Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Hours left until the wedding: 3
Miles left until Venice: 82

Mercedes was surprised about how similar she and Coralee sounded when they cried. Even through the phone, their sobs sounded alike when she tried to tell her big sister about the news as gently as possible. Coralee's big day so didn't go according to plan.

"Is she…?"

"She is sleeping", Mercedes said. She was standing in her hotelroom, looking out of the window. "They gave her something in hospital that knocked her out. Coralee, I'm so, so sorry."

"And what are we going to do now? I mean, it's mom we are talking about!"

"Don't forget", Mercedes reassured her "that the docs are optimistic. The doctor in this hospital told her the same, and she's an expert."

"Of course they say that! I doubt they will tell her that…that…"

"Coralee, I guess they would. Why should they lie? Come on, you need to be strong now, it's your wedding day."

"Oh, Mercy…" Coralee started crying again.

Mercedes took a couple of deep breaths. "Listen, I'm going to call you in a couple of minutes again so that you can process everything."

"No!" Coralee added faintly: "Please, stay with me."

"Okay, okay. I am here."

Mercedes sat on the bed and waited for Coralee to calm down. She could only imagine how miserable her sister needed to be now.

"Corr?"

"Yes?"

"Kurt is going to bring your dress. He will drive off in a couple of minutes. You are going to marry today and will look perfect."

Coralee on the other end of the line sobbed.

"He is going to be in Venice in a flash.", Mercedes went on. "I will stay here with mom, I want to make sure she is fine. She said she will be by your side in your thoughts, but you already know that, right? And so will I." Suddenly, Mercedes realized that she was upset she wouldn't be able to be at her sister's wedding. "As soon as she is strong enough, mom and I will drive to Venice as well. And then, you will tell me everything about the wedding, okay?"

"Mercy…"

"Oh, and don't forget the photos. After everything you have told me, you will get hundreds of those after you have blown the paparazzi's minds with your stunning dress."

"I don't know", Coralee cut her off.

"Yes, you do!" Mercedes didn't want her sister to mess it up, only a couple of hours before the big event. "If you want to, Kurt can stay here with mom and I will come."

"No", Coralee said quietly.

"Okay, your choice, sweetie." Mercedes kind of expected that answer, but it still hurt.

"I mean-", Coralee clarified "-no, I don't want that."

"What?"

Coralee sighed. "The wedding doesn't matter anymore."

"Coralee Jones", Mercedes berated her "Have you lost your mind? Of course, the wedding matters!"

"Not without you and mom around."

"Oh…" Mercedes started crying again. There was nothing she could answer. Of course, she could have insisted that the wedding was important, but she was too weak to do so. If it was her own wedding, she would feel just like Coralee. But nevertheless, she tried convincing her again. "Come on, Corr, just get this over with and marry. We can catch it up with a family ceremony or something like that. There is no law that forbids that. Some blessing, you know."

"No", Coralee sobbed "No, thanks. Mom has cancer. That changes everything."

"Yes", Mercedes whispered. "I know." And no matter how optimistic the docs were, even the best prediction would mean sleepless nights, sorrows, uncertainty, and a lot of anxious trips to Italy for the next couple of months, or maybe even years.

"I need to find Sergio", Coralee cried. "I need to get to Verona."

"Oh, Coralee, everything is under control here…"

"I know", her sister cut her off. "But I want to be by your side now. Everything else doesn't matter."

That wasn't what Mercedes had expected. But that wedding was such a big event they couldn't just cancel. "Just talk to Sergio first before you act out of impulse, okay? You shouldn't take decisions without him."

"He will understand."

Mercedes wasn't so sure about that. She assumed that a powerful, wealthy businessman wouldn't like it that his plans changed. But nevertheless, she told Coralee the address of the hotel, knowing that Coralee wouldn't have listened even if she tried to talk her out of it.

"Okay, I will send you a text after I drove off. There is still a lot to do here, you know, cancel the ceremony, tell the caterer, and so on. But I will be in Venice as soon as possible."

"Alright, then. But please, Corr, drive carefully. Remember in what state you are."

"I won't, believe me. And Mercedes?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks. For everything you have done for me all the time."

If Mercedes hadn't sat, she would have fallen to the floor. "Oh…you don't need to…I just…"

"I'm serious", Coralee went on. "The past three days must have been a nightmare for you."

"Well…", Mercedes commented.

"Thanks, Mercy. You are the best."

Actually, it was the first time her sister ever said those words to her voluntarily. Even in Paris when Mercedes told her she wanted to bring the dress to Italy, Coralee had never said thank you. It felt weird. She had waited for that moment for years, but now that it had happened - she brushed it off.

"Forget it", she whispered. "That's what family is for."

…

Kurt was sitting downstairs in the lounge and read a book. Even though he tried to retain his composure, Mercedes could tell that he was actually agitated. He sighed, closed the book and rubbed his temples. When he saw her come closer, he jumped up.

"How is she?", he asked, full of concern.

"She is resting", Mercedes answered. "I had a phone call with Coralee, and I have bad news for you."

"Mon Dieu, not more bad news!" Kurt fanned himself with his book and slumped down on his seat again. "I cannot bear more bad news!"

"Kurt, Coralee doesn't want to marry without mom."

Kurt went silent, and she patiently waited for his reaction.

"I am so sorry", she went on "I know how important it is to you that the world sees that dress. Of course, you will get paid. And I'm sure, Coralee will get a new date for…"

"Have you lost your American mind, Mercedes?" Kurt shook his head and pointed at her threateningly.

"I'm aware you are upset…"

"Of course, she doesn't want to marry without her mother and her sister! Who do you think I am? A cold-hearted fool? Antoine Décoste in person?"

Mercedes blushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't think. And no, you are not Antoine Décoste."

"To hell with the world press", he huffed. "Your adorable mother is sick. We will wait. And-"

He wasn't able to end his sentence because Mercedes had pulled him into a tight hug. "You are so cute", she said into his shoulder. "Thanks for your understanding."

"Why shouldn't I understand? You are all my friends."

"And you are mine." Mercedes pulled away from him and felt bad because she assumed that the wedding would take place as planned, despite what had happened. She looked around. "I assume you don't know where…"

"…Sam is?", Kurt ended her sentence and smiled wisely. "No, I haven't seen him."

"I still need to thank him for everything he has done for mom", she said. "Do you know his room number?"

He didn't. Mercedes took her phone and dialed his number. He didn't pick up again, and she shook her head in disappointment, bracing herself for a conversation with the icy receptionist.

"Can you please tell me the room number of Mr. Sam Evans?", she asked her.

The lady shook her head. "I'm not allowed to tell other guests that piece of information", she answered.

Mercedes narrowed her eyes. So that was the revenge because she told her yesterday evening that her fiancé was calling her when she had been about to kiss Sam?

But then, she got an idea. "Would you please dial his room's phone and give me the phone?"

With her lips pressed to a line, the woman did as she had said, and typed something into her computer. "Oh, he already left the hotel."

"I know; that's what you told me this morning as well."

"Yes, but then, he came back, paid for his room, and checked out."

Mercedes froze. "Are you sure?"

The glance she threw her said more than a thousand words. Mercedes quickly thanked the receptionist and stumbled back to Kurt. "He is gone."

"No!" Kurt got up and gripped her arm. "He probably has an important appointment today."

"The filmfestival!", Mercedes groaned. "Today, they are going to show his movie, right?"

"I guess so."

Mercedes nodded. "Of course. And I didn't wish him luck." Or apologize. Or explain him everything. Or kiss him…

"I am sure he already knows." Kurt threw her a knowing glance.

Mercedes excused herself and stormed up to her room. She threw herself onto the bed and tried to hold back her tears.

Her mother had lung cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy, pain, uncertainty…

And Sam left without saying goodbye. Mercedes was so miserable. How could she forget to wish him luck? She didn't even ask him how he was. He forgot her in no time, and she could totally understand. There had been no opportunity to tell him about the misunderstanding with Anthony. He had to think that she was an unfaithful bitch.

Mercedes shook her head. Sure, one day she would find him, on social media, to tell him the truth, but that didn't console her at all. He would already have been gone. But she fell for him, without a doubt. Sam had made her feel things she never felt with Anthony – excitement and closeness. But he was gone now.

Sam was perfect, Mercedes thought sadly. And I destroyed everything. Just like always.

…

She had no other choice than to wait for Coralee and calm down a bit. It was the quiet before the storm, and Mercedes had no idea what to do. Breakfast was not included in the price of her hotelroom, and she noticed that she was hungry.

On the opposite of the hotel building, she spotted a small grocery store, so she left her room to buy fruits, candy, some sandwiches, and a couple of magazines for herself, her mom, and Kurt. The grumpy owner of the shop was not thrilled that she paid such a small sum of money with her credit card and loudly protested in Italian. Mercedes didn't understand anything, playing it down with an apologetic shrug à la Kurt, and shouting a happy buon giorno when she left. She wouldn't allow that this man became another problem, she already had enough of those.

Her smile disappeared when she walked back to the hotel, though. She retrieved her phone again to try calling Sam, but again, he didn't pick up. Mercedes fought the urge to throw her phone away and pocketed it again.

At first, she contemplated not to go to her mother. If she didn't have to see it, it didn't happen, right? Out of sight, out of mind.

No, she had to act mature now, at least until Coralee would be here in Verona and take over, as always. She went to her mother's room and was about to lift her hand to knock, but hesitated.

"Just enter, Mercy. The door is already open."

How did her mom know she was there?

When Mercedes entered, her mom smiled at her warmly. She was sitting in her bed, listening to quiet classical music of the TV.

"How come that our rooms are identical but yours looks cozier than mine?", Mercedes wondered with a smile. "Probably because of you." She went over to Phyllis to hug her. "How are you?"

"I'm sad", her mother answered without missing a beat. "And mad about my bad timing."

"Hey", Mercedes said softly "That's not your fault! And…" She hesitated because she was scared of the answer. "…physically?"

"Exhausted. As if a truck was lying on me. I really wouldn't have been able to get back into that car again."

"Of course not", Mercedes said "But please don't feel bad about it, okay?"

Her mother smiled at her gratefully. Mercedes started putting the things out of her bag. "Are you hungry?"

"Oh…how nice…" Mercedes showed her the selection of sandwiches, the figs, apples and bananas, and the chocolate bars.

"Eating something will do you good, and…oh…" Mercedes heard familiar steps in the hallways, and they exchanged glances. "The whirlwind is on the way! Let's brace ourselves."

The steps became louder and louder. Coralee didn't even bother to knock. She pushed open the door, came storming in, and threw herself into her mom's arms, sobbing.

Mercedes stepped aside and couldn't help but notice her glossy, light brown weave and the perfectly manicured hands. Even though she was sobbing, Coralee looked like a bride that was ready to go to the altar. Her eyebrows had been shaped perfectly, and despite her grief, her complexion looked perfect -probably because of expensive beauty products and treatments. Mercedes felt tears well up. Her sister was the living proof for a wedding that wouldn't take place – at least not today.

"Mom", Coralee sobbed. "I'm so sorry. How long do you already know? How are you?"

"But no! You are the one we need to worry about", her mother reassured her and caressed her back. "There comes the bride."

Coralee sat up and blew her nose, and then, she looked at Mercedes for the first time. Who had no idea what to say.

"Mercedes?"

"Hi."

"Come over here."

And Mercedes got hugged tightly by Coralee. She was so surprised she almost didn't react and awkwardly laid her arms around her crying sister until a tear was running down her face and landed on Coralee's shoulder.

"Thanks for everything you have done", Coralee muttered, pulled away and smiled at her faintly. "You must have gone through a lot."

Mercedes nodded. "So did you." Due to the tears in her eyes, her sight was blurry. "You look great, by the way."

"Nonsense! I'm crying for two hours and look crappy."

"Should we fight about how you look, or not?"

"Good idea. You start."

"Have you gone crazy?", her mother interjected, and they all needed to laugh.

"Where is Sergio?", Mercedes asked.

"He didn't come. He wanted to give us space."

"He must be so upset", Mercedes couldn't help but say.

Coralee shrugged. "Of course. He empathises with us. He is busy with making phonecalls to tell everyone that our plans have changed. He holds the fort." She smiled, but they all knew that this smile was forced. "He will come visit you as soon as everything is done, mom."

"That's nice." Phyllis smiled.

"Okay, what are your first treatment steps?"

That's so Coralee, Mercedes thought. She learned a problem and immediately searched for a solution. While Phyllis told her the treatment plans, Mercedes watched both women as if she was not involved. Coralee had curled up in the bed, and her mother had cocked her head to the side while she told her oldest daughter the details Mercedes already know.

"By the way, I got it", her mother said.

"You got what?" Coralee looked at her confusedly.

"What I was supposed to get you."

Coralee's eyes lit up when realization dawned on her. "But that's great! Can I see it?"

Mercedes knew what they were talking about, and her face fell. The musical-box-story. She had no other choice than to get through this without complaining.

Coralee jumped up from the bed and went over to the cupboard – and squealed delightedly. "Oh, mom, it's perfect! Thank you so much!"

Triumphant, she held the musical box in the air and admired it from each angle. "It almost looks like my old one, right?"

Her mother nodded, happy to see her ecstatic daughter. Mercedes, on the other hand, hurt by the cold-heartedness of those two, started thinking of a way to sneak out.

"Mercedes?", Coralee said at that moment and showed her the musical box "Just look what mom got me!"

Mercedes took the musical box, telling herself to keep her self-control because her mom was sick. Maybe, she hadn't been able to think clearly, and Coralee was still upset about the wedding to care about Mercedes' feelings.

Her lower lip was trembling when she touched the lid. "Pretty", she said stiffly and gave it back to her. "Lucky you."

Coralee threw her a weird glance. "What do you mean by 'lucky you'? That musical box is for you!"

"What?" Mercedes didn't believe it. "For me?"

Coralee nodded. "A present from me."

"But…mom bought it for you…"

Coralee laughed. "Wrong! Mom got it for me as a gift for you! Didn't she tell you?"

"Nope."

"Oh no, Mercedes!", Phyllis wheezed. "You must have thought that history repeated itself! I am so sorry, darling. I tore open old wounds, how stupid of me!"

Coralee gave the musical back to her sister. "Take it. Thanks for everything you have done for me. Not only in the past days. Thanks for being such a great sister."

Mercedes was at a loss of words; she had no idea what to feel. So Coralee hadn't forgotten. And forgave her. And even made up for it. That was too much for her…

"Please say something." Coralee grinned. "Or else, we think you got comatose."

Finally, Mercedes started beaming. "I can't believe it." She opened the lid, a small, golden ballerina jumped out and was spinning around slowly to the tune of a beautiful melody, Dance of the sugar plum fairy. "Oh, it's…I love it. Thank you so much."

"Coralee asked me a while ago to watch out for a musical box, baby.", her mother said with a smile.

"Really?" Mercedes turned to her sister who nodded and shrugged.

"But I just didn't find the right one", Phyllis went on. "That's when I couldn't believe my luck when I saw that one at the auction."

Mercedes closed the lid again and nodded. "What a great, great surprise! You two are the best."

"Oh, yes we are!", Coralee confirmed and looked at her mother. "Should the two of us leave so that you can rest, mom?"

Mercedes noticed that Coralee took over, as usual, but she didn't mind.

"No way. I want to know everything about the planned wedding – before it got cancelled thanks to me, the dimwit."

"Don't talk like that", Coralee berated her. "I am right where I want to be." She snuggled against Phyllis. "So, where shall I start?"

"Tell us how confused the people in Venice were", Mercedes said and snuggled against her mother's other side. "I imagine chaos among the paparazzi and desperate blond news anchors that need an alternate program and show photos of Sergio on his yacht…or something like that."

Coralee chuckled. "You are not wrong. The last thing I saw before I left was the bunch of motorbikes and OB vans that drove off, probably searching for someone else whose privacy they could invade."

"I would have loved to experience that media spectacle.", her mother said wistfully. Mercedes threw her a surprised glance. "Doesn't happen every day that one of my endearing daughters is in the limelight, right Coralee? Coralee?"

Coralee's lower lip was trembling. She was fighting back her tears and retrieved a handkerchief, blowing her nose. "Everything fine", she muttered.

"It must have been so disappointing for you", Phyllis said, caressing her daughter's temple. "All your plans, for nothing. Your big day. Your fifteen minutes."

"But... they haven't been my plans", Coralee sobbed.

"What do you mean?", Mercedes queried.

Coralee waved it off. "It was Sergio's mother. She wanted that wedding-event at all costs, with a lot of publicity. You have never seen an Italian Mamma that is so proud of her son."

"I can imagine", Phyllis smiled "That she has to be."

Mercedes winked at her.

"Of course, I agreed. I mean, they only meant well and gave me the feeling it was my big day. But actually, no one ever asked me what I wanted.

"Of course", Mercedes muttered and shook her head. She knew it. Sergio was only thinking about himself.

"Don't be like that!", Coralee berated her "I really looked forward to everything. It would have been a wonderful wedding. But it wasn't the wedding of my dreams."

"What would the wedding of your dreams have looked like?", Mercedes asked.

Coralee looked out of the window. "The family. A pretty dress. Flowers. That's everything that matters."

"A groom?", Mercedes teased her.

"Peanuts." Coralee grinned, but that grin vanished soon. "I love him so much", she whined and laid her head onto her mom's shoulder- "And I don't care about all the publicity and the cake and the onlookers- all I want is to be married to Sergio."

"Oh, baby..." Phyllis hugged her. "You will."

Again, Coralee straightened up, trying to get her act together. "I guess its karma. I was so bitchy to everyone because of the wedding, it was just so stressful." She looked at Mercedes. "Especially to you, Mercy. I guess you have no idea what it is like to try fulfilling other people's wishes?"

"Oh, I do. The dress – do you remember?"

Coralee sheepishly looked down. "Yeah…"

"Forget it." Mercedes smiled and stretched her arms. "Listen, I'm going to go to my room for a while so that the two of you can update each other. And of course, I'm going to listen to my musical box for hours." She took the box, one ham sandwich, a chocolate bar, an apple, and a magazine before she got up. "See you later."

Mercedes went up to her room. She felt tired and needed to think about what Coralee had told them about Sergio – his affectionate reaction when he learned the bad news, the reaction of his family, the face expression of her sister whenever she said his name.

I'm such an idiot, Mercedes thought while she unlocked her door. She slumped down on her bed to think.