So this is the final chapter, thanks to everyone who has stuck with me through the sporadic updates, the not so great chapters, and my first ever story. I really appreciate all of the reviews and everything, it made my entire day to get the email saying there was a new review. Thank you for making my first experience with fanfiction an enjoyable one, and if you should want to read other things from me, I have some others in the works, but I want to finish my Four Brothers piece first. But to give you some hints, I'm working on one for the TV show Supernatural as well as the movies Friday Night Lights, Miracle, Lords of Dogtown, and possibly some others. Anyway, thanks again for sticking with me, I really appreciate it, and I hope you enjoy the final chapter.

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Madison was allowed to go home later that day. The nurses made her get in a wheelchair to go out to the car.

"Oh come on, I can walk… I didn't break my legs!" she said to the nurse, frustrated.

Her father just chuckled, "Quit being so hard-headed, Maddie, just do what they say, the sooner you do it, the sooner you'll be home."

"I don't get why I have to ride in this stupid thing, give me a break," she said starting to get up.

"Now Madison, honey, this is just standard procedure," the nurse said, beginning to grow tired of her complaints.

"Well this standard procedure is crummy, you should give this wheelchair to someone who will needs it," said Madison, shooting a glare at the nurse.

When she heard her boyfriend give a little laugh from behind her she crossed her arms over her chest, "I don't see what's so funny, Ronald."

This only caused him to laugh harder, "You are, sweetheart."

"Stop laughing, or I'll give you cause to need one of these," she said pointing at the wheelchair.

The next day Madison returned to the hospital with her father and Cheryl to be with Gerry, when she walked in, she saw the rest of the team sitting in the small room.

"How did all of you get in here?" she asked.

Alan smiled, "Elementary, my dear Maddie," and looked at Gerry.

Gerry smiled, "Good old fashioned charm."

Madison laughed out loud, "You're too much," and went to sit next to Alan and Petey.

Cheryl had brought a football player figurine for Gerry, she pitched a fit to go to the store and buy something special, and when nothing was found, she brought something of her own to give to him.

"Is this for me?" Gerry asked.

Cheryl nodded with big tears in her eyes. To her, as well as the rest of the team, Gerry was Superman and seeing him hurt not only saddened her, but scared her too.

"I want you to be my eyes out there, alright? If any of these guys slack off, you just let me know," he said softly to her.

Madison reached down and grabbed Alan's hand to keep from crying at the exchange between her little sister and her best friend who had become her pseudo-big brother.

"You bet I will," the little girl replied before moving over to sit with her sister.

Madison watched as her father took a seat next to Gerry, who had always been like a son to him.

"How you doing Gerry?" the older man asked. Madison was surprised he didn't say "son" like he usually did when speaking to Gerry and Alan.

"Alright, Coach. I was talking to these guys about Marshall…" Gerry started, but Coach Yoast interrupted him.

"You know, we don't need to talk about football right now Gerry. I think this is a good time for reflection, and for prayer…" he started, but Gerry interrupted him.

"Coach, I'm hurt. I a'int dead," Gerry said in a serious tone.

Both men smiled, "No, you're not. No you're not," the older man said.

Gerry looked down at the figurine Cheryl gave him, "You know I've been reading up on the activities they've got for people in wheelchairs and such… they've got Olympics."

Madison knew as soon as she heard that, Gerry was going to be just fine. She knew that as long as Gerry had something to work towards, whether it be a state championship or an Olympic gold medal, Gerry would still be the 'Gerry' she knew and loved as a member of her own family.

Soon after that little meeting, was the State Championship Game, this time Madison was going to be watching from the stands instead of the sidelines because the doctor said it would be best for her to not cheer. But she was fine with that, glad to be able to watch a game with her little sister like old times. Cheryl and Madison rode to Roanoke Stadium with Mrs. Bertier.

"This game sure is going to be different," said Cheryl.

"Yes, dear, it is. But if I know your father and the rest of the team, they're going to pull through. They're going to win this one for Gerry," said Mrs. Bertier.

"I'm glad you decided to come," Madison said, looking over at the woman who had become a mother-figure to her.

"I haven't missed a game since Gerry has been on the team, he wanted me to be here," she said, taking Madison's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze, "I'm glad you two girls are here with me."

The ride to the stadium was comfortably silent when the trio weren't talking about fond memories of other football seasons.

"So what's this I hear about you and that Bass boy?" asked Mrs. Bertier.

"He told Maddie he loved her," piped up Cheryl.

Madison turned back to Cheryl, "I told you, that was going to be our secret."

"Did you know that Gerry's father asked me to marry him at Homecoming our senior year?" asked Mrs. Bertier.

"No ma'am," said Madison, "But I knew you were married not long after graduation."

Mrs. Bertier gave a soft smile, "That was one of the happiest days of my life, I can only hope you two will feel that happiness one day."

When they arrived to the stadium, the three got out of Mrs. Bertier's car.

"You two go on in and get a spot next to Coach Boone's wife, I'll only be a minute," said Mrs. Bertier.

When they got into the stadium, it was kind of hard to find Coach Boone's family.

"There they are!" said Cheryl pointing before taking off down the steps.

"Cheryl," said Madison running after her, "Don't run down the steps, you could fall."

When they reached Mrs. Boone they were both laughing.

"My goodness, girls, you shouldn't run down the stairs," said Mrs. Boone, hugging both of the girls.

"That's what I tried to tell her!" said Madison.

Then they started hearing clapping and turned to see Mrs. Bertier entering the stands. She came down and hugged Mrs. Boone just before the Titans took the field.

Madison squeezed Cheryl's hand tightly at the kickoff. After a minute or two of play, Madison noticed Emma down on the sidelines.

"What is she doing?" she asked Cheryl.

Both girls watched as she shook Julius's hand before returning to the stands.

When she saw the opposing team line up in a new formation she turned to Cheryl.

"Look at that! What in the world…" Madison started.

"They're doing a shotgun, who do they think they are? This isn't the pros!" said Cheryl dramatically.

When their opponent scored, Cheryl and Madison both shot up out of their seats letting it be known to the Titan fans as well as the players that they were not happy. Both girls watched, not realizing they were holding their breaths, as Sunshine threw what looked to be a perfect pass; when it was blocked they were up again yelling at their father and Coach Boone to do something.

At the end of the half, Cheryl took off for the locker room with Madison trailing close behind.

"Cheryl, you can't go back there!" Madison shouted.

"I just need to tell coach something!" Cheryl shouted back.

"Coach!" said Cheryl, trying to get her father's attention.

"Girls, you better get back to your seats," he said.

"I can't coach. Ed Henry's got Blue's number sure as shootin'. You a'int doing nothing against that shotgun," said Cheryl.

"She's right daddy," said Madison, "Now a'int the time to be proud."

"Ok girls," he said, kissing both of their cheeks, "Now you two go get up in the stands."

When the second half began, both girls noticed a change in their team. Madison saw Alan give his spot on the line of scrimmage to Petey.

She looked down at Cheryl, "Oh Mr. Bosley is sure to be fit to be tied."

Cheryl just grinned, "Alan did the right thing."

The pair watched the game as the Titans played with renewed vigor. Madison felt like everyone else in the stands disappeared and it was just her and Cheryl screaming for the team. They laughed as they watched Coach Boone fuss at the referee.

"I hope Gerry is watching," said Madison.

"Are you kidding," said Cheryl, "He wouldn't miss this for the world."

Just then Petey landed an awesome play. They watched as Rev was put in.

"His arm is still hurt," said Madison.

"He's going to run," said Cheryl, "I can't watch," she covered her eyes with one hand and grabbed her sister's with the other, squeezing tightly.

When Rev scored, Madison grabbed her sister and picked her up, twirling her around before running out onto the field with her in tow. They both ran to their father.

"Daddy!" they yelled, all but tackling him in big hugs.

He picked Cheryl up and she kissed his cheek. Madison was still hugging him and she kissed his cheek too.

"You did it Daddy!" Madison exclaimed.

"No, sweetheart, we did it. All of us, the team, the coaches, the town, everyone," he said, "Now go find Sunshine, I'm sure he's looking for you."

When Madison finally found Sunshine, he was celebrating among the rest of the players. She jumped into his arms and he spun her around giving her a solid kiss on the lips.

"Congratulations!" Madison exclaimed.

"I love you!" he said.

"I love you too!" she said, as he picked her up once more.

Then he did the unexpected, he got down on one knee, "Madison Yoast, I know we haven't been together for long. But this has been the happiest time of my life, and I know it's because of you. Will you marry me?"

Madison turned to Alan, "Did he just say what I think he said?"

Alan just smiled and bobbed his head up and down.

"Yes, Ronnie Bass. I'll marry you!" she shouted as he got up and picked her up in another big hug, taking her over to the sidelines to retrieve her ring from his bag.

Cheryl's POV:

The Titans danced their way into history 13-0, the perfect season; state champions, and first runners-up for the national championship; second best high school team in the country. Gerry Bertier won a gold medal for the shot put in the wheelchair games; Daddy coached him. My sister and Sunshine got married after graduating college and now have two children, fraternal twins actually, a boy and a girl: William Gerry Bass (named after Daddy and, of course, Gerry), and Julianne Alayna Bass (named after Julius and Alan). Ten years later, Gerry died, and that's what brought us back here today.

Nobody's POV

The entire Titans team were standing at the gravesite, Madison was holding onto Sunshine with an arm wrapped around her little girl, Julianne; Ronnie was holding little William's hand. Madison let go and walked up to the casket with Cheryl, her now grown-up little sister to lay a rose on the smooth black surface before returning back to the crowd of people. Then Julius started humming and eventually singing a song that was sung so happily all those years ago, now it was much more somber as everyone joined in.

"Na na na na, na na na na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye."

As they walked away, Madison kissed her fingertips and pointed her hand out towards the casket, saying goodbye to her 'big brother' one last time. After she had walked away she felt someone tug on her skirt.

"Mama, is Uncle Gerry coming back?" Julianne asked.

Madison bent down, picked up her daughter and hugged her tightly, "No honey, Uncle Gerry's not coming back. He's in heaven now with the angels."

"I'll miss him," the little girl said, "But he told me he'd always look out for me and Will, so he's going to look out for us in heaven."

Madison hugged her daughter, "That's right baby, he sure is. He'll be your guardian angel."

The little girl kissed her mother's cheek, "Is it ok if I go give Mimi a hug?" she asked, using her name for Mrs. Bertier.

"It's always ok to give someone a hug, take your brother with you," said Madison.

Ronnie came over to his wife, "I heard what Jules said," he told her, using his nickname for their daughter. "We have two amazing children, Mrs. Bass," he said wrapping her in a big hug.

"Yes we do, Mr. Bass," she replied.

"I never told you, but I asked Gerry if I had his permission to propose before I asked your father, I asked him that night in the hospital," he said.

"You did? I had no idea," she said.

"He told me that if I didn't ask, he would run me over with his chair," her husband said with a sad chuckle, "That was when I decided to ask you if we won state."

The next day, Sunshine, Madison, and the kids were still in town, staying with Coach Yoast. All of the Titans were over at the house for supper, just like the after camp ritual. They had all finished eating and were playing football in the yard. Madison and Mrs. Bertier were watching and Cheryl was playing with Julianne, William was out playing football with all of his "uncles", his grandfather, and his father.

Mrs. Bertier smiled as William tried to tackle Alan to the ground, "He's a lot like Gerry. I remember the first time Gerry played football, watching William reminds me so much of that."

Madison placed her hand on top of Mrs. Bertier's, "I don't think there is anyone else who I'd rather him grow up to be like. I can only hope that he'll do as many great things as Gerry did. That's why Ronnie and I named him after Gerry."

"He was so proud of that," Mrs. Bertier said.

"I'm glad that I could have done something to make him happy. I found out today that if it weren't for Gerry, Ronnie might not have proposed when he did and my life might not have ended up like this," Madison said, "I will thank my lucky stars every day for everything Gerry has done for me, he's my saving grace."

The two women watched as the boys played football when Cheryl came back with Julianne and they both started yelling at the boys.

Madison giggled, "Oh no, we've got another Cheryl on our hands."

Mrs. Bertier laughed, "You did it too, you yelled at them when they messed up. She's just like you, he's just like Gerry, but more laid back like his father, and his hair, he definitely gets that from his father, Gerry would never grow his hair out like that. Looking at the two of them together reminds me of how you and Gerry acted together."

Madison smiled, "I wouldn't have it any other way."