked confused. Maria and Liz gave him a questioning look and Alex just shrugged slightly. “Not that I’m complaining or anything, but what brought this on?” he asked with a laugh.

Isabel pulled back slightly and wiped the tears that had filled her eyes away. Alex was immediately concerned. “Hey, hey! What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” he asked gently.

Max broke in before his sister could answer. “Isabel, are you sure you shouldn’t have stayed at home?” He turned his attention to Alex. “She was upset this morning when she came down for breakfast, ranting and raving about how you were buried yesterday…something about being killed in a car wreck. We just thought it was a bad dream, but when I questioned her about it when we got here, she was convinced it was more than that.”

Alex looked back at Isabel. “You dreamed I died? Ouch! What are you trying to say?” he joked, trying to get her to laugh.

Instead of laughing, however, Isabel just shuddered. “It’s not funny. It was so real! When I woke up this morning, I still felt like my world had ended. I’m just so glad you’re ok. Whether this is a dream or not or that was the dream or not, I’m just so glad you’re ok.” She felt her eyes fill again with those last words and she blinked rapidly to try to get rid of them, with only limited success.

“Hey! It was just a dream, Isabel. I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me, princess,” he replied, pulling her back into his arms and hugging her tight. “Especially after that earth rocking kiss at the prom,” he added. That had the effect he was looking for and Isabel giggled a little.

The warning bell rang and students began scrambling to get to their classes. Alex reluctantly pulled back from Isabel a bit but was a little concerned when she wouldn’t let go. “Isabel, we have to get to class. This is review week before finals you know.”

Max, Michael and Liz went off to their respective classes. Tess hung back to wait for Isabel, with whom she had first period. Maria was waiting for Alex for the same reason. Instead of letting go, however, Isabel pulled him into her arms again. Pressing her face into his neck, she begged quietly, “Can’t we skip classes today and spend the day together…just the two of us?”

Slightly alarmed at the real terror he felt coming off of the blonde alien, Alex nodded towards Maria and Tess. “Maybe you two should go on to class. We’ll catch up,” he told them. They left reluctantly with Tess studying Isabel closely before finally leaving them alone. Maria gave Alex one last warning look to tell him to stand his ground when it came to the alien princess before walking off.

Pulling Isabel back again, Alex looked into her eyes. “Isabel, my English teacher has promised us a pop test sometime this week in preparation for our final. I can’t just bail on that and all our other classes. You shouldn’t either. As much as I’d like to hang out with you today, we do have responsibilities.”

Shaking her head, Isabel was determined not to spend the day with Alex at West Roswell High, reviewing for finals that were a week away. “That test won’t be given to you until Thursday and you’ll make an ‘A’, Alex, and you know you’ll do fine on your finals. I’m doing great with my grades and can afford not to get the best grades on finals next week. Please, Alex, if you care about me at all, can we please get out of here?”

Studying her for a minute, Alex realized that whatever her dream had been about, Isabel had awakened determined to give him the attention and time he had always been craving. Could he trust that? Would he wake up tomorrow and come to school to see her only to find out that she realized that it had been nothing more than a dream and have her go back to treating him like a faithful puppy? Mentally shrugging off those thoughts, Alex found that an unfair accusation as Isabel had been different ever since his return from Sweden.

Coming to a decision, Alex gave her a lopsided grin and held out his hand with a slight bow. “Where to, m’lady?” he asked. “Your wish is my command.”

Taking his hand in hers, Isabel’s face beamed upon him and she dragged him to the nearest exit. “I don’t care where we go as long as I’m with you. How about we go by your house and pick up your guitar and go someplace quiet where you can sing and play for me?”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Alex pulled into his driveway without reservation, knowing both his parents were gone to work. He turned off the motor and opened the door. “I’ll be right back if you want to wait here,” he said, getting out of the car.

“That’s ok; I’ll come with you,” Isabel answered, quickly following him.

He led the way up the staircase and to the door of his room which was closed. Stopping with his hand on the doorknob, he turned back to her with a sheepish look. “My room’s a bit on the messy side. I haven’t had much time to clean it up,” he apologized. “Maybe you want to wait downstairs?”

Isabel shook her head, however. “If it’s just a little clutter and scattered mess, I don’t mind.”

Shrugging, Alex threw open the door and strode inside, Isabel on his heels. It was obvious that she wasn’t going to let him out of her sight for a moment. He stooped to pick up some scattered clothes and threw them against the far wall at the laundry hamper, getting only half of it in. Kicking other shoes under the bed, he wound a path over to his desk where his guitar sat beside it. Realizing that it was on a stand and the case was in his closet, he turned back to her.

“The carrying case is in my closet. Let me just get it and pack up the guitar and we’ll go wherever you want,” he said, already moving towards the other wall again.

Quickly coming to a decision, Isabel blurted out, “We could hang out here for a while…” When Alex’s head whipped to hers and his eyes opened in surprise, she felt a little nervous. “If you want. That way you wouldn’t have to carry it around in the car all day.”

Clearing his throat, Alex moved back to his guitar and picked it up, not sure why he was suddenly nervous. “Ok. What do you want to hear?” he asked. He swallowed visibly when she sat down on his bed and crossed her legs, patting the space next to her. He slowly sank down a nice safe distance from her body.

Thinking for a minute, Isabel was suddenly struck by her answer…as if it had been chosen for her. “Do you know ‘One More Chance’ by Madonna?” she asked. When he nodded, she added, “I could sing it if you would play it for us.”

He played the first opening bars of the melody and she joined in. Isabel’s voice wasn’t as clear and beautiful as Maria’s but she could carry a tune well and was pleasing to listen to in her own way. As she thought of the lyrics, her memories of “the dream” filled her eyes with tears and her voice with emotion.

I turned around too late to see the fallen star
I fell asleep and never saw the sun go down
I took your love for granted
Thought luck was always on my side
I turned around too late and you were gone

Chorus:

So give me one more chance
Darlin' if you care for me
Let me win your love
'Cause you were always there for me
If you care for me,
Be there for me

I like to play the queen of hearts and never thought I'd lose
I rolled the dice but never showed my hand
I planned it out so perfectly,
So you'd never leave a girl like me
I was a fool, but now I understand

(chorus)

Here is the law of the land
You play with fire and you'll get burned
Here is the lesson I've learned
That you don't know what you've got til it's gone

(chorus, without last two lines)

Give me one more chance
Tell me that it's not too late
Let me win your love
Darlin' please don't hesitate
If you care for me,
Be there for me

Give me one more chance

While she sang, Alex was moved by her tone and obvious emotion. He was awed by her transformation from the “Ice Princess” to the caring, terrified yet beautiful being that sat before him. He knew that this dream of hers had prompted the song choice and the emotion she sang with and decided that she should get it all out in the open so as to help herself heal from it and to realize that it wasn’t real.

He had just lowered his guitar to tell her just that and get her to tell him about the dream, when she did something that totally caught him off guard. For the second time within a week, Isabel Evans initiated a very passionate kiss that completely stopped his mind from working but sent his heart into overload. As she deepened the kiss by sweeping her tongue along his lips to ask for entrance, he absently set the guitar aside and encouraged it. Wrapping his arms about her, she moved closer into his embrace and moaned delightedly. Knowing that he liked her hair long and flowing, Isabel had left it down and practically purred when his hands moved through it worshipfully.

Pushing aside the items on the bed with them, Isabel kissed Alex like there was no tomorrow and praying fervently that it was so. As he pulled back for a little air, she gave him only a moment before attacking him again, this time with an urgent passion. Lying back slowly, she pulled him on top of her.

[littleroswell]

Does everybody know what time it is?! (If you say "Tool Time" you and I think a lot alike. LOL!) It's time for an update! Yay! (Ok, I've had too much caffeine and sugar today I guess.) Part 3 is below. Please don't forget to tell me what you think about it. Hopefully, you won't be disappointed.

One Last Day

Part 3

As soon as Alex’s head registered what was happening, he was doused with the cold water of reality and jumped up abruptly. Panting, he stood there, staring at Isabel while trying to catch his breath. She looked hurt and confused. “What’s going on, Isabel?” he asked between gasps.

Looking away quickly and then back again but unable to meet his eyes, Isabel played ignorant. “What’s going on?” she echoed. “I don’t know what you mean. Did I do something wrong?”

Alex’s legs had started shaking and he quickly sat down in his computer desk chair so as to not collapse on the floor. He rolled a little closer to the bed in front of Isabel but did not think he could touch her until he got his hormones and his body under control. “Isabel,” he started gently but firmly, “what was all that about? Are you trying to tease me?”

Upset and embarrassed, Isabel leapt from the bed and moved away from him to the other side of the room. “Is that what you think? You think I would deliberately lead you on? Alex, I kissed you because I wanted to.” Tears filled her eyes as she realized he thought so little of her. It also hurt to realize he had some reason to feel that way.

Moving to stand behind her, he turned her around to face him. “Isabel, that’s not what I’m saying. I know you wanted to kiss me, just like you wanted to at the Prom. What I’m asking is about you deepening that kiss and then pulling me down to the bed with you…I’m a teenage guy who can only go so far without embarrassing himself.” He smirked at his choice of words. “You have to be especially careful with nerds like me.”

Isabel realized then that he didn’t think she was deliberately trying to hurt him. That encouraged her enough to be bold in her next statement. “Maybe I want you to make love to me,” she stated, shocking them both. She recovered from her shock quickly, however, as she realized it was true.

Alex, however, caught her wording. “Maybe?”

Lifting her chin, Isabel repeated, “Make love to me, Alex.”

The silence was heavy as Alex studied her for what felt like hours. Finally, he shook his head slightly, took her hand and led her over to the bed. Sitting down, he pulled her down beside him and wrapped her lightly in his arms. “I’m not going to have sex with you, Isabel,” he said quietly.

Misunderstanding, hurt and confused, Isabel tried to jump up, tears once again filling her eyes. When Alex held onto her tightly, she pushed against him. “Let me go. If you don’t want me, then don’t let me sit here looking foolish. Give me a minute in your bathroom and we can pretend I never asked,” she said harshly.

He only held on tighter and kissed the side of her head. “Wait a minute, you tigress,” he soothed. “I’m not saying that I don’t want you. God knows the exact opposite is true, but, Isabel, I think we need to talk.”

She relaxed slightly at his words and his tone, stopping her struggle to get away. She did not, however, relax against him as he hoped. Sighing, he willed his body even calmer. “Isabel, I think we need to talk about this dream you had. I think it has made you terrified that I’m going to die. While I’m flattered you care so much, I don’t want you to make rash decisions because of it.” When she finally relaxed, he placed a finger under her chin and turned her face to him. “I care about you a lot, Isabel, but we’re only 17 years old, and we’ve only just gotten our relationship back on track again. We aren’t ready for such a big leap as…making love. I’m pretty sure you aren’t ready and I know I’m not. Do you even have any protection with you?” he asked.

Feeling somewhat foolish yet again, she shook her head and looked down at her hands. “No, I didn’t even think about that.” Looking back up at him, she was determined to put a couple of misconceptions right. “But Alex, I don’t think that it was a dream. I’ve lived this whole week already. I went to bed last night, crying myself to sleep after the hell that was your funeral and Liz’s accusations that we aliens are…were responsible for your death. I can’t believe that I could possibly dream an entire week and all those details.”

Giving her a helplessly skeptical look, Alex raised his hands. “Then how do you explain waking up this morning and it being the same week over again? Things like that don’t happen, Isabel,” he pointed out gently.

Isabel took a deep breath before answering him. “I can’t explain it really, but I do know that I prayed for the first time in many years with real hope and with all my heart for just one more day with you…just a little more time to let you know how I felt about you. I promised myself, God, fate and whoever else is out there that I would never take you for granted again if I had just one more chance. I woke up this morning and it was a week earlier and you were still alive.”

Alex got a funny feeling hearing her talking about it all so calmly as if it had really happened. He didn’t really believe it still but he knew that Isabel did and it was impossible to think that she had lost her mind. That left him in a bit of an awkward position over what to think of the whole thing. He silently pondered everything for a moment or two before finally coming to a decision.

“Isabel, I was going to ask you to tell me everything you remember but if it’s really going to happen, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to know everything about the future. I think we should just go on as if it was just a dream,” he told her.

Her mouth fell open in disbelief. “Alex, if it really is going to happen, you need to know so it won’t! I can’t go through all that again!” Tears fell down her cheeks unheeded. “When Max came out of that van with your blood on his hands…that horrified, apologetic look on his face…I just couldn’t believe it. Part of me died with you, Alex, and I realized that I loved you. I love you! I can’t lose you again.” By this point, Isabel was sobbing and couldn’t go on.

Pulling her against his chest, he rested his chin on her head, rubbing her back and making soothing sounds. “Sshhh, Isabel, it’s ok. I’m not going anywhere. It’s going to be ok.” When her sobs had died down somewhat, he pulled her back to look into her face and gave her a smile. “I think it’s safe to go ahead and tell you that I love you too, Isabel Evans. Now, if it will make you feel better, you can tell me a couple of things. How did I supposedly die?”

Gathering courage in hopes of stopping anything from happening to him, Isabel pulled herself together and wiped her eyes. “That’s kind of the weird part. You were hit by a semi but the driver and the skid marks show, according to Valenti and the police report, that it looked like you deliberately swerved into the oncoming truck’s path. That doesn’t make any sense though. It was late on Saturday night, after dark.”

Trying to lighten her mood a bit, Alex joked. “Ok, so I just stay home or pay attention to my driving if I’m out on Saturday. Not a problem!”

“No! Alex, promise me that you’ll stay home on Saturday! No matter what, stay home!” she begged him.

Quickly deciding that things were just too intense, Alex answered, “Ok, Isabel, I’ll stay home on Saturday. Now I know we didn’t ditch school to spend the day together talking about such morbid things. I think we can end these heavy thoughts with the knowledge that we just admitted we love each other and now that I know what could happen to me, I’m to avoid going out on Saturday night at all costs. Now what do you want to do today?”

Picking at the top button on his shirt, Isabel bit her bottom lip in thought. “Um, how about we go see a movie and make out in the back?” she suggested.

He threw back his head and laughed at her words and kissed her deeply. When he pulled away, he looked at the clock. “Well, the movie theater doesn’t open until at least noon and it’s only 10:30. How about we go for brunch, my treat? We could go to IHOP,” he countered, knowing how much she loved her pancakes with Tabasco sauce.

Isabel’s eyes lit up at the suggestion and she jumped up. “What are we waiting for? You know I’m always up for IHOP, especially if you’re paying!”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Conversation was kept to a minimum out of necessity due to food being crammed into mouths. Isabel hadn’t realized how hungry she was until she had sat down and looked at the menu in the booth the waitress had seated them in. Immediately realizing that she hadn’t been able to eat her breakfast due to the confusion with her family, she quickly settled on the “all you can eat” pancake breakfast which surprised Alex and made him laugh.

“You know, if you didn’t have that high metabolism, Isabel Evans…” he teased with a sparkle in his eyes.

Isabel looked him in the eyes and mock glared at him. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence, Alex,” she warned. That only caused him to laugh again and she couldn’t help but join in with him. “Ok, so what are you having?”

Alex studied the menu a moment and settled on his choice. “I think I’ll go with the stuffed French toast platter with bacon.”

Now they were shoveling the food into their mouths at a rate that surprised the waitress. Alex teased Isabel for her unladylike behavior and she only laughed in response. She was on her third plate of pancakes when she noticed Alex had frozen with his fork almost to his mouth, looking at something behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she asked, “What is it?”

That’s when she noticed who had just walked in the door. She almost choked to see the Whitmans walk in and ask the hostess for a table for two. Quickly whipping around in her seat, she silently prayed that they would be seated on the other side of the restaurant. Aloud, she hissed at Alex, “What are we going to do?”

“We’re going to ask for the check and quickly get our butts out of here…hopefully without my parents seeing us,” he said, raising his hand slightly towards their waitress while at the same time sinking down in his seat.

The waitress started to walk away after setting the check on the table but Alex stopped her with the promise that they were ready to pay and needed to leave. When she looked at them strangely, Isabel smiled and made an excuse that they hadn’t realized time had gone by so quickly. They were both relieved to see that his parents had been seated on the other side of the restaurant. Their relief was short lived, however, when they noticed that they were seated right by the waiting area and it was unlikely that they would be able to sneak out without either of them being seen.

Alex’s panicked eyes met hers and he asked, “Can’t you…you know, do something?” His meaning was clear when he wiggled his fingers at her and she laughed.

“What do you want me to do? I can’t make us invisible, Alex!” she giggled.

Blowing his breath out through his mouth, Alex looked at the booth where his parents sat and thought hard. “Ok, let’s just start to move that way and hope they won’t be looking in our direction when we get over there.”

They stood up slowly and walked as far as they dared, watching his parents carefully. They were currently studying their menus and sipping on coffee. Alex snorted and glanced at Isabel, who was giving him a quizzical look. “I don’t know why my mom even bothers with the menu. She orders the same thing every time we come here…the Southwestern omelet, a large orange juice and coffee.”

Looking around quickly, the family that sat at the table behind the Whitmans caught Alex’s attention. They had two kids in the booth with them and a baby in a high chair at the end of the table. Inspiration struck and Alex moved a little closer and waved to catch the baby’s attention. When the little boy, who was about 18 months old, finally saw him, Alex started making silly faces. Isabel watched him curiously but smiled at the faces he was making.

Finally, Alex got the reaction from the baby that he had been hoping for. Letting out a delighted squeal of laughter at Alex and waving his arms frantically, the little boy caught not only his parents’ attention, but Alex’s mother’s attention as well. She loved babies.

“Aww, Charles, look at this adorable little boy!” Mrs. Whitman exclaimed, getting her husband’s attention. “Isn’t he just too cute!”

Alex grabbed hold of Isabel’s hand and started pulling her towards the door as fast as he could. The last thing they heard before moving out of earshot was Mrs. Whitman asking how old the baby was and the mother starting to speak. They quickly ran to Alex’s car and climbed inside, huffing and puffing and trying to catch their breath.

When Isabel’s eyes caught Alex’s, she burst out laughing. He quickly joined in and they laughed until they were crying. “Come on, James Bond, let’s get out of here,” she finally said when she could talk again.

Giving her a big, goofy grin, Alex pulled the car out of the parking lot and onto the road. “Shall we see what’s playing at the theater now?” he asked and wiggled his eyebrows at her, causing her to start laughing all over again.

[littleroswell]

Hi, everyone! Sorry about not getting back sooner but I honestly just lost track of time for when I was supposed to post the new part. Please forgive me! As always, thanks for the feedback in advance and please don't hesitate to tell me what you thought.

One Last Day

Part 4

Standing outside the theater, hand in hand, Isabel and Alex browsed the movie posters and times. It didn’t take long for them to agree on a suspense/mystery movie and Alex bought the tickets. Isabel insisted on paying for the snacks, including Alex’s “Milk Duds”. They made their way to the right theater and, as it was the middle of a weekday, sat in the middle of the room. They had the whole theater to themselves.

Realizing that this was their first real, normal date, they were suddenly overcome with a bout of shyness that neither really understood or could have explained. They munched on popcorn and sipped on their sodas as the previews played and through the opening credits. As the movie began and they were engrossed in the story, they began to relax. When their hands brushed in the popcorn bucket, they smiled at each other.

Isabel pretended to go back to watching the movie and Alex followed her lead. When she was sure that he was again wrapped up in the movie, she threw a piece of popcorn at him, hitting him in the face. She stared at the screen and tried to keep from laughing at his stunned expression. She couldn’t quite keep it all inside, however, and she smirked at the screen.

Alex stared at her with his mouth open for a minute, before grinning evilly. He pulled out a handful of popcorn and started picking individual pieces out and popping them into his mouth with his other hand. When he got down to about five or six pieces, he flattened out his hand and started flicking them at her in rapid succession, hitting her in the face and hair.

When the first piece of popcorn hit her face, Isabel had expected it and laughed, but when she was hit again, Isabel turned to him with her mouth open in disbelief. That’s when the third piece hit her right between the eyes. When she saw that Alex wasn’t out of missiles yet, she squealed and put her arms up in front of her face, trying to ward them off.

“Alex, cut it out!” she said.

He had flicked the last piece at her when she said that and he smirked. “Ssshhh! I’m trying to watch the movie,” he whispered, pretending to turn back to the screen and popping another Milk Dud in his mouth.

Isabel made a quick squeak of indignation and then picked up a handful of popcorn and threw it at him, laughing. He turned back to her and threw a Milk Dud at her and it landed in her hair. “Hey! That’s chocolate you got in my hair!” she exclaimed.

“Yeah, well that’s greasy popcorn you’re tossing my way, princess,” he countered with a grin.

The movie forgotten, they broke into a full out food fight, agreeing silently to leave the sodas out of it. The Milk Duds went quickly as every time one landed on someone, they snatched it up and popped it in their mouth so as to eliminate the projectile. Popcorn, however, was flying by the handfuls. Finally, Alex caught Isabel’s hands to stop her from being able to throw anymore.

Unable to break free of Alex’s hold, Isabel suddenly stilled, her heart still racing. Their eyes met and, like magnets, drew the two of them together. When their lips met, they melted together and Isabel sighed happily. As the kiss deepened naturally, both got lost in one another. That kiss turned into a light make-out session that was interrupted by the ending credits of the movie and the lights coming up.

Pulling back from Isabel, Alex grinned at her and she gave him an answering smile. Holding out his hand, he quipped as she placed hers in it, “One day, we’ll have to find out how it ends.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Walking hand in hand, they strolled down the mall licking ice cream cones that they held in their free hands. They took their time and stopped into the stores where something caught either of their eyes. Most of the time, they stopped for Isabel. When they walked out of the fourth women’s clothing store, Alex teased, “Tell me again how you talked me into taking you shopping?”

Moving closer to his side, Isabel stuck her tongue in his ear briefly. He shivered and she pulled back. He gave her a mock glare and she flashed an unrepentant grin in answer. “That was evil, Isabel Evans…but effective. Where to next?”

They continued down the walk in the mall until they came to the pet store. Both stopped and were drawn to the shop. Isabel moved to the large kitten cage and stuck a finger through the bars at one of the little black ones with a large head. “Awww, aren’t you cute!” she gushed.

The kitten batted at her hand and she wiggled it at him in fun until he stuck a claw in her. Then she jerked her hand back quickly, rattling the cage. “Ouch! That hurt!” She shook her finger in a useless effort to get rid of the pain. Then she tried petting one of the other kittens while the black one stuck his paw out at her.

Alex was looking at the puppies in the cages along the left wall. They were all so cute. A small Basset Hound caught his eye and it seemed to be looking right at him as it stood up against the glass. He put his hand up to the glass and the puppy licked where his hand was.

“Aaawwww, Alex, he likes you!” Isabel exclaimed, coming to stand by his side and take his hand.

The elderly man who was working the pet store smiled at the two young people and made his way over to them. “Good day, folks! My name is Elmer.” He paused and saw the puppy playing with Alex through the glass. “Looks like you’ve made a friend! I’ve always been partial to Basset Hounds m’self, and he’s a cute little guy. You wanna see him?” he offered.

Smiling sadly, Alex shook his head. “I don’t want to mislead you, sir. I couldn’t get him. My mother is extremely allergic to dogs and cats.”

Elmer patted his shoulder. “That’s alright, son. It’s kind of a slow day and that little guy could use the attention.” With that, he disappeared into the door to the back room. A moment later, the door to the cage where the Basset Hound was opened and two gnarled brown hands lifted the puppy out and the door closed again.

When Elmer opened the door to the back room again and reappeared with the puppy, Isabel was already reaching for the little dog. “Oh, he’s just so adorable! Look at that sagging little face!” she said, cuddling the small dog and turning it to face Alex. “Here, don’t you want to hold him?” She held the dog out to him and placed him in his arms.

Alex pat the small dog’s head and glancing up, nodded toward the back. “Elmer, would you mind if we took him to one of the play rooms?”

“Of course not! Go right ahead. Just holler when you’re ready to leave and I’ll put him back,” the older man told them.

They played with the puppy for the better part of an hour. He was a lovable little dog and he seemed to have attached himself to Alex, much to the teen’s dismay. “I feel bad that he seems to be getting so attached to me when I can’t give him the home he needs.” He laughed as a thought struck him. “You know, I’ve always thought that if I was a dog, I’d be a Basset Hound.”

Isabel grinned at that. “I can see that. I’ve heard them described as sweet, gentle, devoted, and always friendly. That seems to describe you to a T. Although I have also heard that they’re rather hard to housebreak…” she teased.

Alex smirked at her. “Well, I can assure you that I am completely housebroken and have been for quite a while.”

When they were ready to go, Alex called to Elmer who emerged from a storage room and thanked him for allowing them to play with the puppy. “My pleasure. Stop by anytime and if this little guy is still here, you’re welcome to play with him.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

They were in Alex’s car with the air conditioning on full blast, trying to figure out what they wanted to do next. “So where do you want to go?” Isabel asked him.

“I don’t care. You pick,” Alex said, putting on his sunglasses.

“The movie and the mall were my ideas so now it’s your turn.” When Alex gave her an exasperated look, she simply smiled and pushed her sunglasses up on her nose.

Getting an idea and always in a playful mood, Alex sighed. “Well, in that case, maybe we should go back to school. My English class will be starting soon and he did promise that pop test before finals…” he trailed of when Isabel started swatting his arm. Raising his hands up to ward off her blows, he laughed, “Ok, ok! Take it easy on the geek!”

“So where do you want to go?” Isabel asked again.

“Um, well, are you hungry?”

“No way. I’m still full from IHOP, the popcorn and the ice cream,” she answered shaking her head. “Are you?”

“I can always eat, but I’m not starving.” Alex grew quiet as he thought about what they could do. He watched Isabel turn the vents so that they pointed directly at her. “Hot?” he asked.

Isabel had her eyes closed, enjoying the feel of the cool air hitting her face and neck. “Mmm,” she answered. “It’s like a thousand degrees out there.”

“So maybe we should go swimming,” he suggested. “We could drive out to the lake.”

Opening her eyes and lowering her sunglasses, Isabel looked over the frames at him. “Alex, we don’t have our suits and I can’t go home to get mine because my mom is home.” Although a swim did sound good!

Swallowing, Alex stuttered, “Well, we don’t really…I mean we could always go swimming without suits.”

Snapping her head around to look at him sharply, her mouth was open in shock. “Alex Whitman, are you suggesting we go skinny-dipping?”

Now it was Alex’s turn to be shocked. “No! No, I mean, we could swim in our underwear. I’ve got on boxers and you can swim in your underwear and bra.” Completely red by this point, he shook his head. “You know what? Never mind; it was a bad idea. I’m sorry.”

Isabel placed a hand over his and waited for him to look at her. “Ok, let’s go swimming!” When his mouth dropped open, she giggled. “What? I’m not wearing white underwear.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Isabel?” Alex called tentatively.

They were lying out on the dock over the lake after their swim, drying in the hot sun. Alex had on his alien boxers and Isabel was in her pink and yellow striped bra and panties. Her sunglasses were on and her hair was fanned out around her head. She had been almost asleep when Alex’s voice had broken the peaceful silence.

Still dozing, she answered with a lazy, “Hmm?”

Propping himself up on his elbow, Alex looked down into her face. Clearing his throat he continued nervously. “I know you told me earlier that you attended my funeral in that dream or other reality or whatever it was…” he stopped when she stiffened but she didn’t say anything. “Well, what I was wondering was…I mean I was thinking about it and, if you don’t think it would be too morbid, I’d like to hear about it.”

Isabel sat up and pushed her sunglasses on top of her head. She tilted her head at him. “Hear about what?” she asked somewhat tightly.

Looking away from her, Alex sat up the rest of the way and shrugged. “My funeral. I know it might not mean much to you or you might have never thought about it but I’ve always wondered just how many people would show up…if people would miss me.” When several minutes had passed and she hadn’t said anything, he looked back up at her to see her with an odd expression on her face. He forced a laugh. “I mean, I’m the school geek you know and the best buddy and I make everybody laugh but…I don’t know, I guess you find out who your real friends are at the important events, when things happen…”

He was silenced by Isabel’s lips on his. The kiss was brief but when she pulled back, Isabel stood up and held out her hand. When he placed his hand in hers, she said, “Come on, I’ll tell you all about it but not here.”

Jumping up, Alex watched as she ran her hands over their underwear and through her hair to dry it with her powers. She picked up his clothes and handed them to him. When she started putting her own clothes on, he asked, “Where are we going?”

Isabel paused in her movements briefly and then continued to dress. “Roswell Hills Cemetery.”

[littleroswell]

OT: Thank you so much, Karen for your response as well to my question! I hoped I wasn't being morbid but I can't say I'm ashamed of who I am and what I sometimes think just because it might be different. Wow. Where did that come from? LOL! Anyway, I'm back with the new part.

One Last Day

AN: There is a place called Jillian’s here in GA that is like an adult’s Chucky Cheese’s. I don’t think there’s one in Roswell but I hope they like the free publicity. The place is great. Also, I’m giving some publicity to the band “Ivy” and one of their songs. The actual lyrics will be in the next part. Please don’t sue me for using it!

Part 5

Isabel climbed out of the car with a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Her heart was pounding with dread. Alex followed her down the path she chose. It was a winding path that led past many graves and up a hill. The path started to feel familiar, though Alex couldn’t place why until he was almost at the top of the hill. This was where the Whitman family plot was.

“Do you know where you’re going?” he asked in a hushed tone. Cemeteries always had that effect on people. They spoke quietly out of respect for the dead.

She stopped and looked at him. “This is the way to where we buried you. Max, Kyle, Michael, Valenti and your cousin…um, I can’t remember his name, carried the casket up this hill and Maria sang ‘Amazing Grace’. It’s at the top of the hill.” She continued with him following her.

Isabel’s certainty and unfaltering steps bothered Alex. Not only was he no longer sure that her story had indeed been a dream, but now he wondered if it hadn’t really been a vision of things to possibly come. How could she possibly know where the Whitman plot was? He hadn’t been there since his grandfather died when he was very young. Suddenly, the whole idea of hearing about his funeral made him uneasy.

Finally, she came to the spot where she knew it had been. Where she remembered the gravesite, the earth was solid and undisturbed. The flashes of the funeral came fast and made her catch her breath. Closing her eyes, she saw it all over again. She swayed a little from the memories and sat down on the ground. “I can’t just tell you about the funeral, Alex. You need to hear it all.”

Alex moved to sit beside her and took her hand in his. He waited for her to begin. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she did so. “We were all at the Crashdown, looking at pictures from the prom. Everyone was there but you. Maria was cleaning up some dishes she had broken and dumping them out back when we heard her scream. She came running back into the café and threw herself in Liz’s arms…Valenti came in behind her. He’s the one who told us about your ‘accident’. Max didn’t hesitate. He immediately volunteered to go heal you and we all insisted on going.

“I refused to believe that you were so far gone that Max couldn’t save you. When he couldn’t…” she trailed off here, tears clogging her throat.

Alex rested a hand on her shoulder. “Isabel, don’t tell me all of this. You don’t have to put yourself through this because it’s not going to happen this time around. Besides, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to know all of this. Just tell me about how people reacted to my death.”

Isabel hesitated, not knowing if she should do as he asked or not. Finally, she concluded that he was right and nodded. “People at school were all supposedly mourning, even some who didn’t know you until you were gone. That’s the last thing I remember agreeing with Liz and Maria on…that it made us sick to see all these strangers crying and mourning the death of someone they wouldn’t give the time of day to in life. Some of them I’m sure were sincere, and there were cards and candles and other memorials set up around the school. Maria was even told to put together a collage for the yearbook to dedicate to your memory.” She stopped and took a deep breath, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Alex moved to take her in his arms but she pulled away from him, needing to get this all out without falling apart. Opening her eyes, she looked at the ground. “Maria was a mess. She cried, went without makeup, and wore dark and baggy clothing. She stayed in bed a lot for a day or so and then she threw herself into the yearbook memorial. I’ve never seen her like that. Michael was great…a real rock for her and Amy.

“Liz didn’t handle it well at all, though. She didn’t cry; she didn’t seem to believe it. She was angry and detached from everyone. Max was upset because he couldn’t heal you for me and Liz,” she paused here for a moment, glad that Liz wouldn’t have to go through all of that after all.

Gathering strength and taking a shaky breath, she continued. “I couldn’t handle it. I felt guilty for how I had treated you and I decided to go ahead and graduate early, leave Roswell and go away to college.” Knowing she had gotten side-tracked once again, she stood up and looked around. Moving to a spot a little ways away, she said, “This is where Maria stood, with Amy close by, singing while they lowered the casket to the ground beside the dug grave. It was a beautiful wood casket, made of cherry, I think. Everyone wore black. I bought a dress just for the funeral and wore my hair up. Maria left hers down in beautiful waves.”

Stopping to remember everything, she went on, “She did a wonderful job with ‘Amazing Grace’. All the guys wore boutonnières of red roses and the women all carried a red rose in their hands.” Isabel pointed to a spot a little ways away from where she stood. “Michael stood with Maria and Amy, but Max stood there, a little ways from them. Liz stood over there, a little bit away from everyone. Tess stood between me and Kyle over there.”

Unable to stop the tears now, Isabel relived that day. “Your father had asked me to be the first to place my rose on the coffin as the girl you had liked for so long and because I had gone to prom with you. I leaned down and placed it on top…” she reenacted the moment and promptly burst into heart wrenching sobs.

Pulling her into his arms, Alex whispered, “Stop, Isabel, stop. Don’t try to tell me anymore. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you so badly. I’m here and I’m ok. Ssshhhh.” He rocked her and rubbed her back, trying to soothe her fears and pain.

She soaked his shirt with her tears. “Oh, Alex, promise me you’ll never leave me! Promise you’ll be with me always!” she wailed.

Pulling her back to the ground to sit and talk, he continued to rock her and whisper soothing words to her. “Isabel, it’s over now. We know about it and can work it out the way it’s supposed to be now.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

It was the better part of an hour before Isabel was calm enough to try to talk again. Irony was the word for what happened next, for just as Isabel was ready to talk, Alex’s cell phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, Alex waved it at her. “It’s Maria,” he told her with a tone of apology. Flipping it open, he said, “Hi, Maria.”

“’Hi, Maria?’ That’s all you can say to me after we’ve all been worried sick!” Maria yells into her phone. “Alex Whitman, where are you? Is Isabel with you because neither of you have been in any classes that we can tell.”

Rolling his eyes at her tone and grinning, Alex replied, “I’m not telling you where I am, but yes, Isabel is with me and we’re taking some time off to spend together. Have we missed anything important? Why is everyone panicking?”

His words gave Maria pause and she looked at Max, Michael, Liz, and Tess who were trying to overhear. She grimaced before answering him. “Weeellll, you haven’t missed anything important, no. We were just all worried because you just disappeared, especially with the way Isabel was acting this morning. You scared us, Alex!”

“I’m sorry, Maria, really. We didn’t mean to make everyone worry about us…” he was interrupted by Isabel trying to get his attention. He covered up the mouth piece and asked, “What?”

“Let me talk to Max or Michael,” she told him.

Nodding, Alex spoke into the phone. “Hey, Maria, Isabel wants to talk to Max or Michael.”

“Ok,” Maria said and held the phone out to Max. “Isabel wants to talk to you.”

Max took the phone at the same time Isabel took Alex’s. “Max?” she said. “Listen, I didn’t mean to worry you all. Everything is ok.”

“Isabel, you know you can’t just disappear like that without telling someone! We didn’t know what had happened,” he scolded. “I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”

Smiling fondly at her brother’s words, Isabel reassured him. “Well, Alex and I are fine. Thank you for worrying but we’re just skipping classes and having fun. If we miss anything important, let us know.”

The bell rang to signal that everyone needed to get moving to their next class. “Ok, Iz, just be careful. We’ve gotta get to class,” Max told her.

After hanging up with Max, Isabel handed the phone back to Alex. “I’m sorry for falling apart on you like that. I guess the short answer to your question would be that everyone missed you…to some degree and in some way, everyone missed you, Alex.”

Standing up, Alex held out a hand to help her to stand as well. She took it and when she was standing in front of him, he pulled her close and kissed her deeply. Pulling back, he said, “Thank you. Now that’s the last I want to hear about my death or funeral. Let’s go get some pizza. I’m starved.”

* * * * * * * * * *

They spent the rest of the day together. For the fun of it, they went to Jillian’s and ate pizza and played games. Isabel was good at the ski ball and Alex accused her of using her “gifts” to cheat. They played air hockey and the dance machine. They laughed and talked and had fun until the time school let out.

“Why don’t we go hang out at my house? My mom doesn’t get off of work until 5 and we can watch a movie or whatever. What do you think?” Alex asked.

“Ok, sounds like fun, but I need to call home and let them know I’ll be out,” Isabel told him. She pulled out her cell and called her mother. When Diane picked up, she said, “Hi, mom. Listen, I’m gonna hang out with some friends and study for finals ok?”

“Ok, sweetheart. Are you going to be home for dinner?” Diane asked her.

“Probably not. Is that ok?”

“Sure, sweetie. Just make sure you call if you are going to be late.” Her mother didn’t like the idea of Isabel being out late but if she was studying with friends and not out alone, she felt somewhat better.

After hanging up with her mother, Isabel held her hand out to Alex. “Ok, all set. Let’s go.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

The movie was almost over when Alex’s parents called to let him know that they were going out for dinner and asked if he wanted to join them. He declined, of course, and they told him they would be out for a while, maybe catch a movie. He grinned and told them to have fun. He was just going to hang out at home and study or watch TV.

When he hung up, they finished the movie. As the ending credits came onto the screen, Alex turned to Isabel and asked, “Ok, so what are we going to do now? You wanna watch another movie?”

Isabel snuggled down against his chest and rested her head on his shoulder. “Alex…” she paused, trying to gather courage to continue her request. “Alex, I know that I asked you this earlier and you said no but I feel like after the day we had that I need to ask you again. Will you…will you make love to me?”

Alex stiffened a bit at her question. She felt it but didn’t move. “Isabel, look at me,” he whispered. It took her a moment to do so but when she did, he leaned down and kissed her softly. When he pulled back, she sighed. “Iz, I need to know why you keep asking this of me.”

Isabel looked hurt for a moment. “Don’t you want me, Alex?” she asked so low that he had to strain to hear her.

Looking at her in disbelief, he took her face in his hands. “Are you crazy? Of course I want you, Isabel. I love you! Besides, I’m a teenage guy!” He placed another quick kiss on her lips before continuing. “I’m just sure that we’re not ready for that step. We’re both so young and we have all the time in the world for that.”

“But, Alex, what if something does happen to you? Alex…I want you to be my first and maybe my only. So why should we wait?” Isabel argued.

Closing his eyes and sighing, Alex shook his head. “Because we aren’t ready for the possible consequences. I’m so flattered and even more tempted but the answer is no.” When she started to pull away from him, he held her tighter. “Isabel, I don’t see a need to rush this. You and I should enjoy each other’s company and enjoy being teenagers. Someday, when we’re both ready…and if something happens between now and then, I know you’ll find someone else that you care about just as much, if not more.”

Shaking her head, Isabel disagreed vehemently. “No, there will never be anyone like you, Alex. I love you.”

Concerned at her attitude, he took her hands in his. “Isabel, I need you to promise me something. If something ever happens to me, you will go on to find someone new. I don’t want you to mourn and cry over me. I’m a happy-go-lucky kind of guy! I want you to miss me but promise you’ll go on with your life quickly. You are young and beautiful and deserve someone as special as you are.”

Placing her hand on the side of his face, she leaned in and looked him in the eyes. “You are the most special person I could imagine…but, I understand what you’re saying and I’m ok with waiting.”

Alex smiled. “Hey, if it’s meant to be, Isabel, it’ll happen naturally and at the right time.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

Isabel had suggested a sunset walk in the park and Alex had quickly agreed. They were pleasantly surprised by a free outdoor concert at the stage in the center of the park and wandered over to see who was playing. It was a good band called “Ivy” and both Alex and Isabel liked their sound.

They danced to a couple of songs and finally one song came on that really caught Isabel’s attention. It was called “One Last Kiss” and she cuddled close into Alex’s arms as she listened to it and they swayed to the music. He happily held her tighter and kissed the side of her head. Isabel had no idea how that song would haunt her.

* * * * * * * * * *

Alex took Isabel home and it was really late. They had stayed in the park, laid out on a blanket and watched the stars for a while. Turning off the lights to his car as he pulled alongside the curb, Alex turned the motor off and turned to face Isabel. “I had a great time today…” he said.

Before he could say anything else, Isabel blurted out, “Aren’t you coming in? Please?”

Looking into her eyes, Alex saw fear in her eyes and he didn’t want the day to end either. Nodding he said, “Ok, but just for a little while, and I don’t want to get into trouble with your parents so they won’t let me come over anymore.”

They went in through the front door but the house was quiet. Everyone had gone to bed apparently. There was a note on the table just inside the living room and it was just wishing Isabel a good night from her mother. Her father was apparently stuck out of town for the evening on a case. As they passed Max’s room, they could hear low music playing and they were careful to be very quiet as they went down to Isabel’s room.

Once the door was closed and Isabel’s lamp was on, she took off her shoes and sat down on the bed. Alex looked uncomfortable and when Isabel yawned, he smiled. “Maybe I should just go on home. You look tired and I know I am. We can hang out a bit at school tomorrow.”

Isabel shook her head emphatically and held out her hands to him. “Please don’t leave me, Alex. Take off your shoes and come hold me.” She was suddenly overcome with fear that she couldn’t explain.

“Ok, but if we get caught…” he didn’t finish his sentence as he took off his shoes and climbed onto the bed. When they were settled with her in his arms, he rocked her gently. “I had so much fun today. I’m glad I let you talk me into skipping school.”

Isabel clung to him. “It was the best day of my life.” Then she realized what it was she was afraid of and whispered, “Alex, what if we can’t stop something happening to you and I lose you? What will I do? How will I go on after today?”

Sighing, Alex turned her face to his and kissed her tenderly. “You’ll grieve for a little while, hopefully a very little while, and then go on with your life. You’ll make decisions and find another person to love.” He gave her a small smile. “But maybe you could try to remember your old Alex once in a while. Isabel, I want you to be happy…no matter what.” Then he placed a hand over her heart. “As long as you keep me here and here,” he pointed to her head, “then we’ll never be apart and I’ll always be with you.”

“I love you, Alex,” Isabel said, resting her forehead against his and closing her eyes.

“I love you too,” he whispered. Then he kissed her before pulling her down to lay her head in his lap. He started to rub her head and face as she gradually fell asleep.

Isabel fought the sleep but she was so tired…so tired. Alex’s hands felt so good rubbing her head as her mother used to do when she was a child. She felt her eyelids getting heavier and she whispered just before finally succumbing to sleep, “Don’t ever leave me, Alex.”

[littleroswell]

Ok, everyone, I'm back with the last part...and I'm dropping it off and running. Don't shoot me!

One Last Day

AN: I’m giving some publicity to the band “Ivy” and one of their songs. Please don’t sue me for using it!

Part 6

Isabel awoke a little confused. Her alarm had awakened her and she had turned it off automatically. Her eyes felt puffy and swollen and when she looked down, she realized she was in her pajamas. She didn’t remember getting up and changing out of her clothes. In fact, now that she thought about it, she didn’t remember stirring when Alex left…and he had to have moved her when he left because she did remember falling asleep on him.

Mentally shrugging off the questions that had popped up in her head, she jumped out of bed and went to the closet to figure out what to wear to school. She hadn’t had time to lay out any of her clothes. Her khaki skirt and navy top ought to work, but when she went to pull the skirt out of her closet, she found that it wasn’t hanging on the rod. ‘Weird. If I remember right, mom did laundry last Tuesday, I mean yesterday, and my khaki skirt should be back in my closet,’ she thought to herself.

“Oh well, Alex and I already changed what happened for us, we must have changed a lot of things,” she decided aloud and then laughed at the realization that she was talking to herself. Not wanting to be late, Isabel decided to figure out what to wear after a shower.

Rushing for the bathroom to beat Max out, she stopped when she got in and locked the door. The entire house was pretty quiet. Did she miss a time change or something? Then she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and her mouth dropped open. What in the world happened to her? She looked like hell! Her hair was limp and dirty and her eyes were red and swollen.

Maybe she had had a bad dream and had been crying in her sleep, and she did go swimming in that lake yesterday and hadn’t washed her hair. Something didn’t strike her just right, though. She was starting to feel uneasy. Trying to shake it, Isabel turned on the water and climbed into the shower, shedding her pj’s as she did so.

After showering thoroughly and washing her hair, Isabel stepped out and started to dry off. She still couldn’t shake the sense of unease that plagued her and she realized that it was getting worse. Then she stopped to listen and understood why her feelings of unease were growing. There was still no noise in the house. Maybe Max forgot to set his alarm and had overslept.

Putting on her robe, she opened the bathroom and almost screamed as she was startled by her mother on the other side of the door. “Mom, you scared me! I didn’t hear anything so I didn’t think anyone was up,” she told her.

Diane looked at her with sad, sympathetic eyes and held out her arms for her daughter to give her a hug. When Isabel happily moved into them, she whispered, “How are you doing, sweetheart?”

Isabel pulled back and gave her a warm smile. “Fine, mom, but I think Max overslept. I’d better wake him or he’ll be late for school.” She turned to do just that but Diane held her back. She turned back to her with a curious look on her face. “Mom?”

“Isabel, Max isn’t going to school today. I’m surprised that you thought he would. I’m surprised you’re planning to go. After yesterday, I would have thought that you wouldn’t want to go anywhere,” Diane told her. “Are you sure you’re ok?”

Isabel was puzzled. Not go to school after yesterday? Just because she was out late studying, her mother thought she wasn’t going to school? She shook her head and moved down the hall to her room. “Never better,” she answered happily.

Going into her room and closing the door, she quickly dressed and her stomach rumbled. Chuckling, she told it, “Don’t think we’re going to eat like we did yesterday. That was a rare thing. We can’t expect to stay slim and trim eating pancakes, ice cream, and pizza all the time.” It only rumbled again in answer and she laughed.

Moving to the mirror, Isabel was happy to see that she was able to lose the puffy, red eyes in the shower and she looked more human. Looking at the clock, she realized she would need to hurry if she was going to get breakfast before she had to leave for school. She stood in front of the mirror and applied her make up with a little help from her alien powers.

Walking over to her desk, she bent down to pick up her school bag and was almost brought down to the floor with the weight. “What the…?” Isabel set the bag back on the floor and opened it up. She was confused at the sight of so many books in it. She didn’t remember picking up all those books yesterday. Glancing up, she realized she had most of her notebooks on the desk. Frowning and shaking her head in confusion, she decided she would come back up for the notebooks and concentrate on getting the book bag down the stairs.

Isabel left her bag in a chair in the living room as she moved to the kitchen. Her father had his travel coffee mug in his hand and was on his way out to work when she came in. “’Morning, daddy. When did you get home? I thought you were out of town for the day,” she greeted him.

He looked at her in surprise. “’Morning, kitten. I didn’t expect to see you up before I left this morning. Are you ok?” Phillip asked.

“Why does everybody keep asking me that? I’m fine! I’ve never been better!” she answered, pulling out a bowl and grabbing the cereal bowl off the top of the refrigerator.

Studying her for a moment, Phillip decided to let it alone and came over to her. Putting an arm around her shoulders he pulled her to him and kissed the side of her head. “Well, however you need to deal with all this. Tell your mother that I left the page of the paper she wanted at her place at the table.”

“Ok, daddy, have a good day at work,” she answered. Then she sat down with her bowl of cereal and the milk and glanced at the part of the paper that her dad had mentioned. Since she sat next to her mother, she had a good view. It was the obituary page. “Why would mom be interested in…?” Then Isabel noticed the date. She swallowed the food she had in her mouth and felt her heart drop to her stomach. No, it wasn’t…it couldn’t be…her eyes were drawn to the large obituary at the bottom corner of the page.

“NO!” she screamed as she saw the picture.

She dropped her spoon into the bowl and picked up the paper. The name was there in black and white. Her mother came running down the stairs. “Oh, Isabel! I’m so sorry, honey. I didn’t want you to see it but I thought you might want it someday. I’m so sorry!” Diane exclaimed, trying to take the paper from her daughter.

Isabel snatched the paper out of her mother’s reach. Her whole body shook at what she read. “Alexander Charles Whitman was killed in a car wreck on Sunday…” The rest of the words on the page blurred as her eyes filled with tears. Turning her face to her mother for an explanation, she shook her head in denial.

Confused at Isabel’s reaction, Diane pointed to the flowers that were on the dining room table through the doorway. “Those arrived yesterday evening from the Whitmans. They wanted to thank you for being at the funeral yesterday and for writing Alex’s obituary.”

“No, no, no, no!” Isabel stood up. “Alex isn’t dead! I spent the whole day with him yesterday! Finals are next week and we ditched school…”

“Isabel, we were all at the funeral yesterday. Your final exams are this week but the teachers have all said you can take them as you feel up to them as long as they’re done by Friday. Why are you acting so strangely?” Diane asked, trying to be sympathetic but concerned at the same time.

Isabel shook her head, backing away and refusing to believe it. “NO! You’re wrong! Alex is not dead!” she screamed. Alarming her mother, she ran for the front door and left.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Isabel was out of breath by the time she reached the school. She had only just made it inside the door when she saw the people going by a decorated locker. They were crying or touching the door. When she realized whose locker it was, she shook her head, again refusing to believe what her eyes were trying to tell her. As the warning bell for first period rang, she dove out the door and started running again.

She had to slow down to a walk only a couple of miles from the school but she kept moving in the direction her heart took her. When she entered the cemetery, she stopped for a moment, trying to catch her breath. Closing her eyes, she held her hand over her heart. “He’s not dead…Alex is not dead!” she whispered over and over as she moved deeper among the gravesites.

When Isabel arrived at the Whitman family plot, she moved like her feet were made of lead. Already her eyes and heart were confirming her fears at the sight of a fresh grave. Her chest heaved with sobs that struggled to work their way out and she dropped to the ground. She read the epitaph. “Alexander C. Whitman/ June 21, 1984 – April 29, 2001/ Beloved son and friend/ May your song always be sung.” The sobs had finally made their way to the surface at the realization that instead of dying on Saturday night, Alex had still been killed, even in the same way, but on Sunday instead.

The sobs wracked Isabel’s body and she doubled over at the pain of it all. “Oh, Alex! I’m so sorry! I tried to save you, Alex!” she wailed.

When she had cried herself out, Isabel sat staring off into space, suddenly numb and trying to make sense of it all. What had been real and what had she only imagined or dreamed? Had they really spent the entire day together? Did she only dream or imagine the entire day? Desperation suddenly seized her and she had to know for sure. Jumping up, Isabel ran out of the cemetery and then stopped as she tried to think of some way to prove that it had really all happened.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Isabel stood inside her room, looking around for something that would prove that the beautiful day she and Alex had shared had been real. She had snuck in through the window, not wanting anyone else to know that she was home. The first blow was the realization that she and Alex hadn’t purchased anything all day but food. Determined, she shook off that depressing thought and moved to her closet to find the outfit she had worn. It was hanging in the closet but even that didn’t cause her to think of giving up. Her mother could have done the laundry since then…after all, supposedly a week had passed since that day.

“Think, Isabel, think,” she murmured to herself. Then she snapped her fingers. “Elmer at the pet store!”

She quickly left her room the way she had come and walked to the bus stop to catch the bus to the mall. All the walking was tiring her and she assumed she must not have slept well the night before. Sighing as she watched the mall come into view and as she stepped off, she made her way inside quickly. Taking the escalator to the bottom floor, Isabel jogged to the pet store.

Her countenance fell as she noticed that there was a woman working on stocking shelves with canned cat food and no Elmer in sight. Glancing around, her eyes landed on the puppies on the left and she quickly scanned the cages for the Basset Hound that they had played with. There were no Basset Hounds. Walking up to the woman who looked to be about 30 years old, Isabel plastered a hopeful smile on her face.

“Pardon me.”

The woman turned and smiled at her politely. “Yes, may I help you?”

“I hope so. I’m looking for the Basset Hound you had here. My friend and I were in here last week and were playing with him. I wanted to get more information about possibly purchasing him. Elmer was helping us,” Isabel explained, trying to remain calm.

The woman looked down at nothing in thoughtful confusion. “I don’t remember any Basset Hound and I don’t know an Elmer.” When Isabel’s face fell and her eyes filled with tears, the woman hurried to add, “But I just started on Saturday and the dog might have already been adopted and Elmer might work on the days I don’t. I’m only supposed to work every other day. If you’d like, I can take your information and leave it for whoever is working tomorrow and maybe they know more about the dog.”

Isabel shook her head. “No, that’s ok. Thank you for your time.”

Wandering down the mall, Isabel wracked her brain going over everything they did the day before. Obviously no one had seen them at the lake or at the Whitman home. The IHOP was always so busy that there was little chance the waitress would remember them even if Isabel remembered who she was. She was running out of options. Then her head snapped up. The movie. She remembered the name of the movie and all she had to do was go to the theater they had gone to and ask someone who comes out what movie they had seen and ask them to describe the movie. Then she would know they had really seen it.

Quickly making her way by bus to the street where the theater was, she stepped off the bus and down the street. After looking at the sign that announced the movies playing, Isabel started shaking uncontrollably and collapsed onto a bench across the street from the theater. It wasn’t there. They weren’t playing the movie they had gone to see.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Isabel spent the day visiting the places she and Alex had gone. She heard her laughter and his corny jokes. She felt his kisses and her pushing him when he teased her. Everywhere she turned, she saw him…heard him…felt him. “Oh, Alex. Am I crazy? Was it real? In my heart I feel that it was but…would it be too sacrilegious to ask for a sign…some sort of proof so that I’m not always wondering if I imagined the entire thing?”

Making her way to the park, she heard a radio playing. It was coming from a little ways away but she was drawn to the sound. As Isabel found the stereo that was playing, she realized the band was the same one they had seen in the park. It was Ivy’s song that was playing that she and Alex had danced to.

One More Last Kiss

I'm not afraid to start over.
It's just a feeling that we shared.
They can't take that away.
I'm not afraid to be lonely.
It's just a question of how long, how long I have to wait.

So one more last kiss like two prisoners.
One more last kiss to hold on to.
One more last kiss just to remember you
before we fade away, before we fade away.

I'm not here making excuses.
But no apologies could change
the way this all will end.
We're only just what we're made of.
I'm only sorry that we can't have this chance again.

So one more last kiss like two prisoners.
One more last kiss to hold on to.
One more last kiss just to remember you
before we fade away, before we fade away.

So one more last kiss like two prisoners.
One more last kiss to hold on to.
One more last kiss just to remember you
before we fade away;
One more last kiss like two prisoners.
One more last kiss to hold on to.
One more last kiss just to remember you
before we fade away, before we fade away.

Crying, Isabel sat on a bench a little ways away as the song faded. If that was her sign, she would take it. She wished it could have been something more substantial but she appreciated what she could get. How would she go on from here without him?

She was so lost in her thoughts and despair that she didn’t hear him approach and nearly jumped out of her skin when he sat down beside her. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he said quietly. “What’s going on, Isabel?”

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she sobbed quietly. “He’s gone, Max. He’s really gone. I just can’t believe it. What am I going to do without him?”

Max just wrapped his arms around his sister and held her against him. “I know, Is. I’m so sorry I couldn’t save him for you.”

She sniffled. “I asked him to make love to me. He turned me down. Why did this have to happen?”

Holding her close, Max sighed, gave her a squeeze and loosened his hold. “I don’t know. Liz thinks that everything happens for a reason. I’m not sure I believe that…but I don’t think that everything is just chance or coincidence either. I do know that you are going to go on and be happy because Alex would want that for you.”

“I don’t even have anything really to remember him by,” she mumbled.

Max looked at her in surprise. “What about that day you spent together last week?”

As his words registered with her, Isabel sat up abruptly. “Last week?” she echoed.

Rolling his eyes at her, he said, “The day you skipped school with him. You never really told me what you did together, but you said it was the best day of your life.”

Throwing herself in her brother’s arms, Isabel cried tears of happiness. “Oh, Max! I really spent it with him! I really skipped school and had a great time with him before he died.”

Not understanding her words but glad he seemed to have helped her, Max stood up. “Yeah, you really did, but if mom or dad finds out you might be in trouble. You going to be ok now? Ready to go home?”

Looking up at him, she placed her hand in his and stood up. “Yeah, I’ll be ok.”

As they walked back towards home, Isabel heard one of her conversations with Alex on the wind and smiled at it.

“Isabel, I need you to promise me something. If something ever happens to me, you will go on to find someone new. I don’t want you to mourn and cry over me. I’m a happy-go-lucky kind of guy! I want you to miss me but promise you’ll go on with your life quickly. You are young and beautiful and deserve someone as special as you are…”

Isabel whispered, “Alex, what if we can’t stop something happening to you and I lose you? What will I do? How will I go on after today?”

Sighing, Alex turned her face to his and kissed her tenderly. “You’ll grieve for a little while, hopefully a very little while, and then go on with your life. You’ll make decisions and find another person to love.” He gave her a small smile. “But maybe you could try to remember your old Alex once in a while. Isabel, I want you to be happy…no matter what.” Then he placed a hand over her heart. “As long as you keep me here and here,” he pointed to her head, “then we’ll never be apart and I’ll always be with you.”

“I love you, Alex,” Isabel said, resting her forehead against his and closing her eyes.

“I love you too,” he whispered.

Turning her face up to the sky, Isabel whispered a prayer. “Thank you, God, for giving me that one last day. I’ll cherish it always. Alex, if you can hear me, I love you and I’ll keep my promise to keep you in my heart and mind so that you will always be with me.” Just as she started walking again, she felt the wind stir for the first time all day and it felt like a caress. Smiling at the thought, Isabel realized that things really would be ok and that Alex would indeed always be with her.

------------------------------------

Ok, I know that the ending wasn't what everyone was hoping for but this fic was only supposed to be a little glimpse into something that could have happened before Alex died. I wanted to give a silver lining to the dark clouds that were coming. I hope that you aren't too disappointed and if this is the first story you are reading by me, I usually don't write sad endings but sometimes they just fit. Whatever you feel about it, I hope that you will leave me feedback and tell me how the story affected you. Thanks for your patience and time!