Post by melindajo2000 on Nov 14, 2011 14:44:58 GMT -6
This contains spoilers for Goodbye, Farewell and Amen. It helps if you've seen the final episode, but it's not necessary as I've written it for those who have not seen it. It's also a future fic. I do not own anything but David and Lily are my creations.
David and Lily Winchester were two normal and happy siblings. David was the elder of the two, at twelve years old and Lily was eleven. They were both very bright, in honors classes at school and to their parents' delight were studying music after school. David played the flute while Lily played the violin. Their grandfather Charles never said much about it; he always made some excuse not to attend their recitals and it hurt them. In every other way he was a doting grandfather, strict but now and then he would slip them the extra piece of candy when their parents were not looking and would be the greatest champion of their accomplishments aside of their musical careers. Sometimes he really could be a mystery.
"It's Grandfather's birthday next month," David observed. "What do you think we should get him?"
"I don't know. We don't have much money and besides, if he wants something then he can always buy it himself! We could make him something," Lily replied.
"What could we make him? We're not the craftsmen type."
Lily sighed then a thought to her. "Dad's been listening to a new record. We could try to learn one of the songs and play it for Grandfather. If he won't go to our music we can bring it to him!"
"That's not bad Sis. Do you really think we can learn it in a month?"
"We can ask our teacher if they have any of the sheet music and then focus on that. Why not? Grandfather will love it!"
And so they played and played until they mastered the piece. Finally it was Charles 'birthday and everyone was gathered around. He received the obligatory neckties and cologne, and muttered his thanks. Finally it was Lily and David's turn.
"Grandfather, we have a present for you!" Lily leapt up.
"Well I'm most curious as to see what this is."
She grabbed her violin and David grabbed his flute. Charles was mildly amused until they started to play Mozart's Quintet for Clarinet and Strings. Suddenly he grew pale even though the kids were so excited that they did not notice.
He was transported back to Korea, followed by the enemy who were playing that very song. All he wanted was a few moments of privacy that they refused to grant, following him back to camp playing that awful racket he supposed they called music. They would not, could not, leave him alone. Then it occurred to Charles that they might be taught music, that their problem was simply that they did not know any better. So he spent hours upon end teaching them that very song that was now in his living room, decidedly better, but still those were his hours and no one could take those away or give them back to him.
It wasn't until the death of the musicians that he realized how much they had meant to him, how much music meant to him. Music wasn't just something he listened to to pass the time; it was Charles' lifeline to the rest of the world, even in the States when he was separated from the Others. And now that was taken from him. So he destroyed that record, never to hear it again, until now.
"What's the matter, Grandfather?" Lily asked when they were finished. "Don't you like it?"
All eyes were on Charles as he took a deep breath. "This, my dear grandchildren, has been the best birthday present I have ever received. I cannot tell you how much this means to me. With everything in me, I thank you for giving me back something I have forgotten. I remember, Lily and David; I remember."
And the best part was, he really did.
The end
