Forgive Me, Father (Read 12,505 times)

[fluffysmom]

Feb 14, 2014 11:25:11 GMT -5 krw627 said:

I'm hoping the cross she is seeing is the one Eric is holding over her. If so, she might be coming out of her mind and back into her entire body.

I hope so too.

[gapeach]

Feb 14, 2014 11:35:56 GMT -5 fluffysmom said:

Feb 14, 2014 11:25:11 GMT -5 krw627 said:

I'm hoping the cross she is seeing is the one Eric is holding over her. If so, she might be coming out of her mind and back into her entire body.

I hope so too.

What they said!!!!!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 64

NICOLE'S MIND
Nicole looked up. The whole room was white. She could no longer see or hear the Devil. All she could see was a very large wooden cross.
NICOLE: It's over. It's done. We've won.
Nicole looked up at the cross.
NICOLE: Thank you, God! Eric. I need to get to Eric.

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
NicDevil was still violently shaking. The whole bed was moving. Very slowly, thick black smoke started coming out of Her mouth.
ERIC: Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:
MATT: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
ERIC: The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
MATT: The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
The smoke poured out of NicDevil's mouth. She stopped shaking once the smoke stopped. She was no longer possessed. The smoke was the Devil.
CELESTE: It is done. The Devil is no longer in her.
JOHN: It worked.
THERESA: It really, actually worked.
The smoke evaporated. The Devil was gone. Nicole did not open her eyes, as she was asleep.
ERIC: Almighty God, we beg you to keep the evil spirit from further molesting this servant of yours, and to keep him far away, never to return.
MATT: At your command, O Lord, may the goodness and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, take possession of this woman.
ERIC: May we no longer fear any evil since the Lord is with us; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
ALL (except Nicole): Amen.
Kayla went over and checked Nicole's vitals, as did Daniel.
KAYLA: Daniel, you shouldn't be working on this. You're too close to her.
DANIEL: I'm too close to all of my patients. How much harm is one more gonna do?
Eric walked up.
ERIC: How is she, Aunt Kayla?
Kayla was reading one of the monitors. She didn't quite hear Eric.
ERIC: Aunt Kayla?
Kayla turned to Eric.
KAYLA: Sorry. What was that?
ERIC: How is she?
Kayla looked from Eric to the monitor, and back to Eric.
KAYLA: Well, I...I don't really know how to...
Then, they heard a small cough. Everyone looked over at Nicole, whose eyes opened, slowly. They were their natural color.
NICOLE: Eric?

[gapeach]

YEAH!!!!! They did it and Nicole is okay.

[fluffysmom]

I'm relieved that Nicole survived the exorcism.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 65

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Nicole's eyes opened slowly. They were her natural color. She was herself again.
NICOLE: Eric?
Her voice was quiet and somewhat raspy.
ERIC: Yes, it's me. I'm here, Nicole.
NICOLE: Come closer.
ERIC: Untie her, please.
Kayla and Daniel untied the ropes that had held her down during the exorcism. Her arms were bruised from where the ropes were after all of the shaking her body had done. She held out a hand. Eric stepped closer, took Nicole's hand, and knelt down next to her bed. He squeezed her hand.
ERIC: We did it. We won.
NICOLE: No...you won.
Eric shook his head.
ERIC: We won. Father Matt and I may have performed the exorcism, but you fought the Devil quite a bit yourself.
NICOLE: About...what I did...a few weeks ago...
ERIC: That wasn't you. It was the Devil.
NICOLE: It was...my body.
ERIC: But it wasn't you. You would never do that. I know that.
NICOLE: I'm thirsty.
Kayla got a cup, filled it with water and handed it to Eric. Eric held the cup as Nicole took a drink.
NICOLE: How long...has it been?
ERIC: Since you were first possessed? Nobody knows. But, I would guess about a month, maybe two.
Nicole coughed.
NICOLE: I'm sorry.
ERIC: Don't be. It wasn't your fault. If anything, I'm the one who should be sorry. If I had just looked into the truth, if I had trusted you, if I hadn't have accused you of those terrible things, then I wouldn't have driven you away. It's my fault you were possessed. And I can't tell you how sorry I am for everything that I've done to you. Nothing I say or do will ever be able to make up for what I've done. I understand why you hate me, Nd I deserve it.
NICOLE: I...don't...hate you. I...love you. And...I...forgive you.
Nicole squeezed Eric's hand, her grip was weakening.
NICOLE: I have...to go...now.
ERIC: Go? Nicole, you survived an exorcism, you're still weak. You aren't going anywhere.
NICOLE: But, I am. I'm...going home.
ERIC: What? That doesn't make any sense.
Nicole coughed. Her voice was getting softer.
NICOLE: Not...my home...here. My home...with...God.
Eric turned pale.
ERIC: What?
NICOLE: I...will miss...you, Eric. Please...don't...forget me.
ERIC: Nicole, this isn't the end. This can't be the end.
A tear sprouted in Eric's eyes.
NICOLE: It's...okay. We'll...see...each other...again...someday.
Nicole closed her eyes, slowly.
ERIC: You can't go. We just got you back.
NICOLE: Ssh. It's okay now. It's...okay...Eric. Eric...always...remember...I...love...you. Always...re...member...me...Eric.
ERIC: Of course I'll remember you. i could never forget you.
NICOLE: For...give me...fa...ther...for I...have...
And with that, Nicole breathed her last. The machines connected to her flatlined. Eric stood, tears pouring from his eyes.
ERIC: No...No!!
Eric dropped to his knees and wept. John and Brady took Eric by both arms and walked him out of the room.

[fluffysmom]

So sad. I'm glad Nicole was able to live long enough to say her final thoughts to Eric.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 66

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Nicole flatlined.
ERIC: No...no!!
Eric dropped to his knees and wept.
DANIEL: We need a crash cart in here!
KAYLA: Excuse my lack of tact, but we need some room in here.
JOHN: We'll get him.
John and Brady picked Eric up by the arms and led him out of the room. Marlena, Theresa and Celeste followed behind. The crash cart was rolled in.
KAYLA: Daniel.
DANIEL: Not now, Kayla.
Daniel picked up the paddles,
DANIEL: Charging.
KATLA: You shouldn't be doing this, Daniel...
DANIEL: Clear!
Daniel pressed the paddles to Nicole's chest. Her body jolted from the bolt of electricity that ran through her.
KAYLA: You're too close to Nicole to do this.
DANIEL: All due respect, Kayla, if I don't do this, Nicole will stay dead. Charging.
KAYLA: Let me do it, then. I'm just as good a doctor as you are.
DANIEL: Clear!
Another jolt.
MATT: Dr. Johnson is right, Dr. Jonas. You should not be in here.
Daniel threw the paddles towards Kayla, who caught them. Daniel exited the room.
KAYLA: Charging.

OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL ROOM
Daniel went into the hallway where everyone was waiting. Eric walked in.
ERIC: Daniel, I need to get in there. Let me through.
Daniel put his hands on Eric's shoulders.
DANIEL: You can't. None of us can. Kayla is handling it.
BRADY: Is there any news?
DANIEL: Not yet. Kayla's working to revive her.
CELESTE: I have a feeling she's going to survive.
Eric walked over to Celeste.
ERIC: What do you mean?
CELESTE: I had a vision before coming over here. I saw death. But only one.
MARLENA: That was Nicole's.
CELESTE: What if it wasn't? What if what I saw wasn't Nicole's death, but the death of the Devil, who possessed her? It only seemed like Nicole because it was the Devil in her body.
ERIC: Is that possible?
CELESTE: Possible, yes. I do not know how likely, though. My visions are no longer as crisp as they were. Old age.
ERIC: Everybody, we have to help Nicole survive.
THERESA: How do we do that?
ERIC: We pray. We pray for Nicole. Repeat after me: O most merciful Lord Jesus
ALL: O most merciful Lord Jesus
ERIC: By Thine agony and sweat of Blood,
ALL: By Thine agony and sweat of Blood,
ERIC: By Thy precious death...

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad there's still a chance for Nicole to survive.

[gapeach]

I sure do hope that Nicole survives!

[André DiMera]

Chapter 67

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
THERESA: So, what now?
ERIC: Now, we wait. We wait and pray.
THERESA: Father Eric, can I talk to you for a minute?
ERIC: Sure.
Theresa led Eric to another room.
THERESA: About what I said earlier, um, could you not tell anyone about that?
ERIC: About what?
THERESA: About the stuff from the confessional.
Eric smiled.
ERIC: Theresa, don't worry about that. Anything you say in there is between you and God. I'm just acting in God's stead in there.
THERESA: Okay. Thanks. So, we're good.
ERIC: Of course.
Theresa and Eric hugged. Then, they walked back to join their friends and family.
ERIC: Any word yet?
DANIEL: Nope. Kayla's still working on it.
BRADY: Speaking of working on stuff, I think after tonight's over, I'm gonna get myself to an AA meeting. Get serious about cleaning up.
Eric put a hand on Brady's shoulder.
ERIC: Good. If you need anything, let us know.
John put a hand on Brady's other shoulder.
JOHN: We're standing by you every step of the way, Brady.
MARLENA: Tonight brought back a lot of memories. Not all of them good. Most of them not, actually.
JOHN: Well, we got through it. That's the important part.
Kayla walked out. There was a somber look on her face.
ERIC: Aunt Kayla, what's going on?
KAYLA: Um, well...gee..
ERIC: Is everything okay?
KAYLA: Not exactly.
ERIC: Is it Nicole? Is she...dead for good?
KAYLA: No. No, Nicole's alive again.
Eric looked relieved
ERIC: Oh, thank goodness. So, then why do you look so sad?
Kayla sighed.
KAYLA: Nicole is going to make a full recovery. She may be in some pain for a while and her memory may be a bit foggy, but she'll pull through. But, not everyone else from our little group is.
MARLENA: What do you mean?
KAYLA: When I was in there, something happened. I don't know how, but, he just slipped away.
JOHN: What do you mean?
KAYLA: I'm sorry, Eric. I know he was your mentor, but he's gone. Father Matt just died.

[fluffysmom]

Poor Father Matt. So sad. I'm glad Nicole will recover.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 68

ST. LUKE'S
It was about a week since the exorcism. By now, whole town knew of the recent events. All who were able were gathered at St. Luke's. The funeral was just ending.
ERIC: Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother. May our farewell express our affection for him, may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself. We will now proceed to the cemetary.
As the coffin was walked down the isle, the congregation began singing.
CONGREGATION: Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed...

BRADY PUB
After the whole funeral was over, everyone met up at the Brady Pub for lunch. The closed sign was up, so that the funeral party would not be interrupted. Theresa walked up to Eric and the two hugged.
THERESA: Hey.
ERIC: Hey, how are you?
THERESA: I'm good. How are you?
ERIC: Been better.
THERESA: I'm sorry. I didn't really know Father Matt, but he seemed like a nice guy.
ERIC: He was.
THERESA: This is gonna sound silly, but, whenever I saw him, he reminded me of the dad from that old TV show, "The Waltons".
ERIC: He did look similar to the dad, yeah. Wait, how do you know about "The Waltons"? That's a little before your time. It's before my time, even.
THERESA: My mom watches it.
ERIC: I see.
THERESA: Well, if you ever wanna talk, I'm trying to learn to be a better listener.
ERIC: Thanks. I appreciate that.
Theresa walked away. Marlena walked over. She and Eric hugged.
ERIC: Hi, Mom.
MARLENA: Hi, sweetie. How are you? Hanging in there?
ERIC: As best as I can.
MARLENA: The service was beautiful.
ERIC: Thanks.
MARLENA: You know, I spoke with him a few months ago. He saw great things in you. He was also very proud of the man you were.
ERIC: Well, I learned from the best.
MARLENA: Where's Nicole? I know how close they were, I thought she'd be here.
ERIC: She hasn't been released from the hospital yet. She's still got a lot of therapy before she can come home. I promised I'd go visit her after lunch.
MARLENA: Very good.
Eric then gave a speech to everyone who had come. It was a nice speech and did a great service to a great man.

FORGIVE ME, FATHER concludes on Monday.

[gapeach]

Oh no! I am enjoying this so much but am looking forward to a new story by you Andre!!!!

[fluffysmom]

Loved Teresa saying Father Matt reminded her of John Walton.