*Lucy's P.O.V.*
I tried to remain cheerful when we got back to the waiting room, which was beginning to feel like a second home to me. "Hey, guys, let's play a game," I suggested. My idea was met with groans, but Kevin and Simon eventually agreed to play Trivial Pursuit with me. We had been playing for about 20 minutes when Robbie and Ruthie arrived. "Come on, play with us! Ok, Simon, which part of an egg becomes the chicken, the white or the yoke?"
"Lucy, I don't care! I don't want to play stupid board games! Dad might be dying!" he yelled, knocking the board on the floor.
"Ok, ok you're right. I'm sorry. We're all tired and stressed. Let's try to go to sleep."
"What if something happens and we don't find out in time?" Ruthie asked.
"Mom will come get us", I assured her. Everyone nodded and I went to ask a nurse for some blankets. I returned to the room, handed them out, and curled up on the couch with Kevin. Maybe when I fell asleep I could forget how scared I was.
"Lucy! Hey Luce!" I tried to ignore Kevin even though it was hard with him nudging my arm. I was tired, and for some reason that I couldn't quite remember, I didn't want to get up.
"Go away," I mumbled, trying to pull the covers over my head. Just leave me alone!
"Your mom is here, you need to wake up!" he insisted urgently.
I finally found the energy to lift my head off the pillow. Kevin was sitting next to me on the couch, shaking my arm. Robbie, Simon, and Ruthie were still asleep in their chairs. My mom was standing in front of me, and she was crying. "Lucy, your father is dying. He has maybe 2 hours to live before his heart gives out. He wants to talk to you."
"Ok," I muttered sleepily, not really comprehending what she was telling me. I still couldn't remember why I hadn't wanted to wake up.
"Lucy! Do you understand what I said?" My mother had grabbed my arm, and I wished she would let go.
"Yeah," I answered yawning. "Let's go."
"Lucy!," Kevin almost yelled, grabbing me by the shoulders. "Your father is dying. Dying! Do you understand?"
I stared at him blankly for a moment before the memories of the previous day came rushing back. 'Your father is dying!' He was dying! No, not yet, I'm not ready! I thought in a panic. I would have fallen over if Kevin didn't still have me by the shoulders. I buried my face in his chest and began to sob. What do I do, what do I do? What do I say? How do you talk to your father when he could die any minute?
My mother cleared her throat and came over to us. "I'm sorry Lucy, but he'll only be alert for another hour or so. Please go talk to him now if you want to. But don't feel pressured. You don't have to go."
"I-I'm going," I choked out, shakily heading for the door.
When I got to my father's door, I hesitated, unsure if I should go in or not. I wanted to remember him looking happy and healthy, not sick and dying. After a moment I decided that if I passed up my opportunity to say goodbye I would regret it for the rest of my life. I pushed open the door and took a deep breath before entering. My father was lying on the bed, eyes closed, face pale. There were IVs coming out of his arms and wires attached to his chest. If I hadn't been able to see the slow rise and fall of his chest, I would have thought he was already dead.
"Dad," I asked quietly. I saw his eyes open.
"Luce, come here, so I can see you." I was shocked by the hoarse whispery sound that came out of his mouth, but I obeyed. "You're so beautiful," he continued, and I could see the tears in his eyes. "Don't forget that. And you can do anything you want in life. Do you know how happy it made me when you said you wanted to be a minister? I was so proud. I bragged to everyone at church about you. I can't think of anyone who would be better at it than you. You're so caring and sensitive." I could tell that he was getting weaker, but he kept talking after taking my hand. "I regret not being able to see you become a minister, and to never see your wedding day, but remember, I'll always be with you. I love you."
By now tears were streaming down both of our faces. "I love you too Dad. I'll miss you so much. I promise I'll be the best minister that I can. I want to make you proud, Dad. I'll think about you everyday. You were my inspiration. You mean so much to me." I broke off and wrapped my arms around my father. We stayed like that, hugging and crying, for ten minutes, but it felt like ten seconds. I never wanted to let go, never wanted to lose the safe, loved feeling I got when I was in his arms. But I knew I had to. "I love you, Dad," I whispered before leaving the room.
*Simon's P.O.V.*
I woke up to the sound of sobbing. I opened my eyes and saw Lucy fall into Kevin's arms. After a minute she left the room. I sat up sleepily and looked over at my mom. She was also crying. Uh, oh I thought this can't be good. "What's wrong?"
"Your father is dying," mom told me gently, sitting down next to me. "After Lucy gets back, you can tell him goodbye."
Oh my God My father is dying! I wanted to throw up. I need to apologize. I grabbed my mothers hand and asked, my voice shaking, "How long?"
"A few hours." Too soon! I'm not ready. It seemed like hours before Lucy came back. I tried not to notice how distraught she looked as Kevin wrapped his arms around her. I took off toward my dads room and almost ran into the door. I paused to catch my breath before going in, but when I did I gasped.
He looked so sick lying helplessly in the bed. So different than he had the day before. "Dad!," I gasped running over to his bed. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I wont be happy without you. I'll be miserable! You're a great father and I love and respect you. I didn't mean it!" Without meaning to I had begun to cry, but it didn't matter because he was too.
"Simon," he said weakly. "I know. I know you didn't mean it. But I forgive you. I love you. I know you've had a rough year, but I am so proud of you. I know you had a difficult decision to make a couple of weeks ago, but I never doubted that you made the right one. You're a good person and you have the potential to be very successful."
"Dad, I know you wondered what happened that night. I took my friend's baby to the hospital so that she would be safe. I couldn't take the risk that my friend might abandon the baby, so I offered to help."
"And that is what makes you such a great person." Hearing my father's praise and knowing that I had his approval was an amazing feeling. I had begun to doubt that he was proud of me over the last few years, and it was such a relief to know I was wrong. "I love you, Dad. I'll miss you forever."
"I love you too, son,"
I hope you liked this chapter. Sorry I had Eric die! Please review! And thanks to the people who already did!