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Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 28
"He's rapidly approaching the point where he will not be able to sustain life on his own, he is going to die unless we take drastic action".
Not a word was spoken, no one could comprehend, understand, grasp what the doctor had said.
He'd already told them, they had a plan to put Pierre onto a life support system, and administer a set of drugs which would effectively put him into an induced coma.
For Juan it was like reliving a past nightmare, they'd been here before, beaten the odds, but what odds were they now faced with if they had to do it again, and then suddenly he knew.
"If you go ahead, this will buy Pierre time, right?".
The doctor nodded his agreement, so Juan carried on.
"The last words Pierre spoke were to tell me he loved me, he asked me not to leave him, to me that means he wasn't planning on leaving me, us, you have to give him every chance, put him in the coma, put him on life support, do anything and everything you can to improve the odds, we've been here before, I have faith now, just like I did back then, he can beat this, he will beat this, it's not his time, I know he'll give us everything he can if we just help him get his strength back".
For the first time since Pierre had been admitted, Juan had to leave him for a while, the doctor insisted, his team needed absolutely no distractions as they put Pierre into an induced coma, and rigged up the life support system which would relieve the stress on his body, it would do the work of breathing for him.
Outside in the fresh air for the first time in nearly three days, Juan begged a cigarette from the battered pack he knew Josef would have tucked away in his pocket.
Surprisingly, instead of the barrage of criticism she would usually give, Carry held out her hand for one as well, so did Aly and Bo, only Piers didn't light up, he looked at them, saying.
"Pierre would so bollock the lot of you".
Juan looked at him, then, for the first time in days, he burst out laughing, saying.
"So no bloody telling him".
That brought laughter from all of them.
When they settled down Juan said.
"What I said to the doctor, I meant it, it's not his time, I know we can beat this, when the doctors figure out what's causing it, we need to be ready for round the clock talking, we have to stimulate his mind, bring him back, what has been done today might not seem like a positive step, but it is, it's giving Pierre better odds, and anything that can improve the odds is a plus".
It was another three days before they could be sure, and the doctor sent a message, at two in the afternoon he would be presenting their findings.
The hospital provided a separate meeting room, because so many of the family had turned up.
"We're confident now, it's a combination of a long term anaemia problem, linked with overwork and combined stress, but he's contracted a serious viral infection which has preyed on that anaemia, allowing it to run riot in his body, it's a bit like a short circuit draining a battery, right now his battery is flat, but we can't start recharging it until we knock out the virus, once that's done we can prescribe medication so that slowly his anaemia should diminish, but, and this is the problem, we have him in an induced coma, I'm thinking when we try to take him out of that coma he won't respond, there has to be something to trigger his emergence, that's going to be down to you guys, you need to bombard him with reasons to wake up".
The doctor paused, Juan immediately jumped in with a question.
"What caused the anaemia to escalate that way, Pierre's always on the go, this has never happened before".
The doctor didn't need to think about it.
"Stress and worry, they can be the catalyst, the tipping point, if I had to calculate, I would guess that something really stressful, really worrying and upsetting, happened between four to six months ago, that was the point where his health started to go rapidly downhill".
A loud sobbing came from behind them, as Juan spun around he saw Woody, Jacqueline and Daniel, distraught and sobbing, he strode to them, wrapping his arms around them, saying.
"Stop it, this is pointless, Pierre wouldn't want it, we have to concentrate on bringing him back, this time we're going to need as many musketeers as possible, so you're seconded in, from here on you are honorary musketeers, when the time comes, visit as much as you can, talk about anything and everything".
Turning back to the doctor, Juan asked.
"How long before you identify the virus, then how quickly can you knock it out?".
The doctor smiled.
"We're ahead of you Juan, he's already receiving a wide ranging group of antibiotics, those will serve to restrict its growth, amongst them might be the specific one to kill it off, but we'll know for definite in about two hours, the pathology lab are analysing samples as we speak, I'm extremely positive now, we can beat this virus, we can correct the anaemia problem, the rest is up to you guys, I calculate, if all goes well, we should be able to stop all medication holding him in the coma within seven days, but don't hold me exactly to that, we could be a day or so either way, depending upon Pierre's response".
The family chatted for nearly an hour after the doctor left, assuring Juan, everyone wanted to be involved in stimulating Pierre when the time came, he even got identical texts from Jo, Jace and Will in Chicago, 'the original musketeers are ready and waiting to deploy, just say the word cousin', he assumed Jolly had updated them.
Josef and Carry urged him to go home for a few hours, they'd stop with Pierre, they reminded him that the children needed him as well, and he'd hardly left Pierre's room in several days.
Before he left the hospital, he received word from the doctor that they'd positively identified the virus strain, and the doctor had been right, Pierre was already receiving the antibiotic which would destroy it.
Back at Avenue Montclair, Juan was mobbed by Junior, Gabby and Berto, he explained everything to them, including making it clear that from tomorrow onwards, there was no restriction on them visiting their Poppa, all he asked was that they keep up with work and school.
He noticed the absence of Woody, Jacqueline and Daniel, though Roslyn and Paul were still there.
Pulling them aside he asked if their parents and Daniel were okay, Paul replied.
"Not really, they blame themselves, they said it was clear from what the doctor said, this was all their fault, they'd nearly killed Pierre".
Juan shook his head.
"I'm going back to the hospital in about an hour when I've showered and changed clothes, can you hang about till then?, I'm going to call on your parents and brother on the way, it would be good if you were there to back me up".
Both agreed, they'd wait for him to shower and change.
After hugging his children, Juan jumped into his car and headed for Chateau Montclair, Roslyn and Paul followed him.
Entering the Chateau, he simply said hello to the housekeeper, passing her by and heading for the salon, he knew exactly where they would be.
As he entered, with Roslyn and Paul only a couple of steps behind him, he said.
"I'm really disappointed, I've come to administer a rollocking, I told you this afternoon to stop this, you didn't listen, so I'm giving you a few minutes to wallow in this, me, me, me, doom and gloom crap, then you drop it, Pierre loves each and every one of you, we don't know for sure what caused his condition, it could as easily be the amount of hours he's been putting in at Guardian, trying to run a massive house, catering to the demands of three teenagers, and a grumpy husband, yes what happened with Daniel probably contributed, and yes what happened between you may have had an effect, but they weren't the sole reason, this is just as much my fault for allowing Pierre to do so much".
He paused a few seconds.
"Okay, your few bloody minutes of doom and gloom are up, on your feet all of you, I want you to hug me and swear a solemn promise you will let this go, I know he can hear me and I'm going tell him how silly you're being, I'm betting you'll all get a rollicking from Pierre sometime soon, now come on".
He hugged them all in turn, and they promised him, no more wallowing.
At day six after the doctor's prediction, Pierre was virus free, they knew his anaemia was receding, the medication holding him in his induced coma was gently reduced to zero, and the work began.
Anyone and everyone came to the hospital, family, locals, they came and went, his suite sometimes had up to fifteen or twenty people waiting to speak with him, telling him why they were there, if you'd have listened, you would have cried, they revealed so much, how he'd helped them, been their inspiration, spurred them on, but nothing seemed to produce that spark that would be the catalyst for Pierre to come back to life, he continued to stay below the surface.
It was a month after his medication had been reduced, but Pierre hadn't come out of the coma.
Juan arrived at the hospital, it was around six in the evening, he'd spent two hours with their children, then headed back to be with Pierre, but something wasn't right.
As he entered, he realised a code red was in progress, a critical situation was being dealt with, it didn't register with Juan, not until he got to Pierre's floor, and he saw the light flashing above Pierre's door.
He'd stood still in the corridor, rooted to the spot, it couldn't be, no, his mind refusing to accept.
Until the doctor approached him.
"I'm sorry Juan, his heart couldn't cope, it was so sudden, we tried everything, it just wasn't to be, Pierre passed away a few minutes ago, I am so sorry for your loss".
Juan sat, collapsed, into a chair, there were no tears, no nothing, he didn't know what he should be feeling, the love of his life, his soulmate, the only person who could ever complete him, his beloved Pierre was dead, gone from this world.
He took his phone out and sent a text, to Josef.
'Pierre is gone, he died a few moments ago, I don't know what to do, I'm broken, there is no other way to describe how I feel, I can't think, I don't want to go on, help me'.
At Avenue Montclair Josef heard his cell phone signal an incoming text, he glanced at it, then the tears started.
Carry saw it.
"Josef, what is it?".
He held it together long enough to say.
"We need to get Reece, Van, Woody and Jacqueline out into the lobby, you'll have the hardest job my love, take care of the children, Pierre died a few minutes ago, I don't know how I'm going to convince Juan there's a reason to go on but I have to try, and I have to succeed".
Out in the hallway, Josef couldn't talk, he handed his phone to Bo who just gasped and cried, passing it on to Aly, in turn it went to Woody then Jacqueline, Van and Reece, all following Bo in their sorrow.
Amazingly it was Jacqueline, with tears streaming down her face who said.
"Pull yourselves together, we need to help Juan, it's not about us, he's floundering, he needs us now, Woody get a car organised, we have to be there for him".
Aly stopped them.
"Piers, we need to tell him".
Bo tried to intervene, but Aly dismissed him, not badly, just saying.
"I have to do it Bo, he'll go to pieces, I need to hold him whilst he processes it, then I can help him, you guys go to the hospital, Juan needs you, I'll deal with Piers, I'll be there when I know Piers is safe".
As the others left for the hospital, Aly went back into the lounge, he couldn't see Piers, but he did spot Milo, headphones in, reading a techie journal.
Walking over to him, Milo was oblivious to Aly's presence, until he tapped his arm.
Milo jumped up, pulling his headphones out.
"I'm sorry Aly, I was miles away, is everything alright?, you look upset".
Aly beckoned him to follow, going out again into the lobby.
Milo looked mystified, until Aly spoke.
"I need your help, I have to tell Piers something really awful, he's going to be so terribly hurt, I have to know he'll be in good hands, will you help me?".
Milo started to ask what, but there came a point where realisation kicked in.
"Oh god no, Pierre?".
Aly nodded, Milo just groaned, the tears appearing immediately.
"He'll be completely devastated, come on, I know where he'll be, in the rose garden, he always goes there when he comes to visit Pierre".
He saw them coming, the tears were flowing well before they got to him, Piers already knew.
"He's gone isn't he, I didn't believe it, but I felt it, about twenty minutes ago, there was a wind, it sounded like he was whispering goodbye, I don't know what to do, I've never been without Pierre, he's always looked after me, I'm all alone now, I just want to be with him".
Aly scooped him into his arms as the sobbing started, holding him tight he said.
"You're not alone, you have us, your Poppas, and Milo's here, Pierre would have wanted you to go on, it's what he devoted his life to ensuring".
Aly held Piers tight while he sobbed, before going on.
Milo's here, he loves you dearly, I have no doubt about that, he's going to look after you until I get back, I need to get to Juan, he's injured beyond words, Josef has gone ahead with Poppa Bo and Reece, but I need to see for myself that he's okay, will you be alright here with Milo?, or you could go home to The Inn".
Piers had sobbed for what seemed like a long time, before he looked up to his Poppa.
"Go Poppa, Milo will look after me, I want to stay here, it was Pierre's most favourite place in all the world, I feel close to him here, bring Juan home".
As Aly left, Milo moved in to envelop Piers, saying.
"I'm here, I'm going nowhere, my mission in life now is to look after you, I always promised Pierre I would, cry my love, we've all lost something really precious today".
When Aly got to the hospital, Juan was sat sobbing, held in the arms of his Poppa Reece.
The doctor came to tell them Pierre was ready to receive them, it struck Aly as a stupid statement, Pierre was dead, his beautiful boy was dead, how the hell could he be ready to receive them, he wanted to scream at the doctor, but he saw Bo's expression, he was telling Aly, not now.
Juan stood up, they all made to follow him, he stopped them.
"I need this time alone with him, please, you can all go talk to him when I'm done, but right now, I need to be alone with him, I have things I need to say".
In turn, they all nodded.
To Juan he looked so happy, so at peace, he could have been sleeping, about to wake up at any moment, but Juan knew, he never would, he'd never hear Pierre's voice again.
"I'm not angry, I'm just lost my love, since that day in London all those years ago, you've been the centre of my universe, I can't even think of a future without you, for all that time when we were apart, you were all I wanted, and that I regret still, I was so stupid, I caused us to be apart, I wasted precious time I could have had with you, but this, I didn't see it coming".
He climbed onto the bed beside Pierre.
"There's no way back from here, you're gone, I'll never hold you, never hear your voice, ever again, if it weren't for the children, I'd want to join you, but don't fret, I'll be the person you would want me to be, I'll make sure to raise them right, love them, guide them, but I'm asking, no, I'm begging, if there's a way for you to communicate, tell me Pierre, on the wind, in my dreams, however you can, I need to know you're at peace, safe, until the day we're together again, I love you so much it hurts, it really hurts Pierre".
Josef had followed after his brother, to be close if he needed help, he'd heard Juan's words to Pierre, those words had left him quietly sobbing, to know how much his brother was hurting, as Juan stopped speaking, Josef knew he needed to get back, Juan didn't need to know he'd been close enough to hear.
Carry saw him emerge from Pierre's room, clearly upset.
"What's wrong, is Juan okay?".
Josef nodded, it was a, not now gesture, telling her it wasn't the right time to ask, when they were alone later he would recount what he had heard, and they would sob genuine tears together.
Jacqueline sent out a message to the whole wider family.
'It is with a heavy heart I have the sad task of telling you all. Pierre passed away a short time ago. As a family we have lost one of our most loved. God bless, may you rest in peace Pierre'.
In Chicago, Jolly picked up the text from Jacqueline, with a deep sigh and tears streaming down her face, she walked slowly out into the garden, where she sat and cried, great wracking sobs, unable to speak, unable to move, when Billy and Jay found her, after their startled housekeeper had alerted them, she just passed her cell phone to them.
Billy used the cell phone Jolly had passed them to call Jace at Corporate, with a voice clearly distorted by his attempt to not openly cry, he said.
"Son, I'm sorry to put this on you but, it's really bad news, Pierre passed away a short while ago, would you gather everyone together and tell them, then bring them all home we need to be in Montclair, they'll need all the support we can give".
Jace, despite his sorrow, had sent out messages to Mel, Will, Jo, David and Tame, they would all arrive in his office within thirty minutes, he used the time to message Royce and Brad, asking them to take over Corporate and Brokers, in their absence.
Mel arrived first with Tame, completely oblivious to the reason they'd been summoned, it only took one look at Jace's tear stained face and she knew.
"No, Pierre, he's not?".
Jace only nodded a yes, taking her into his arm as she cried, he said to Tame.
"Pierre died a short while ago, Will is going to be totally heartbroken, he'll so need you, he'll try to pretend he's strong and coping, he won't be able to do it, he'll be a complete mess inside, don't be fooled, watch out for him".
Jo and David were next to arrive, again they didn't need to be told, a glance at the faces in the room was enough.
When Will entered he was on a high, he'd just received news his division was already close to forty percent up on the previous year results.
He stopped abruptly just inside the doorway, a look at the faces told him something tragic had happened.
Tame walked toward him with his arms open saying only one word.
"Pierre".
Will's whole world crashed in that instant, he fell into Tame's outstretched arms sobbing.
In Montclair the news spread around the town slowly but surely, anyone watching would have seen businesses pull down their shutters and blinds, close their doors, the town fell eerily quiet, little groups of locals could be seen shaking their heads, wiping wet eyes, it was doubtful if there was anyone in town who didn't know and love Pierre.
Pierre's funeral was arranged for the seventh day after he died.
An open sided marquee covered the entire rose garden at Avenue Montclair.
Overnight, before the day of the funeral, Pierre lay in his beloved rose garden, Juan, Piers, Aly, and Bo stood all night with him.
Visitation was welcomed, from eight in the evening until midnight, but it proved impossible, four hours just couldn't accommodate the numbers wanting a final moment with Pierre, it had to be extended.
The line of people waiting outside Avenue Montclair meant it was just not possible to call a halt, finally at nearly six o'clock the following morning, almost every villager, and every family member, had spent time with Pierre, each taking as long as they wanted to tell Pierre their innermost thoughts.
Juan removed the written notes, the ones telling specifically, personally, how Pierre had helped individuals, he reasoned, there was no need for those facts to be learned publicly, Pierre wouldn't have wanted that, he would put them back the following morning, when the casket was sealed.
The morning of the funeral was, to Juan, so surreal.
By every forecast it should have been a gloomy day of wind and rain, but dawn brought a gloriously warm sunny day.
Pierre's casket would travel from Avenue Montclair to the church in Montclair on an open landau, drawn by four white horses, they'd stop along the way at The Inn, he'd rest there, his childhood home, refreshments would be served to the mourners, before the procession wound its way onwards to the church.
There would be cars available, for the young, old or infirm, but the family would walk behind Pierre, every step of the way.
Juan spoke to Piers the day before the funeral, he was nervous about doing it, and he needed to make it sound as though it was something he'd asked everyone, which really wasn't true.
"I'm hesitant about asking you this, I'm not singling you out, I'm asking everyone, do you really want to do this?, its a long walk, you could ride in one of the cars".
Piers was initially incensed, but he realised, however he put it, Juan was asking out of concern for his state of mind, nothing else, so he deliberately tempered his response, saying softly.
"Have you any idea what he did for me?, he looked after me from when I was little more than one year old, all my life he's looked after me, and for most of it he was a cripple, don't you think I would walk a mile behind him?, I would willingly carry him that mile, and for forever more, if he'd only lived, I'm like you, only more so, he's the very reason I exist, quite literally, he brought me up, I'm only here because of his determined self sacrifice, love and devotion".
As Piers dissolved into tears, Juan pulled him into a hug.
"I know Piers, I wasn't questioning your love of Pierre, it beats mine, he took on the role of parent, protector, where you were concerned, I think it's why he found it so easy to deal with our brood, he'd done it all before, I was always the novice, somewhere back there in his shadow, he dealt with the controversial issues, I'm terrified now, I just know I'm going to get it so badly wrong".
On that sad morning, even from Avenue Montclair, at nearly a mile outside the centre of the village, the silence was discernible, the world just wasn't going about its business today.
Apparently, in Montclair if anything were needed urgently, it was a back door transaction, on the front door of every business was an identical notice, which stated.
'Today we are closed, as a mark of respect, and to attend the funeral service of a much loved friend and citizen of Montclair, few have done more, few will ever match his achievements, RIP Pierre Alonso-Thorn, just know we are truly grateful for your very existence, we will remember, but still mourn you, and our hearts will ache for all time at the loss of someone so special'.
At eleven o'clock precisely, Pierre's casket was loaded on the landau, and the funeral party was ready to leave Avenue Montclair.
Around fifty villagers, the ones living closest, had gathered at the front of the house around an hour or more before the funeral procession was due to set off.
Seeing them waiting patiently in the heat, Berto had sought out his Poppa.
"Poppa, there are lots of people out in the road, it's hot, some of them are old, can I give them something to drink?".
Juan was almost moved to tears by his sons compassion.
"You can do better than that son, invite them in, tell them to find a seat, then get your brother and sister to help you serve refreshments, well done Berto, I should have noticed that, you saved me".
Berto found Junior and Gabby, they agreed, Berto would go out to invite the mourners inside, meanwhile they would muster up some cold drinks.
At the front gate everyone expressed sympathy to Berto, though they were not really surprised by his words.
"Thank you all, losing Poppa Pierre hurts a lot, but right now, Poppa Juan wants you all to come inside, find a seat and my brother and sister are organising some cool drinks for you, please follow me".
Within minutes that simple, kind, compassionate gesture, was circulating Montclair, being received with comments of, 'typical, even at a time like this, they're thinking of others'.
The Mayor had expressed his wish to speak at the service, Juan had sent back his thanks, with his approval, though no one new what the Mayor would be saying.
At ten forty five, Pierre's body, in his polished casket, was lifted from his overnight resting place, in the rose garden he'd loved so much.
He was installed on the funeral landau in front of the house he'd made his own, the house he was about to leave for the last time.
Everyone made their way outside.
Juan, with their children stood directly behind the landau, Aly, Bo, Piers and Milo were behind them, then came Josef and Carry, it followed on with family groups from around the world, until the villagers fell in behind the family, in all, nearly a hundred mourners set out from Avenue Montclair.
As the procession wound its way toward the halfway point, The Inn, small groups of villagers were waiting for it, they fell in behind, to walk with Pierre on his final journey.
As they approached The Inn, the staff were waiting outside with trays of cool soft drinks, but the most touching gesture was the staff themselves, each and every one of them knew Pierre personally, each was truly devastated by his death, they all, every one of them, bowed their heads to Pierre's casket, before they went about serving the refreshments.
Aly and Bo had cancelled all bookings at The Inn, refunding and compensating the guests inconvenienced, they'd sent a personal message to all guests who'd been booked in, it read.
'Dear guest.
We apologise, we cannot honour your booking.
The Inn, will be closed forthwith, for an unknown period.
We understand it might not appease any irritation you feel about this message, or the information you have received, but we did want to offer our reason.
Our beloved son, Pierre Alonso-Thorn, whom many of you might possibly have met, died suddenly a few days ago.
To say we are devastated would be an understatement.
Please accept our apologies.
Kindest regards,
Aly and Bo Bowles-Cruz'.
The procession had continued after a thirty minute break, heading toward the church, collecting further groups of mourners along the way.
When they arrived at the outskirts of the village, as a substantially increased funeral cortege, comprising nearly two hundred, most everyone in the established procession was astounded, the streets were lined by locals, but more poignantly, they were carpeted in flowers.
The sidewalks were filled, people Juan only knew by face, as a passing acquaintance, stood shoulder to shoulder, with tears rolling down their cheeks, a true testament, they'd know Pierre.
The further they went, the greater the numbers joining the procession, the greater the depth of flowers over which Pierre would pass, it was obvious, the villagers were pouring out their love.
As they entered the village Juan's breath caught in his throat, without exception, every street hoarding, which normally held advertising, had been changed, now there was a picture of his Pierre, surrounded by a heart, underneath, the words.
'One day we will meet again, we'll endure that wait, content in the joy we have experienced in knowing you, but as well, in anticipation of the love we will experience when we can hold you once again in our arms, RIP Pierre, until we meet again'.
As they entered the plaza in front of the church, there were so many villagers, there was just barely enough room for the procession to get through.
The landau came to a halt in front of the church, and Pierre was lifted onto the shoulders of the Chicago musketeers, his Poppas, and his beloved Piers.
And so Pierre began his most final journey.
TBC ARB Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.