2 years later
"Happy birthday to you happy birthday to you
happy birthday Maria happy birthday to you." Leo Leticia and all Maria's friends
sang. An excited Maria looked over the cake with 9 burning
candles.
"Birthday!" A two-year-old Alexia exclaimed from Leticia's
arms
"Make a wish sweetie." Leticia said waiting for her oldest daughter to
blow out the candles. She took in a deep breath and blew as hard as she could.
Two of the candles stayed let but she quickly took another breath and they where
out.
"Who wants cake?" Leo questioned picking up the knife. He carefully
sliced a few pieces and served them to the hungry 8 year olds.
"Lets open
presents!" Maria exclaimed excitedly after they ate their cake.
"Alright
hunny you go ahead." Leticia said putting her hand to her head.
"What's
wrong hunny?" Leo asked noticing she wasn't following them into the living room.
"Nothing I'm just tired." Leticia replied rubbing her forehead.
"Another
head ach?" Leo asked worry written all over.
"Don't give me that look Leo…..
take Alexia." Leticia stated handing Leo their daughter
"Mommy Daddy look at
all the presents I got!' Maria said pointing to the mess in the living room.
"You're all done already?" Leo said in surprise.
"No…… what did you guys
get me?" Maria asked the excitement radiating off her.
"Oh dam Leo I forgot
how about you?" Leticia replied winking at Leo.
"Oh you mean you didn't get
it either." Leo counteracted. Worry was written all over Maria.
"Go check in
our room." Leticia hinted. Maria gave a small smiley running to Piper and
Leticia's room. She opened the door and a black and brown miniature dashound
puppy jumped up on her legs.
"A PUPPY!!!" She shirked kneeling on the ground
with it. The little animal licked her and jumped all over her. She just giggled
uncontrollable. "I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!" Maria exclaimed hugging her new
pet. Her friends all joined her laughing and playing with the little doggie.
"Doggie!!!!" Alexia exclaimed from Leo's arms.
"Maria let your sister
play with the doggie. Watch her ok baby." Maria nodded as Leo put Alexia down
with them.
"Doggie!" She said patting him.
"What's its name?" One of the
kids questioned. Maria was about to answer when she realized she didn't know.
She turned back to her parents giving them a questionable look.
"Buddy." Leo
answered pointing to the tag on his color.
"Oh I love buddy." Maria said
excitedly.
"I'm glad you like." Leticia replied kissing her daughter on the
cheek.
"Hun you look really pale." Leo stated worrying again. This sickness
had been going for weeks. He really wished that she would go to a doctor. But
she insisted that she was going to be a doctor and knew that there was nothing
seriously wrong with her.
"I just need some aspirin." She stated heading for
the kitchen.
"I'll get it." Leo said going into the kitchen. He looked threw
the cabinets and found the bottle. He opened it but was amazed to find none
left. "I just bought this." He stated going over to the trash. He noticed a ton
of aspirin bottles in the trash. "Sweetie come here." Leo stated.
"What's
wrong?" Leticia asked following his voice.
"What's going on there's a
million bottles in here and this new one is empty." Leo said pointing to the
garbage.
"I've just had a lot of head achs."
"You've been feeling sick
for weeks. I'm calling a doctor." Leo picked up the phone.
"Leo it's not
necessary."
"Don't argue." Leo dialed the number and spoke with the doctor's
office. Leticia sighed knowing she wasn't going to get him off her back. "You
have an appointment tomorrow. No arguments… now go rest." Leo pushed her gently
into their room.
"Alright alright I'm going." Leticia replied as she went to
go to bed. Leo sighed nodding his head. Sometimes she could be so stubborn.
"What are we going to do with her?" Leo questioned to no one in particular.
The next day Leo spent the afternoon pacing the kitchen. He had a really bad
feeling about this. He jumped as the door open and Leticia stepped in.
"So?"
He questioned almost afraid of the answer.
"Jumpy." She stated taking her
coat off.
"What's wrong?" Leo asked ignoring her comment.
"Leo relax
they took some test they aren't sure yet. The results should be in by tomorrow."
Leticia explained giving him a hug to claim him down.
"I just want you to
get better." Leo said hugging her tightly.
"I know…. Come on sweetie lets go
and rest." Leticia pulled Leo's hand and they went into their room.
"Who
would of guest I would be the first Halliwell to be a Mrs." Prue stated as she
looked in a mirror.
"I can't believe my sister is getting married." Phoebe
sighed whipping away a tear. She straightened out Prue's vaul than stood back to
admire her sister. Prue had on a pure white gown that went all the way down to
the floor. Its neckline went low with a gorgeous lace boarding the ends. The
arms where long fitted. "Prue you look gorgeous." Phoebe stated.
"Yes you
do." Piper agreed hugging her older sibling.
"God I'm nervous." Prue stated.
"Hunny you'll do fine I promise. Everyone is nervous before their wedding."
Phoebe replied.
"You sound like a pro." Prue laughed.
"Come on you guys
time to go get Prue married."
The wedding music started up and the woman
marched down the isle. It was beautiful everything was perfect. Prue walked so
elegantly she looked like a queen.
Piper had tears trickling down her
cheeks. The last wedding she had been to was her own. It pained her to know how
hers turned out. She was almost jealous of Prue. Here she was with Jack a normal
guy. With a big normal wedding and no rules. That's the biggest thing no rules
which carry your love away from you forever.
Jack smiled at Prue as she came
next to him. Piper almost cried out it was the same exact smile Leo had gave
her. The one that told you all the love he felt. The one that said I'm yours
forever.
"Do you Prudence Halliwell Take…" Piper could no longer listen it
was too much to handle. She wanted to be strong for Prue because if the roles
where reversed Prue would have stayed strong. But Piper would never be as strong
as Prue never. Piper quietly and quickly exited the church. Whispering a sorry
to Prue.
Once Piper got outside relief over flowed her. Tears still came
poring out of her eyes though. She leaned against the wall sitting on the
ground. She didn't care about the elegant gown she wore. It could get ruined for
all she cared. It would just be another thing in her imperfect life.
Show me
the meaning of being lonely
So many words for the broken heart
Its hard to
see in a crimson love
So hard to breathe
Walk with me, and maybe
Nights
of light so soon become
Wild and free I could feel the sun
Your every
wish will be done
They tell me…
Chorus
Show me the meaning
of being lonely
Is this the feeling I need to walk with
Tell me why I
can't be there where you are
There's something missing in my
heart
Life goes on as it never ends
Eyes of stone observe the
trends
They never say forever gaze
Guilty roads to an endless
love
There's no control
Are you with me now
Your every wish will be
done
They tell me
Chorus- repeat
There's nowhere to run
I
have no place to go
Surrender my heart' body and soul
How can it be you're
asking me to
Feel the things you never show
You are missing in my
heart
Tell me why I can't be there where
You are
Chorus-repeat
A while later Prue found Piper outside crying.
"Oh hunny." Prue
soothed kneeling on the ground next to her. "What's wrong?" Prue asked concern
evident in her voice.
"I'm sorry for ruining your wedding Prue." Piper cried
Prue brought her into a hug.
"You ruined nothing baby." Prue replied running
her hands threw her hair.
"I'm sorry the memories they they just kept coming
back. The last wedding I was was was my own. Prue I just couldn't take it."
Piper explained begging her sister for forgiveness.
"I could never be mad at
you for something like that. I understand hunny. I'm not mad." Prue replied
giving her warm and gentle smiley. "Lets go inside please we are going to catch
cold." Prue suggested helping Piper up.
"Congratulations Prue." Piper said
hugging Prue.
"Thank you. Piper you know you will find the one for you. It
just takes time." Prue said with confidence. She was sure that both her sisters
would find happiness. I already did but he was taken away Piper thought. But she
couldn't bring the words to her mouth. "Come on lets get some cake." Piper
nodded whipping her eyes and following Prue inside.
"Yes this is she." Leticia replied to the doctor on the
phone.
"Your test results are in I would like you to come down as soon as
possible." The doctor answered. Leticia's heart skipped a beat. Would the news
be bad or good?
"Can't you just tell me?" Leticia questioned not knowing if
she could wait any longer.
"I would much rather discuss this in person." He
replied. Leticia sighed knowing she would have to go out.
"Ok I'll be there
in about 10 minutes is that alright?" Leticia stated.
"Yes that's fine." The
doctor than hung up. Leticia put down the phone taking in a breath. She walked
back into her room where Leo still slept. He had been up half the night
worrying. She loved him but he was just making her more nervous. That's why she
planned on going alone.
"I'll be back soon honey." She whispered kissing his
forehead. She smiled than went to Maria's room. There her angel lay sleeping
silently. She ran her hands in her beautiful hair and thank god for having such
a wonderful life. Leticia then made a stop and stared at her youngest daughter.
Tears flowing down her cheeks she had a bad feeling about this. "Everything will
be fine." She stated pulling her jacket on. She kissed Alexia than headed out
the door.
Leticia arrived at the doctors office 20 minutes later. She sat in
the waiting room… well waiting.
"Sorry to keep you. Would you like a drink?"
The doctor asked leading her into his office
"No thanks I would just like to
get this over with." Leticia said wanting to get right down to the point.
"Well your test results confirm that you have…….. that you have Acute
Myeloid Leukemia."
"Leukemia?" Leticia questioned shocked. "My god."
"Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a disease in which the cancer cells are found in
the blood and bone marrow. Which was detected in your test results. Normally the
bone marrow makes cells called blasts that develop into different types of blood
cells that have specific jobs to do in the body. The disease affects the blasts
that are developing into white blood cells called granulocytes. With Acute
myeloid leukemia the blasts do not mature and become too numerous. These
immature blast cells are then found in the blood and bone marrow." The doctor
stopped noticing that Leticia had drifted off. She was obviously to much in
shock to take this all in. " Leticia I know this is a shock but the sooner you
get treatment the better."
"I I just need a day or so to get everything
straight. I have to tell my family." Leticia explained knowing she was about to
lose it.
"I understand. Call soon and we will sort everything out." With
that Leticia quickly got up and ran out of the doctors office. Tears flowed down
her eyes not being able to control herself anymore.
"Daddy daddy let me
down!" Maria giggled as he threw her up in the air.
"Your getting to old for
this you know." Leo stated letting her down.
"No I'm not." She
argued.
"Dad pick up!" Alexia exclaimed outstretching her arms to Leo.
Leticia stood in the doorway watching the scene. The first smile she had all
day placed on her face. It quickly disappeared when she remember what she had to
tell Leo. If this disease won over her it would kill him.
"Your home." Leo
stated seeing Leticia in the doorway. He immediately could see the tearstains.
"Maria take Alexia in your room and go play." Leo stated handing Alexia to
Maria.
"But I wanna stay with you guys." She whined.
"Just go sweetie
please." Leo pleaded. Maria nodded in went into her room with her sister.
"You should have wakened me up I would have gone with you." Leo stated.
"I needed to do this alone." Leticia replied taking off her coat.
"Are
you ok?" Leo questioned as she came over and sat next to him. He could tell that
she was trying to be brave, trying not to cry.
"Yes….no." She sobbed falling
into Leo's embrace. He ran his hands threw her hair in an attempt to sooth her.
"I….. I was so afraid…… of finding something terrible out." Leticia stated
after a few minutes. She buried her head in his chest in an attempt to push all
her troubles away. Leo stayed quiet knowing she would tell him when she was
ready. "That's why I didn't want to go before………. I just I was so afraid."
"I know…. But whatever is wrong we will deal with it. I will be right by
your side I promise." Leo replied kissing her forehead.
"I don't want to
die." Leticia whispered barely audible. Leo tightened his hold on her knowing
something was terrible wrong now. He pushed some of her hair out of her face and
pulled her chin up.
"I won't let you." Leo replied forcefully whipping away
her tears.
"Leo I have Leukemia." She whispered avoiding eye contact. Shock
overcame Leo he could barely breath. Leo closed his eyes in an attempt to stop
the tears. He had to be strong if he was feeling this way he could only imagine
how she felt. After he processed the information he pulled Leticia closer to
him.
"I promise that I will do anything I can." He whispered kissing the top
of her head. She smiled weakly and wrapped her arms around him.
"I love
you." She sighed closing her eyes. She was completely drained from the day's
events. He again ran his hands gently threw her hair. After about twenty minutes
she finally fell into a deep slept. Leo was glad she was getting some needed
rest. They had a long battle ahead of them and she needed all the strength she
had.
Ooh, ooh
When the visions around you
Bring tears to your
eyes
And all that's around you
Are secrets and lies
I'll be your
strength
I'll be your hope
Keeping your faith when it's gone
The one
you should call
Was standing here all along
And I will take you in my
arms
And hold you right where you belong
'Til the day my life is
through
This I promise you
This I promise you
I've loved you
forever
In lifetimes before
And I promise you never
Will you hurt
anymore
I give you my word
I give you my heart
(Give you my
heart)
This is a battle we've won
And with this vow
Forever has now
begun
Just close your eyes each lovin' day
(Each lovin', each lovin'
day)
And know this feeling won't go away
(No)
'Til the day my life is
through
This I promise you
This I promise you
Over and over I
fall
(Over and over I fall)
When I hear you call
Without you in my
life, baby
I just wouldn't be living at all
And I will take you in my
arms
(I will take you in my arms)
And hold you right where you
belong
(Right where you belong)
'Til the day my life is through
This I
promise you, baby
Just close your eyes each lovin' day
(Each lovin'
day)
And know this feeling won't go away
(No)
Every word I say is
true
This I promise you
Every word I say is true
This I promise
you
Ooh, I promise you