Author's Note: Warning: Get your Kleenex ready. This chapter is very sad.

Chapter 49

Connor parked his SUV in the parking lot. He shut off the engine and got out to help Cassie out.

"Thanks for last night," she said quietly.

"My pleasure."

"Mine too."

Connor smiled. "Glad you liked."

As they walked toward the ER entrance, he noticed another couple next to a car. He stopped for a second. He looked over at Cassie.

"They've had a couple of dates," she explained.

"Why?" he asked. "She's a sweet kid, but she's way out of Will's league.

"I don't know why. Chemistry? You're way out of my league. I'm just a little Italian-British kid from Little Italy."

"You're more in my league than the socialites that I grew up with. They're nothing but phonies who live off of their parents' money. I like it that you're willing to work for yours."

"Gotta pay the rent somehow," she said.

Connor shook his head. "I just don't get those two."

"I think they're cute together."

"Always the romantic, Cass."

"So are you, Connor, but you just don't want to admit it. Your Grandfather made you one."

"I suppose he did," he agreed.

Cassie opened the drape of the treatment room. She looked at Connor. He rubbed his face with his hand, then got up from the chair and walked over to her as she stepped into the room. Dr. Downey had been brought in earlier. She dreaded what was happening, but she knew she was powerless to change things. It was beyond bad.

"He's not going to make it. He's asking for you," he said softly.

She gave him a hug. "I'm so sorry, Connor. This is going to be hard."

As she moved back, she saw the tears welling in his eyes. "We will get through this."

He nodded. "I hate seeing him like this."

"So do I. But this is not how I am going to remember him."

Connor took her hand as they walked to the bedside.

"David, Cassie's here," Connor said.

"Hi, David. Fancy meeting you here."

He reached up and took Cassie's hand. "Always the smartass. That's one of the things I love about you, Cassandra."

"Love you, David."

"Thank you for coming. I needed to talk to you two. I am not going to make the wedding. I hope you understand."

"We do. We're very sorry you won't be able to," she said.

She turned her head, trying to hide her tears.

"Hey now, none of that. I have a lot to tell you two, and not a lot of time to do it."

"We're listening," Connor acknowledged.

"First off, make sure Sharon doesn't go out and hire some half assed surgeon. And if she does, you tell her I'm going to come back and haunt her."

"I'll tell her."

"Good. Secondly, you two are my Ohana.* I never had children of my own. Since I didn't, that means I get to hand pick my Ohana. You two are the son and daughter I never had. Cassandra, you're an excellent nurse and you're going to be a wonderful Nurse Practitioner, but you really need to think about going to medical school. Emergency Medicine needs you."

"-David, I -"

He held up his free hand.

"No arguments. We're not here to argue. Just do it. I'll be guiding you every step of the way from up above. And the same for you, Connor. You've got the talent to be an even better surgeon than I was. Put it to good use."

"I will, Sir."

"Good. No about arrangements. I'm sure Cassandra knows what I want."

"Cremated and your ashes scattered in the ocean of the North Shore?"

He nodded. "And I trust you to do that. I know you will."

"Of course."

"Good. And while you're there, get married and start your life together. It's a beautiful island. It's the perfect romantic place for a wedding. And you can get married on the beach in your bare feet. Make that trip about new beginnings. Don't be sad. Be happy."

Cassie smiled. It was exactly the wedding she wanted and had dreamed about since her first trip to Hawaii right after her high school graduation.

Connor looked at Cassie. She nodded.

"I promise I won't come back and haunt you if you don't. But it really is something to consider."

He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them. "My lawyer has everything. He will be in touch with you both. And Connor, when I told you I was in remission, I lied."

Connor nodded. "I knew that."

"So why didn't you call me on it?"

"Because I wanted it to be true."

He looked up at the two of them. "I love you two. Take care of each other. Live and love. Don't let the anger build up. Work it out. Have beautiful babies. And remember, I'll always be in your hearts."

Cassie leaned over and gave him a hug and a cheek kiss. "I love you, David. Thank you for everything. Aloha."

Connor hugged him. "Love you, David. Thank you for teaching and guiding me."

"You're an excellent surgeon, Connor. You're welcome. I hope someday you will pass what I have left you on to someone else equally as deserving."

"I will. I promise."

"Good," he said as he closed his eyes.

Cassie sat down next to him. His hand was still entwined in hers. Connor sat across from her, and watched the monitors. They both knew what was coming, and they both made sure that their friend was not going to be alone.

*Ohana: Hawaiian word for family.