Months went by and Marty remained locked in her world. One notable change had occurred. It was while Andrew was visiting, Marty spoke her first words. Unfortunately, she was asleep.
Andrew stared down at the beautiful woman lying asleep. As he looked at her, it was so hard to imagine that anything was wrong with her at all. She looked so peaceful and relaxed. But when she was awake the placid look, although did nothing to alter her beauty, was the hardest thing for Andrew to see. At times when he would watch her sleep he would often remember the way she used to laugh at his jokes or that smile she would give when the jokes were really corny. It hurt him immensely to see Marty like this. Marty was more than just a parishioner to Andrew. It was at one of these moments when he was watching her sleep that he realized he was just a little bit in love with her. He knew he was perfectly happy with his wife. He loved Cassie more than anything, she was beautiful, smart, his ideal partner. But there was a small part of him that stirred whenever he was around Marty. He knew nothing could ever come of it and he didn't want anything either, but he knew that tiny part of his heart would always belong to her. And it was that tiny part that hurt the most to see her so lifeless now.
"No." a voice said interrupting his thoughts.
Andrew knew the voice came from Marty's direction, but it was barely audible, and he thought he might be hearing things.
"No, stop." Marty said a bit louder.
Andrew's heart jumped at the thought of her coming out of the trance.
Marty whimpered and began to move around, still asleep. She soon quieted and stopped moving.
Andrew stood completely still with anticipation during the whole time. When Marty settled back into her previous state, Andrew let out a large sigh. He didn't realize he hadn't been breathing that whole time either. After standing there a few more minutes to see if she was going to do it again, Andrew left to tell one of the doctors about what had just happened.
"Dylan suggested I give her one of my crystals." Luna said to Vicky while they were sitting in the waiting room. "A couple years back, Dylan went through a rough patch and I gave him one, and he said it helped."
"Well, Luna, I've seen many of the spiritual things you've done, and you made a believer out of me, so I say whatever helps." Vicky replied. "Is Dylan still in there?" Vicky asked a moment later.
"Yeah, he visits her practically every day. He just sits by her bed and holds her hand. He really feels responsible." Luna said softly.
"I've noticed that, and I've been meaning to ask you why Dylan feels this was in any way his fault."
"You see, Marty and Dylan were kinda seeing each other. I mean it wudn't anything serious, yet. But Dylan really liked Marty. And one night, well the night this happened, they had got into an argument, I'm not sure what about though (Dylan never told me), well she left in a huff, and that was the last he saw of her, till you called and said she was in the hospital."
"He must know that he's not responsible." Vicky said emphatically.
"Well, Dylan's always been like that. I can member back when we was growing up, a lot of the major things that went wrong with the house or the family, Dylan felt he was to blame.
"Powell, what are you doing here?" Vicky said surprised to see the boy walk by.
"Oh Vicky. Luna, hi." Powell said shyly when he turned and saw the two women sitting there. "I..uh.. thought I'd come and see how Marty is doing."
"That's awfully considerate of you to make the long trip. I could have told you myself when I got home. There hasn't been much of a change, you know." Vicky said, still a bit confused to see Powell there.
"Oh, it wasn't a long trip. I had some free time in between classes you know. It was no trouble at all. And I figured I just come see for myself. I mean to hear everybody tell it, it just all seems so grim. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do." Powell said nervously.
"That's nice of you, Powell, but there's not much any of us can do." Luna said sadly.
"What about the baby? Marty is almost due isn't she." Powell asked.
"She still has a couple of months to go. And still none of us know what will happen to the baby if Marty doesn't recover."
After speaking to Powell, Luna went to Marty's room. Marty was sitting in the chair by the window as usual. Luna half expected Marty to get up and say hi, but Marty remained still when Luna walked in the room. Cassie was sitting in a chair opposite Marty, reading a magazine.
"Oh Luna, you just missed Dylan. He went to bring back some coffee." Cassie said.
Luna walked over and stood by Cassie's chair and looked down at Marty.
"It's so hard to believe." Luna said and shook her head slowly.
"I know." Cassie said echoing Luna's sentiment.
"I brought this for her." Luna said as she opened her hand to show Cassie the lavender rectangular crystal. A string was laced through it, and Luna took the string and fitted it around Marty's neck. Marty made no move. "It's a healing crystal.
Cassie nodded her head. "You know Luna, I really think Marty will be better and I think the baby might have something to do with it."
For the first time, Luna noticed that Marty did have her hand on the bulge that was once her stomach.
"I've seen her rub the baby before. It happened a few weeks ago. Marty was sitting in the chair as usual, but suddenly, she lurched forward and grabbed her stomach. I guess the baby must have kicked. Then she just looked down, I swear Luna, for a faint second, there was clarity in her eyes. But then she just looked out the window again, but she kept her hand on her stomach and slowed rubbed it." Cassie said.
"Well, let's just pray to the Goddess, that Marty is coming back to us." Luna said.
Two months later, a nurse was making her rounds when she heard a scream coming from one of the rooms. She rushed towards the sounds for she recognized the scream to be one of pure anguish. When she reached the room, she saw a girl in her nightgown doubled over standing in a pool of liquid. The nurse ran to the girl and took her by her hand.
"Miss, we have to get you back to the bed. You're going into labor." The girl only gasped and continued to grimace in pain. "It will be alright, just take some deep breaths." The nurse led Marty back to the bed and then called for assistance.
Two hours later, Andrew, Cassie, Luna, Vicky, and Dylan were in the waiting room. They all stood up when Larry entered.
"How is she Doc?" Dylan asked, anxiously.
"So far so good. The contractions are coming extremely close together and it looks like it will be very soon. I know you are all very worried and that's why I came out to tell you it's okay to breathe now."
"Really Larry, "Cassie said, still concerned.
"Everything's fine Cass. She's in good hands." Larry said affectionately.
Cassie nodded, feeling more assured.
"I should really get back in there."
Dylan followed Larry out of the waiting room. "Doc, can I please be in there with her?"
"Now, Dylan that is highly irregular. Only the father-" Larry paused when he saw the urgency in Dylan's face.
"Please, Larry. I think she want it that way. I mean I want to be there to at least hold her hand. She needs me." Dylan begged.
After a long moment, Larry nodded. "Go get scrubbed up."
Dylan practically ran to the bathroom
Marty gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She was too exhausted from the delivery to even hold him. Dylan stayed with her the entire time. During the delivery, a large part of him wished the baby was his and when Dylan saw him, he felt an unexpected love for the child and for Marty.
The next day Marty was sleeping in her room, surrounded by gifts and flowers with "It's a boy" lingos everywhere. Andrew was the only other person in the room. He was about to leave when he heard Marty waking up.
"Andrew." She said softly.
"Marty..how...are..you doing?" Andrew said after the shock of hearing her speak wore off.
Marty turned to her side and stared up at him before speaking. "I'm sleepy." she said plainly. It was obvious the effects of the drugs they had given her last night hadn't completely worn off.
After a long silence, Marty looked around. "Am I in a hospital?" She finally said.
"Yes, yes you are." Andrew said, the shock coming back.
"Oh." Marty said dully and then yawned. "Is Cassie with you?" Marty said after another long silence.
"Yes, she's out in the hall along with Dylan and Luna. Uh Vicky was here but she had to get back to the Banner." Andrew said.
"They all came here to visit me." Marty said the drowsiness still evident. "Why am I here anyway?" Marty said through a yawn.
"Well..what do you remember?" Andrew said, unsure if he should explain anything or not.
"I..." A strange look came over Marty's face. "I can't seem to remember much of anything. When I try to think back I just see like this blank page. What's wrong with me?" Marty said.
"Nothing, nothing." Andrew assured. He could see that Marty was becoming worried.
"It's probably just the medication, you're fine."
"Well, then you tell me. Why am I here?" Marty said. Marty then focused on the balloon with baby micky mouse on it. She then looked around and saw how the room was decorated with little trinkets commemorating the birth of a baby boy. "Why am I in a room with all this stuff?" Marty said.
"You've been through a lot, Marty. So, I think the best thing for you is to just relax. How 'bout I go and get Larry." Andrew said.
"Andrew, I don't understand. What's going on?" Marty said becoming more worried.
"Just relax, it's okay." Andrew said again.
Marty yawned. "I can't believe how tired I am. Please Andrew, just tell me what's wrong."
"Soon, but you look really out of it. I think you should try and get some more sleep. It will be better if everything's explained when you have a clearer head." Andrew said.
Marty didn't like the sound of that, but her fatigue got the better of her. She closed her eyes and was asleep in seconds.