Chapter 14: Will you be there?

Julies POV

I sit there,holding my sisters hand and crying occasionally. It's been two days since she fainted at the concert. Out of respect for us, Kenny has had the other concerts postponed until further notice. Michael couldn't continue if he wanted to, he hasn't left Leigh's side, talking to her doctors, trying to find any way he can to save her life. I am numb, Leigh's hand sitting loosely in mine.

"Julie. You should go get some rest hun" Jackie says softly and I shake my head.

"I don't want to leave her" I whisper, stroking the back of her hand with my thumb.

"I know that baby, but she wouldn't want you to exhaust yourself" He says softly.

"He's right you know" I hear a voice that I didn't expect to hear whisper softly. Leigh is awake and looking at me, her eyes huge in the pale moon of her face.

"Oh honey your awake" I whisper softly, kneeling beside her on the bed.

"Yeah…What happened?" She whispers.

"You fainted sweetie." I tell her, not ready to tell her everything yet. I look at Jackie and he nods, going into the hall to get Michael, who comes rushing in and takes her other hand.

"Hi baby!" She whispers softly, lifting his hand and kissing it. There are tears in Michael's eyes and I bite my lip.

"Whats wrong honey?" She asks softly, rubbing the back of his hand against her cheek. His eyes are closed, and I can tell he is relishing her touch.

"We talked to the doctor" He started, looking at her seriously. She nods and looks up at him, her eyes wide just like a childs.

"Your cancer is back baby. They gave you a blood transfusion yesterday. It seems to be helping but they just aren't sure yet" He tells her and I have to turn away as the familiar fear clouds her eyes.

"Its back?" She whispers, her eyes fluttering closed and a single tear trickling down her cheek. He bites his lip, a strangled sob escaping his lips as he crumbles to the bed beside her, crying softly with her. She tugs on his arms and pulls him into her arms, wrapping hers around him and hugging him tightly.

"I love you" She whispers through her tears, pulling her fingers through his hair.

"I love you so much Leigh. Promise you won't leave me" He whispers, his brown eyes pleading with her. She smoothed his hair back.

"I promise Baby. If I can help it I'm not going anywhere" She told him, hugging him tightly again. I hear the door open and Jackie is behind me, pulling me back against him. I lean my head back against his chest and cry, wanting to take the pain away from them. I can hear Michael singing softly, his words soaked with tears and emotion.

And maybe the walls will tumble
And the sun may refuse to shine
And When I say I love you
Baby You gotta know that's For All Time

Leigh is really crying now, the fear making her pale face that much more pale. How can God take something and someone so beautiful away from us? Its not fair!