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Brian and Jeff sat back in their chairs, waiting impatiently for their favorite priest, Father Daniel O'Meera, to finish writing his sermons.
Things had remained relatively quiet until…
"You bastard!"
The men all looked up at the person charging into the room. Bewildered eyes formed as they behold an enraged Leo.
"Why didn't you tell me that Allison was dying?!" Leo cried, his eyes dancing with despair and anger. He stalked up to his brother, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him violently against the wall.
"Leo?!!" Called out a stunned Jeff.
"Damn you, Daniel! Why didn't you tell me?! Why?!" With each passing second, his anger strengthened, his grip became just as deadly.
"You're gonna kill him, Leo!" Jeff and Brian tried to separate the two brothers, but Leo was still furious. True to the reference of his name, like the lion, his anger and sorrow wouldn't die. He fought off both Potter brothers by punching each guy in the rib cage.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room revealed an angel and his guest. Both watched in helplessness at the scene before them. Luke knew that he wasn't allowed to do anything about it, and he managed to hold his self control. Fiona, however, had to rely on Luke keeping her at bay. She never liked not getting involved in situations like these… but she knew she had to.
Leo's temper truly amazed him, but surprisingly was the fact that his brother wasn't fighting back. Sure, he was trying to refrain from mutilation at the hands of his younger sibling, but the priest made no attempt whatsoever to strike back in defense.
"Damn you, Daniel! Damn you… damn you…" He began to attack his brother with his fists. Blow after blow, strike after strike, Leo suddenly felt himself grow worn and weary. He was angry, but he was dying inside. He was tired, but most of all he was heartbroken.
Bruised as he was, Father Daniel held steady as he felt Leo falter. Soon, he cradled within his arms not a furious, angry, hurt young fighter, but a devastated, heartbroken spirit that was his little brother.
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For once in his life, Jeff felt hollow. A total empty shell of his former self. He glanced over at his best friend and a wave of sadness and guilt washed over him. If he felt this messed up, he could only guess how distressed Leo was.
An hour has passed for them as the truth of Ally's illness came to light. Daniel couldn't bear to be the bearer of bad news, but he now felt obligated to do so after his baby brother's outburst. What startled Jeff even more was the fact that his *own* brother also knew of the harsh reality set before them.
It pained them to see their siblings so lost and so broken over the news of their beloved's soon-to-be passing.
Both boys fell into silence as they stared down at the glistening water of their special pond.
"Guys?"
Jeff and Leo knew that heavenly voice all too well. They turned their heads and found themselves smiling at their earth angel… who would within days become a *real* angel.
It was overwhelming for Allison as she took in all the emotions her best friends poured over her. The minute they saw her, they had nearly knocked her over in an attempt to envelope her into a huge hug.
"I'm so glad to see that I'm so loved." She half-joked.
"And don't ever doubt that, Ally." Jeff kissed her on the forehead.
"Never." She giggled. "Especially considering the fact that you guys are *squeezing* me to death!"
They shyly released her, apologizing towards their aggressive action. "Sorry, Ally."
A silence swept over them, and it was Allison who broke it. "So, you know now, huh?"
"How could you keep something this serious from us, Allison?"
She winced as she noticed the hint of pain evident in Jeff's voice. "Because of this," she indicated towards their sullen attitude. "I knew the truth would destroy you more than this disease is killing me. Plus, I didn't want my last few days spent being stuck in a gloomy atmosphere of looming death and despair."
She walked over to the edge of the plank, arms outstretched as she gleefully declared to them, "I'm going to live forever!" The biggest smile was on her face, "I'm not going to die! I'm going to live forever and ever."
"Looks like someone took a little too much medication." Leo smirked.
"I mean it, guys. I've never been more serious in my whole entire life!"
"But you have cancer, Ally." Jeff painfully reminded her. "Pancreatic cancer already in its developed stage!"
"And as much as it pains me to say," added Leo. "You're dying, Ally."
She nodded her head sadly, "Yes, physically I am." The smile though never left her beautiful face, "But I'm going to live on." She walked towards them, her finger pointing at the higher left corner of their chests, "In your hearts. In your hearts, your souls, your memories. I'm never going to die!"
Laughing her unique laugh, she suddenly took off into the woods. Full of childhood wonder and joy, "Come and catch me!" she sang out to them.
They grinned at her, then at each other before they started to chase her, following her voice and laughter that was calling out to them.
"Don't mourn my death!"
Leo ran ahead of Jeff, closely watching her shadow and movement.
"Celebrate my life!"
Jeff saw a figure zigzag around a bunch of trees.
"I'm going to live FOREVER!"
Allison almost made it towards the edge of the forest when she gasped at the light blinding her. A sharp pain suddenly pierced her. Gasping for breath, feeling her legs start to weaken, Allison fell.
Light, careful arms caught her. She looked up at the faces, who stared down at her with total concern. One of them, a young woman that looked younger than her, took Allison's hand. The other one, a man who seemed like an angel with that kind smile of his, held her tight.
The woman whispered to Allison, "Don't be afraid, Allison. He's an angel… he'll take care of you."
Feeling the world start to shimmer into darkness, her own voice loosing its will to live, she asked, "Am I going to die now?"
The man shook his head, beaming dearly at her. "It's not your time to go yet, Allison. But soon."
"Just rest, Ally. You're in safe hands." The young woman said, just as Allison felt her world fall into deep darkness.
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Fiona quickly tied her shoes, anxious to get out of there and meet Luke. A part of her felt totally guilty about blowing off dinner with her family… but she had to be there for Allison, Jeff, and Leo. Once she had gotten a hold of her mom, she immediately told her that she had to meet a friend at the hospital. Her mother, Molly, was concerned at first… but Fi assured her that everything was all right and that she will be home before her eleven o'clock curfew.
She glanced at the clock, noticing that it was just a few minutes until seven. Luke will be there any minute. Fi knew that the time was near for her to help out with Luke's assignment.
Just as she was so close to leaving, the door swung open. Startled, she looked up, then breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Annie.
"Annie, you scared me." Fiona smiled wearily at her. She got up, and reached for her bag when Annie snatched it up from her.
"Annie? Hey, give that back." She looked at her friend, stunned by her weird behavior.
"We need to talk, Fiona." Annie stared her friend down, refusing to let her leave.
"Annie, I don't have time for games. I need to leave… now."
"Clu is a great guy, Fiona. Why are you hurting him like this?"
Fiona stopped cold in her tracks, feeling as if she was punched in the gut and then slammed into an icy cold tub. Turning to Annie, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Clu called for you again. He wanted to know why you didn't return any of his calls. He even left several messages on your cell phone."
Fi sighed, getting extremely irritated by her Law and Order interrogation. "Listen, Annie. Clu is *my* boyfriend. Our relationship is non of your business… so butt off!" She growled, daring the young woman to say another word.
"What's gotten into you, Fi?" Annie asked, fear peeking through her voice.
Snatching her bag right from under Annie, then grabbing her coat, "Look, Annie. I have a lot of things on my mind right now. I don't feel like discussing my love life at this moment…"
"Molly said that you're not coming to dinner tonight. Is that true?"
Almost out the door, "Yes."
"Why?"
Fiona turned, looking Annie square in the eye. Annie was startled to discover sadness in her eyes. "I have to visit a friend."
Annie watched as Fi left the room, her exit a total mystery left in the dark. Sighing, she headed towards the bathroom to freshen up when the phone began to ring. She knew immediately who it was.
"Hello?… Hey, Clu… yeah, it's me, Annie again… I'm sorry, Clu… Yeah, our Fiona is definitely M.I.A…"
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It seemed like a dream. Never could he have imagined a free spirit like Allison hooked up to an I.V., surrounded by all those sterile and cold machines.
Leo took her innocent form in slumber. "Come back to us, Ally. Don't leave me yet. Don't leave me ever."
Even to declare that he was in love with her would be a sin, for what he felt right now was much more stronger, more real and true.
He glanced around the room, his eyes falling upon everyone present. Jeff was in one corner, consoling Ally's sixteen year old sister, Lucy. A smile formed in his heart as he recalled Ally having said that "If anything, I'd say that Jeff was more in love with *that* Cole sister instead of this one."
Sadness stirred within Leo. At least Jeff will have Lucy, but what about him? Yes, Jeff loved Allison just as much as Leo does, but there was one huge difference. Jeff wasn't deeply in love with Ally. In love, maybe one time, but not heartbreakingly deep in the soul, would move heaven, earth, and time for her, soul mates in love with her like Leo was. In fact, how could he find the true words to explain how he felt? It just wasn't real, but yet it is.
Standing just across her bed from him stood his brother. He wasn't only here as Daniel, her "big brother" in heart and soul, but as *Father* Daniel, her priest. The man that was to give her final rites. Leo hated Daniel for wearing that collar and holding that bible and cross. If his brother had to say her rites, Leo would immediately leave the room. He couldn't bear to hear it. For hearing it would make Ally's death final.
Brian was at the side of the Coles. Allison's parents felt helpless as they looked over at their eldest daughter, knowing that there is nothing in this world that could prevent her passing. The only thing they could do now… was pray.
"To hell with God," he sneered in his mind. Leo hated God most of all. How could someone like Him just take a precious life like Allison's away? A kind and generous God? Yeah, right.
He couldn't take it. Tears threatened to break through. "I can't do this." He muttered, standing and heading towards the door.
"Leo? Where are you going?" Daniel feared for his brother's emotional state.
"Going to take a walk, Dan." Was all he said, all he could say. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He added, just before he left the room… and his heart.
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She watched as he stood before the hospital's church alter, gazing heavenward for a sign. In his heart was anger, but also confusion, despair, and most of all, love.
"What has she done to deserve this, God? What have *I* done to deserve losing her?" He cried out to the heavens.
"God doesn't hurt people in spite, Leo. Don't you dare blame God just because you're angry and scared."
Leo turned around, coming face to face with someone around Lucy's age. She looked at him with total compassion. He almost felt as if she knew exactly what he was upset over.
"I thought I was alone in here."
She walked up to him, extending her hand. "My name's Fiona. And I know that you're Leo. And that you're hurting very much."
"What are you? Some kind of angel?" He smirked, crossing his arms in mere amusement.
"No…" she began, but she managed a sly smile, "But I do happen to have a heavenly connection to a higher power." Becoming serious, "Look, Leo, you can't go and blame God for all the pain, all the hurt, all the sadness you've been feeling. It's not fair."
"Don't give me that stuff about how it's not fair for me to blame God when He can't come here and defend Himself… believe me, girl, I've watched enough 'Touched by an Angel' to know an 'angel speech' when I hear it."
Fiona fell silent, finding herself praying to God for guidance. She can't recall a time she had last prayed to God… maybe she should start. She looked at Leo, feeling a small light come to her.
"You're in love with this girl… but you're angry at yourself because you thought you had lost your chance to love her. And now, you're blaming the most easiest scapegoat man can find to blame all their troubles on, and that is God." Fiona approached him, "Leo, you haven't lost her yet. And as long as you remember her, and continue to love her in your heart, you'll never lose her."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Leo knew in his heart that this girl was speaking the truth… but his anger refused to hear it.
"Y'know, Leo… I fell in love with this wonderful guy… but now I'm starting to fear that I've lost my chance to tell him that. He told me *two* days ago, *two days* ago, that he was in love with me. That he loved me. Guess what I did."
He shook his head, causing Fiona to continue. "I did nothing but run. I couldn't face him because of my doubts. I was scared."
"What did you do?"
"I met someone who wanted to teach me a lesson about love. That not only is it kind, but it's also forgiving. And if you work hard enough, and trust enough in it, love can be forever. It can last even live pass death itself."
"That person must be really smart, huh?" Leo said, despite still feeling lousy.
"Actually, he introduced me to the woman who taught me about love. He was just a heavenly helper." Fiona took his hand, allowing him to hear what he needed to hear. "Don't hate God for taking Allison away from you. He loves you. He helped create that love you have for Ally. Don't be angry, Leo. Just love."
Leo nodded numbly, hearing the truth out of this total stranger's mouth. He honestly didn't know what to think or believe anymore. All he could do was feel… and he still felt angered by God. By the being that was taking his Allison away from him.
He violently shrugged Fiona away, staring daggers at her as he pushed her aside to leave. "If God loves me, He wouldn't be this cruel as to take an innocent life like Allison's away from those who love her."
Fiona watched as he left the church, her heart breaking because she felt that she had failed. Fi sank to the ground in total disbelief. Looking up, "Please, please, help get through to him."
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Heaven. She was in heaven, wasn't she? No one on earth could have such magnificent eyes like the ones she was staring into…
"This is the second time this week you scared the hell out of us, Ally."
"Leo?" Of course, who else would posses such love in one's eyes but her Leo. She reached up to caress his face lovingly. "I must be losing my touch then. Usually I'd have frightened you at least *four* times by now."
A chuckle escaped his lips. Taking her hand, he kissed it. Looking into her eyes, his own mirrored love and fear, "Don't you ever do that to me again, Ally. I can't bear to lose you. Not now, not ever."
Her voice was almost a whisper, her soul weakening with each passing moment. "I told you, I'm going to live *forever*."
Leo's voice was of dread as he answered, "But forever ends, doesn't it?"
"Unless you want it to end, it will." Sadness was in her voice when she said that, but it sparkled again as she added, "But in our case, it's never, Leo. I'm not going to let it. And neither are my boys. Especially you."
"I can't let you go, Allison." Tears emerged on his face, slowly descending down, "You can't die… you just *can't*!"
"My body will die, but my heart, my soul, love will live." Allison's eyes twinkled while still glimmering with tears, "God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He?"
"God can just drop out of the sky for all I care." Leo replied bitterly.
"Don't say things like that, Leo." She grew concerned with that comment. It wasn't like him to reply so harshly. "God isn't at fault for this. He's not to blame for my conditions…"
"Then why doesn't He stop it? Why couldn't He have healed you? Kill that cancer and not you?!" What he said next not only stunned Allison, but also caused her to shed more tears… for him. "I'm just surprised that God even exists."
"You don't mean that! Please tell me you don't mean that! Please?" Pleading, she grasped his hands, "I need you to believe in Him, Leo. Not for my sake, but for your *own*."
"Only for you I will…"
"No!" Her tired voice was forceful "No, not for me. For you, Leo. You and only you." She closed her eyes for a moment, causing fear in Leo's heart.
"Ally? Allison? What's wrong?"
Slowly, she opened her eyes, revealing warmth and hope. "Most people are lucky enough to have at least found their soul mate." She gazed past Leo and beamed at Jeff. "God blessed me with *two* soul mate…"
"Allison…" Leo heart began to sink, knowing that she was slowly slipping away.
"Two solutes… and *one* true love." She reached for him, bringing his lips to hers. She savored the sweet kiss, knowing it was to be her last. Pulling away, "I love you, Leo, know that and I'll will live for as long as you shall."
"And your memory will live forever, Allison Cole." Unknown to everyone but Allison, Luke, dressed in white, walked towards her. Hands reaching out for hers, "It's time, Ally. Time to go home."
"Allison? Ally?" Leo was frightened, watching Ally look far and away into an empty hospital corner.
She turned to him, "My Bartleby, my Leo. Tell Loki that I love him…"
"Loki loves you too, babe." Jeff, who had been asleep for a while, finally awoke just in time to hear her good-bye. He made his way towards her, a kiss on the forehead, and a bittersweet one on the lips. "Our Allison. Our soul mate. I love you."
Her eye lids became heavy, "Take care of Lucy for me, okay?"
He nodded, unable to speak for fear a sob will escape.
Allison took their hands in hers. One last time, before she closed her eyes one final time, she gazed around the room at the loves she'll leave behind. She couldn't bear to leave, but in her she knows that a little bit of her heart will remain in all of them.
Grasping onto Leo's hand one final time, she whispered, "God and I both love you. Don't shut him out, Leo. If you do, you'll die… and I'll die with you."
"And you want to live forever, don't you sweetheart?" He whispered back.
They smiled at each other before Allison Cole closed her vibrate, filled with life, onyx eyes one last time. Never to open them again.
Leo gazed up at the heavens, not meeting Daniel's eyes as his brother went about to do the hardest thing he himself has ever had to do. While Father Daniel gave Allison her last rites, Leo gave her his promise. In the back of his mind and heart, he heard Fiona's voice. Her advice. She was right, and Allison confirmed it for him.
Praying to his Father, Leo cried in his soul, "Please, Lord, take care of Ally for me."
Jeff clutched onto Leo for support. He held onto Jeff as well as they both whispered to their loving soul mate, "Sweet dreams, Ally."
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Brian and Jeff sat back in their chairs, waiting impatiently for their favorite priest, Father Daniel O'Meera, to finish writing his sermons.
Things had remained relatively quiet until…
"You bastard!"
The men all looked up at the person charging into the room. Bewildered eyes formed as they behold an enraged Leo.
"Why didn't you tell me that Allison was dying?!" Leo cried, his eyes dancing with despair and anger. He stalked up to his brother, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him violently against the wall.
"Leo?!!" Called out a stunned Jeff.
"Damn you, Daniel! Why didn't you tell me?! Why?!" With each passing second, his anger strengthened, his grip became just as deadly.
"You're gonna kill him, Leo!" Jeff and Brian tried to separate the two brothers, but Leo was still furious. True to the reference of his name, like the lion, his anger and sorrow wouldn't die. He fought off both Potter brothers by punching each guy in the rib cage.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room revealed an angel and his guest. Both watched in helplessness at the scene before them. Luke knew that he wasn't allowed to do anything about it, and he managed to hold his self control. Fiona, however, had to rely on Luke keeping her at bay. She never liked not getting involved in situations like these… but she knew she had to.
Leo's temper truly amazed him, but surprisingly was the fact that his brother wasn't fighting back. Sure, he was trying to refrain from mutilation at the hands of his younger sibling, but the priest made no attempt whatsoever to strike back in defense.
"Damn you, Daniel! Damn you… damn you…" He began to attack his brother with his fists. Blow after blow, strike after strike, Leo suddenly felt himself grow worn and weary. He was angry, but he was dying inside. He was tired, but most of all he was heartbroken.
Bruised as he was, Father Daniel held steady as he felt Leo falter. Soon, he cradled within his arms not a furious, angry, hurt young fighter, but a devastated, heartbroken spirit that was his little brother.
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For once in his life, Jeff felt hollow. A total empty shell of his former self. He glanced over at his best friend and a wave of sadness and guilt washed over him. If he felt this messed up, he could only guess how distressed Leo was.
An hour has passed for them as the truth of Ally's illness came to light. Daniel couldn't bear to be the bearer of bad news, but he now felt obligated to do so after his baby brother's outburst. What startled Jeff even more was the fact that his *own* brother also knew of the harsh reality set before them.
It pained them to see their siblings so lost and so broken over the news of their beloved's soon-to-be passing.
Both boys fell into silence as they stared down at the glistening water of their special pond.
"Guys?"
Jeff and Leo knew that heavenly voice all too well. They turned their heads and found themselves smiling at their earth angel… who would within days become a *real* angel.
It was overwhelming for Allison as she took in all the emotions her best friends poured over her. The minute they saw her, they had nearly knocked her over in an attempt to envelope her into a huge hug.
"I'm so glad to see that I'm so loved." She half-joked.
"And don't ever doubt that, Ally." Jeff kissed her on the forehead.
"Never." She giggled. "Especially considering the fact that you guys are *squeezing* me to death!"
They shyly released her, apologizing towards their aggressive action. "Sorry, Ally."
A silence swept over them, and it was Allison who broke it. "So, you know now, huh?"
"How could you keep something this serious from us, Allison?"
She winced as she noticed the hint of pain evident in Jeff's voice. "Because of this," she indicated towards their sullen attitude. "I knew the truth would destroy you more than this disease is killing me. Plus, I didn't want my last few days spent being stuck in a gloomy atmosphere of looming death and despair."
She walked over to the edge of the plank, arms outstretched as she gleefully declared to them, "I'm going to live forever!" The biggest smile was on her face, "I'm not going to die! I'm going to live forever and ever."
"Looks like someone took a little too much medication." Leo smirked.
"I mean it, guys. I've never been more serious in my whole entire life!"
"But you have cancer, Ally." Jeff painfully reminded her. "Pancreatic cancer already in its developed stage!"
"And as much as it pains me to say," added Leo. "You're dying, Ally."
She nodded her head sadly, "Yes, physically I am." The smile though never left her beautiful face, "But I'm going to live on." She walked towards them, her finger pointing at the higher left corner of their chests, "In your hearts. In your hearts, your souls, your memories. I'm never going to die!"
Laughing her unique laugh, she suddenly took off into the woods. Full of childhood wonder and joy, "Come and catch me!" she sang out to them.
They grinned at her, then at each other before they started to chase her, following her voice and laughter that was calling out to them.
"Don't mourn my death!"
Leo ran ahead of Jeff, closely watching her shadow and movement.
"Celebrate my life!"
Jeff saw a figure zigzag around a bunch of trees.
"I'm going to live FOREVER!"
Allison almost made it towards the edge of the forest when she gasped at the light blinding her. A sharp pain suddenly pierced her. Gasping for breath, feeling her legs start to weaken, Allison fell.
Light, careful arms caught her. She looked up at the faces, who stared down at her with total concern. One of them, a young woman that looked younger than her, took Allison's hand. The other one, a man who seemed like an angel with that kind smile of his, held her tight.
The woman whispered to Allison, "Don't be afraid, Allison. He's an angel… he'll take care of you."
Feeling the world start to shimmer into darkness, her own voice loosing its will to live, she asked, "Am I going to die now?"
The man shook his head, beaming dearly at her. "It's not your time to go yet, Allison. But soon."
"Just rest, Ally. You're in safe hands." The young woman said, just as Allison felt her world fall into deep darkness.
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Fiona quickly tied her shoes, anxious to get out of there and meet Luke. A part of her felt totally guilty about blowing off dinner with her family… but she had to be there for Allison, Jeff, and Leo. Once she had gotten a hold of her mom, she immediately told her that she had to meet a friend at the hospital. Her mother, Molly, was concerned at first… but Fi assured her that everything was all right and that she will be home before her eleven o'clock curfew.
She glanced at the clock, noticing that it was just a few minutes until seven. Luke will be there any minute. Fi knew that the time was near for her to help out with Luke's assignment.
Just as she was so close to leaving, the door swung open. Startled, she looked up, then breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of Annie.
"Annie, you scared me." Fiona smiled wearily at her. She got up, and reached for her bag when Annie snatched it up from her.
"Annie? Hey, give that back." She looked at her friend, stunned by her weird behavior.
"We need to talk, Fiona." Annie stared her friend down, refusing to let her leave.
"Annie, I don't have time for games. I need to leave… now."
"Clu is a great guy, Fiona. Why are you hurting him like this?"
Fiona stopped cold in her tracks, feeling as if she was punched in the gut and then slammed into an icy cold tub. Turning to Annie, "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Clu called for you again. He wanted to know why you didn't return any of his calls. He even left several messages on your cell phone."
Fi sighed, getting extremely irritated by her Law and Order interrogation. "Listen, Annie. Clu is *my* boyfriend. Our relationship is non of your business… so butt off!" She growled, daring the young woman to say another word.
"What's gotten into you, Fi?" Annie asked, fear peeking through her voice.
Snatching her bag right from under Annie, then grabbing her coat, "Look, Annie. I have a lot of things on my mind right now. I don't feel like discussing my love life at this moment…"
"Molly said that you're not coming to dinner tonight. Is that true?"
Almost out the door, "Yes."
"Why?"
Fiona turned, looking Annie square in the eye. Annie was startled to discover sadness in her eyes. "I have to visit a friend."
Annie watched as Fi left the room, her exit a total mystery left in the dark. Sighing, she headed towards the bathroom to freshen up when the phone began to ring. She knew immediately who it was.
"Hello?… Hey, Clu… yeah, it's me, Annie again… I'm sorry, Clu… Yeah, our Fiona is definitely M.I.A…"
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It seemed like a dream. Never could he have imagined a free spirit like Allison hooked up to an I.V., surrounded by all those sterile and cold machines.
Leo took her innocent form in slumber. "Come back to us, Ally. Don't leave me yet. Don't leave me ever."
Even to declare that he was in love with her would be a sin, for what he felt right now was much more stronger, more real and true.
He glanced around the room, his eyes falling upon everyone present. Jeff was in one corner, consoling Ally's sixteen year old sister, Lucy. A smile formed in his heart as he recalled Ally having said that "If anything, I'd say that Jeff was more in love with *that* Cole sister instead of this one."
Sadness stirred within Leo. At least Jeff will have Lucy, but what about him? Yes, Jeff loved Allison just as much as Leo does, but there was one huge difference. Jeff wasn't deeply in love with Ally. In love, maybe one time, but not heartbreakingly deep in the soul, would move heaven, earth, and time for her, soul mates in love with her like Leo was. In fact, how could he find the true words to explain how he felt? It just wasn't real, but yet it is.
Standing just across her bed from him stood his brother. He wasn't only here as Daniel, her "big brother" in heart and soul, but as *Father* Daniel, her priest. The man that was to give her final rites. Leo hated Daniel for wearing that collar and holding that bible and cross. If his brother had to say her rites, Leo would immediately leave the room. He couldn't bear to hear it. For hearing it would make Ally's death final.
Brian was at the side of the Coles. Allison's parents felt helpless as they looked over at their eldest daughter, knowing that there is nothing in this world that could prevent her passing. The only thing they could do now… was pray.
"To hell with God," he sneered in his mind. Leo hated God most of all. How could someone like Him just take a precious life like Allison's away? A kind and generous God? Yeah, right.
He couldn't take it. Tears threatened to break through. "I can't do this." He muttered, standing and heading towards the door.
"Leo? Where are you going?" Daniel feared for his brother's emotional state.
"Going to take a walk, Dan." Was all he said, all he could say. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He added, just before he left the room… and his heart.
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She watched as he stood before the hospital's church alter, gazing heavenward for a sign. In his heart was anger, but also confusion, despair, and most of all, love.
"What has she done to deserve this, God? What have *I* done to deserve losing her?" He cried out to the heavens.
"God doesn't hurt people in spite, Leo. Don't you dare blame God just because you're angry and scared."
Leo turned around, coming face to face with someone around Lucy's age. She looked at him with total compassion. He almost felt as if she knew exactly what he was upset over.
"I thought I was alone in here."
She walked up to him, extending her hand. "My name's Fiona. And I know that you're Leo. And that you're hurting very much."
"What are you? Some kind of angel?" He smirked, crossing his arms in mere amusement.
"No…" she began, but she managed a sly smile, "But I do happen to have a heavenly connection to a higher power." Becoming serious, "Look, Leo, you can't go and blame God for all the pain, all the hurt, all the sadness you've been feeling. It's not fair."
"Don't give me that stuff about how it's not fair for me to blame God when He can't come here and defend Himself… believe me, girl, I've watched enough 'Touched by an Angel' to know an 'angel speech' when I hear it."
Fiona fell silent, finding herself praying to God for guidance. She can't recall a time she had last prayed to God… maybe she should start. She looked at Leo, feeling a small light come to her.
"You're in love with this girl… but you're angry at yourself because you thought you had lost your chance to love her. And now, you're blaming the most easiest scapegoat man can find to blame all their troubles on, and that is God." Fiona approached him, "Leo, you haven't lost her yet. And as long as you remember her, and continue to love her in your heart, you'll never lose her."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Leo knew in his heart that this girl was speaking the truth… but his anger refused to hear it.
"Y'know, Leo… I fell in love with this wonderful guy… but now I'm starting to fear that I've lost my chance to tell him that. He told me *two* days ago, *two days* ago, that he was in love with me. That he loved me. Guess what I did."
He shook his head, causing Fiona to continue. "I did nothing but run. I couldn't face him because of my doubts. I was scared."
"What did you do?"
"I met someone who wanted to teach me a lesson about love. That not only is it kind, but it's also forgiving. And if you work hard enough, and trust enough in it, love can be forever. It can last even live pass death itself."
"That person must be really smart, huh?" Leo said, despite still feeling lousy.
"Actually, he introduced me to the woman who taught me about love. He was just a heavenly helper." Fiona took his hand, allowing him to hear what he needed to hear. "Don't hate God for taking Allison away from you. He loves you. He helped create that love you have for Ally. Don't be angry, Leo. Just love."
Leo nodded numbly, hearing the truth out of this total stranger's mouth. He honestly didn't know what to think or believe anymore. All he could do was feel… and he still felt angered by God. By the being that was taking his Allison away from him.
He violently shrugged Fiona away, staring daggers at her as he pushed her aside to leave. "If God loves me, He wouldn't be this cruel as to take an innocent life like Allison's away from those who love her."
Fiona watched as he left the church, her heart breaking because she felt that she had failed. Fi sank to the ground in total disbelief. Looking up, "Please, please, help get through to him."
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Heaven. She was in heaven, wasn't she? No one on earth could have such magnificent eyes like the ones she was staring into…
"This is the second time this week you scared the hell out of us, Ally."
"Leo?" Of course, who else would posses such love in one's eyes but her Leo. She reached up to caress his face lovingly. "I must be losing my touch then. Usually I'd have frightened you at least *four* times by now."
A chuckle escaped his lips. Taking her hand, he kissed it. Looking into her eyes, his own mirrored love and fear, "Don't you ever do that to me again, Ally. I can't bear to lose you. Not now, not ever."
Her voice was almost a whisper, her soul weakening with each passing moment. "I told you, I'm going to live *forever*."
Leo's voice was of dread as he answered, "But forever ends, doesn't it?"
"Unless you want it to end, it will." Sadness was in her voice when she said that, but it sparkled again as she added, "But in our case, it's never, Leo. I'm not going to let it. And neither are my boys. Especially you."
"I can't let you go, Allison." Tears emerged on his face, slowly descending down, "You can't die… you just *can't*!"
"My body will die, but my heart, my soul, love will live." Allison's eyes twinkled while still glimmering with tears, "God works in mysterious ways, doesn't He?"
"God can just drop out of the sky for all I care." Leo replied bitterly.
"Don't say things like that, Leo." She grew concerned with that comment. It wasn't like him to reply so harshly. "God isn't at fault for this. He's not to blame for my conditions…"
"Then why doesn't He stop it? Why couldn't He have healed you? Kill that cancer and not you?!" What he said next not only stunned Allison, but also caused her to shed more tears… for him. "I'm just surprised that God even exists."
"You don't mean that! Please tell me you don't mean that! Please?" Pleading, she grasped his hands, "I need you to believe in Him, Leo. Not for my sake, but for your *own*."
"Only for you I will…"
"No!" Her tired voice was forceful "No, not for me. For you, Leo. You and only you." She closed her eyes for a moment, causing fear in Leo's heart.
"Ally? Allison? What's wrong?"
Slowly, she opened her eyes, revealing warmth and hope. "Most people are lucky enough to have at least found their soul mate." She gazed past Leo and beamed at Jeff. "God blessed me with *two* soul mate…"
"Allison…" Leo heart began to sink, knowing that she was slowly slipping away.
"Two solutes… and *one* true love." She reached for him, bringing his lips to hers. She savored the sweet kiss, knowing it was to be her last. Pulling away, "I love you, Leo, know that and I'll will live for as long as you shall."
"And your memory will live forever, Allison Cole." Unknown to everyone but Allison, Luke, dressed in white, walked towards her. Hands reaching out for hers, "It's time, Ally. Time to go home."
"Allison? Ally?" Leo was frightened, watching Ally look far and away into an empty hospital corner.
She turned to him, "My Bartleby, my Leo. Tell Loki that I love him…"
"Loki loves you too, babe." Jeff, who had been asleep for a while, finally awoke just in time to hear her good-bye. He made his way towards her, a kiss on the forehead, and a bittersweet one on the lips. "Our Allison. Our soul mate. I love you."
Her eye lids became heavy, "Take care of Lucy for me, okay?"
He nodded, unable to speak for fear a sob will escape.
Allison took their hands in hers. One last time, before she closed her eyes one final time, she gazed around the room at the loves she'll leave behind. She couldn't bear to leave, but in her she knows that a little bit of her heart will remain in all of them.
Grasping onto Leo's hand one final time, she whispered, "God and I both love you. Don't shut him out, Leo. If you do, you'll die… and I'll die with you."
"And you want to live forever, don't you sweetheart?" He whispered back.
They smiled at each other before Allison Cole closed her vibrate, filled with life, onyx eyes one last time. Never to open them again.
Leo gazed up at the heavens, not meeting Daniel's eyes as his brother went about to do the hardest thing he himself has ever had to do. While Father Daniel gave Allison her last rites, Leo gave her his promise. In the back of his mind and heart, he heard Fiona's voice. Her advice. She was right, and Allison confirmed it for him.
Praying to his Father, Leo cried in his soul, "Please, Lord, take care of Ally for me."
Jeff clutched onto Leo for support. He held onto Jeff as well as they both whispered to their loving soul mate, "Sweet dreams, Ally."
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