𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞//𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐮𝐩𝐬

The Final Buzzer

Talia slides into the seat behind the Feders followed by Marcus then Owen as the two Higgins eavesdrop on their conversation.

"Because it's a Holiday, they won't rent it to you for one night," Lenny replies to his wife.

"So your friends are partying all weekend while you're stuck in dreary old Milan," Roxanne responds.

"Yeah," Lenny confirms.

"That was nice of you," Roxanne scoffs

"It was nice of us. It's your money too, isn't it?"

Marcus leans to put his face between the couple "Yeah, it's your money, it's his money, it's my money. Let's put all our cash in a pile and split it. Heh, heh," Marcus chuckles lightly his eyes moving to Roxanne's hat "That's a nice hat, it brings out the death in the room."

That was Talia's cue to pull her father back and smack his head causing Owen to laugh "Nice going, Higgins," he speaks to Talia.

Both Higgins, unaware of who Owen was talking to reply with a "Thanks," causing Owen to laugh again and the two Higgins to give each other weird looks.

The McKenzie family sits in the row in front of the Feders and Talia's breath hitches in her throat as the familiar intoxicating cologne fills her nostrils making her feel light-headed, in a good way.

She looks up to see Alex Feder slide into the row his family sat in, right in front of her.

This is going to be a long ceremony. Talia thought to herself as she shifted in her seat nervously.

——

The priest was giving a beautiful speech, one Talia knew Coach Buzzer would've appreciated.

"When Robert knew that his time was short, he told me there was one specific man he wanted to say a few words to memorialize him. So I'd like to ask Lenny Feder to come up now."

Marcus pats Lenny's back as Lenny gives a look of surprise, not expecting this.

He clears his throat and moves to get up, making his way to the stand nervously. The priest steps down and Lenny gets to the top step before turning around to face the room of people.

"I'm sorry, I'm not prepared at all. I– I feel very honored that– that coach asked me to do this, but, uh– I also feel terrible because I haven't seen the coach in so long. And he always wanted me to come to town and see him, and, uh, I got caught up in what I've been doing and I regret it.

I understand that the St.Mark's team of 1978 was the only championship team that the coach ever had, and, uh, that's– That's very impressive, I gotta say, judging from the, uh, the talent we had to offer. I mean, believe it or not, Robbie and Marcus were actually shorter back in 1978." Lenny finishes causing the room to light up in laughter.

Talia nudges her father's arm as she laughs and Alex's ears perk up at the sound of her sweet, honey-smooth laughter.

"Yeah, but those guys had a skill you never mastered. They knew how to pass the ball." Eric speaks up causing another rupture of laughter.

"Looks like somebody has to learn how to pass the Kentucky Frid Chicken," Lenny responds causing Talia to let out a shot cackle that she covers with her hand. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding," Lenny assures.

"We're saying goodbye to a big part of our lives. All of us. Y– You affected everybody in the room. And, um, I hope we get to live our lives like you. Have no regrets when, uh, life's final buzzer sounds. So, uh, let's all bow our heads in silence."

Everyone bows their heads, Talia along with them as her heart swells with warmth at Lenny's beautiful speech.

——

Owen and Talia's mouths were gapped open as Robbie sang 𝑨𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒂 at the front of the church. Owen had the bottom of his face covered with his hand as he fought back laughter. Talia puts her hand over her mouth as well to hide her growing smile as she hears Kirt and Lenny begin talking quietly.

"They should have ended it right after you. This is insanity." Kurt whispers his eyes not leaving Robbie.

"Yeah. Five bucks it takes him down on one knee." Lenny bets.

"You're on," Kurt replies as Lenny leans back in his seat.

Talia watches with wide eyes as Robbie picks up Coach Buzzer's photo and starts twirling around with it. Her eyes moved to the priest who looked horrified and she lost it letting out a cackle that she covered with a rough cough.

She leaned into her father who was already laughing and pressed her face into his shoulder as she tried to contain her laughter.

Marcus holds onto his daughter as he laughs quietly, Talia peaks a watering eye open to see Robbie dropping on one knee, shaking her head in disbelief. Kurt grabs a five from his jacket pocket and slips it to Lenny as Robbie begins finishing.

"Make a buzzer sound in three," Marcus whispers to Owen and Talia.

The three start mouth the count down and cup their mouths with their hands as they imitate a buzzer noise.

The whole church breaks into laughter as Robbie's head shoots up "Grow up, will you?" He says unamused.

"Oh, look at him now." Lenny laughs gesturing to the short angry man.

Alex's laughter dies down as he glances behind him at the laughing blonde as she high-fives her father and the blonde boy.

A knot twists in his stomach and he clears his throat looking forward again, it was a high-five...it wasn't that serious. But Alex couldn't deny the burning jealousy in his chest.