~*~Chapter Twenty-Five~*~
When Marty woke up, she was lying in a hospital bed. She tried to focus, but the lights were too bright. "Todd," she said in a whimper.
Dr. Carly Manning stood at Marty's bedside. She took Marty's hand as she tried to comfort her. "What is it? What's wrong?" Marty asked when she saw the tears shining in her doctor's eyes.
"You collapsed, Marty," Dr. Manning said gently. "You're here in the hospital... because..."
Carly could barely go on passed the lump that had grown in her throat. "Because honey, your time is close," she said softly.
At first Marty couldn't register what the doctor was saying. Then she remembered Carly's words. Once the cancer had settled in her lungs; her life would end.
"It's in my lungs?" she asked.
"I'm afraid so, Marty."
"I need Todd,' Marty said urgently. "I need to talk to him."
She tried to crawl out of bed in search of Todd, but she was far too weak. Marty fell back upon the pillows. Realizing she wasn't able to get out of bed, Marty started crying. All she wanted was to see Todd. She needed him so much... and she needed her little girl.
"Where's Michelle?" Marty asked. "Please, Dr. Manning, I need to see my baby girl."
"I'll call Todd. You just rest," Dr. Manning said.
"Okay," Marty whispered.
Marty closed her eyes. Within moments, she had drifted off to sleep. In that state, she was pain-free. She could forget that the cancer was about to steal her life away. They were pumping pain medication into her body. She was able to rest comfortably.
When she awakened, she saw Todd standing at the end of her bed. "Hi," she said when she looked up at him.
"Where's Michelle?" she quietly asked. Her voice was barely a whisper. She didn't have the strength to speak any louder.
"I'm sorry, Marty. I couldn't bring her," Todd said. "She stayed with Blair."
Marty was sad for a moment and genuinely disappointed, but then she remembered Michelle's sweet smiles at her birthday party. She didn't want her little girl to see her this way, so weak and close to death. She didn't want Michelle's last memory of her mother to be of her lying so frail and helpless within a hospital bed.
"I- I wanted to tell her goodbye," Marty managed to say.
Todd reached out, taking her hand in his. He gave it a tender squeeze. "I will tell her for you." He had to push the words passed the painful lump that had grown his throat.
*I'm not going to cry. I won't...* he said to himself over and over. "Don't do it. Don't cry.*
Even so, the hot tears stung at his eyes, threatening to spill. His heart was breaking inside his chest. He felt like the sorrow was sending painful arrows through his soul.
"Todd, promise me... promise me..." Marty said. She could barely push the words passed her lips. She felt like she was underwater, struggling to breathe.
Todd knelt down at her bedside, wrapping an arm around her as if to cradle her close. He wanted to protect her. "Anything, baby," he said.
"Promise me you'll take care of Michelle," she said, her voice breaking with every word.
"I will," he said. "You know I will."
"Promise me you'll be happy... with Michelle..." she said weakly. "And with Blair. I want you to be happy, even if it's with Blair."
He couldn't help it. The tears started to fall. Their sting was so painful. They fell from his eyes. He cried because it broke his heart. How could she think he could ever love another- not like he loved her?!
"It's okay, Todd," she said as she softly squeezed his fingers. "It's alright. I know how much you love me. I know."
He could only look at her with tear-filled eyes. No more words would come. Their tears spoke of their pain. He hugged her close, careful of the IV and all her monitors. Their tears mingled on Marty's pale face.
After awhile, she fell asleep in Todd's embrace. When he saw that she had drifted off, he placed a soft kiss upon her lips. He rose to his feet and walked out.
He saw Dr. Manning in the hall. He could barely meet her gaze. He just couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't. He couldn't bear to watch the woman he loved die.
"I am sorry," he said to the doctor. "I can't... I can't stay."
Before Carly could respond, Todd turned on his heel. He was gone.
Author's Note: There are two chapters left of this tale. Thank you for sticking by me! I appreciate the great reviews.