Chapter 12

June hadn't felt this light and nimble on her feet in years. The dress she wore was made of sheer chiffon, the colour of the deep blue sea and it flowed elegantly around her as she continued to move with ease on the dance floor. She had somehow shed her aging body, her sore bones, her aching muscles and her feet carried her effortlessly as she floated, Byron twirling her around with grace. Old age creeps up on you and June couldn't remember when, exactly, it had become so difficult to move her body with ease and poise but now, safely nestled in her husband's loving arms, she had somehow returned to a time where she could move with grace and self-assurance.

'Ah, June-bug, you're just as limber as you always were' Byron whispered in her ear as he pulled her in close.

June gazed into his eyes; it had been so very long since she'd been with him and she just wanted to keep staring into those dark pools; she'd always loved how the corners of his eyes crinkled whenever he smiled.

'Marion's coming and you need to go back. They all need closure, sweetheart' he explained softly.

'But I don't want to go back' she replied, smiling, as she kept swaying to the rhythm of the music .

'So many people have loved you and you need to give them all a chance to say goodbye' he repeated as she gave him a small pouty smile.

'But I'll be right here when you come back. And we can dance... well, for as long as you want' he added.

The monitors around them droned on monotonously as Neal and Liam continued to sit by June's side, the sound almost hypnotic - and Neal could feel himself starting to drift off to its repetitive hum.

The door opened and a nurse walked in, discreetly making her way to where the monitors beeped, rhythmically.

'Her pulse is really slow' she observed as she glanced at the monitor.

Neal sat up, a look of concern on his face.

'It's all right' the nurse reassured him. 'It's been fluctuating since she arrived; it could be the meds.'

Neal smiled at her. The gentleness and respect with which the woman leaned over to touch June's forehead was more than reassuring. All he'd ever wanted was for June to be on the receiving end of the gentleness and kindness she'd displayed to others her whole life. The touch seemed to bring June back and the monitor began to beat at a faster pace as June opened up her eyes momentarily, noticing Neal sitting there.

'Neal...' she whispered, her eyes clear.

He stood in a flash, getting a little closer and sitting on the edge of the bed to better hear her soft raspy voice.

'June...' he said lovingly.

'I am so proud of you' she whispered as he took her hand.

That sounded a little too much like goodbye and Neal could feel his eyes start to water as he continued to gaze at her.

'June – you've been my saving grace. I couldn't have accomplished any of the things I've done if it hadn't been for you' he said, trying to control the wavering of his voice.

'Nonsense, darling. The good in you... it was always there, deep inside. I just helped you see who you really are' she continued, her voice breathless.

She had barely finished speaking when her eyes closed just as suddenly as they'd opened and Neal was left there to hold her hand and resume listening to the reassuring beep of the nearby monitor.

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Hope looked down at the detailed instructions her dad had left regarding dinner and she turned to Cam, standing at the kitchen island cutting up some veggies for a salad.

'Do you think I should set the table in the dining room?' she asked him.

'I don't think so' he answered. 'If Bea gets restless, she can play in the family room and we can keep an eye on her.'

It was Tuesday night and despite all that was happening around them, Neal hadn't wanted to cancel on Sam's visit with little Beatrice. Ever since she'd arrived in their lives, the baby had brought nothing but joy and laughter and Neal, especially, was enjoying his role as godfather to the little girl. Sam and Lydia had been generous in sharing their daughter and Sara and Neal had had her over to their place as often as they could, doting on her and basically spoiling the life out of her. She was a beautiful child, sandy blond hair and blue eyes; she had that carefree quality that all kids have, still unscathed by life's disappointments and hardships and whenever she was around, Neal would forget all about all those small (and even the bigger) worries of everyday life.

Cam came up behind his girlfriend, lacing his arms around her waist as Hope giggled. Cameron Armstrong had become a very loving boyfriend, affectionate and warm and their relationship had blossomed over the year they'd been together. Quite unexpectedly, it had grown into something serious and committed. Hope would be going away to college over the next year and she'd begun to wonder how her relationship with Cam would play out once she left for Pittsburgh. She turned to face him, looking into his eyes; so thankful to have this amazing guy in her life.

'You need to get back to that salad, mister' she said, rather unconvincingly as he placed a warm kiss on her lips.

'Uh huh' he murmured, totally ignoring her and making her laugh.

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'I'm really glad I came' Liam said as he sat with his dad in the car.

'Me too buddy. I know it meant a lot to Grandma June to have you there' Neal said.

After a few seconds of silence, he added. 'You know, I saw what you put in her hand.'

'It's stupid, I know…' Liam answered, seemingly uncomfortable.

'It's not stupid – I know how much that pebble means to you... and what it represents for you' Neal said with a warm smile.

Liam shrugged, slightly embarrassed. For years, he'd been carrying around this beautiful, smooth stone he'd found on the beach of Lake Muskoka when he was barely three years old. At first, it had held the mystique of just another pretty thing you collected when you were little, that age where you want to hoard things of seeming insignificance. But he had held on to it over time and it had since become his good luck charm – he always had it in his pocket on test days and on game days, he would tuck the flat smooth stone inside his gym sock for good fortune. It had never let him down and he wanted to share the good vibes he'd always gotten from the inanimate object with his grandma.

'I just thought it might bring her luck; not that she'll get better but you know... so she could die peacefully' he said, sounding wise beyond his years.

Neal just nodded in amazement – his kids surprised him every time.

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Neal finished tidying up the kitchen as his mind wandered to the events of the evening. Sam's visit had done him a world of good; helping him forget for just a few moments that his beloved June was on the cusp of leaving them. Beatrice's presence never failed to cheer him up; it let him focus his attention on all that was good with the world - joy, laughter and wonder at all that life could offer. He'd played with her after dinner, handing her the large puzzle pieces as she'd placed them one by one, chattering away, repeating everything he said – or trying to at least. She was a veritable chatter box and she spoke non-stop – although deciphering what she was trying to say was not always an easy task.

'Neeeeeal' she'd squealed as he'd lay on his back, tossing her in the air and watching her giggle fiercely as she let herself fall back into his waiting arms. She'd grinned at him, a look of total trust and abandon in her eyes and he'd marvelled once again at the blissful innocence he saw there. If only one could bottle those giggles, they would make a fortune, he thought, as he laughed uncontrollably himself.

Now the house had grown quiet and once again his thoughts wandered to his wife, miles away, waiting for him to call. He knew she'd want to hear all the news from home – the good and the not so good. He grabbed the phone and let himself fall on the couch in the family room, kicking off his shoes and putting his feet up on the couch as he dialled.

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'Well, I don't think we can do much else to prepare. We're ready' Sara said as she began to tidy up the mess of papers on the bed.

'It's going to be great!' said Lydia, excitement obvious in her voice.

The rookie hadn't had much of an opportunity to attend such large-scale conferences in the past, unlike her mentor. Being part of the twosome that was being featured at the luncheon was exciting and invigorating for an up and comer like Lydia Jordan.

'Sara...' she began, tentatively. 'I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. I've learned so much just watching you work. But for you to take me under your wing like you've done in this mentoring program... well, it's more than I could possibly hope for.'

'You're a class act, Lydia' Sara responded. 'It's an honour for me to get to work closely with you.'

The women smiled at each other in mutual admiration and Lydia rose to leave, just as Sara's phone rang nearby.

'Well, that sounds like your nightly phone call from home' she said, as she left. 'Sleep well, big day tomorrow.'

Sara turned to grab her phone and made room on the bed so she could get comfortable. This was the highlight of her day – hearing Neal's voice from across the miles.

'Hey Repo. How was today?' he asked when she answered.

'Tedious ... and long' she replied with a tired grin at the term of endearment that was reserved just for her.

'So, big presentation tomorrow, huh?'

'Yeah, Lydia and I just went over everything one last time. I think we're ready' said Sara, sounding so far away.

'You know, Peter and I did something like that at a best practices symposium once. People are just going to want to ask some questions about what makes the mentoring program work. Considering you're the one who put it together... you'll be a hit' he said, ever the encouraging husband.

Sara laughed – even miles away Neal was still her one-man cheering section.

'How was June today?' Sara asked, her voice growing serious.

'Liam came to see her with me; I was really glad. Honey, I don't think she has much time left' Neal answered, his voice soft and faraway.

Sara let out a sigh. 'I hope I get there before it's too late.'

'June knows how you feel about her; try not worry about it' Neal said in an effort to reassure her.

'Is Liam going back to school tomorrow?'

'He better!' Neal chuckled. 'He's becoming a real nuisance around here. It's time we all get back to normal.'

'Did you end up canceling on Sam tonight?'

'No, I thought we could all use some normalcy around here. Do you know what little Bea said tonight?' he said, his voice suddenly joyful.

'I have a feeling you're about to tell me.'

'She pointed to her bowl of spaghetti and she looked up at me, waiting for me to tell her what it was called and then she tried to repeat it' he laughed warmly. 'It came out something like 'psidetty'.'

'That's adorable' Sara said with a chuckle. 'I wish I could have been there.'

'Well, she was looking for you when she walked in; she kept toddling around looking lost like something was missing.'

At this, Sara erupted with laughter; she loved her goddaughter and just the thought of her little footsteps echoing through the house filled her with joy. She thought about everything back home and suddenly grew sentimental.

'Neal, I'm trying to get a flight out really late tomorrow night' she confessed.

'Honey, that's ridiculous. Relax, just have a nice visit with Emily and a good night's sleep and you can fly out on Thursday morning if you really want to. A couple of hours aren't going to make any difference' Neal reasoned.

'I'll see. I just want to get home. I miss you...'

'Now, who's the romantic?' he teased.

'I don't know... I guess it's this thing with June. I... I realize that we never know how much time we have, none of us do, and I just don't want to spend any time away from the people I love' she answered, an unusually maudlin declaration - especially for someone as no-nonsense as Sara Ellis.

'Hey, stop it! I'll be here when you get back. I'm not going anywhere' Neal replied.

As he spoke those words, he couldn't possibly imagine what lay ahead.