Five years later...
Mello held Near's hand as they stood silently around the little marker they had in front of them. Linda stood on Near's other side, her hand in Matt's, as she tried to hold back tears. Backyard Bottomslash, Believe Bridesmaid, and Quarter Queen stood with Watari, all four of them standing just behind Near, Mello, Aiber, Linda, and Matt. The rest of Wammy's was in the caravan, either crying or trying to console one another while crying. The marker in front of them said 'Mary Kenwood aka Wedy, one of the best and well-known actress of Wammy's Theatre'. No one had known when or where she was born, so that was all it said.
Beyond Birthday had always had a terrible temper, but this was too far, Near decided, his hand clenching Mello's angrily. Beyond had lashed out one day, hurting at least seven of the Wammy kids and killing Wedy when she tried to help them and stop him at the same time. Aiber, Matt, and Backyard had heard the commotion, but nobody could get in because Beyond had locked the door. When one of the kids let them in several hours later, Beyond had gone and Wedy had been unconscious on the floor. Blood had been all over the cabinets. Beyond was never found. Sighing shakily, Near moved so that Believe Bridesmaid was between him and Mello. Quarter Queen went to the other side of Matt, and Backyard Bottomslash moved to the end of the line by Quarter. They all took a deep breath, and with Aiber and Watari watching, said their final goodbyes to Wedy in the only real way Wammy kids knew how---with a performance.
"525,600 minutes.
525,000 moments so dear.
525,600 minutes.
How do you measure, measure a year?" They swallowed back their tears and tried to smile as they performed one of the few songs Wedy had created while she acted on Wammy's stage.
"In daylights? In sunsets?
In midnights? In cups of coffee?
In inches? In miles?
In laugher, in strife?
In 525,600 minutes?
How do you measure a year in the life?" They got into the beat of the song that was performed by Wedy and Aiber a few years before Matt and Linda appeared, and Aiber smiled sadly, though warmly.
"How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love.
Seasons of---" The girls went on, the boys starting a beat later.
"Love."
"Love."
"Seasons of---"
"Love."
"Love." Linda stepped forward slightly but confidently.
"525,600 minutes.
525,000 journeys to plan.
525,600 minutes.
How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?" Mello stepped forward as she stepped back, in the same manner she did---slightly but confidently. The way that Wedy had trained them.
"In truths that she learned,
Or in times that he cried?
In the bridges he burned,
Or the way that she died?" The others around Mello began clapping to keep an invisible beat as they sang while he finished his part.
"It's time now to sing out
Though the story never ends,
Let's celebrate, remember a year
In the life of friends.
Remember the love."
"Oh, you've got to, got to,
Remember the love." Linda sang strongly, tears pouring down her face.
"Remember the love."
"You know that love is a gift
From up above." Linda continued the mini solo as the group sang.
"Remember the love."
"Share love, give love
Spread love."
"Measure in love."
"Measure, measure your life in
Love." Linda reached an impossibly high note and managed to hold it there the remainder of the song, coming down slowly as the song ended.
"Seasons of---"
"Love."
"Love."
"Seasons of---"
"Love."
"Love." They ended the song and Aiber, smiling, clapped with Watari.
"Very good, you guys." Aiber said, rubbing Matt's head (even though the red-head was now slightly taller than him now) and generally congratulating the group. Linda finally broke down and Matt placed a hand on her shoulder, leading her back to the caravan. Slowly, the whole group left, save Mello and Near. Near leaned down and touched the marker softly.
"We'll all miss you, Wedy." He whispered softly, standing slowly. He smiled slightly at Mello, and Mello smiled back, then glanced at the marker.
"We'll come again next year, all right?" He promised. They looked down at the marker one last time. Then, with Near's hand in his own, Mello lead them down to the caravan. They loaded onto the caravan, and a few minutes later, Wammy's Theatre pulled away.
All right, now i think it's over. whoo, that was my shortest chapter yet---only 892 words. well, i warned you it was sad. i figured that Beyond should more or less stay the same. So he went mad. i dunno what happened, but...well, it's over. so i thank my faithful reviewers (especially Backyard Bottomslash and Kit of Light and Dark) for keeping me glued to my story long enough to finish it. XD thank you!