Eighteen Letters

Prologue

Disclaimer: You recognize them…I don't own them.
Pairing: Maureen/Joanne

Summary: Pregnant and dying…Joanne never imagined she'd be in this position. Now, all she has to be concerned about is making sure her baby knows that Mama loves her…

A/N- Based roughly off the Jason Meadow's Song 18 Video Tapes.

�

�

"How is she?" Maureen asked, peeking her head in the bedroom door. Anna, Joanne's parents' maid, peeked her head up from her sewing.

"Sleeping." Anna murmured, setting her sewing aside. "She's been sleeping all afternoon, after she had to take her migraine medicine," Maureen grimaced, checking her watch.

"Do you want to go? I can sit with her." She murmured. "Or even lay with her." Anna nodded, standing up. Maureen found herself, grasping Anna in a tight embrace. "I don't know how I can thank you."

"I really don't mind." Anna said, tucking a piece of her red hair behind her ear. "I mean…it's not even just my job. It's giving comfort to someone who needs it more than ever."

As soon as the young woman was out of sight, Maureen pulled back the covers and slid in, making sure she was able to cradle Joanne in her arms. Her hands rested on her lover's swollen middle, she struggled not to cry.

"Mattie's kicking you." Joanne murmured sleepily. Maureen sighed. "I know you're trying not to cry." She sniffled. "I don't see why not. I cry…when no one's watching," She winced. "Ugh. I feel like a truck ran through my skull."

"It's okay." Maureen murmured, her lips grazing Joanne's ear. "Have you eaten?" She gently massaged Joanne's belly.

"Couldn't." she groaned. "Headaches make me nauseous."

"You have to at least try." Maureen whispered. "Think of the baby," She bit her lower lip. Had she been wrong when she refused to let the doctors place a feeding tube? "I'm sorry. I know you tried." She nibbled harder on her lip. "Do you want them to place a feeding tube?"

"I'm dying. Not an invalid." Joanne muttered, rolling over. "The most I want is an IV. I know you'll make sure I eat something." She coughed. Maureen stood up. "Can I try some Mushroom broth?"

"I was just thinking that." Maureen said, moving into the kitchen. "I wonder why Mattie likes mushrooms so much." She heated the dark soup in a saucepan. "Since you normally hate them."

"Who knows?" Joanne muttered. "Maybe she's just your daughter." She sighed. "I can't believe we have nine days to go until we meet her."

"I know." Maureen murmured, handing her a steaming bowl. "Be careful. It's warm, and eat slow," Joanne's hands shook violently. "Better yet, open." She slowly spoon fed her lover.

"I can't believe you have to do this." Joanne muttered. "I should at least be able to feed myself." Maureen sighed.

"Shh." She murmured. "We don't ask to go through what we have to go through." She blotted her eyes.

"No more." Joanne turned her head away from the spoon. "It's making me sick." Maureen nodded. "Could you please set up the laptop with the flash drive?" Maureen looked at her.

"I thought staring at the screen made your migraines worse." Maureen murmured. Joanne glowered at her.

"I'm pregnant and dying of a brain tumor." She muttered. "A little Migraine isn't going to stop me doing what I have to do." Maureen nodded, knowing not to argue with her wife. "My baby isn't going to live without me, thinking I never loved her. I died for her." Her face was an unwavering show of strength.

Maureen merely nodded.

�

�