Chapter 4

Layla Hamilton stared out the window of the plane. She thought about the phone call received a few hours earlier.

"Layla! I'm so glad I got a hold of you." Sarah had said. "There's been an accident." She almost dropped the phone, Yuri looked at her with a worried expression on his face, they were on their honeymoon.

"Sarah what happened?" She asked panicked, hoping everyone was okay.

"It's Sora."

The plane was landing at the Cape Mary airport where there was a car already waiting to take them to the hospital. Layla was feeling a little nauseous; she had been for a few days and thought maybe she caught a cold. The landing wasn't helping any.

"Layla," Yuri Killian, her husband, said taking her hand, "we're home."


"Layla! Yuri! I'm so glad you made it home safe." Sarah said embracing them. "I'm sorry to have to bring you back earlier than expected." She said in her English accent.

"It's fine." Layla said, returning the embrace, "is everyone alright? How's Sora?" Anyone could understand how one would be worried about a dear friend, but Sora was more than a friend, she made Layla see the stage in a whole new way.

Sarah proceeded to explain the situation and how Sora will be unable to perform for some time.

"That's horrible!" She exclaimed. "Can I see her?"

"Leon's in with her now," Sarah explained, "and I think she's sleeping but you can go if the doctor is okay with it. Are you okay, dear? You look rather pale."

"I'm fi-" The nausea had come back and sent Layla running for the nearest bathroom. Yuri was with her holding her hair out of her face.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, it's probably just a cold or maybe I ate something bad." She insisted.

"You should get checked while we're here, just to be on the safe side." Her husband insisted as he led her to see the doctor.


"She may never be able to perform again."

This sentence kept repeating itself in his mind. Never be able to perform again. What is he going to do? She was the only person who could be his partner.

Leon placed his hand on her forehead. She didn't stir from her sleep. He watched her in silence, almost scared to let her out of his sight. His heart was beating faster than normal. Why was he feeling like this? He couldn't answer. What will happen to us if she can no longer perform? She might go back to Japan. This thought was the worst… the thought that she may not be by his side.

What was happening to him?

She stirred and he froze, hand over he head. He quickly pulled away, and then remembered that she couldn't see him. He moved a little closer.

"Leon?" She whispered, almost unsure if it was him. Her voice sounded small.

"Yes." He answered, assuring her that she was not alone. She seemed relieved.

"I'm glad you're here." She said groggily, the medication Dr. Kate gave her was working. She tried to sit up.

"You should rest." Leon said, helping her sit up anyways. He let his had linger on her shoulder a little too long.

"I'm fine," she squeaked, as there was a knock on the door.

"Leon," Dr. Kate peeked in and saw that Sora was awake, "Sora, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she repeated. " A little tired, though."

"That means the medication is working. You may need to stay for a few days though, just so we can make sure everything is healing properly."

"Okay." She said quietly, although she clearly heard what Dr. Kate had said to Leon earlier.

"Leon," Dr. Kate turned to him, "its time for you to leave, visiting hours are over."

He showed no expression, though he did not want to leave.

"Alright." He answered.

Sora panicked. "You'll be back right?"

"Of course." He answered with a small smile that no one saw.


Sora dreamt that night. She dreamt of the trapeze and of Leon. She reached out to him, he was smiling. His violet eyes shining.

Then, there was a flash and all went dark. Sora saw herself in the dark, silent, and alone.

She sat bolt upright, feeling for anything indicating that everything was real. She curled up and struggled to find sleep.


"Come in." Sora said at the knock the a few days later. A set of footsteps entered her room, she smelled flowers.

"Hi." A masculine voice said, though it was not the voice she expected. This voice belonged to a different young man whom she had not known very long.

"Billy?" She questioned.

"How ya doin', superstar?" He asked, setting down the flowers he brought.

"I could be better," she said, indicating the hospital atmosphere. "How's the weather?"

"Its sunny, very warm, but also looks like it might rain." He said lightly. "But you might be able to keep things bright." This brought a smile to her face.


The sun was shining, the ocean wind played with his hair as he walked towards the hospital. He looked out onto the sea and noticed how beautiful it really was. I guess you realize these things when you think of not being able to see them. It brings around a new appreciation for small things.

He spotted a flower shop on the way. The outside was decorated with beautiful carnations, lilies, and any type of flower you could think of. He went in. It was only customary to bring flowers to one being visited in a hospital.

He couldn't help but notice the look he was getting from the cashier.

"Can I help you?" She said in a flirty voice. The cashier was young and not too bad in the looks department, but this had no affect. He was browsing around the shop when his eyes settled on beautiful, pure white orchids.

"I would like those." He said, ignoring the cashier's advances. She seemed to catch on to the fact that he wasn't interested. This soured her mood a bit.

He walked to her room in the hospital and heard laughter. She was not alone. He knocked on the door.

"Come in." Came her soft voice.

The door opened and he saw who her company was. This didn't do much for his mood.

"Hello." He said.

"Leon!" Sora called, happier than she showed. He saw the roses on her bedside and put down his flowers.

"Billy." He nodded. Thought he would rather not acknowledge him.

"Leon, I'm so glad you came." Sora said, she couldn't believe he actually came, but then she remembered he was probably only repaying her for visiting him previously. He probably only worried because she was his partner, nothing more. This thought saddened her.

"Hello, Mr. Oswald." Billy said. He was testing Leon's patience.

"They said I might be able to leave the day after tomorrow!" Sora said excitedly.

"That's great!" Billy enthused. He thought that he could spend time taking care of Sora. "Maybe I could take you out to dinner in celebration." He hinted. This didn't settle to well with Leon, frankly it just pissed him off.

"Who will be helping you in the mean time?" Leon asked.

"I coul-" Billy started when suddenly-

"GOOD MORNING!" May burst into the room. "How are you?" She saw the men. "Hello Leon, Billy." She added.

"May-san!" Sora jumped. She wasn't expecting as many visitors.

"I heard the good news," Ken silently walked in behind her. "We need to take you to see everyone." See, this saddened Sora a little, but may didn't notice. "We'll show everyone that you're okay!"


Sora received many visitors over the next few days and finally she was able to leave. Kalos drove her back himself.

They visited the cast at the stage. While Kalos was assuring everybody that she was okay, Sora waited in his office, she heard the door open and smelled a familiar perfume.

"Layla?" She asked.

"Sora!" Layla embraced her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"I'm fine." She said for the billionth time. "I'm glad you're here though, now the show can go on."

"Actually Sora, about that-" she paused when Yuri and Kalos walked in.

"Hello Sora." Yuri greeted her.

"Hello," she replied, "I'm sorry that you cut you're honeymoon short because of me." She apologized.

"No, no it's fine, we're just glad you're okay." They replied.

Kalos interceded. "I know you're supposed to be off, but would you two be able to fill in for the show?" He asked.

Layla and Yuri stood silent.

"I'm sorry," Yuri started, "but we can't."

"Why not?" Sora puzzled. "The show would be much better if Layla played."

"Its not possible Sora." Layla answered this time.

"Why? Miss Layla, you are one of the greatest performers on the stage." She continued.

"Sora, you don't seem to understand, you are as great and maybe even better than I was but I simply can't do it because…" Layla paused, Leon walked in.

"… I'm pregnant."