He knew that she wasn't going to make their Friday dinner; chances were that she wouldn't see tomorrow's breakfast. Her lips were dry; he'd tried Chapstick but all she wanted was ice chips. She could barely move, let alone talk. The girl he loved stared back at him, her eyes barely holding the spark they once did. He shifted in the hospital chair, not wanting to disturb her. He remembered the first date their daughter had gone on…

"Dad! You don't understand! I like this boy."

"Okay, fine. All I'm going to do is talk to him, make him watch Avatar and find out his GPA."

"Sam." Quinn warned from the stove. Tonight was their daughter's first date and Sam was being protective.

"What? I see nothing wrong with Avatar Quinn."

"Leave the boy alone. It isn't like they are going to dinner. Just a movie."

"A movie? A MOVIE!" Do you remember what we used to do during movies? I know that boy; I used to be that boy."

"Okay Papa Bear." Quinn turned to their daughter. "Have fun darling."

The doorbell rang and Quinn went to meet the young man who'd asked their daughter out. Introductions went smoothly and they agreed on a ten o'clock curview. After the door closed, Quinn turned to Sam.

"And you mister, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. No following them around. No calling her. Let it go."

"But she's my baby Quinn. She isn't supposed to be dating."

"I know babe."

"She's supposed to be my princess forever and never leave to go on dates or get married. She's supposed to stay here forever."

"But Sam, she isn't six anymore. It is just a movie."

"But…"

Quinn met him with a steely glare. "Do you trust her?"

"It's him I don't trust."

"I didn't trust you at first. He's a good kid Sam. He's okay."

"If you say so."

"Come on Papa. Let me take your mind off it."

"Sam?" Quinn's faint voice asked. Her breathing was labored as she came out of her nap.

"Yeah baby?"

"Are Blaine and Kurt here?"

"I can call them."

"Okay"

Blaine and Kurt peeked in through the window to catch a glimpse of Quinn before walking into her hospital room.

Blaine spoke first.

"Hey Quinn."

"Hi Blaine."

Kurt moved towards her bed, grasping Quinn's hand.

"Sam said you needed to see us?"

"I'm dying."

"Do not say that." Kurt said forcefully.

"Why not?" Quinn asked. "It's true Kurt. I hear them talking. I'll be lucky to wake up tomorrow. That's why I wanted to see you."

"Okay, so Quinn, let's talk." Blaine said as he looked between his husband and Quinn.

"I need you to keep my family going."

"But Quinn."

"No. Listen to me. You need to make sure Sam is okay. Make sure my daughter goes to the prom. Become their friends, okay?"

"Okay."

"Promise me they won't be alone. Kurt, I need you to promise me that. I can't ask Sam to do that because he's going to be devastated. "

"Did he tell the kids yet? Blaine was curious. He remembered when Cooper had to tell him that their grandmother had died. It wasn't the easiest thing to do.

"Yeah. He came in here crying afterwards. He said that it was the hardest thing he'd have to do, next to saying goodbye to me."

Kurt smiled at Quinn.

"Don't worry. We'll be here. You just need to rest, okay?"

He got up off the chair and walked towards the door, Blaine following him.

Quinn whispers Blaine's name just as he reached the door.

"Can I talk to you, without Kurt?"

"Sure." He turned to Kurt. "I'll be right there love."

He moved back to the hospital bed and sat on its edge.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to do this."

"Do what?"

"Die. Say goodbye."

"Cooper used to say I was stupid when I was a kid."

"Why?"

"Because I didn't fall for you. He thought you were beautiful Quinn. He also told me that he loved me no matter what. He also called me foolish."

"How are you foolish?"

"I still believe that love exists for everyone. Love goes beyond death."

"I don't know."

"I know. "

"How do you know Blaine?" Quinn's tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

"You. There is an amazing family right down the hall Quinn. YOUR FAMILY. I see your daughter. She is confident and beautiful like you. She's a fighting spirit. I see your son. He's sensitive and smart. One day, when he feels comfortable enough to come out, he'll be the most loving person. Sam hasn't left this hospital in two days. I've been bringing him Chinese."

"Watch them Blaine."

"I will. I've got them. I promise."

Blaine unfolded the stack of paper from his pocket and looked at the crowd gathered. He straightened his bowtie, took a deep breath and began.

"I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't break down today. I was going to be strong but I can't. I just can't. Someone once told me that we go through life and we can't expect anything to be guaranteed. She was right. At the end of the day you are the exception to every rule, every stereotype.

You were the good in a bad world, a light in the dark and an anchor for souls with no hope. A vicious protector of her family, she fought to ensure that everything would be alright.

Every day was an adventure. In college, she convinced me to take a trip to Maine with her. There weren't any solid plans and I didn't understand why we were going to Maine. For one week, however, we could let go of everything we held in and that trip saved my life.

She was my saving grace.

That's the kind of person she was, up until the very end."

He turned to Sam and the children.

"She loved you. She loved you so much. I know that for sure. In time I hope you smile again. It's what she would have wanted, you know?"

The final speaker was Sam. The room quieted as he stood to move towards the stand. He paused, briefly glancing at Quinn before facing everyone.

"I remember every word you ever told me Quinn. Every damn word. There isn't anything I wouldn't give to hear your voice one more time.

Quinn wrote me a letter a few days before she died. I'd like to read it to you.

'Dearest Sammy,

I don't know if I'll be able to say this aloud but there are things I need to tell you.

I'm proud of us Sammy. I am so proud of you. Look at the things we've done: college, careers, and our children. We went from a run-down apartment to another apartment slightly better off and eventually, our home. We made something of ourselves.

I know you don't want to hear it but I want to thank you. Thank you for loving me when I was pregnant in high school, thank you for all the midnight fast food runs. Remember that time at Taco Bell? We danced in the middle of the restaurant and everyone stared? That was one of my favorite dates. I know that there were times you went without, just so you could see me smile.

Never forget that I love you.'

Sam's voice began to thicken as he read Quinn's words. Tears fell from his eyes and he couldn't bear to look the audience in the eye.

'That's the hardest part, I think, for me. The goodbyes. How do you say goodbye to the person you love with every single ounce of your body? I've begged and bargained to stay here with you. But I can't stay. I have to say goodbye.

Make sure that our kids know I love them, okay? Walk our daughter down the aisle. Play sports with our son. I'll be there, I promise.

I love you baby now and always.

Quinn'

Sam finished the letter and took a moment to compose his emotions. He then turned to the casket and spoke directly to Quinn.

"Hey there baby. I miss you. What could I have done differently? If I could, I'd trade places with you. I loved you so much and I can't say goodbye yet. Neither can you. So how about we say something else instead? Does that work for you? Okay, good. So let's say I'll see you when I get home. Wait for me baby. Please, please wait for me."

Blaine moved from the chair and wrapped his arms around the grieving husband.

As Quinn's casket was lifted and moved to the hearse, Kurt nudged Sam.

"Look! Sam, look up."

There was a single butterfly flying around against the grey sky. It fluttered around Blaine and Kurt, eventually landing on Sam's nose.

Sam would come to think of that butterfly as Quinn.

AN: That's it! This one is finished. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it! This chapter was the hardest to write but the most satisfying as well. I'm working on another one…slightly darker but that's what happens when you have a major that deals with diseases that cause death.

I love every single person who has read or even clicked on my story