Another update! This is another chapter that jumps a couple of years... Angela's like 5 in this just fyi. Anyway, as always please review, even if it sucks :-)
"How are you feeling?" Roger asked tentatively watching as Mimi woke up in a hospital bed. The past years her health had deteriorated continuously, eventually leading her to pass out soon after dropping Angela off at school in the morning.
Mimi considered Roger's question before replying with a weak "Tired."
"Do you need anything?" Roger pleaded, wanting to do something. Seeing Mimi this way, it brought back memories from years ago, when Mimi lied in the loft feverish and weak.
Mimi shook her head shifting her body a little in the bed careful not to disturb the IVs and tubes that snaked out of her. "Where's Angela?"
"With Mark and Brooke getting lunch." Roger said "They should be back soon."
"Did you tell her yet?"
"No."
"Good, I want to tell her." Mimi said slowly.
"Okay," Roger nodded looking pitifully at Mimi, thinking of Angel. He thought of Marks words "Perhaps it's because I'm the one to survive!" he had shouted in defense of Roger's accusations. Roger hadn't understood then, thinking it a blessing "Poor baby," He had rolled his eyes in response. But seeing Mimi here, now, thinking of Angel, of April, of how sick Collins and Gordon both looked… did he look like that? No, everyone had commented on how Roger didn't look like that. They always commented on how healthy he looked. Only now did he realize that Mark was right, it was a curse, being the one to survive.
"Mommy!" Angela cried letting go of Mark and Brooke's hands and running to the bed.
"Be careful," Roger warned guiding Angela softly onto the side of the bed.
"Hi sweetie," Mimi muttered as she managed a hug. She looked at Roger who understood she wanted to talk to Angela.
"Mark, Brooke, would you guys come with me to the cafeteria?"
"But we were just…" Mark started until Brooke nudged him and he looked Roger's face, and then over at Mimi and Angela "Oh, yeah. Sure." They turned to leave.
"I'll meet up with you guys in a second…" Roger muttered as he closed the door. They looked at him curiously, then shrugged continuing down the hallway. Roger turned to the closed door, listening in. He could hear Mimi saying something to Angela, but she was talking Spanish he realized, which thanks to Mimi's insistence of consistently speaking to Angela in Spanish as a baby, Angela now spoke it fluently. Angela's voice came back, Roger could hear tears behind them. He took a deep breath, Angela wasn't just crying anymore. He cracked the door open, unable to help himself. Mimi was clutching a wailing Angela in her arms, tears streaming down her face as well. Mimi looked up at him, her eyes red.
"Daddy," Angela cried up at Roger.
"It's going to be okay honey," He said taking her in his arms "now mommy needs rest, okay? Why don't we go to the cafeteria with uncle Mark and aunt Brooke?" Angela sniffed up at her father and nodded sadly, she clutched at Mimi one last time before climbing back into Roger's arms and putting her head on his shoulder. Mimi still crying waved to them, whispering "I love you," before closing her eyes.
Angela looked at Roger as he carried her down the hallway. She was still crying "Daddy? Mommy isn't going to get better is she?"
"I don't think so," Roger said, his voice cracking. He looked at his daughter, only five years old but already so mature and adult, having burdened so much, "But I promise you I'll always be there."
"You promise?" Angela looked at him her eyes still red "You'll never leave me?"
"Never, I'll always be here." Roger lied. He knew in all possibilities it was a promise he couldn't keep, but he knew he would try and keep the curse of being the one to survive from her for as long as he could.
