Okay but what about Rose's thoughts while she's writing Wake Up?

It was almost time.

She was leaving everyone behind.

Her parents, Victoria, Bobby.

The kids. Ray.

She didn't know if she could do it.

She was Rose Molina for heaven's sake. She was inherently too stubborn to die.

Or so she thought.

Ray he...he's going to be so lost, so heartbroken. She remembers a time when their relationship was still fresh. On the third date, he told her he was in love with her. It came out fast and he covered his mouth as if he didn't mean to say it. His eyes were wide as he tried to apologize. When he walked her home, on her front porch she gave him a kiss and whispered in his ear "I love you too."

She didn't want to leave him alone. She didn't want him to have to handle everything by himself—the bills, the chores, the kids. No doubt he'd say he wouldn't be ready for it, ready to live without her.

But...there wasn't a choice. There was nothing else no one could do.

He'll be able to handle it. She knows he will. He'll say he won't but he's strong. Stronger than he gives himself credit for. He can and will find a way to balance it all. For her, she knows he will.

And Carlos.

He was so young.

Has she been there enough? Has she spent enough time with him?

She can't leave now. No, she has to be there for her baby. Her sweet, sweet Carlos. She hasn't experienced enough with him. He hasn't experienced enough with her. They haven't had enough time. At this age...kids need their mother. They need both parents present.

Stop.

She's been down this road before. "There's nothing we can do, Mrs. Molina," they said, "We're sorry." There's nothing they can do.

Carlos...he would be fine. He would be okay. Ray would take care of him. Ray is the best man she knows. He has enough love to last a lifetime. Their kids are in good hands. Amazing, beautiful, loving hands. They'd be fine.

But…

Julie.

That girl...she didn't even know what to say.

Julie is a musical genius. A prodigy. She...she really wanted to see her prosper and grow into her beauty and musicality. She knew Julie wanted her there too. But there is not enough time. And that's okay (it's not). It'll be okay.

She had wanted to be there to watch Julie become big because she knew her bebita would be big. A talented, beautiful young lady who took no bullshit from anyone and who stayed true to herself. Just like her mother.

Now Julie, bless her heart, she would be a wreck for a bit. She knew it. She knew how close she was with her daughter, how much of an impact she had on her with the music they made. But she'd find her way. Julie is one of the most persistent, gifted people she had ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Her family would be fine without her. This would shake them but the Molina's were stubborn (they got it from her) and persevering (definitely got that from Ray). It doesn't matter what breaks them, they will get back up again. No matter how long it takes.

Carlos, that beautiful soul of a child, would be anything and everything she knew he could be.

Ray, the best man she had ever known, would be anything and everything she knew he could be.

Her baby, her Julie, would be anything and everything she knew she could be.

They can't focus on her. They can't focus on what's gone, what's lost. It's like she always said—it's not what you lost, it's what you gain.

Hm. That's a good lyric.

Of course, Rose Molina was thinking about song lyrics on her deathbed. Typical.

And...appropriate.

Where was that notepad the doctors had used to write down her heart rate and stuff?

Let's see…

What would she want to leave them for after she's gone?

Here's the one thing

I want you to know

You've got someplace to go

Okay, good start Rose, you still got it.

Life's a test, yes

But you face it head-on

Hm. Doesn't rhyme. Should it rhyme for all of it? It already rhymes in the first verse.

Life's a test, yes

But you go toe to toe

Better.

You don't give up, no

You grow

She was already humming the potential melody beneath her breath even though the short rasps messed with the fluidity of her voice. Maybe she could get a keyboard in here, though it would sound as good as the piano at home.

Man, she missed that piano. She missed home.

And you use the pain

Cause it makes you you

Though I wish I could you through it

And she did. So much.

Tears were pricking the corners of her eyes. No crying, Rose. Write the song.

I know it's not the same

You got living to do

And I just want you to do it

They had to move on. The thought of them doing it without her caused a pang in her heart that wasn't from the port currently residing in her chest.

So get up

Get out

Relight that spark

You know the rest by heart

Her family could do it. She had faith wholeheartedly that they would wake up and live their lives the way they wanted to. Even if she's not there. There's nothing she wants more for them.

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do

Look out, look inside of you

This whole cancer thing is really putting a damper on her handwriting. She'd have to ask the nurse for a computer so she can actually put it all to music. They wouldn't refuse a stage 4 cancer patient from using the hospital printer, would they?

It's not what you lost

It's what you gain

Raising your voice to the rain

Damn it, Rose, you've done it again. It's nice to know she was going to die with her musical abilities still intact. The Lord is good (she could almost hear Victoria screaming "Amen" in response).

She could see it now—Julie would be sitting at the piano, singing her words to Carlos and Ray. It'd be one last reminder that she was and always will be with them. Death couldn't get rid of her that easily.

Maybe, it'd be enough. Hopefully, whatever they're going through, this will help them through it.

Rose pressed the alert button to get the nurse in the room.

She needed that computer stat.

Y'know my friend had cancer and i kinda wonder what she would say to all us (our friends) if she was going to die. She's fine now, completely cancer free but the thought still stays in my mind. Also, i feel like Rose would joke a little in her mind about her cancer like it's part of her coping skills. Me and my friends used to joke all the time abt my friend's cancer. Dark humor is definitely how we got by. Anyways, how'd i do? Did you like? Tell me in the comments/reviews! Goodbye-bye. Oh and, again, me no proofread, as per usual(;