Chapters 90 - Epilogue

Chapter 90 - NC17

Belle sighed contentedly as she lay snuggled against Shawn’s chest. After a long wait at the reception they had finally been able to sneak away to their honeymoon. Not that she had known where they were headed, Shawn had insisted on making all the plans for the after wedding weekend, and she hadn’t had a problem letting him. When he’d bundled her into their new sports car, compliments of Phillip and Chloe, she’d expected him to be taking her to the airport. But instead he began to wind his way through the mountains towards the lodge.

***

“Shawn, where are we headed?” Belle asked as they past the exit for the airport. Her mind had been swimming with ideas of a warm Caribbean vacation, days on the sand and in the surf.

“We’re staying close to home Mrs. Brady.” Shawn said glancing over at her. Disappointment lined her face and he suddenly felt guilty. “I’m sorry sweetheart, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave and go far away. And to tell you the truth, I’m terrified to get on a plane and go anywhere, I’m afraid to fly. I figured we could spend our honeymoon close to home, and once things have calmed down a little more, we could jet off to be together. I’m sorry.”

“Oh Shawn don’t be sorry.” Belle said looking at him with loving eyes. She hadn’t expected his heartfelt story of fear. “The Lodge will be fine. You were just planning things so long I figured that we’d be going somewhere new. But this way we’ll be close to home if anything happens.”

“I know you think I’m being silly Belle, but I just got my family, I’m not going to lose it.” Shawn said reaching over and grasping her hand tightly in his. She was wearing a white sundress that showed her ample cleavage, and just barely grazed the top of her knees. White flip flops dangled off her feet, showing off the diamond toe ring that he’d given her before the wedding a week ago. Before the reception her curls had been pulled up off her shoulders and piled into a crown on top of her head, ringed by her diamond tiara. “I promise you by this time next year we’ll be jetting off all over the place every chance we get.”

“I’ll hold you to that Mr. Brady.” Belle said as they neared the quaint little cottages that sat near the Green Mountain Lodge. “But for now I think a nice soak in the hot tub would be perfect before we completely exhaust ourselves.”

“Oh, does someone think she’s going to get lucky?” Shawn asked feeling the blood rush to his core. “Getting a little a head of yourself aren’t you?”

“ I don’t think I am.” Belle said leaning back I her seat and relaxing. She’d planned on driving Shawn crazy on the way to their destination, so what if it was a little shorter. “I mean, can’t you see it Shawn? My hands exploring your wet body, running along your neck and back, down along your thighs until I reach my destination. Can’t you feel my hands as I gently wrap my hand around your thick shaft, exploring every inch of it. Can’t you feel me slipping under water to run my tough around the throbbing tip? Mmm, I can see it Shawn. I can see your hand sliding along my neck before you lavish my breasts with your tongue, teasing my nipples until they’re rock hard. Oh, I can feel your hands sliding down until you can dip them inside my dripping folds. Hmm, can you feel the wamth Shawn?"

"Belle you're going to make me run us off the road." Shawn said as he felt his pants become tight with arousal. No woman other than Belle had ever been able to turn him on like this, and she didn't even have to touch him to do it. "Keep that energy saved up for when we get inside our cabin."

"Oh Shawn, but it feels so good." Belle said looking at him out of the corner of a half closed eye. She loved being able to get his sex drive going, it had kept her going for a while after Jame's raped her. "Can you feel the way I clamp down on your finger as it slides inside my body? Oh, I'm getting so close."

"Belle please stop it." Shawn said as he passed through the gates to the lodge. He was glad that they were heading right to the cabin instead of checking in. It had been one of the advantages of the honeymoon package, everything would be ready for them, and he already had the keys. "Wait just a few more minutes and I promise you will get to feel all those things."

"Ok." Belle said smiling at him excitedly. They had decided on waiting for their wedding night to make love again, and so far they had managed to do so. It hadn't been easy, but their love for each other had made it possible. "Do you want that soak in a hot tub or not?"

"Is it advisable?" Shawn asked winking at her as he led the car along a secluded road to the cabin. "I mean, Abi was concieved after being in a hot tub, do we want more children that fast?"

"We've got time to think about more children." Belle said grinning at the lovely cabin that loomed in front of them. "I'm still taking my pills right now, so when we're ready to take that step yet again, we'll chuck them and go at it like rabbits."<br />

"Do we have to wait until we stop the protection to go at it like rabbits?" Shawn asked parking the car and leaning over to give her a quick kiss. "I mean, I see no reason why we should practice it before we go in for the kill."

"I'm sure we'll get in lots of practice." Belle said climbing from the car and grabbing her purse from the floor of the car. "After all, we never were able to keep our hands off each other in the past, why should things change now?"

"I agree with you one hundred percent." Shawn said grabbing their bags and leading the way into the cabin. He'd been there two weeks before to check things out, and was overly impressed with the set up. "I quite enjoy pretending I'm a teenager again, makes things fun. And helps me forget that I'll soon be 40."

"Don't remind me." Belle said laughing at him. They had both realized that the years were passing them by quite fast, and that when Aimee turned twenty they would be forty years old, less than four years away. "It's ok for a man to be forty, that's the prime of your life, it means I'll be over the hill. Something I'm so not looking forward to. I'm too youthful to be over the hill."

"You can be over the mountain and I'll still love you." Shawn said lifting her into his arms. "I'll love you forever Belle Brady. I pledged that today in front of God, and I plan on honoring it til the day we're both taken to a better place. As long as you'll have me that is."

"Forever." Belle said gasping as they entered the room. An attendent has recently been in the room as candles were lit and fresh rose petals scattered along the wooden floor. "Oh Shawn, this is amazing." She settled her feet to the floor and began to explore the rooms. "Oh Shawn, the hot tub is huge! We could fit ten people in there at the same time!"

"There will be only two people in there tonight." Shawn said depositing their things in the bedroom and moving to join her on the patio. "You and me. I don't think anyone else would want to be in there with what we'll be doing. And I don't plan on wearing any clothes for the rest of the night."

"Sounds like a plan to me Mr. Brady." Belle said as she dropped her sundress to the ground revealing her nearly naked body. The only garmet she wore was a firey red garter on her left leg. "Shall we?"

***

"Are you hot tubbed out?" Shawn asked as Belle walked into the bedroom wearing nothing but a towel. They has spent two hours soaking in the tub and driving each other nuts by being as provocative as they could. Shawn had finally begged her to give him release before he ruined the rest of their night. He'd been in the bedroom getting things ready for when she came in.

"I feel like a prune." Belle said flopping down onto the bed, not caring that she was still wet, or that the towel flew to both sides on impact. "But a relaxed and happy prune."

"A beautiful prune too." Shawn said running his hand down along her silky skin until he felt himself begin to harden again. "You'd never know you've given birth to three little girls you know." He rested his hand on her flat stomach before leaning down and kissing the skin.

"Little girls it the key word there." Belle said shivering at his touch. "Remember, all the girls were small, each under seven pounds if I remember correctly. But I remember how you've always loved to lavish my stomach with kisses, so I wanted to keep it nice for you."

"Well I thank you for it." Shawn said moving his kisses up towards her breast until he was able to take on of the peaks into his mouth, giving the other attention with his hands. He tangled his free hand in her hair before moving his mouth to hers for a passionate kiss that left them both breathless. "Belle, I'm not sure I can last here. I'm need you so much." He pressed his erection into her body and smiled at her moan. "See how much I need you."

The sensation of Shawn's naked body pressed against hers caused moisture to pool between her legs. "I need you too Shawn." She said kissing him lightly. "I've always needed you. These past few months have been torture on me."

"Me too." Shawn said snaking his hand down between their bodies and slipping it inside her wet folds, stroking her gently. "I can see that you're ready. Do you want me to take it slow?"

"Turn on some music and we'll go from there." Belle said pushing him up off her and removing the towel from under her body. She turned down the sheets and slipped down under the silk sheets supplied by the lodge. "Mmm.. we're getting us some of these when we get back Shawn, they feel like heaven."

"I'm about to show you what heaven feels like." Shawn said sliding in next to her and capturing her in his arms. He couldn't wait any longer, he needed to make love to her. He smiled at the song that played from the stereo. It had been an option for their wedding song, the one they'd planned before Aimee had come up with the idea of writing one herself. He lowered his lips to hers and knew that now he had finally gotten himself to where he wanted to be, in her life forever. He ran one hand up so it retangled in her hair, and pressed their lips tighter together.

You look pretty as a picture
With those flowers in your hair
Years from now, I will remember
This vow I made to show I care
Even as those flowers fade to brown
I will love you then, as I do now

Slowly Shawn moved his body so it covered hers. He was nervous about her reaction to him after all the terror she'd experienced sexually in the past sixteen years. Would she accept him, or would she frreak out and push him away. Gently he eased his hand down between her legs and moved his fingers around her clitoris until her hips arched into him. This first time for them would never come again and he didn't want her to regret it. They could only make love as man and wife once, and it was now or never.

I give you my word, I swear that I will
Love you until time stands still
Forever I'm yours, for better or worse
I'll stand before God and give you my word
Oh I do... give you my word

"I do give you my word Belle, forever and always." Shawn said as he gently pushed his throbbing erection against her body, feeling it open to to accept him. He slowly moveed forward until he couldn't go any further. He kissed her lovingly until her arms snaked around his neck and she began to create a rythm under neath him. Her moans and gasps kept him going, causing her to crest and fall, but keeping her from climaxing.

There must be somebody watching
Over me from up above
'Cause they've sent me an angel
Knowing we'd make perfect love
I don't know if words can go as deep
But here's my promise I will keep

"Oh Shawn!"

Unable to keep himself under control anymore, Shawn began to quicken his pace. Sweat dripped from his brow as his manhood slid into her body, creating a heavenly friction with each inch of stroke. Grunting he closed his eyes, praying he'd be able to hold off until she had come at least twice. Shortening his strokes he pounded into her body as she clung to him.

I give you my word, I swear that I will
Love you until time stands still
Forever I'm yours, for better or worse
I'll stand before God and give you my word
Oh I do... give you my word

"Shawn, oh Shawn, oh God!"

Shawn pressed his lips to her neck as he proceeded to push himself in and out of her wet body. With each stroke he could feel her pleasure mount again, despite the fact that she hadn't been given any time to come down from the high. She clamped down around him and he bit into her skin slightly. She screamed out and fell over her second cliff.

With God as my witness, let the lightening strike me down
If I should ever break this promise made on sacred ground
Oh I do... give you my word

Unable to control it anymore, Shawn thrust into her with an urgency neither of them had ever experienced. Holding he close he felt his own pleasure near and choked when he felt her body tighten around him, squeezing his last ounce of control out of him. "Oh God Belle." He gasped falling down on to her slick body as his seed spilled inside her once again.

I give you my word, I swear that I will
Love you until time stands still
Forever I'm yours, for better or worse
I'll stand before God and give you my word
Oh I do... give you my word

"I love you Belle." Shawn said rolling off her body and pulling her close to him. Never had making love to her flet like that. It had always had an immature quality to it, something he'd always wanted to get rid of. "I love you so much."

"I love you too Shawn." Belle said resting her head on his chest. She could feel his heart thudding underneath the skin and she kissed the area lightly. "I'll love you forever.

Oh I do... give you my word

***

"Are you ok sweetheart?" Shawn asked as he felt Belle stir against his chest.

"I'm just thinking about how amazing it was to make love to you." Belle said running her fingers along the muscles of his stomach. "And about how much I'd love to do it again tonight."

"I think I can arrange that." Shawn said rolling her under his body. "And I think right now would be the ideal time."



Chapter 91

Four and a half years later…

Time was of the essence. Never in her life had Aimee expected these events to come her way. She was supposed to be attending medical school, near her graduation and working in the ER of University Hospital, not sitting in her doctors’ office clutching the arm of the chair in fear. “What do you mean the results show cancer?” She asked wishing for a moment that she had brought her mother with her. “How can that be?”

“The pain you’re experiencing in your stomach is being caused by a tumour growing on the upper wall of your uterus.” Dr. Lindsay replied wishing that she had better news to give the young girl. “The biopsy that we took the other morning showed that you have Uterine Sarcoma, which as you can guess is cancer of the uterus. This cancer can be staged, depending on where the tumour is, and we’re staging you at Stage 1 , with a possibility of Stage 3, which means it might have spread to your lymph nodes.”<br />

“Uterine cancer?” Aimee asked as tears welled up in her eyes. “But I’ve already had cancer. I had leukemia when I was a kid, I had a bone marrow transplant to cure me, how can I have it again?”

“A BMT cures leukemia, but isn’t a guarantee that you won’t develop another form of it.” Dr. Lindsay said handing Aimee a tissue. “We can treat this Aimee. A hysterectomy will get rid of all the cancer, and a round of chemo and radiation should kick it in the ass. We can begin treatment immediately, and you can be back at work in a few months.”

“But a hysterectomy will take away any chance I have at having kids.” Aimee said realizing that everything she had ever wanted in life was being taken from her yet again. My treatments before may have damaged my reproductive ability, but will take it all away. I’m only 20 years old, I haven’t even had a chance to try for a family.”

“If we let this go for too long there is a chance that we won’t be able to get it out at all.” Dr. Lindsay said passing Aimee some papers to look over. “We can do it now, leave your ovaries intact and that means you could have a biological child of your own someday, through a surrogate. But if we wait too long, we’ll have to remove all but the vagina it’s self. We don’t want this to spread too far, you’re too young to lose it all.”

“What about if I have a baby then have the surgery?” Aimee asked grasping at thin air for hope. “Could I wait a year to try for a baby?”

"The longest we could wait would be a year." Dr. Lindsay explained flipping through a book on her desk. "Having a baby would put you in some serious risks Aimee. Your body may not be able to handle the stress and you would lose the baby or go into premature labour. If you did get pregnant we'd have to arrange to do a C-section so we could remove the tumour at the same time. And you couldn't take the baby right to term either, we'd have to deliver between 30 and 34 weeks depending on your condition. Are you sure you want to take those risks?"


“I want a chance to think things over before I make my decision.” Aimee said reaching for her purse. “Let me get back to you in a few days.” She raised her hand to cut off the doctors protests. “Don’t tell me the risks, I know them as well as you do. I want to talk to my family before I make any kind of decisions at all. I’ll be back in three days with my decision.”

“Alright Aimee, I wish you the best.” Dr. Lindsay said as she watched the girl exit the room. So young and so broken, I wish there was more hope for her survival.

***

Aimee paced nervously across her parents’ living room. It had been forty-eight hours since she had seen her doctors, a very long and painful two days. She had spent the entire time figuring out her course for the next year. She had three choices, to have the treatment and lose out on having a family, refuse the treatment and allow nature to take its course, or to postpone treatment and have a baby, and she had thought very long and hard about each.

“Hey sweet girl.” Belle said as she stepped through the door, her arms fill of grocery bags. “What to give me a hand with these”

“Sure Mom.” Aimee said grabbing half the bags from her mothers’ petite arms and heading towards the kitchen. “You sure buy a lot of groceries for the four of you.”

“Well you know how your father eats, and Abi’s boyfriend comes by a few days a week.” Belle said as she began to unload each bag and hide the contents behind the oak cupboards she had installed the year before. “But since you moved out things have gotten a little cheaper, especially the water bill.”

Aimee smiled as she pulled a large bag of apples out of one of the bags and headed towards the fridge. “Are you saying that I spent too much time in the shower, and that I ate a lot?” She asked loving how they could banter with each other so easily, just like best friends.

“Just how much do you spend on groceries a month?” Belle asked quietly. She’d worried endlessly about Aimee since she had moved into her first apartment on her twentieth birthday, over six months before.

“Aiden and I spend two hundred and ten between us.” Aimee replied in a reassuring voice. “And that includes all that expensive veggie stuff we eat that you hate. Our rent and bills come to four hundred and forty six leaving me two hundred dollars to put away each cheque. I’ve saved five thousand dollars since I turned eighteen, and that’s after I bought and insured the car in May.”

“I know you don’t like me to worry, but you know that I can’t help it.” Belle said tossing the used bags into the trash can. “You may be my eldest and going on twenty one years old, but you’ll always be my baby.”

“Soon enough one of use will give you a grandbaby to love and coddle.” Aimee said trying to sound nonchalant. “Then you’ll have a little one to worry about, and we’ll all be off Scot free!”

“Your dad will quite his job to baby-sit.” Belle said smiling at her daughter. She knew that her girls were nowhere near ready for babies; Aimee was just trying to make her feel better. “Are you alright sweetie, you look a little pale? Are they running you too hard in the ER?”

“No I’m just feeling a little under the weather.” Aimee said sending her mom one of her killer smiles, trying to hide the knot of pain that had formed under her stomach. “That cold I had wiped me out pretty good. But I guess the twelve hours shifts don’t help either.”

“Are they over working my daughter in that blasted ER?” Shawn asked as he walked into the kitchen. “Good evening sweetheart. How was your week?”

“Stressful.” Aimee said honestly pushing her hair out of her face. “Between work and that nasty cold I had it was pretty terrible.” And not to mention I have to have my uterus removed because I have cancer again. “I’m glad it’s over.”

“Well you have all day tomorrow to recover.” Shawn said kissing her cheek before moving to greet Belle. “Thank the lord for the weekend!”

Aimee looked at her parents and felt like crying. No man would ever fall in love with her now. She couldn’t give him children, that was if she even survived the cancer. “I’m sorry for coming over on your only night alone.” Abi and Autumn went to a movie together on Saturday nights.

“Don’t worry about it sweetie, we love to have you over no matter the night.” Belle said deciding to start a pot of coffee as she did every night when Shawn got home for work. She turned to the sink and filled it with water before turning to set it back on the element. "What did you want to talk to us about?"

Aimee cringed as the pot crashed to the floor as she quickly broke the news about her future to her parents. "I'm going to have a baby."



Chapter 92

Aimee closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she had been instructed, her mind wandering to the conversation she had had with her parents, as her body relaxed.

***

Belle gasped as the coffee pot shattered at her feet. She hadn't even realized that she had let go of it, Aimee's comment had struck her like a freight train. "What?"

"Don’t' freak out." Aimee said watching her mother grab the cupboard for support, her face pale and her eyes brimming with tears.

"What do you mean don't freak out?" Belle asked as Shawn reached out to hold her up. "What do you mean by you're going to have a baby? I thought you weren't even seeing someone? What haven't you been telling us Aimee Isabella?"

"Calm down please." Aimee begged reaching out for her mother hand. She started to cry when Belle pulled away. "Mommy, don't. I have to explain it to you before you can get upset. I'm not pregnant right now, but I will be very soon."

"If you're not pregnant now then why would you want to be?" Shawn asked cradling Belle against his chest. "You are twenty years old Aimee Isabella, you are not ready for a baby any time in the near future."

"Please, sit down and let me tell you why I'm going to have a baby." Aimee said pointing to the kitchen table. Her hands shook and she wiped at her tears hoping to calm down. She smiled slightly as they moved to take a seat, and followed to her own. "I hadn't planned on having one any time soon. But I haven't been feeling well for about a month. It started with a stomach ache, then progressed to a searing pain every time I bent over."

"Did you see a doctor?" Belle asked her anger fading and her concern growing. "You know that if you get sick you have to see a doctor."

"I did see a doctor, and she ordered some tests." Aimee explained picking up a napkin and tearing small pieces off it. "First it was an ultrasound, then blood tests, and a biopsy. She found a small mass in my abdomen and wanted it tested. I have cancer again. Uterine cancer on the outside of the uterus, Stage 1 or 3 they don't know yet. The treatment is a hysterectomy, chemo and radiation."

"No..." Belle sobbed as she imagined her daughters life falling to pieces before it got started. "Oh my baby girl."

"But if they do a hysterectomy, I can't ever have babies of my own." Aimee said tossing her mother a napkin to dry her eyes on. "Dr. Lindsay told me that I could wait a maximum of one year before having the surgery, if I wanted to try and have a baby of my own. I do, and she's agreed to refer me to the IVF clinic at the hospital. I'm going to have a baby now because it's my one and only chance at it."

"But you're only twenty." Shawn said trying to understand why his daughter was trying to ruin her life so quickly. "Why not have them harvest your eggs and use a surrogate in a few years?"

"Because I may not be around to see it happen." Aimee said resting her head on her hands. "The cure rate for this cancer is very low. I want to make sure that I have at least one baby to carry on for me, and this is the only way that I can do it and get to see the baby at least once."

"Are you just going to use a donor from the sperm bank?" Belle asked, determined to make her daughters' wish come true.

"There is something else I need to tell you." Aimee said smiling at her parents. "Aiden is living with me for a reason. Aiden is Gay and his parents threw him out in May. He was staying with a friend, but needed a place of his own. When I decided to move out he asked if we could live together, and I agreed. Aiden has agreed to donate his sperm to me, and relinquish his parental rights so the baby won't have to know who he is. He'd be Uncle Aiden, and he'd help me out when I needed him during my treatment. I've done a lot of thinking about this, and we go to a hearing on Monday morning to get the rights removed off the semen."

"Aiden is gay?" Belle asked grinning at her daughter. "I always knew there was something about him that I didn't understand. He seemed to be terrified of your sisters."

"They have crushes on him, and he thinks it's gross." Aimee explained laughing for the first time in days. "He says that they need to be told, but he wasn't sure how you'd take it. I was wondering if one of you could come with me to the hearing. I've never been to one that I can really remember, and I don’t' want to go alone. Aiden and I have to have separate lawyers, so we can't go in together."

"I'll come with you sweet girl." Belle said softly. "Are you sure this is what you want to do? You're going to be very sick during your treatments, and a baby is a huge responsibility."

"I'll hire a nanny to live with me." Aimee said glad she'd done her homework on the subject. "I've got more money than I know what to do with, this is something I can use it on, and it will be a worthwhile investment."

"I'm guessing we can't talk you out of it?" Shawn asked hopefully.

"No, you can't Daddy." Aimee said shaking her head. "If there was another option, then I would consider it. I've thought a lot about this, done my research, and this is all I could come up with. Aiden had his testing done on Thursday, and he's free of any genetic disorders that could cause the baby to have problems in the future. I have a few potential problems, but nothing that's too severe, they came from you two, so I think I'll be ok. If the court grants the removal, then I'll probably have my first treatment in about a week when I ovulate."

"Do you want me to come with you for that too?" Belle asked reaching out and taking Aimee’s hand in to hers. "I'm always here for you sweet girl, I just need time to adjust to some of the things you tell us."

"I'd love that mom." Aimee said smiling again. "I won't stay any longer. I'm tired and I don't think I'll stay up much longer. I've had to give up my residency in the ER, I just can't keep up with the hustle of things anymore, the pain drains me. I love you guys, I'll see you for dinner tomorrow night."

***

"I'm all done here Aimee." Dr. Walters said patting the young girls leg. "Lie still until I come back and let you go. You did wonderful."

"Thank you." Aimee said opening her eyes and taking a deep breath. She hadn't even realized that the procedure had begun, she had been so caught up in thought. "Can you send my mother in please?"

"Sure." Dr. Walters said leaving the room. This was the first IVF treatment that she had ever done on a woman under twenty five. "Mrs. Brady, you can go in and wait with her until I release her."

"Thank you." Belle said opening the door and slipping inside the warm room. "How do you feel sweetie?"

"Strange." Aimee said rolling her head to the side to look at her mother. "I just had a treatment to conceive a baby, and I've never had sex!"

"You've never had sex?" Belle asked laughing. "Well my girl I say jump on Aiden if this doesn't work and do it that way."

"I agree." Aimee said laughing at the thought of Aiden's expression. "I keep thinking that if this kills me I'll die a virgin. I don't like either idea very much at all."

"You're not going to die." Belle said shaking her head at Aimee. "But have you and Aiden thought about trying it the natural way if this fails? Not that I want my daughter to sleep with anyone, but I'd rather the baby be conceived naturally. But that is entirely up to you two."

"I'll have a chat with him about it." Aimee said closing her eyes again. "Mom, there is something I never thought about. What happens if I don't make it, who will look after my baby?"

"Don't even think about that, you will be looking after it." Belle said smoothing her daughters hair off her forehead. "And if something was to ever happen, we're Brady's we always take care of our own."



Chapter 93

"Have you heard from Aimee this week?" Shawn asked as he slipped inside Belle's home office. He'd been anxious to hear if the treatment had worked the second month around.

"She and Aiden were going to the doctors yesterday." Belle replied looking up from her computer screen. "Shawn, do you like the name Gabriella Anne?"

"It's lovely, why?" Shawn asked hoping she wasn't getting her hopes up again. They had been trying for their fourth and last child since they got married, but they had been unsuccessful all along.

"I'm working on my book, and I needed a little baby name for a girl." Belle said going back to her rapid typing. "I've only got about six chapters remaining and then I can send it off to a publisher. This is great therapy, I'm glad you recommended it."

"My pleasure." Shawn said kissing her neck and turning to leave the room. He didn't get a chance to move before Aimee flew in the door, bowling him over.

"Mom, you were right!" Aimee exclaimed throwing herself into her mothers arms, happy tears on her face. "We did what you suggested the day of my first treatment and it worked. I'm pregnant!"

"Oh sweet girl." Belle said wrapping her arms around her daughter. "I told you that naturally was the way to go!"

"You told her to have sex?" Shawn asked looking up at Belle from his place on the floor, amazement on his face. "What on earth possessed you to tell our daughter to sleep with the boy that would father her baby... oh never mind, I'm happy for you angel."

"Thank you daddy." Aimee said sliding down into her fathers arms. "I'm so excited. But the doctor told me not to buy anything for a few months. She doesn't want me to get ahead of myself because the embryo is so fragile. She said that the repeated attempts made the second time around are probably what did it. Once isn't enough a lot of the time."

"I don't need to hear this." Shawn said shaking his head with embarrassment. "I don't care if it took three hundred attempts, you are my daughter and I don't need to hear those things. And I have work to do anyway, so I'll see you ladies later for dinner."

"Bye Daddy." Aimee said flopping down into an extra chair and smiling. "If the baby takes and stays strong, I'm scheduled for a C-section the day after your birthday. I know that seems early, but they're doing that so the baby is still small and not pressing against my lungs and stuff."

"You sound like any regular expecting mother." Belle said beaming at her eldest daughter. "Just think of all the things you and I will have to get ready! Oh I'm excited now too! You'll have to let your sisters help you with all the preparations of course, and your grandmother is going to be beside herself with joy."

"Now you're getting ahead of yourself." Aimee said laughing at her mothers antics. "Let's just calm down and figure out what we're going to have for dinner. I think Chinese sounds good to me, what do you think?"

***

five months later

"How is she feeling today?" Hope asked as she walked up to Belle in the hallway of University Hospital. Complications had landed Aimee in the hospital three weeks ago, and things didn't seem to be getting any better.

"She's still in pain, the baby's big." Belle said reaching into the pocket of her coat for her beeper. "Her doctors aren't sure what they're going to do. She's not far enough along to deliver the baby, and the tumor is growing more and more everyday. They want to operate, but they have to wait longer in case they have to take the baby at the same time. She needs to make it to thirty weeks at least."

"How is her pain?" Hope asked wishing that she could take Aimee's place. "Can they do anything for her."

"Not much." Belle said shaking her head. "They can't give her any medication because of the baby. She's been trying to hide it from us, but I can see it in her eyes. Her oncologist is trying some herbal things that her mother recommended, but it will be a few hours before she can judge if it's working. They think that the tumor may have spread to her other organs. If it does we've lost her Hope. I know we need to stay strong, but all I know is I can't keep seeing her like this, it's breaking my heart Hope."

"I know it is sweetie." Hope said giving her daughter-in-law a hug. "It's killing is all to see Aimee in so much pain. But this is what she wanted to do, she knew the risks and complications, but she still wanted to do it. We have to be strong for her, if she sees us falling apart she'll begin to as well."

"I know." Belle said wiping at the few stray tears on her face. "I have to finish my rounds now, I'll be back to visit her in a few hours. Can you stay with her until she can get some sleep?"

"Of course." Hope said as Belle headed towards the elevator. It bothered her to see Belle living at the hospital for most of the day, first at work then spending as much time as she could with Aimee. She quietly slipped inside Aimee's room and closed the door behind her. "Good afternoon darling, your mother tells me that they're getting you high on herbs?"

"Oh Nan." Aimee said laughing for the first time in days. "It's not like they've got me smoking weed or anything. They're just trying to get me some sleep and relief. But now that you mention it I might ask for some pot, I hear it does a good job of numbing people."

"I think not." Hope said pulling a chair up next to her granddaughter. "But I do hope that this gives you some pain relief. I wish there was more we could do for you. Can I bring you anything from home?"

"I think I've got everything I need here." Aimee said shaking her head. "Thanks for asking though. The things I would love to have I'm not allowed. Chocolate and a cafe ou lait sound wonderful, but I'm not allowed even a drop of caffeine. It's a tough plan, but in the end it will all be worth it." She patted her rounding stomach and grinned. "I can't wait to see her."

"Her?"

"They let me find out what it was this morning." Aimee said reaching for her diary. "They want me to have a name ready when she's born, so they told me ahead of time. I've been working on names for a while, but I'm not sure what I want to use. I have a few option that I want to run by all the ladies of the family. My first choice is Larien. Then there's Allison, Grace, Kalie, and Melanie. I'm using Isabella Hope for the middle names."

"I love the first one." Hope said as here eyes clouded with tears. "Larien Isabella Hope Brady. Sounds like a real winner to me. What did your mother think?"

"She said the same thing." Aimee said yawning. "I don't feel any less sore, but I do feel tired. Maybe that tea that they made me drink earlier is working. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Of course I will." Hope said taking Aimee's hand and stroking it softly. "I'm going to tell you a story from when you were very little. You used to come over every Saturday afternoon to play with Zac and Theo. One afternoon you were upset because someone at your nursery school told you that colored people were gross. You didn't understand how that was, because Theo wasn't white, but he was pretty cool. You came into the living room, sat on the couch and started talking to your grandfather and I in all seriousness. You said, 'Nan, papa, I have to ask you a question. Jamie told me that black people are gross and full of disease. But Theo is black and he's not. Why would Jamie say something like that to me?' Well neither of us knew what to tell you. We'd been born in an age when being black was a bad thing, but it was widely accepted when you were born. Your grandfather took you by the hand and led you out the door with out saying a word to me. When you got back you were all smiles. I guess he'd taken you down to the library and put in a video about the sixties. You..." She trailed off when she realized that Aimee had fallen asleep. "That's it sweetie, you sleep." She grabbed her purse and left the room. Outside the door Hope sent a look skyward and said quietly. "Dear God, keep her safe for now. Let that little one make it into the world, it's not fair of you to make us lose both."



Chapter 94

"Mrs. Brady, have you see Dr. Brady?"

"No I haven't, not today." Hope said looking up from her chair near Aimee's empty bed. It had been a long two and a half months, but Aimee had reached the thirty week mark, and her pain was finally subsiding. "Why, is there something wrong?"

"No, we just wanted to know if she was going to be in later this afternoon. Aimee neck is bothering her and wanted a pillow off her bed to help her sleep."

"I'll give Belle a call and let her know." Hope said smiling at the young nurse. "Do you have any idea when Aimee will be brought back to her room? I want to be here when she returns, but I haven't had my lunch yet."

"It will be another few hours." The nurse replied gently. "They're running a few more tests, and they're thinking of doing a biopsy before they send her back. I'd say another two hours for sure. I think it would be safe for you to go and get something to eat."

"Thank you." Hope said setting her book down on the table and reaching for her purse. She'd been sitting in the empty room for three hours already, and a break sounded wonderful. "If you see my husband, would you tell him that I went to the deli for something to eat?"

"Yes Mrs. Brady."

Happily Hope made her way to the elevator. The long days she spent with Aimee were wonderful for her, making the arrival of her great granddaughter so much more sweet. She still had problems imagining herself as a great grandmother like her grandmother had been to Shawn Douglas, she hadn't yet adjusted to being over sixty years old. Alice had been the perfect home maker, a role that she had been working on for the past seven and a half months. Her first task had been to master Alice's donut recipie, which had happened quite quickly.

"Hey fancy face, where are you heading?" Bo asked as he met her at the elevator doors.

"I was about go to grab a bite to eat." Hope said giving her husband a quick kiss. "Care to join me? Aimee will be a few more hours with her testing so I thought this would be the perfect time to get out for an hour or so. I have to give Belle a call, Aimee wants something from home brought in."

"Where did you want to eat?" Bo asked looping her arm through his and leading the way to the front doors. It amazed him how well age had treated him. His hair had retained most of it's dark brown color, better than Shawn's had, with only a few grey hairs spotting around the temples. Hope's had never faded from it's chocolate color, not one grey hair could be seen anywhere. "I hear that the new place at the mall is wonderful."

"I was thinking the Deli." Hope said smiling up at him. "Autumn started her job there today, and I wanted to stop in and see how she is doing. I don't get to see enough of them anymore."

"I know what you mean." Bo said as they turned the corner and headed towards the small deli that sat on the corner. "But once Aimee has the baby and begins treatment things will get better for us all. I can't wait to see this little girl for the first time."

"Me either." Hope said dialing Belle's phone. She quickly relayed the mesage and said her goodbyes. "I can't wait until they do Aimee's delivery. She's in less pain now, but I can tell that things are getting worse for her. And I'll bet she can't wait to start her treatment so she can go home."

"I can't wait until she can come home either." Bo said feeling the worry he'd been having for a few weeks. "I want to see her raise that baby and finish her residency. I'd love to see a second doctor in the family. And I think that Zac is missing the Sunday afternoon movies they used to go see."

"He's been driving down and bringing a video every Sunday." Hope said grinning at the memory. She'd walked in on them a few weeks back and it still amused her. "He drives all morning just to watch the movie with her, then goes back. He feels bad for not coming to see us too, but work has been too busy for him."

"He's coming this weekend right?" Bo asked opening the door to the busy Deli. "Do you want a table or take out?"

"Take out." Hope said looking around her at the packed room. "And yes, Zac will come on Thursday and go home on Tuesday. He took most of a week off to come down hoping that they will deliver the baby. But no guarantees. They’re going to wait as long as they can.”

“Belle said that the baby is now smaller than it should be.” Bo said as they got in the long line for the deli case. “What exactly does that mean?”

“The baby is smaller than it should be at this point in time.” Hope explained softly. “That could be for a few reasons. Either the baby isn’t getting the nutrients that it needs, or that it’s just going to be small like Abi was. They can’t tell us right now, since doing an amino would probably put her into labor.”

“Is the baby healthy?” Bo asked, fearing that his great grand baby was in danger of not making it.

“The heart beat is amazing, and so far the sonograms show that things are progressing the way the should.” Hope said as they moved closer to the front of the line. “The doctor seems to think that the baby might make it to full term if Aimee holds out long enough. But Belle, and her oncologist thinks that they should deliver immediately so they can remove the tumor. They’re really worried about how long it’s been pressed against her lungs.”

“She’s not having problems breathing is she?” Bo asked grabbing a menu off the counter to browse through while they waited. “She seemed fine when I saw her last night.”

“Not as of yet.” Hope replied peeking at the menu over his arm. “But things could change in an instant. Especially when the baby starts to turn into the birthing position. When those legs start kicking against her ribs, we could have some complications. But I’m sure the oncologist will win, and the baby will be here by next week.”

“Shawn is quite excited about watching the baby while Aimee starts her treatments.” Bo commented tracing over one of the sandwich descriptions with his finger. “He’s going to make a wonderful grandfather, even if he is a little young to be having one. Belle is nervous about having a baby around, it’s been sixteen years since Abi was young, and even then Carrie watched her most of the time.”

“They’ll all do fine.” Hope said giving Bo a reassuring pat on the arm. “And if they have problems they’re going to call for one of us and we’ll be tramping through the streets at five am pushing a baby carriage with a screaming baby in it.”

“Gladly.” Bo said as it was their turn to order. “Hello my angel, your grand mother and I would like turkey clubs on grain bread with Dijon mustard and no tomato.”

“Hey Nan and Pa, what brings you guys down here?” Autumn asked as she began to make the sandwiches that they had ordered. “How’s Aimee feeling?”

“She’s having some test run today, but she seems to be doing well.” Hope replied grabbing a few extra napkins and straws. “Will you get to come over and see her after work?”

“I’ve got to run over to Aprils in Station Lake afterwards, but I’ll be over after that.” Autumn replied wrapping the first sandwich in brown paper. “Mom, Dad and I will be going, but Abi will be over at 4 as usual. She doesn’t want to come over with us.”

“I’ll pick her up from school.” Bo said pulling some money from his wallet to pay for the sandwiches. “That way she won’t have to walk across town to get to the hospital.”

“She’ll like that.” Autumn said starting on the second sandwich. “Bring her a sandwich if you want to make her really happy, she forgot her lunch today, and everyone’s been too busy to run her over something.”

“I’ll do that.” Bo said making a mental note to come back to the deli before he went to get her. “Turkey on rye with honey mustard and onions right?”

“Yup.” Autumn said wrapping the second sandwich the same way as she had the first. “And she drinks the passion punch that we make here. Did you two want sodas or juice to go with your sandwiches.”

“I’ll have a fruit punch and your grandfather will have a coke.” Hope said nodding her head in response. “Can I also get a dozen chocolate free cookies for your sister? She likes the oatmeal ones that you guys have here.”

“No problem.” Autumn said quickly getting the last of the order and bagging it. “I threw in a Karob one too, on the house.”

“She’ll appreciate it.” Hope said as Bo paid for their order, leaving Autumn a large tip. “We’ll see you later sweetie. Try and be as quick as you can in case today’s delivery day. I love you Autumn.”

“I love you guys too.” Autumn said waving them off before moving on to the next customer.

“She looks like she loves her job.” Bo said as they headed towards the park. It was still warm, too nice to be inside. “I hope that it helps her pay for school, she was so excited to not need her parents help for things other than housing.”

“She got lucky in that, she can still live at home.” Hope said as they found a bench in the sun to sit at. “She didn’t have the urge to move out like Aimee did. In a way I’m glad she stayed at home. I know I don’t have enough energy to worry about another granddaughter full time.”

“Me either.” Bo said smiling at his wife as they dug into their sandwiches. “Not that we have to worry about any of the girls, but Aimee’s illness is more than any of us can handle.”

“I’m sure that things will get better as soon as she’s released from the hospital.” Hope said as her phone rang. “Hold on. Hello? Oh hi sweetie. You’re finished? Your grandfather and I will be back as soon as we finish our lunch. Alright, love you too.”

“Aimee?” Bo asked as Hope hung up the phone.

“Yeah, she’s done her testing and was worried about me.” Hope said crumpling up the wrapper for her sandwich and dropping it back into the bag. “She said that the doctor needs to talk to one of her guardians, so we should get back there as soon as possible.”

“Well I’m done, let’s walk back.” Bo said placing the trash in the near by garbage can. He offered Hope his arm and smiled. “Shall we?”

“We shall.” Hope said slipping her arm into her husbands. “Let’s go back and see what the good doctor has to say about our little girl.” It had better be good news.



Chapter 95

Hope Brady paced the hallway as the doctors prepared Aimee for an emergency C-section. They had only been at the hospital for six minutes when the doctors had broken bad news to them. The tumor that had been situated on Aimee’s uterus had attached to her lung, and she had to have surgery immediately. "Bo, have you called Shawn and Belle again?"

"Yes honey, I've called them five times and they haven't answered once." Bo replied watching his wife walk back and forth across the shiny floor. She’d been pacing since they’d taken Aimee into surgery for prepping. “They’ll get here as soon as they get the message I left. You need to calm down, if you don’t you’ll have yourself into hysterics and then you’ll be of no use to Aimee.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.” Hope said giving in and sliding down into the seat next to Bo’s. “She was doing so well. How is it that they didn’t pick up on this before now? They’re telling us that the tumor may be too large to remove with out taking a lung!”

“I don’t understand it either Fancy Face.” Bo said slipping his arm around her shoulder. “But they’ll go in there and get it all fixed up. Her recovery will be a little longer now, but she’ll bounce back like she always does. At least it’s on her lung, they can remove part of it and she’ll be ok.”

“Hope!” Carrie yelled as she dashed down the hallway towards the delivery/ operating room. “Hope how is she?”

“They’re prepping her for surgery now.” Hope said standing and embracing Carrie warmly. “It’s not good Carrie, it’s not good. The tumor has attached to her lung, and they’re going to have to put her under as soon as she’s seen the baby.”

“Oh Hope, how did this happen?” Carrie asked wiping her eyes on her the sleeve of her pale pink sweater set. “Oh shoot, I left the kids at the end of the hall. Jake, Lily! Oh you two don’t do this to me today.” She glanced both ways before losing her patience and yelling out for them. “Jacob Shawn Morgan and Lillian Isabella Morgan, get your asses over here right now!”

“Yes mommy.” Jake and Lily said together as they slowly moved towards their mother.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve twins.” Carrie said sitting down and taking Hope’s hand in hers. “They’re definitely like their father in many ways. Why did you two take off and hide? You knew that I had to get here and it was important.”

“The floors are so shiny, we can see ourselves in them!” Lily replied grinning at her mother as she tapped her shiny black shoes on the floor. “Why can’t you get our floors to do this?”

“Because we have wood floors in our house, not tile.” Carrie replied rolling her eyes at her daughters antics. The two of them were constantly getting into some sort of trouble or other, making her go grey sooner than needed. “Now I need you to sit here and wait. It’s going to be a while before your sitter can come and get you.”

“Mrs. Brady, you can begin to scrub in now.” Dr. Lindsay said as she came out of the operating room, dressed in green hospital garb. Abi stepped out from behind her, tears in her eyes.

“Nan, she wants you to stay with her the whole time.” Abi said feeling disappointed. She had hoped that she would be asked to stay for the delivery of her first niece, but Aimee had been too scared to have her there, in case things went wrong.

“Don’t fell bad Abigail, she doesn’t want you to see her hurting.” Dr. Lindsay said placing a comforting hand on the young girls shoulder. “You’ll be able to see the baby as soon as they team as cleared it for the nursery.”

“Come over here and sit with me Abigail.” Carrie said patting the seat that Hope had just vacated. “We’ll wait right here until they bring the little angel out to us, and then you can be the first of us to hold her. Right Bo?”

“I think I can give up my chance to my angel.” Bo said placing a comforting arm around his youngest grand daughter’s shoulders. “Well wait here, and pray until we get to see the little one. And I’m sure Jake and Lily could use someone to occupy them for a little bit. Hey you two, get back here and sit. Over there, where I can see you.”

“Yes Grandpa Bo.”

“Why do they listen to you and not to me?” Carried asked giving Bo a grateful smile. “It’s like you’re God or something.”

“It’s the big scary voice.” Bo said smiling back at Carrie. “Is Jason coming over?”

“Since he started at the PD he always seems to be working late.” Carrie said shrugging her shoulders. Bo had convinced Jason to leave his mob days, and move into protecting the public with the police force, and luckily he had loved it. “There is a major accident on the highway between Salem and Station and Lake, so he’s out there trying to direct traffic.”

“So that’s what’s keeping Shawn and Belle.” Bo said understanding the situation more. “They had to take Autumn over to a friends place for a minute, and then they were coming over here. I haven’t been able to reach their cell phones, and I’ve been trying for a long time.”

“I’m sure Jason will see them and check in with the hospital.” Carrie said eyeing her children who were trying to make a break for it again. “He knows I’m here, and what’s happening. So he’ll make sure they get the news and the quickest route here.”

“I’ll be out with the baby as soon as I can.” Hope said poking her head outside the door one last time. “Wish us luck!”

“Nan?” Aimee called out as she turned her head looking for her grandmother. “Are you staying with me?”

“Yes darling, I’ll be right here the entire time.” Hope said taking a seat on the stool next to Aimee’s head. “If you feel scared just look at me and we’ll talk our way through it.”

“Ok.” Aimee said swallowing the huge lump that was lodged in her throat. “I decided to name her Larien Isabella Hope, after you and mom. I wrote the name in my journal so many times, I just fell in love with it from the start. I hope she has our brown eyes and mom’s blonde hair. Aiden had blonde hair, so hopefully she’ll have his hair.”

“She will, and you’ll put it into all sort of crazy hairdos when she gets bigger.” Hope said as the room began to fill with people all dressed in green scrubs. “She’ll look so much like you did when you were little, and let’s hope she has the talent that all of you possess.”

“Aiden can’t sing, but he’s a master of the paintbrush.” Aimee said remembering the painting that he had done for the baby just before she’d ended up in the hospital. “That painting he did will look wonderful in the pink nursery. I can’t believe he painted what he thinks the baby will look like, and it’s exactly what I want her to look like.”

“He’s a good man.” Hope said as the doctor explained what would be happening. Aimee had been given only a mild epidural, so she would be feeling a little big of pain, just like someone scratching her with a fingernail. “You’re lucky to have a friend like him. He’s doing something very wonderful for you, and we’ll always be grateful to him for giving us this little angel we’re about to receive.”

“Oh Nan, it’s hurts.” Aimee said clenching her jaw together.

“Why don’t you sing, to take your mind off it?” Hope asked placing a cool cloth on Aimee’s forehead.

“I was working on a poem while I was having my test run.” Aimee said as a tear ran down her cheek. “Can I say it for you?”

“Of course you can.” Hope said as tears formed in her own eyes. It bothered her to see Aimee in pain, but she knew that they had to do it this way so they could do the second part of the surgery.”

Aimee closed her eyes and began to speak in a low voice.

“Sometimes people come into your life and you know
right away that they were meant to be there...to serve
some sort of purpose, to teach you a lesson or to help
you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know when these people might appear,
but when you lock eyes with them,
you know that every moment you
spend with them, they will affect your life
in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that
may seem horrible, painful and unfair, but on
reflection you realize that without overcoming these
obstacles you would have never realized your
potential, your strength, your willpower,
your heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens
by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury,
love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer
stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without life's challenges, life would be like a
smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere....
safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life.
The successes and downfalls that you experience
help create who you are,
and the bad experiences can be learned from.

In fact, they are probably the most
poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,
forgive them because they have helped you learn
about trust and the importance of being cautious
to whom you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally,
not only because they love you, but because they are
teaching you to love and open
your heart and eyes to the essence of life
which is love.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and
take from it everything that you possibly can, for you
may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before,
and actually listen to what they say

Let yourself fall in love, break free
from any limitations to loving another
and set your sights high.

Hold your head up because you have every right to.
Tell yourself you are a unique individual.”

“I don’t have a last verse, and it’s not done.” Aimee said feeling despaired. It was taking a long time for them to get the baby out, and she was beginning to worry.

“Try to think of one now.” Hope said drying her eyes on her sleeve. The poem had been beautiful, and suited how things were going for their family.

“How about this.” Aimee said taking a deep breath and trying one last time to finish the poem.

”Believe wholly in yourself.
For truly and indisputably
there is no other person quite
like the being that you are.”

“It’s a girl!”

The voice cut through Aimee’s thoughts and she burst into tears as the baby was held up for her to see. “Oh she’s so beautiful.” She said looking at her grandmother with a smile on her face. “Oh Nan, she’s just like I wanted her to be!”

“She’s perfect.” Hope said as she watched the nurse carry the baby away. She knew the doctors didn’t have much time, and wanted her to see the baby so they could continue with their surgery.

“Here you go Aimee, she’s 6 pounds 4 ounces and 18 inches long.” An nurse said as she handed the baby to the grandmother. “We’ll let you have a few minutes with her, there are somethings that we can do before you put you under.”

“Oh Nana, she’s so precious.” Aimee said using her free hand to stroke her daughters face. “Hello Larien Isabella Hope Brady, I’m your mommy.” She lifted the little hat that covered her head and smiled at the hair. “It’s as blonde as it comes!”

“She’s just want you wanted her to be.” Hope said marveling at the tiny being in her arms. “Congratulations Aimee.”

“Thank you.” Aimee said taking a deep breath. She was having problems breathing, and it worried her. “Can you bring her closer so I can give her a kiss?”

“Of course.” Hope said lowering the baby so it rested against Aimee’s shoulder.

“I love you my child.” Aimee said pressing kisses against the soft skin. “I love you.” She closed her eyes and became still.

“Aimee?” Hope asked noticing how still her granddaughter had become. “Aimee?”

“Mrs. Brady we need you to leave.” A nurse said suddenly, taking Hope by the arm and leading her towards the next room.

“Gail, we need you over here now.” Dr. Lindsay said motioning for the nurse to come over. “We’re losing her.”

***

“Detective Morgan, we could use an extra set of hands around here.”

“I’m coming.” Jason said moving away from the people he had been getting details from. “What have we got.”

“18 wheeler crossed the yellow and smashed into a Benz.” Detective Jacob Green said going over the little information he had gathered. “We’re running the plates to find out who the owners are. So far we’ve been unable to identify the victims. But we know that there are three in the car, one male and two females.”

“Any survivors?” Jason asked noting the car and the excessive damage to the entire structure. “Or are the ambulances coming with a coroner.”

“We can’t get close enough to find out.” Jacob replied shaking his head. “The sticky stuff that was in the truck is hardening and we can’t get in past it. As soon as it’s hard we’ll be able to crawl over it, but we just unstuck the fireman that tried to get in earlier.”

“We’ve got life in here!”

Jason dashed to get as close to the car as he could. “Hello, can you hear me?” He glanced across to the fireman who had noticed the life and shrugged. “Can you hear me in there?”

“Jason?”

Jason staggered back when he hear the reply. “No.” He said shaking his head in disbelief. “No, it can’t be.” He turned his head to the side and spotted the fire chief. “We need to get someone in there to get them out now! Not in five minutes, not in five hours, Now!”

“Jason what’s gotten to you?” Jacob asked grabbing his partners arm and steadying him. “I just told you that we can’t get close to them.”

“You’d better find a fucking way.” Jason said anger creeping into his body, getting control of his emotions. “That’s ex. Commander Brady’s son in that car. You’d better hope to hell he gets out of there alive.”



Chapter 96

Hope stood with her back to the door, staring out the window of the room. Never in her life had she expected such a wonderful day to take a turn for the worst. She glanced down at the tiny child that she cradled in her arms, who was cooing for her attention. “Oh Larien, how did this day turn out to be such a mixed blessing?” She lowered her face so she could touch her nose to her great granddaughters. “You came into our lives today Larien Isabella Hope Brady, and for that all of us will be grateful to God. But we’ve lost so much today at the same time. People are in great deals of pain, some have gone with God, other are clinging on for dear life.”

“How are you doing Nana?” Abi asked as she snuck in the room. She had spent the last three hours sitting next to Aimee hospital, begging her to hold on and get better for her baby. But nothing seemed to be getting through to her, and her coma was deepening. “How’s Lari?”

“She’s wonderful.” Hope said turning to face her granddaughter, tears on her cheek. “Here, why don’t you hold her for a little while. She’s going to be a handful she is, I haven’t been able to put her down all day.”

“She knows something’s wrong.” Abi said taking her niece into her arms and talking to her gently. “We all know something’s wrong. Granddad is sitting with Dad now, you should go up and be with them for a bit. I can watch Larien, and Carrie will be back in ten minutes.”

“Thank you Angel.” Hope said kissing the soft cheeks of her kin. It amazed her how well Abi was holding up in the face of tragedy. She was only sixteen years old, but she was easily taking over as big sister and mother for Aimee’s baby. “You can come up and see us after the baby goes back to the nursery to sleep.”

“I will.” Abi said sitting down in the rocking chair and slowly pushing it back and forth. “Oh Larien, you’re perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes, brown eyes and blonde hair, you’re just what you mommy wanted you to be. She would be here with you right now, but she’s very sick. You and I have to pray really hard that she can get better, that way she can hold and kiss you like we all have today.” She smiled as the baby cooed and snuggled against her chest. “She has to be alright, she just has to.”

Carrie couldn’t hold back her tears when she heard Abis’ plea for Aimee’s life. “She’s trying hard Abigail.” She said crossing the room with quick sure steps. She dropped to her knees next to the chair and pulled Abi close to her. “She’ll try as hard as she can. But things are looking bad now. The tumor was in her heart, they had to cut a hole in it and patch it up just to get it all. But she’s young and she’s a fighter. She’ll get through it all.”

“Aimee’s awake!” Jason said dashing into the baby’s hospital room. “She just woke up, and she’s asking for the baby.”

Abi jumped to her feet and looked at Jason with wide eyes. “She’s awake?” She asked looking to Carrie for help with the baby. “Can I go too, I want to see her?”

“Come on.” Jason said motioning for her to come quickly. “The doctor said to carry the baby up, it’ll be ok. Come on sweetie.”

Abi allowed Jason to lead her towards the elevator, her heart pounding. “Has anyone told Nana and Granddad? They’re up with Dad, they should be told.”

“I sent a nurse to tell them.” Jason said as Carrie stepped into the elevator for them. Technically neither of them were allowed into the ICU, but the Brady’s had pulled some strings to allow them in. “Remember they’re only down the hall from where she is.”

“I forgot that the ICU was just one big room now.” Abi said remembering when Aimee had been admitted before her bone marrow transplant it had been two separate areas for people of different ages. “Thank you for staying with her while I came down to see Larien.”

“You three are my children too you know.” Jason said stroking the baby’s head gently. He could remember when they had brought their two angels into the world, it had been such a shock to have two lives they had to take care of, but it wasn’t something he would ever trade, not for a second. “I guess I should say four.”

“No it’s three.” Abi said as tears welled up in her eyes. There were only three of them left now; Her, Aimee and Larien. Autumn was gone. She hadn’t even made it out of the car, she was dead when they got to her. “Three. I can’t believe this has happened! It’s not fair. We were supposed to be happy. Aimee was having a baby, we were all going to help her get better so she could be with her baby!”

“I know sweetie.” Jason said wrapping both of his arms around the girl. If anything happened to his kids he wasn’t sure how he would deal with it, they were his life. “I know it’s not fair. But sometimes things that aren’t fair happen, and we can’t do anything about them. But you are still here to help Aimee with Lari, that is what matters. Autumn will always be watching over you, making sure you are safe.”

“I know.” Abi said trying to stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. She hated crying, especially when she knew that her sister wouldn’t want her to be sad. “I just miss them. Where am I going to stay tonight? I can’t go home by myself, and Nana and Granddad will be here all night.”

“You can come stay with us.” Carrie said smoothing Abi’s blonde hair, so much like her mothers. “The guest room is all set up now, you can stay there as long as you need to. It’s close to the school, and you can make a killing babysitting for me.”

“Thank you Ciddy.” Abi said turning and giving Carrie a smile. It never failed, when she needed someone to be with her, Carrie was always there. “I’ll have to stop by the house to get some clothes.”

“Not a problem.” Carrie said as the elevator doors opened. They hurried along the hall, trying not to upset the baby and cause her to cry. “In there.” Carrie said noticing Aimee’s name on the window. “Aimee?”

Aimee opened her eyes at the sound of Carrie’s voice. She tried to talk, but no sound came out. She moved her hand to her throat and noticed that the doctors had performed a tracheotomy. She motioned with her hand for them to come in, her eyes lighting up when she saw her baby in her sisters arms.

“There she is Lari, look who’s in that bed there.” Abi said turning the baby in her arms so she could see Aimee. She knew the chances of the baby recognizing Aimee were slim, but she had to try. “That’s your mommy.”

Tears collected on Aimee’s eyelashes as her sister brought her baby closer to the bed. She pointed to her throat, indicating she wanted the tube removed. When they didn’t understand her, she made a pulling movement and mouthed the word, out.

“I’ll get your doctor.” Jason said leaving the room.

“I know you can’t hold her because you’re still too sore.” Abi said getting as close to Aimee as she could. “But I’ll keep her here so you can touch her. Ok?”

Aimee nodded her head, thanking her sister with her lips. Taking her right hand, she gently stroked her daughters cheek, and holding her hand. Beautiful. She mouthed as the tears began to fall. I love you.

“She loves you too.” Abi said reading Aimee’s lips. “We all love you, that’s why you have to get better so you can come home.”

“Aimee, I’m Dr. Hann I did your surgery. We can turn off the trache tube, but only for a few minutes at a time. Are you sure you want it off so you can talk?”

Aimee nodded yes, her head bouncing up and down vigorously.

“Ok then, I’m going to ask you to try and hold your breath so I can unhook it and deflate the balloon inside the tube. Then I’ll hold my finger over the opening and you’ll be able to whisper. Are you ready?”

Aimee nodded and held her breath, fighting against the respirator. Her chest screamed as the weakened lung wanted air, and she felt relief when she was told she could exhale. She moved her own hand up over the tube and said softly. “Thank you.”

“Try not to wear yourself out now.” Dr. Hann said stepping away to let her talk. “If your oxygen counts start to drop it will have to go back on. No if ands or buts.”

“Ok.” Aimee said weekly. She used her other hand to keep touching her baby. “Hello Larien. I’m your mommy. I wanted to tell you that I love you. You will always be my sweet girl, no matter what happens.”

“Don’t talk like that.” Abi said feeling like Aimee was saying her final goodbyes. “You have lots of time with her.” She looked back at Carrie for help, and noticed that her grandparents had arrived too.

“I hurt Abi.” Aimee said closing her eyes. Each word was exhausting, but she knew she had to keep going. “I hurt so much.” She opened her eyes and looked her sister straight in the eye. “Something bad happened today didn’t it?” She motioned for the doctor to hook her back up again.

“Yes it did.” Abi said feeling tears well up again. “Aimee, there was a car accident. The Benz was hit by and 18 wheeler on the highway.”

Aimee pulled at the tube and the doctor unhooked her again. “I saw Mom and Autumn while I was in surgery.” Aimee said trying not to let her pain show. “They’re gone aren’t they?”

“They were gone when we got to the car to help them.” Jason said speaking up so Abi didn’t have to. “We tried to help them Aimee, we really did. Your dad is down the hall fighting with you.”

“Dad was there with me” Aimee said getting Abi to bring the baby up so she could kiss her. “They’re waiting for us. They’re all there. They told me to come back one more time and say my goodbyes, that’s why I’m here now.” She took a deep breath and choked on the fluid that was beginning to fill her lungs. “It was all too much for me, I can’t go on.”



Chapter 97

“No!” Abi cried nearly dropping the baby. She sobbed as Carrie took Larien and stood near the bed. “No! You can’t all go, what about me?”

“You have to be there for Larien.” Aimee said closing her eyes, trying to gain some strength. “Abi, I want you to be there for her. I don’t want you to leave school but I want you to be there for her. Let her know about me the way I did it for you with dad.”

“No Aimee please don’t leave.” Abi said as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her body. She watched as Aimee’s eyes closed and screamed. “No!”

“Don’t scream.” Aimee said opening her eyes and catching her sisters gaze. The doctor slipped an oxygen mask over her face and she smiled gratefully as her vision cleared slightly. “I’m still here. But I want you to promise me that you will all take care of Larien.”

“I will.” Abi said choking on her sobs. She couldn’t believe that by the end of the day her entire family would be dead. “Are you sure you both have to go?”

“I’m sorry Abigail, I really am.” Aimee said feeling like in someway this was all her fault that this was happening to her sister and daughter. “Abi, would you do me two favors?”

“Anything.” Abi said trying to pull herself together for her sister, and her niece.

“Give me my baby.” Aimee coughed and cried out with pain. She composed herself and reached for the tiny life that she had carried for eight months, snuggling her against her side, ignoring the pain. “Second, I want you to sing one last song with me.”

“What song?” Abi asked wanting to tell the doctor to hook Aimee back up so she could get better. “Is it the one I think it is?”

Aimee coughed again, this time to clear her throat slightly. She plugged the hole again and began to sing, for what she knew would be the very last time.

Time, sometimes the time just slips away
And you're left with yesterday
Left with the memories

Abi swallowed hard and took over the second half of the verse. She and Aimee had always loved the song their mother had played for them. None of them could remember the tragedy that took place on September 11th 2001, but the song was a lasting tribute to those who had passed on. She hadn’t expected it to signify the loss of her entire family.

I, I'll always think of you and smile
And be happy for the time
I had you with me

Aimee smiled through her pain and picked up the last of the song. It had always been a personal favorite of hers. She couldn’t explain why, it was just something that stuck with her all her life.

Though we go our separate ways
I won't forget so don't forget
The memories we made

Abi began to cry again as they joined voiced for the last time. She would be sure to sing the song to Larien over and over again, so she would know about it, and how much her mother had loved it.

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
While we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me

“You finish.” Aimee said hoarsely laying her head back against the pillow. Each breath was becoming harder for her, but she knew she couldn’t say goodbye until the song was over.

Abi stepped up and placed her head beside Aimee’s as she kept on singing. One hand threaded into Aimee’s hair, the other into her hand.

Goodbye, there's just no sadder word to say
And it's sad to walk away
With just the memories
Who's to know what might have been
We'll leave behind a life and time
I'll never know again

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
And remember, please remember me

Please remember, please remember
I was there for you
And you were there for me
Please remember, our time together
The time was yours and mine
While we were wild and free
Please remember, please remember me

And how we laugh and how we smile
And how this heart was yours and mine
And how a dream was out of reach
I stood by you, you stood by me
We took each day and made it shine
We wrote our names across the sky
We ride so fast, we ride so free
And I knew that you had me

Aimee plugged the hole in her tube with the last ounce of strength she had, and sang the final line of the song.

Please remember, Please remember

Hope lost control when she watched her granddaughter go limp. She buried her head into her husbands chest and sobbed while the doctor took a few vital readings, and finally pronounced Aimee dead.

“Time of death, 10:22.”

“October 21st, 2025.” Carrie said shaking her head as the doctor handed her the baby to hold. “Today was Belle’s 41st birthday. Today is Larien’s birthday. Too many memories we hold on this day.”

“I love you Aimee Isabella Brady.” Abi said pressing her lips to her sisters forehead before moving away from the bed, backing up as if she was afraid she would catch death. Tears streamed to her face as she watched the doctors completely unhook her beautiful sister from the machines that had kept her alive. “Please be waiting for me when it’s my time. Please be our angel.”



Chapter 98

Abi stood quietly as she watched the four caskets roll out of the church past her. Her mother’s was white, with a pink pearl shine. A spray of pink roses covered the top, cascading down to nearly the floor. Reaching out she picked two off the top, and placed them on top of the baby carrier at her feet.

Her fathers was a deep mahogany color, with silver detailing. His roses were deep red, and covered the entire top of the casket. Abi repeated her motion, adding two blood red roses to the delicate pink ones.

Autumns’ casket was snow white, with yellow roses draped across the top, falling down at each end. Abi tried to steady her shaking hands as she plucked two and added them on top of the red ones.

Aimee’s casket was a pearled baby blue, her chosen color for everything in life. Her favorite, white roses covered every inch of the top, tumbling down over all four sides and onto the floor. In the center, two dozen pink roses sat, symbolizing the baby she had left behind. Abi chose 4 flowers this time and dropped them to the baby carrier.

Shouldering the diaper bag, she grasped the flowers in one hand and the carrier in the other. She had so far kept her promise to her sister, and had taken over caring for Lari. Her grandmother would take over when she returned at the beginning of the week, with the help of Aimee’s chosen nanny. Keeping her eyes level with the back wall she started to follow the line of caskets. At the back of the church the pall bearers were picking up the flower covered boxes, to carry them out to the graveyard behind the church.

A sob formed in her throat as Aiden stepped out of the pew and looked at her with tears in his eyes. She had taken the baby over to see him the day before, and had promised to allow him to be a part of the baby’s life as Aimee had planned. He had sobbed with her over the loss of Aimee, while holding the baby he had helped her have. Reaching out Abi handed him the diaper bag, then took his hand in hers. She knew that they would have an unbreakable bond holding them together, and linking then to Aimee.

Squinting in the bright sun Abi dipped her head down to hide her eyes under her bangs. At least the day had been lovely. The sun was shining, the air was warm, and there were flowers blooming all around, unusual for that time of year. Turning the carrier around so the sun wasn’t in the baby’s eyes she took a deep breath and stepped into the quite of the grave yard.

Four holes had been dug, side by side in the Brady plot, one for each member of her family. The headstones had already been purchased, and were set at the top of each grave. It seemed a cruel injustice that the dead must be buried deep underground in the dark. Her mother and father had loved being outside in the sun together, yet they had to rest in the darkness of the ground. Coming to a stop near the end of her fathers’ grave, she laid the carrier down in the grass and moved to undo Larien’s straps.

Larien gave a small wail of protest when she was lifted from the comfort of her carrier, but quieted as soon as she was nestled in her aunts arms. Abi refused to follow everyone’s advice and leave the baby with a sitter, this was her family that was being buried too. Sighing she looked up at her grandparents who stood to her right and gave her grandmother a small smile.

Hope tried to smile back at her granddaughter, but a sob prevented her from doing it. They should be celebrating the birth of Larien, but instead they were burying their family. Shawn and Belle had left strict instructions on their funeral arrangements, right down to the epitaph on their stones. The scrawling letters spelled out a simple yet powerful meaning. ‘For everything there is a season, a time to live and a time to die. Be sure to love me, all the days of our lives.’

Abi began to weep as the minister began the grave side service. Prayers, a hymn and a speech made by Bo, seemed to stretch for hours. When it was finally time for everyone to file past the caskets she bent down and removed eight roses from the diaper bag. Clutching the baby to her chest Abi got in line behind her grandparents to pay her last respects. At each casket she placed a white and yellow rose, one from her and one from Lari, in the center of the flower arrangements.

Lowering her face to her mothers casket she placed her fourth and final kiss on the smooth wood, saying her very last goodbye.

***

Abi sat quietly on the window seat of her grandparents home. The wake was being held and she didn’t feel like mingling with all the guests. They were mostly her parents co workers, and people she didn’t know. Luckily the radio was on, playing her mothers favorite country station. Her heart skipped a beat as a familiar song came on, and tears sprung to her eyes.

He said I was in my early 40's with a lot of life before me
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days, looking at the X-rays
And talking 'bout the options, and talking 'bout sweet time

I asked him when it sank in that this might really be the real end
How's it hit cha when you get the kind of news
Man, what'd ya do ?

“Shawn, I don’t see why we have to come here tonight.” Belle said as Shawn led her towards Alice’s bar, the store that had replaced Tuscany. “I don’t feel like country and western.”

“You’ll like what I have planned.” Shawn said as he led her into the darkened restaurant. In the center of the room two tables were lit with candles, and soft music played in the background. “Happy Anniversary Isabella. I thought the girls would love to join us for this celebration.”

“Shawn what made you do this?” Belle asked as she noticed her daughters standing off in the shadows. “This isn’t like you.”

“A special woman told me something when I was younger.” Shawn said giving her a kiss and wrapping his arms around her. “Gran always said, live like you were dying.”

I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

Abi opened her eyes, half expecting to see her parents dancing around the room in each others arms. She’d loved the way they could get into their own world when they held each other. And the way they seemed to be walking on clouds hand always brought tears to her eyes.

He said I was finally the husband that most of the time I wasn't
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin wasn't such an imposition
And I went 3 times that year I lost my dad
Well I, I finally read the good book
And I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again
And then...

Hope stood still as she watched Abi stare into the center of the room. She could remember her son and daughter waltzing to this song at their wedding, and wondered if Abi was seeing that day. They had looked so wonderful in their wedding clothes, and the way Shawn had been looking into his brides face was something she would never forget. They had been looking straight into each others souls.

I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin’

Like tomorrow was a gift
And you got eternity to think about what you do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

Abi looked up and caught her grandmothers eyes. The memories would never fade in their family. Larien would know about her family, and she would cherish the stories that they could share with her. Music would hold them all together in good times and in bad, she would make sure of it.

I went skydiving, I went rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dyin'

The room quieted as a breeze floated through the room. Many would swear that they heard Shawn speak to them in his husky voice, but only Abi knew for sure. He was giving them all advice, the advice he had lived his last years by. “Live like you were dying.”



Chapter 99

Fifteen Years Later

Hope Brady carefully pulled her aging body up the stairs towards her great granddaughters bedroom. Things had been rough for them over the past fifteen years, but they had all survived the time. Abi had married right out of high school and looked after Larien while attending university, graduating the year before from medical school. She had used her inheritance from both her parents and her sisters to keep her home and her family well cared for. Now with three kids of her own she was perfectly happy. Finding the room empty she was surprised to hear music coming from the end of the hall.

Stopping at the door Hope was shocked to see Larien sitting next to the computer, a guitar in her hand, with Abi on her left at the keyboard. She hadn’t known that Larien was taking music lessons, and she was shocked that Abi had allowed it. Music had left their lives after the accident that took her family from her, but it seemed that it had crept back slowly.

“Are you sure you’ve got it just the way you want it?” Abi asked leaning back and stretching her back. She had been caught off guard when Lari had come to her with Aimee’s diary six years before. Inside she had found a song that Aimee hadn’t been able to put to music before she died, and she had insisted on learning to play so she could finish it for her mother.

“I think so.” Larien said smiling at her aunt. The song had been her favorite project over the past few years, and since she had mastered the instruments things had gone smoothly. “Want to give it one run through?”

“On your count.” Abi said placing her fingers over they keys.

“One, two three.” Larien said clicking the mouse, and quickly moving her hands to the strings on her guitar.

Found myself today
Oh I found myself and ran away
Something pulled me back
The voice of reason I forgot I had
All I know is just you're not here to say
What you always used to say
But it's written in the sky tonight

Tears welled up as she listened to the beautiful voice come from the young girl. She’d had no idea that Larien had any interest in music, especially since Abi had given up on it at sixteen. She assumed it had something to do with Aimee’s love of music, and Lari wanting to carry on in her memory.

So I won't give up
No I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong
Even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me

Abi closed her eyes and remembered the times she had spent with her sister. Sure they had argued, but that was to be expected. But their anger never lasted long. All it took was chocolate chip cookies from Carrie, and they were playing happily with each other. Their last fight had been a big one. She hadn’t thought that Aimee should have a baby just because she couldn’t have one when she got married. To her it was too risky. But she wouldn’t trade Larien for the world, even though it had been the pregnancy that had killed Aimee. The tumor wouldn’t have grown into her lung and heart if she wouldn’t have been pregnant.

Seen that ray of light
And it's shining on my destiny
Shining all the time
And I wont be afraid
To follow everywhere it's taking me
All I know is yesterday is gone
And right now I belong
Took this moment to my dreams

Hope smiled remembering how Aimee had always been the ray of light in the family. From the moment Shawn had brought her home from the hospital she had been the glue that held them all together. One look into her blue eyes and they all melted. They’d know that she would keep them wrapped around her finger her entire life. Then when Abi had come along she was the perfect big sister. She fed, and carried, and changed all day long after she got out of school. ‘Just like Abi does for her baby.’

So I won't give up
No I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong
Even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
Someone's watching over me

Larien dipped her head down, her long blonde hair falling over her shoulder in long waves. She could remember when she’d woken up with bruises all over her body and her grandmother freaking out over it. She had only been six, and it was then that she understood what her mother had gone through with her leukemia. Luckily she only had severe anemia, and didn’t have to worry about her health after that. But the way she’d never felt alone during her tests made her wonder if her mother was standing there with her, making sure she was safe. A breeze ruffled her hair and she smiled.

It doesn't matter what people say
And it doesn't matter how long it takes
Believe in yourself and you'll fly high
And it only matters how true you are
Be true to yourself and follow your heart

A noise at the door caused Larien to turn her head. Her great grandmother was standing there smiling through her tears at the two of them. She sent her a smile, and motioned with her head for her Grana, as she called her, to come in and sit down.

So I won't give up
No I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong
Even if it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
That I won't give up
No I won't break down
Sooner than it seems life turns around
And I will be strong
Even when it all goes wrong
When I'm standing in the dark I'll still believe
That someone's watching over
Someone's watching over
Someone's watching over me

Abi felt pride well inside her as Lari played the last few cords of the song. It had been rough raising her and three small kids, but she had done it, and nothing would have made her happier. The grace that Lari possessed came straight from her mother. She had her grandfathers brown eyes, her grandmothers blonde wavy hair, and her mothers talent. ‘She’s everything you wanted her to be Aimee. I hope I’ve done right, I hope I’ve raised her the way you wanted. I tried my hardest, and gave her all the love I know you would have. Just keep us safe. That’s all I ask.”

Someone's watching over me

Lari’s voice brought Abi out of her daze.

“Grana, are you ok?” Lari asked as she watched the elderly woman pale and clutch at the door frame for support. “Grana?”

Tears rushed to Abi’s eyes as she watched her grandmother fall to the floor, clutching at her chest. A bout with pneumonia at sixty six had weekend the woman’s heart, and now it looked like it might be failing. “Nana.” She said jumping up and rushing over. “Nana, can you hear me.”

“Look after her.” Hope said holding on to her chest for all she was worth. This pain was like nothing she had ever known in her seventy five years, it was like someone was cutting through her chest and grabbing for her heart. “Promise me Abigail, that you’ll look after her.” She gasped, trying to finish what she had started. She saw Lari on the phone, probably calling for help, and Abis tears. “I think, I think my time is up.”



Epilogue

“How’s she doing son?” Bo asked as he hobbled into the room. He hated hospitals, and he had spent way too much time in them over the past three months. It didn’t seem fair to him that after all the tragedy they had experienced that this would have to happen again. “Any change?”

“Not so far.” He replied pushing his brown hair out of his eyes. He needed a haircut, and he knew that his mother would get on his case as soon as she came back, but he didn’t want to leave her alone. “Her doctors say that she’s suffered massive trauma, and if she wakes up it’ll be a miracle.”

“All we can do now is pray.” Bo said lowering his aching frame into the chair next to his son. He watched the young brow furrow with concern, and the long hair brush against his eyes. “You need a hair cut boy.”

“You sound like mom.” He replied shaking his head so the hair would fall back. “I can’t leave her. I haven’t gone home since she came in. I don’t know how you can go home to that empty house.”

“I learned that sometimes things happen that we can’t control.” Bo said lying his cane at his feet and relaxing into the soft plush of the chair. He hated using it, it made him feel much older than he was, only old men used a cane. “And plus, I know that your mother will come back as soon as she can and then I won’t be alone.”

“I guess your right.” He said glancing back at the woman who lay on the bed in front of them. It wasn’t fair that she was here. She didn’t deserve to be hurt or sick, she deserved to have the world handed to her on a silver platter. “Do you think she’s strong enough to come out of it.”

“Yes I do.” Bo said nodding his head. “That woman is one of the strongest people I have ever met in my life and she will come out of this with nothing more than a few weak muscles. She’s an angel you know.”

“You’re right.” He replied closing his eyes and sighing.

When he awoke the room was bathed in darkness, except for the one light that shone over her bed. His father was gone and they were alone in the room. He noticed that her heart rate had changed in the hours he had slept, and he prayed that it was a good sign. “You have to wake up.” He said crossing to take her hand in his. “We can’t live with out you. We need you to come back to us and make us the way we were before this happened.”

She moaned and he jumped back. She hadn’t made a sound in over three months, this had to be a good sign. “Can you hear me?”

“Shawn?” She asked opening her eyes and closing them again. Her head was all fuzzy, and she felt like she’d been adrift on the ocean for fifty years. “Shawn is that you?”

“Yes Isabella it’s me.” Shawn said kissing her hand and thanking God for bringing her back to him. “You’ve been gone for a very long time Isabella Black. You had us all scared for a while. How do you feel?”

“Fuzzy.” Belle replied opening her eyes again. Things were clearer now and she could see his face. “What happened?”

“Do you remember us going out on the Fancy Face?” Shawn asked brushing a stray lock off her face. “Well you stood up at a bad time and the boom hit you in the head. I brought you back in as fast as I could, but you were already in a coma. You’ve been here for three months Belle?”

“What do you mean Shawn?” Belle asked as her mind finally cleared. “We were in a car accident. I remember, it was on the road between Station Lake and Salem. It was you me and Autumn. We were on our way to the hospital because there were taking Aimee in for an emergency C-section.”

“Belle, we were never on the road between Salem and Station Lake.” Shawn said furrowing his brow and looking at her carefully. “Belle, do you have any idea what the date is? And who are Autumn and Aimee?”

“They are our daughters.” Belle said trying to push herself up into a sitting position, but her arms were too weak. “And it should be just after my birthday 2035. How is Aimee, did they get all her cancer?”

“Belle, there is no Aimee.” Shawn said becoming increasingly worried about his girlfriend. “And it’s only September 2003 sweetie.”

“What?” Belle asked taking a good look at him. His hair was in need of a cut, not at all like what she remember. He had always kept it clean cut so his patients thought well of him. And there was no wedding ring on his finger, or hers.

“Belle, you must have been dreaming while you were a coma.” Shawn said pressing the call button for the nurse. “Were you dreaming about what our future was like?”

“Yes.” Belle said trying to understand what was happening. She and Shawn had never been married. She had never been married to Rex, which meant that she had never been burned. The three girls had never been born, Aimee had never gotten cancer. The plane hadn’t crashed, she had never met James. They hadn’t been in the car accident. Tears welled in her eyes when she realized the worst part of all, she had never met Carrie and Jason. “And while it was a rough dream, I’m going to miss some of the friends I made in it.”

“You can make new friends.” Shawn said as the room began to fill with medical personnel. They started asking Belle a series of questions, until she had to yell at them to stop.

“We’ll let you rest for now Miss Black, but we have to run a series of test in the morning.” The doctor said calmly patting her hand. “Let us know if we can get you anything.”

Shawn sighed as they all left the room except for a single candy striper. “Belle, this is the person who’s been taking care of me since you’ve been here.”

Belle grinned when she saw the girls face. It was a familiar face, one she had gotten to know over the years she believed she had lived. “Hello, thank you for taking care of Shawn.”

“It was nothing.” She said smiling at Belle. It made her feel good as Shawn crossed to the bed and kissed his girlfriend warmly. “Someone had to make sure he was eating and sleeping, I’m always here so why not me?” She moved to sit Belle’s bed up higher and to get her a cup of water. “Oh, by the way, I’m Carrie Mackie. I’m transferring to Salem U in the fall, and I thought I’d get my volunteer hours in before classes start.”

“Hello Carrie.” Belle said realizing that the life she had lost, was just beginning. She knew that everything she had grown to love was going to happen, and now she was able to make sure it turned out the way she wanted it to.

“If you need anything just five me a ring.” Carrie said politely moving to leave the room. She wanted to give the couple a chance to get reacquainted before the doctors bombarded her the following morning with all the tests she knew they would run. “I’m always around.

Belle grasped Shawn’s hand in hers and smiled at the young girl. “Thank you Carrie.” She said with a twinkle in her eye. “I always knew I could count on you. Thank you for being a great friend.”

“You’re welcome.” Carrie said with a puzzled expression.

“Why did you say that?” Shawn asked looking at her with a bewildered expression.

“It’s a long story Shawn.” Belle said relaxing back into her pillow. “An interesting story, but a long one. Are you sure you want to hear it all?”

“Of course I do.” Shawn said climbing up on to the bed next to her and cradling her against his chest. “I want to know what you were up to while you were sleeping. I’m sure mom and dad would too, he broke his leg trying to get to the dock to get the boat. Bad one too, left him with a limp. There was a festival taking place and he tripped over a loose wire. He’s been using a cane since he got his cast off. Keeps him in the office, and mom loves that. She’s in New York with Grandpa Doug, and Julie. So are you going to tell me about you dreams?”

“Alright, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Belle said raising her eyes brows at him. “It all started the morning I found out that I was pregnant…”

THE END