|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
stories
readers
authors
www
updates list
|
[PG-13] FINALLY... HEAVEN by Toni
YOU
AND I, CANNOT HIDE My
best friend, Claire Chambers, sang for her 1st ever Brit Awards
performance. She was very
excited and overwhelmed with the over-night fame she achieved.
This was her 1st single off her debut album entitled,
‘Chambers of my Heart’. Hi!
I’m Victoria Bartlett, Westlife’s back-up dancer and
co-producer. I’ve known
Claire for almost all my life. A
little background on her. She’s
raised in Ireland but her parents are both Norwegian.
She’s currently living in Sligo with her family.
She’s married to Westlife’s Mark Feehily and already have a
baby girl named Alexandra Brooke. Love
at first sight happened to these 2 lovebirds… “Thank
you everybody! Le gra go deo!” Claire
bade after her stunning performance.
She rushed backstage to meet her husband and baby.
“Hey,
gorgeous!” her husband, Mark Feehily greeted.
“Nice performance over there.
I knew you could do it!” “Thanks,
handsome!” she answered and kissed him and their 6-month-old baby.
Then Alex, their baby, started crying. Claire
carried and tried to silence their baby but with no luck.
She said, “Oops… I know what you need, baby.
Markie, can we go outside?” “Sure!”
he answered and led them outside to the park nearby.
“But what are you going to do?” She
didn’t answer. She just
slipped down her spaghetti strap and unhooked her bra and breast-fed their
little angel. Mark looked
warmly at his little baby. Alex
looked very cute whilst suckling on her Mom’s full breast.
She continued feeding her until the baby slept.
Then, they went back to the stadium.
Mark was urgently wanted. I
saw them walking towards the door. I
yanked Mark’s arm and said, “Mark!
You’re on 5 minutes and you’re still not in your suit!
C’mon! Double time,
lad! You can talk to them after your award!” I stopped. I
said to myself, “Oops! Me
and my big mouth!” I walked
away and rearranged my make-up. “Honey,”
Claire said, “I think you’re needed already.
You better go. We’ll
talk back in the seats, okay?” “Okay,
sweet,” he said smiling. “See
ya, love,” he said to his little girl.
And they walked apart. I
FEEL THAT I
“Oh, good, Feehily!” Bryan said whilst fastening his leather
jacket on. “Where have you
been?”
“Yeah,” Kian said facing the mirror adding more gel to his
bangs. “We’re almost
ready and you’re not even started!”
“Uh… I’ve been with Claire and Alex,” Mark said stripping
to his red silk boxers and picking up his trademark black shirt and
jacket.
“Oh I see,” Nicky said whilst Anne, the make-up artist, was
making some adjustments. “Family
matters.”
“That’s okay,” Shane said sitting on a stool and tying his
boots. “We all know you
love your girls so much. So
do we, right, McFadden?”
“Yeah, so much,
Filan!” he answered. Bryan’s
married to Kerry and has a 2-year-old baby girl, Molly.
Shane’s my husband and we have girl twins named Sandy and Sandra.
They’re both a year old. Kian
is currently living with his pregnant girlfriend Rachelle and Nicky’s
with Georgina and his son Jordan.
“Guys,” I yelled, “we’re on!
Get ready, on Samantha’s cue, act!”
“Yes, honey,” Shane answered. “And
now, on center stage, to sing ‘Uptown Girl’,” Samantha said clearly,
“Westlife!” the crowd went to a roaring applause.
The performance started with a diner-like stage with 10 dancers,
including me, were to sit. And
then, the lads enter with trays of fake food.
Then, before we start ‘eating’, Ms. Claudia Schiffer enters and
the lads start singing and we start dancing.
The performance went well and they, or we, received a standing
ovation. Then, Samantha and new Kitten, Jenny frost, gave the guys the
Best Pop Group award.
“First of all,” Bryan started, “I wanna thank the Lord above
for this wonderful award. To
all my family and friends, to the management team, RCA, BMG, to the lads,
Mr. Billy Joel, and most especially, to my Molly, Kerry and to all the
fans! Love ya all!”
Then Nicky came second. Then
Kian and Shane. Mark came
last. He said, “The lads
said everything. So I just
want to thank God for all his blessings.
The lads, all the peeps behind us, the fans, my family, and to my
little girl and her gorgeous mom. Thank
you!”
Backstage, as usual, they have to give the trophy back and go to
their seats. “Ah, this
sucks!” whispered Kian. “Why
is it always to be like that?”
Back on their seats, Claire kissed them on the cheek one by one and
a special lip kiss to Mark. “Congratulations,
lads! You did it again!”
“Thanks, Clairey honey,” Mark said after kissing her.
She hands Alex to him. “Aww…
how’s my cute smiley baby? Okay?”
She looked to her Dad with her big shining blue eyes she got from
him. She babbled something.
“Oh! I take that as
a yes, love.”
After the awards, the other lads went out to party because of their
big win. But Mark went home
with Claire to their $5 million mansion beside Hazelwoods.
They were exhausted. Alex
slept in her mother’s arms. To
lay off the exhaustion, both of them looked down to her now sleeping
peacefully on her crib and nibbling her teddy.
Mark felt tears welling up on his eyes as he hummed ‘Angel’s
Wings’ to his little girl. Then,
the tears escaped and fell onto Claire’s hand.
“Honey, are you crying?” she asked.
“No, my love. I’m
just so happy now that I have you and we have a little girl.”
“I love you Mark Feehily,” Claire whispered.
“I love you too, Claire Feehily,” he answered back. And they kissed and woke up Alex. “Aww… sorry to wake you up, baby.” She smiled and closed her eyes and slept again.
“We love you Alexandra Brooke Feehily.”
SUDDENLY
OUR DESTINY WHEN
YOU'RE NEXT TO ME 9
years later…
All’s well for all of us for the past 9 years.
Claire and Mark now are 32 years old and their daughter, 9.
She’s studying in a reputable elementary school not far from
where they lived. Westlife
now has 23 number 1s and Claire has 10 top 10 singles.
Well, as for me, if you have to ask, Shane and I have the twins,
Sandy and Sandra, 10 and a 5-year-old boy named Kenneth.
Bryan and Kerry have Molly, 11 and Dylan, 7.
Kian and Rachelle now have Kieran and Kelley, 9, twins.
Nicky and Georgina have Nadine, 4, Jordan, 6, and Leighanne, 10
months. Our star couple just
has Alexandra because of some problems with Claire.
Well, anyway, just go on with this…
“Hi, Mommy, Daddy!” Alex said happily as she ran up the porch
steps. She was holding a
piece of paper in her hand.
“Hello, sweetie,” Claire said kissing her.
“How’s school?”
“Fine,” she said. “You
know what? I had the highest
grade in Math today in our summary test.
I only had 3 misses!”
“Oh, we’re so proud of you,” Mark said picking her up and
letting her sit on the sofa. “I
think you got your excellent Math abilities from your Mom.
Cos I don’t like Math at all!”
Claire laughed and playfully hit him on the shoulder.
“Hmmm… maybe!” she said with a little chuckle.
“So, because of that AND your birthday’s next week, we’ll all
go to the newest amusement park there down Elm Street tomorrow. Okay with you guys?” The
father and daughter said ‘yes’ in chorus.
The next day, the three prepared for their day in the amusement
park. Little do they know
that this can be their last fun time together.
So they went in the car and headed for the park.
“Oh Dad!” Alex exclaimed upon seeing the Whirlin’ Hurl. “Can we go in there?”
“But Alex,” Claire said very concerned, “I think you’re too
young to go ride there.
“Heck, no, honey,” Mark said putting one arm over Claire’s
shoulder. “It’s not the
age, it’s the height. Our
beautiful Alexandra here is pretty tall so she can go with us.”
Claire was not agreeing to this.
She had a funny feeling even before the left home.
She feels that someone close to her will get hurt.
But she still said yes to it and gave it a shot.
The ride was nerve-racking. Claire
was sent to the little girls’ room to puke almost everything she ate
that day. Alex seems fine so
Mark agreed to take a last roller coaster ride before the went back home. Claire said she can't come cos she’s not feeling so good.
So Mark and Alex went on and this time, Mark puked.
Alex
seemed to be very stable but she suddenly became very nauseous when they
got back home. She
immediately slept ‘til the next day.
She refused to eat every time her parents told her to.
She became very weak and often sleeps.
Claire
and Mark got very worried so they took her to the hospital. There, Dr. Coates attended them. He ran some tests on their daughter and the results are not
that good. But as a doctor,
he had to tell Alex’s parents what happened.
He bravely approached the couple anxiously waiting for him to start
spilling the results. He
cleared his throat and started, “Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Feehily.
I’m Dr. Jade Coates. I
ran the tests to your daughter and found a very disappointing
conclusion.” “What
is it, Doc?” Claire asked
him with tears forming in her eyes. She
sensed that it was not good judging on the look of the doctor’s face.
Mark was speechless. “Before
that, I’m just going to tell you that I’m just a doctor and I promise
to do everything I can to help you.”
Silence. “You
daughter has cancer in the stomach. It
had accumulated in a very slow pace and we reckon that it was probably
been there for the past 3 years. It
really affected her now and, sad to say, she would probably live for about
10 more months. I’m very sorry.” Then
he left. He, too, was crying
inside. “WHAT?”
Mark yelled. “We’re going
to lose our little angel? Shit,
that cannot happen!” He
sank down the sofa and started crying in torrents. Claire
couldn’t believe what they just heard so she just whispered, “Oh my
God! Please don’t take her
yet. Please…” and her
teardrops fell like rain. She
hugged Mark and said, “Honey, it seems like we’re going to lose our
only child. We can't have
another baby, ever.” Mark
just shook his head and ran outside to Alex’s room.
He found her with tears in her eyes but amazingly very calm.
He approached her silently. She
smiled warmly but the sadness and pain she felt were written in her blue
crying eyes. He reached out
for her hand and said, “Hi, baby! Are
you okay?” Tears fell uncontrollably. “Hi,
dad,” she said audibly but you can still hear the pain.
“I know the whole story. I’m
not going to last with you, Dad.” Her voice began to shake.
Tears rolled from both pale cheeks.
“Dad, don’t worry. If I go now, I promise to watch over you and Mom and all the
people who helped me through all these years.
I love you!” Mark
held her hand and said through the tears, “Honey, don’t say that! You will be with us forever, sweetie. Mom and I love you and we will not let you go.”
Then they both cried and said nothing. Claire
heard everything that they were talking about.
She was so hurt about it that she decided not to go inside and
interfere with the two. Then
Mark got out and traced on his face that he cried his eyes out.
Then she entered the room. It
was so cold and very empty. The
silence is almost unbearable to her because she felt like her daughter was
slipping away. She saw her
humming the very song she sang every night.
“…Somebody to keep the dream alive…” she sang. “…The
dream I found in you…” her Mom continued.
“Hi, honey! What are
you feeling?” She
smiled and said, “I’m fine, Mom!
Really!” In reality,
she feels excruciating pain on her tummy and felt like crying out loud.
“Alex,
I love you,” Claire whispered to her dying baby.
“Don’t leave us now.” “I
know, Mommy,” she said softly. “But
the Lord God is calling me. Mom,
I love you, too. And I
don’t want to leave but… that’s fate.
It’s my time. Mom, I
promise to pray for you and everyone that I loved during my time here on
earth.” “Aww…
sweetheart, you’re saying that like you’re really going now. Don’t say that yet. You’re
still with us and we promise to cherish every moment we’re having with
you.” She kissed her cheek.
A nurse told her that visiting time’s over.
She turned back to her daughter and whispered, “Don’t lose
hope, honey. I know that God
will protect you and He will be with you, okay.
I love you, Alex!” Then she left. She
found Mark in the quiet room and thinking but he already stopped crying.
“Mark, what are you thinking?” “Nothing.
I’m just getting my wits to flash back in time where we were so
excited that we were going to have her 10 years ago.
Now, He’s taking her away from us.” “Don’t
say that, baby. I’m sure
that He will take good care of her and never leave her.” “I
know, but why does He have to take her away so early?
Why is He taking our Alex and will not give us another one?” “No
one can ever replace her, Mark. She’s
our only one. Just pray that
she’ll be okay.” NOW
OUR LOVE IS BLESSED
News had spread all over the globe about Alex’s illness. In 5 days time, get-well cards from all over the world came
in huge boxes in the Feehily home. Prayers
were said everyday for her and their web sites were full of get-well
letters for Alex. The lads and Claire had lain off the touring and took a
break to worry about Alex, Mark and Claire.
On Alex’s 10th birthday, the lads, their ladies,
Claire, the kids and I set up a little party in Alex’s room.
For that one-day, we all found her smiling and not worrying about
her illness. But she’s not
only feeling happiness; she’s also feeling intense pain.
Before we left, I gave her a little box wrapped in silver paper and
a red ribbon. I whispered,
“Alex, this is from Sandra. She
says she’s sorry that she can't be with you today.
She want to say happy birthday and get well soon.”
She smiled and opened the box.
It was a bead bracelet that my twins and her used to make and give
to orphanages. “Please
thank her for me, Auntie Vicky. Please
let her come and visit me sometime, okay?
Thanks!” I smiled at
her and we left.
The next day, I returned to the hospital with my girl, Shane and
Mark. We, again, found her
singing a song. This time,
‘Flying Without Wings’. Sandra
ran to her friend’s side. “Hey,
Alex! How are ya?
Sorry, I can't be with you yesterday.
But, received my gift?”
“Yeah, thanks! I
love it! I’m feeling fine! How’s Jerri the hamster?” she answered with a forced
smile.
“She’s fine! In
fact, she misses you,” Sandra continued talking to her ‘til end of the
visiting time. We all stayed
outside. I talked to Mark and
tried to comfort him since Claire wasn’t around.
“Hey, Mark,” I greeted. He
looked a little glum but he managed to flash a smile.
“How’s it going, mate?”
He chuckled and bit his lip. I
knew he was about to cry. “Great!
I mean, I’m okay. But she’s not.” He
put his beer down and cried on my shoulder.
“Vicky, she only has 10 months left!
How could I stop her from dying?
Oh my little angel! Fuck
those cancer cells!”
“Mark, calm down,” I said tapping him on the back.
“It’ll be fine. She
loves you and that’s all that matters.”
“Fine?” he almost, yelled.
“Victoria Marie Filan, it’s not!
She’s our only baby and we’re not going to have another one.
I know Claire isn’t very open about it but I know she crying
inside.” He continued
cursing. I
froze on my seat because for all the years that I’ve known him, Mark
Feehily only calls me with my whole-married name if he’s not in the
right mood. I mean, I really understand him.
He had been my ex-boyfriend back when we were in high school and we
were best friends since we could walk.
I felt dead guilty. I
said, “Mark, I’m sorry. I
never thought of it that way.” He
said nothing. “Mark, look
at me! I said I’m sorry.” Nothing.
He sipped his beer again. “Feehily!
I’m sorry! I
didn’t mean to hurt you. I
mean, I’m sad too for you, for Claire.
Mark, I also didn’t want her to go.
I love the girl and you know that.
She’s my favorite godchild.” He
wiped a tear away and faced me. His
eyes were puffed due to too much crying.
He said, “I’m sorry, too, Vicky.
I guess I just got carried away.
I love her so much to let her just slip away.”
He sank down his chair and, again, cried his eyes out. Alex’s
vitals were hanging critical for the past month.
Claire and Mark stayed with her the whole time and we always visit
her. The fans had been so
supportive and loving. They
even set up a vigil in front of the hospital for Alex.
We all are very happy but Mark just couldn’t fight the moonlight.
One
day I heard him, Claire and Alex talking.
“Honey,” Claire said. You
can hear the sadness and worry she’s feeling.
“We love you. And we
promise to pray for you.” She
stopped and I reckon she cried on her bedside. Bryan
caught me eavesdropping beside the door and also crying.
“Vicky, what’s the matter?” he asked me, hugging me.
I shushed him and mentioned him to keep quiet.
I listened still. “Baby,
don’t forget that whatever happens, we will be here for you,” Mark
said trying to control his feelings.
“You will never be too far from us, hun.” Bryan
was crying too when Rachelle came. She
was to take Nadine to the cafeteria.
Bryan told them to keep quiet.
He carried Nadine and looked at me with sad eyes.
We continued listening. We
heard Alex comforting her parents with an incredibly calm and cheerful
sounding voice. “Mommy,
Daddy,” she said, “no matter what happens to me, I promise to watch
over you and I’ll pray for you to the Lord above.
I’ll always gonna love you.
Even though these IV wires are confining me here, on this bed, in
this lonely hospital room, I wish I could be with you in your hearts, Mom,
Dad. I love you!” Mark
said, “Don’t say that, Alex. You’re
not going to go yet, sweetie. You’re
still here with us… forever…” his voice trailed off.
I thought he was crying. I
ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT LOVE WOULD BE THE
STRANGEST THING TO ME THAT
I FOUND MY PLACE IN HEAVEN BY YOUR SIDE…
Three months had
passed and time was running out on Alex. Only 6 more months. I’ve
been talking to Mark and Claire about this and, I just think, I feel how
they feel. I talked to Shane
about it. “Honey, I feel
pretty bad for our friends.”
“I do, too, love,” he said.
“Just the thought of it makes me remember our suppose-to-be 3rd
baby. I see in mark what
Shane felt back in that time.”
“Yeah,” I said in the verge of tears.
I had a miscarriage of a baby boy back when the twins were just 3.
I remember Shane and I feeling very devastated and upset about what
happened. But luckily, 2
years later, we were given Kenneth. Now,
were having our fourth. But
for the Feehilys, there’s no more 2nd chance.
Just when we were about to go to sleep, Nicky and Georgina rang us
separately through our mobile phones.
They sounded very exhausted and were panting.
They told us to come at once to the hospital.
Worried, we did.
Once in the hospital, I found Kerry crying and Bryan was beside her
with his head on his hands. We
sat beside them and asked, “What happened?! What’s
the matter?!” But the
McFaddens continued crying.
Shane tried his luck but still, Bryan just cried.
He saw his best mate Kian with Rach and their Kieran and Kelley.
He ran up to them and asked, “What happened?!
How’s Alex?!”
Rachel and the twins started crying and Kian managed to mumble,
“Mate, she’s… she’s…” he stopped as tears welled up in his
eyes.
“She’s what?! Tell
me!” he almost rocked him off his seat.
Persuading him seems to have to good luck so he stormed out to find
Nicky. He found him with Georgina and Leighanne.
Nicky, almost crying with his family, walked up to Shane and said,
“Shane, take it easy.”
“Byrne, how could I take it easy when I’m dead worried? Mate, I know you know what’s happening. Tell me…” he said with tears now flowing down his cheeks.
They sat down the bench far from Nicky’s family.
He heaved a sigh and cleared his throat. “Shane, her vitals plunged into a very critical condition.
Even the specialists dropped hopes on her.
Mate, she’s… she’s… she’s… walking away.
She may be gone anytime now.”
Nicky cried and left Shane alone frozen on his seat.
Back in the waiting room, I talked to Rachel and she told me the
same thing. I just burst into
crying and couldn’t believe what I just heard.
I ran outside the room to find Mark and Claire.
They’re not anywhere. I
couldn’t stop myself from dodging some nurses; I have to get to them.
I found them outside near the chapel.
I guessed that they’re going to pray for her safety.
I glanced at them and saw that they’re not even crying.
I thought they were wailing and cursing and all but they seem
pretty calm and relaxed. They
entered the chapel and sat down. I
walked slowly to them, my heart was pounding, and I feel like crying.
Mark saw me and invited me to come on over.
Claire was smiling but her eyes were cold and sad.
“So, Vicky, I guess you’ve heard,” she whispered.
I only managed to nod. I
looked at Mark. His glorious
blue puppy eyes were red as a tomato with tears falling from them, but he
was also smiling. He said,
“He’s taking her from us. We’re
losing her, Vic.” His voice
was shaking. He draped his
arm over his wife’s shoulder.
Still speechless, I managed to mumble, “Guys, I… I’m so
sorry.”
Claire, now crying, rubbed my back and said, “You don’t have to
be sorry. As she said, it’s
her time. I guess so that
she’s right.”
“Yes,” Mark said. “She
knows it. She feels it. It’s her life. What
can WE do to stop her? Huh?
Nothing!” He settled
down a bit and rose to leave. Claire followed him leaving me alone in the chapel.
I knelt down and prayed. I
prayed for Alex, Mark and Claire. I
wished that somehow they’ll get over it and start a new life as Alex
told my daughters. I’ve
been praying and crying for sometime when Bryan, Kez, Georgie and Shane
called me and said that we must go back.
Shane hugged me and comforted me.
I buried my head on his chest as we were walking slowly towards the
hospital building. As
I entered, everything went in slow motion.
The rushing people, the nurses, and everything went slow. Then I collapsed. Everything
went black. The next thing I
knew I was lying on our own bed back home. My head was throbbing and my ears were ringing.
Shane was by my side watching me.
I smiled at him and he flashed a very sad smile.
I asked him, “What’s the matter, sweetheart?
Why are you looking at me like that?” He
smiled and murmured, “She’s gone, honey.
Alex died.” He sunk
down at my bedside and cried as if she’s his own daughter. I
was shocked. So shocked that
I almost fell off the bed. I
yelled, “No, Shane! You’re
kidding me!” I backed up
not noticing a glass of water beside the lamp.
“Shane, tell me the truth! Now! God, no please!” I
backed up more until I tapped the glass off balance and broke on the
carpeted floor. Well,
normally, glass doesn’t break on full carpet floors but I knew this was
a sign. Water and broken
glass were everywhere. I
jumped off the bed and dressed in less than a minute.
I jumped in the Civic GSR we just bought and drove to the hospital.
I even forgot to buckle in the seatbelt.
Heck, what to bother! Tears
were flowing uncontrollably from my eyes. I
reached to hospital only finding everyone crying.
There were several fans outside who were also crying.
I found the Feehilys in the corner of a small garden located on the
side of the hospital. Claire was crying against Mark’s chest and he was trying
his hardest to not sob. The
lads, their wives, and their children followed me and were about to
approach the couple. I
stopped them and told them that I’ll go on by myself.
Slowly, I walked toward them.
My heart was pounding; my head was throbbing.
Everything was silent except for the wind whistling around us.
I was getting cold and drafty.
When I was about 12 ft. from the two, I snapped a tree branch and
they looked at me. I just
froze on my tracks and hung my head down.
Mark came to me and held me to the spot where they were sitting. Claire
wiped her tears away and said, “She’s gone.
Our baby’s gone.” Mark
was not yet crying. He said,
“She died yesterday. When
you collapsed, her vitals just gave up on her and there.
We were with her on that time.
She was about to sleep. But
before she did, she told us, ‘Mom, Dad, please tell Uncle Nix, Shay,
Bry, and Ki thank you for all the times we spent together. To Auntie Georgie, Kerry, Rachel, and especially Auntie Vicky
that I will miss them.’” He
swallowed a lump in his throat and bit his lip to stop the tears. I
tapped his shoulder and said, “Mark, it’s okay.
You can cry. Let it
all out. Hey, you’re her
father. How come the other
lads are crying for you, mate? Just
let it out.” With
that, he did. But he didn’t
cry out loud, though. He
continued, “She said, ‘Mom, Dad, I love you.
Please don’t cry for me. I’ll
be fine with Him up there.’ Then
she yawned. She said, ‘I
promise, we’ll see each other again.
Bye, Mommy, Daddy. I
love you. Good night.’
Then as few hours later, everything just stopped.
She managed to say good bye before she left.”
I
told myself, “Is that the reason why I felt like the world just went
into slow mo? Is that why I
collapsed? Oh God!
If I could give to them the baby I’m carrying now, I will.
But…” Then I said to them, “Gosh!
I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect this would happen.” Claire
smiled a bit and said, “Vicky, you’re a real friend.
Thank you for your sympathy but this is already expected four
months ago. She helped us
accept that fact and I guess that eventually we’re going to be over it. But right now, it pains me so much to say goodbye to her this
early.” I
can't speak a word. I can
feel their pains rushing through my heart like a broken arrow.
Mark, with his eyes puffier than ever, whispered, hardly audible,
“Yes, but we’re happy for her. We
don’t want to see her suffer no more because of those shitty cancer
cells. I feel that she’s
happy up there.” We
talked for a while more until the chief doctor called them and wanted to
discuss things. I went back
to the quiet room and the people in there asked me for updates.
The children we’re all crying even 10-month-old Leighanne in her
father’s arms. I tried to
calm myself but it seems impossible to.
Kerry reminded me of my baby so I managed to.
I told them every bit, not missing a single particle of important
detail. They all cried and
the room was filled with “oh!”s and “Oh God!”s.
We all cried and the Feehilys entered the room. Mark
had his head down whilst Claire still shaking.
The ladies ran to her and tried to quiet her down.
The lads rushed to Mark and comforted him. Mark said, “Guys, the funeral’s on the 6th.
The burial’s four days after.”
Then he sunk down the sofa and he cried out loud, “God why?
Why the fuckin’ now?” Claire
shouted from across the room, “Mark, watch your language! There are some kids here!”
On her side with Kerry, Georgina, Rachelle, Nadine, Sandy, and
Dylan, she feels the same thing. She
said in a low voice, “I would do the same if I can.
But, the pain is far too intense for me.” Kerry
said to her, “Claire, we’re sorry.
We know it’s in her fate but, I know it’s hard.” Georgina
sat beside her and said, “We promise, we’ll all help you get over
this.” “Aunt
Claire, we’re sorry,” my girl, Sandy and Kerry’s Dylan said in
chorus. They’ve been very
close. Nadine was speechless
and just cried on her mother’s lap. Meanwhile,
the lads and their families said they’d better go.
I told Shane to go on ahead because I still want to talk to the
Feehilys. Mark and I sat
beside Claire. I said, “So,
what now?” I almost snapped
my head off for saying that insulting comment. Claire
still can't speak so Mark, again, answered me.
“Well, pal, nothing as of now.
We just pray that she’s fine up there.
We hope that sometime we’ll meet again.
But rest-assured, she’s our angel.” “Well,”
I sighed, “I think I’d better get going now, too.
If there’s anything I can do to help, just give me a ring,
okay?” “Vicky,
you already have done so much,” Claire now said with a happy face and
happy eyes. “You treat us
like family. Thank you!” I
smiled and whispered, “Hey, what are friends for?
I’m always here for you.”
I said goodbye and left. After
that, I felt lighter. I
sensed that she’s around… I
COULD FLY, WHEN YOU SMILE. I'D
WALK A THOUSAND MILES TO HEAR YOU CALL MY NAME.
Like the wind, news had spread all over the world.
Again, mountains and mountains of letters and E-mails bombarded the
mailboxes of Claire and Westlife’s.
In return, they arranged a concert in Sligo in tribute of Alex 3
weeks after her burial.
August
10; Forest Hills Memorial Park…
Mark, Claire and their families promised not to wail after the
whole event was over. A mass
was held at a cathedral nearby. Then
we headed straight to the spot. All
of us had chances to express our emotions.
The lads came first, then us, next, the children, then her
relatives. There were no fans
around the grounds. But there
was a build-up outside. When
it was Mark’s turn to speak, we all held our breaths and held back
tears.
“Alexandra Brooke, her chosen name, our angel.
We found out that we’re having her 10 years ago, 2 months before
Claire and I got married. At
first, we were very excited. We
planned everything; every single element that she needs must be perfect.
Then, she came into this world.
She made me the proudest man living.
I loved every bit of her. Claire
and I were so happy. We could
never speak high enough for her. She
grew up as a fine lass. Receives
high grades, very honest, polite and very beautiful.
We never expected something like this would happen to her.
I must admit I have dreams of her becoming famous.
But they all shattered because of her unknown illness.
We never knew she had cancer until it was too late.
She exited this cruel world with a sweet yet heart-breaking
goodbye. I can't stop crying
for her but he said, ‘Dad, don’t cry for me.
You must be happy that I’ll go to heaven and watch over you.
Dad, I never want to see you cry.
Even if it means I’ll suffer, I never wanna see you sad.
I’ll remain in your hearts, I love you.’
I thought I’ll never get through it all my life but thanks to all
of you, Claire and I decided to move on.
I know she’s up there, looking down at us and wishing us the
best. We know that we’re in
safe hands because you are here to help us and love us.
Thank you so much for your love, sympathy and support.” Everyone,
even the priest, was crying. A
minute later, her coffin was lowered down the dark and deep hole. We all said our final goodbye to her by singing the chorus of
“Swear it Again”. Mark
and Claire were given a week off to catch on and relax.
They had the chance to browse at some pictures of them when Alex
was still alive. Claire saw a
photo album where every picture was captioned and dated.
They saw one when Claire was 8 months pregnant.
She laughed, “Honey, remember that when I almost collapsed
because she was kicking and pushing too hard?
It was so painful that I had to be bed-ridden for a month.” “Yeah,”
Mark laughed. Then he saw a
picture where she was 6 months old and playing with her teddy bear. “Sweet, I remember her playpen on that corner and she was
so noisy baby-talking and babbling. She
first RAN at this age. And
her 1st words are love and play.
Now,” he sighed. He
feels like crying again. “It
seems very quiet now. She
used to sing and dance all the time and afterwards play again.
It seems that half of this house disappeared.” “Aww…
Markie don’t say that, please. She’s
still here, I know, I feel, I’m sure…” Claire said touching Mark’s
heart. They kissed. When they pulled apart, a cold wind and sweet cotton candy
scent filled the living room. They
both smiled and thought that she came to visit. The
week had past and they were needed for rehearsal.
First, they had to choose just 16 songs, then, the script.
When they finished, the lads, Claire and I sat around a coffee
table and decided to lift our minds off the concert.
The Feehilys looked better now, happy, smiling, basically back to
their own selves again. We talked and talked and talked some more until the same wind
and scent came passed us and roamed around our group… and wanna know
what’s spooky… only around us. Bryan
shivered and hugged Kian. Kian
pushed him away but came back because he was getting cold too.
All of us were shivering except the two. Claire said, “Don’t worry, guys.
I think she just wanted to say hi.”
The wind calmed down a bit and the strong scent lighted.
We understood that and smiled. The
awaited day arrived. The free
tribute gig was jammed with people aged 6 to 60.
The concert started with “Angel’s Wings” and ended with
Claire’s new single “Need to be Next to You”.
Everyone had a great time and all of us felt better.
I went very well because her presence remained all throughout the
show. No one questioned about
it. The next day, they had an
interview with Hello Magazine. Zainah
Hewitt made the interview. One
of her questions went like this: “So, Mark, Claire, sorry to bring up
this again but what do you feel now that your life changed and… she’s
up there?” Claire
bravely answered, “Well, it’s okay with us now because as we always
say, she’s just there.” Mark
added, “Yeah. I mean, we
can move on. She’ll always
remain here in our hearts.” “Okay,
one more question guys, if you have to walk a thousand miles for just one
thing, what will it be and why?” Shane
answered first, “Well, I would walk a thousand miles to see my 3 months
unborn baby. Vicky, hello and
take care honey!” The
other lads followed. As
usual, Mark came last. “For
me,” he started, “I would not just walk a thousand miles.
I would swim a hundred rivers and climb a thousand walls to hear my
angel call my name.” Claire
said that Mark said it all. Everyone
said, “Aww…” and “That’s so sweet!” SUDDENLY
OUR DESTINY WHEN
YOU'RE NEXT TO ME
Mark and Claire never
did lose hope and luckily, although unexpected, they had another baby.
They named him Aaron Randall.
He grew up to be a famous lawyer.
Everything’s fine and dandy now.
Well, as I end this, I wish you all the best and God Bless!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ©
Victoria Marie Filan (1979-) sign Toni's Feedback Page find out more about Toni email Toni Mark stories- main page |
|
|
[home] [authors zone] [post a story] [guestbook] [email] add this site to your favorites ++ make this site your home page ++ tell-a-friend |
