Good-bye

She stands across the room and watches Arnold as he sits, his hands covering his face as he sobs into them. A part of her feels sorry for the man and she wishes things could have turned out differently, but she also knows that he is strong and, in time, will be all the stronger because of it.

Turning her head slightly, she gives a little jump at the figure that wasn't there a moment ago.

"Criminy, do you always sneak up on people like that?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to startle you."

She raises an eyebrow as she gives him a closer look. "Who are you, anyway?"

"Oh, please excuse my rudeness. The name's Gabriel, it's so very nice to finally meet you."

"Uh, yeah, nice to meet you, too, Gabe."

She turns her attention back to her husband, giving a little sigh. "I'm going to miss him you know."

"I can imagine so, after all, you've known him practically your whole life."

"Do you really think he'll be okay?"

"Yes, I know he will. He has lots of people who love him and are there for him."

As if on que the door to the room opens, revealing two of their closest friends. She can't remember ever seeing them so serious as they walk up to Arnold.

"Hey, you okay, man?" His best friend asks.

Arnold looks up at him with red eyes. "I don't know, Gerald. I don't know how I'm going to get through this. I – I just love her so much."

She brings her hands up, clasping them in front of her chest as she gives out a quiet swoon. "Oh, Arnold."

He looks up, staring off into space. "Did you hear that?" He says to his friends.

Gerald follows his gaze while giving his friend a confused look. "No, man. I didn't hear anything. Are you sure you're okay?"

He slumps back into his chair, hanging his head once again. "Yeah, I'm – I'm okay.

Phoebe swallows the lump that's been sitting in her throat, her voice is small as she speaks.

"It's going to be okay, Arnold. You will get through this, and we will be by your side. You won't be going through this alone."

"I know, and I'm grateful. It's just…"

The sadness in his voice is too much for her and she finally takes a step forward but is stopped when she feels a hand grip her arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" Gabriel says as he pulls her back to his side.

"Look at him, I can't just leave him like this. I need to go to him. I need to tell him it's going to be okay."

"No, you don't. That's their job. You have things of your own that you need to be doing, and the sooner the better."

"But I….."

"No, we've lingered long enough, it's time to let go."

She stands looking at her husband one last time. A single tear falling down her cheek. She does her best to send out a message to him, hoping that he can somehow hear her.

"Good-bye my love. I will be waiting for you. Please know that you were my life and that I will never stop loving you."

As she turns back to Gabriel she sees the bright portal waiting for her. With a deep, stabilizing breath and a square of her shoulders she gives him a nod of her head.

"Okay, I'm ready."

With Gabriel to lead her, they head towards the portal. The very second she passes through it the only sounds that can be heard are the stinging buzz of the heart monitor, accompanied by Arnold's heavy sobs.

A/N Sorry for this, but we just lost a very near and dear friend of our family a few hours ago, and I guess this is just my way of coping. RIP dear friend, I will miss you dearly. I love you.

To my faithful readers, I promise that the next thing I post here will be way happier.