Hello again! Thank you to everyone who read the first chapter, and for coming back to read the second. It really means a lot! Okay, just to let you know, this is the chapter where Isabelle's mum, Melissa, dies. Alright, let's get to the story...

susan friedman: Yay, my first review! Thank you so much!
MrAndersIversen: I'm glad you think so!
Umbre0n: Aww, thanks for that! I feel really happy now!

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Chapter 2 ~ One Last 'I Love You'

October 6th 2009, New York City

Isabelle was sitting on one of the plastic chairs in the small waiting room on the second floor of the hospital, listening to the sound of thunder rumbling through the skies of New York. The waiting room was at least three or four times smaller than the one on the main floor, but still had a large desk for the doctors and nurses, and about 25 chairs for people waiting for treatments or to see loved ones.

Isabelle looked at the clock on the wall by the desk. It was 9:27pm. She was a little surprised, as it felt like she had been sitting in that chair for days. Almost an hour ago, her mum had fainted. After waiting about 5 minutes for the ambulance to arrive, and another 6 to get from their apartment to the hospital in New York's busy traffic, the doctors had rushed her up to the second floor, and into some room for tests. Isabelle didn't really understand what was happening. After all, she was only 12 years old. All she knew was that her mum, Melissa, had something called 'cancer'. Isabelle sighed, and looked down at her lap, listening to the rain that was pelting down on the roof. Right now, she was terrified. What would happen now? She didn't know a life without her mum. What if her mum didn't make it?

Isabelle lifted her head to look at her dad, Eugene, who was pacing round in circles - well, technically long ovals - in front of the room her mum was in. From the outside, it was a smallish room, and had a small window with a set of grey blinds - which were currently open - as well as four chairs lined up by the window. She felt tears form in her eyes as she watched him look through the window at Melissa and sigh. Eugene turned and looked at Isabelle. Noticing the tears in her eyes, he walked over to her and knelt down on the floor beside her.

"Hey, sweetheart," Eugene said, placing a hand on her cheek. "You okay?"

Isabelle looked in his eyes and said softly, "I'm scared, Dad!"

Eugene sighed and wrapped his arms around her, "I know, sweetheart. I know."

Just then, the doctor came out of Melissa's room.

"Wait here, gorgeous," Eugene said, before placing a kiss on Isabelle's forehead and walking over to the doctor.

"Well? How is she?" Eugene asked.

"Well, she's awake..." the doctor began.

Eugene bit his lower lip. He could tell by the doctor's tone of voice that he was racking his brain, trying to pick the best words to use. "But..."

The doctor sighed, "Listen, she is awake, but she's quite weak. Honestly, I don't think she's going to make it through the night! And even if she does, I don't think she'll live longer than a couple of days."

Eugene's eyes widened and he gasped slightly at the doctor's words, thunder rumbling above. He opened his mouth to speak, but was only just able to force the words out, "What do you think we should do?"

"I think you should say your 'goodbye's while you still can."

Eugene gulped, 'Say goodbye? How was he supposed to say 'goodbye' to his true love; his Melissa?'

"Very well," he sighed. Eugene turned around to look at Isabelle. "Isabelle, come here, sweetheart."

Isabelle slipped off the chair and walked over to her dad. "Are we allowed to go see Mum now?"

"Yes, we are, sweetheart," Eugene replied. "But she's feeling pretty weak, so we'll need to be gentle with her."

"Can I give her a hug?" Isabelle asked.

"Of course you can!" Eugene chuckled. "Just don't be too rough with her, okay?"

"Okay Dad." Isabelle, with Eugene and the doctor close behind, walked up to the door of her mum's room and opened it. Melissa had her eyes closed, but opened them to look at whoever opened the door.

"Hey, sweetheart," she smiled at her daughter, opening her arms as wide as she was able to. Isabelle walked up to her mum's bed, sat down next to her and gave her a gentle hug, while Eugene stood at the end of the bed and the doctor stood by the now-closed door.

"Are you feeling any better now, Mum?" Isabelle asked.

"I am now I have my beautiful, little girl with me!" Melissa smiled. Isabelle giggled, staying in her mother's arms. "Hey, can you do something for me, sweetheart?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"Well, I could be in here for a little while, and things can often get lost in hospitals," Melissa explained. She reached up behind her neck to undo the silver chain around her neck. "Do you think you could look after this for me?"

"Mum, your necklace!" Isabelle gasped, as Melissa dropped her heart-shaped sapphire pendant into Isabelle's hand. Eugene felt a massive crack form in his heart; Melissa knew. She knew she was dying. After all, she never took that necklace off, apart from when she went to bed.

"Well?" Melissa asked.

"Of course I will!" Isabelle smiled, putting her mother's necklace on.

"Oh, Isabelle," Melissa smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I love you so much, my darling!"

"I love you too, Mum!"

The doctor took a few steps towards Eugene and asked quietly, "Would you like me to take your daughter outside so you and your wife can have some time alone?"

"Yes, please," Eugene replied in the same low voice.

The doctor gave a nod and looked at Isabelle, "Miss Fitzherbert?"

Isabelle looked at the doctor, "Yes?"

"I'm going to need you to come with me, just so that your parents can talk."

"Okay," Isabelle replied. After giving her mum another quick hug, she got up and walked over to the door, which the doctor had opened. "I love you, mum!"

"I love you too, sweetheart!" Isabelle walked out the door, followed by the doctor, who closed the door behind him. Eugene sighed and walked up to where Isabelle had been sitting.

"How are you feeling?" Eugene asked, sitting down next to her.

"Not too bad," Melissa replied, weakly attempting a smile.

Eugene took her dainty hands in his, as tears slowly slipped down his face.

"Eugene, please don't cry," Melissa said weakly.

Eugene shook his head, "Melissa... the love of my life is dying, and there's nothing I can do about it! How can I not cry?"

Melissa sighed, knowing there was no answer to the question. "Eugene..."

Eugene gently placed a hand on her cheek, and whispered, "I don't wanna lose you!"

"You never will!" Melissa replied with a soft smile. She reached up a hand to grab the one that was on her cheek and placed it over her heart. "Once you love someone, they-"

"-stay in your heart forever!" Eugene chimed in, instantly picking up on the 'Brother Bear 2' quote.

"Eugene," Melissa said, tightening her grip on his hand. "Promise me something?"

"Anything," he replied, his voice barely more than a whisper.

"That you'll never forget how much I love you. I'm so grateful to have an amazing husband like you, Eugene James Fitzherbert!" Melissa smiled. "I love you."

Eugene smiled, and leaned down to kiss her on the lips. It was obvious to the two that their love for one another was way too strong to measure, but both knew that that kiss sadly would more likely than not be their last. Once they pulled apart, Eugene sat up straight and gazed into those beautiful blue eyes he loved so much for what would be the last time.

"And don't you ever forget, that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me!" Eugene replied with tears in his eyes, and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I'll always love you, Melissa!"

Melissa gave him a small, warm smile, before her eyes fluttered shut and she exhaled for the last time. The heart-monitor went from slow beeps to one, long, constant sound that smashed Eugene's heart into pieces. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her lips, desperately wishing under some miracle she would come back to life and kiss him back. He sat up slowly, dragging that final kiss for as long as possible.

Once he was sitting upright again, Eugene looked at his wife's lifeless body. Within seconds, it was all too much for him. Eugene broke into uncontrollable sobs as he wrapped his arms around the love of his life. It didn't take long before he gave himself a headache from the crying, but he didn't care.

"I love you, Melissa," Eugene sobbed, "I love you!"

Isabelle, who had been kneeling on one of the chairs just outside the room and watching in through the window, wiped away the tears running down her face with her sleeve. She couldn't believe that her mum was dead. But still, something inside was telling her, 'this isn't the end'.

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Well, there we go! Hope that wasn't too depressing... Anyway, I would love to hear what you think! Any reviews and suggestions would be most appreciated! Plus, if anyone knows anything about shops/places in New York City, please let me know 'cause I might need to ask someone something about NYC as I get into the later chapters.

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