~A/N~ I want to thank my reviewers again for your generous comments. You
make this story worth writing and putting up for you to read! I again ask,
if you read this please review. It helps! Thanks! So, there is this chapter
and then two more and the story is done- it's been a hard one to write but
I'm pretty much done. I've actually been crying writing it- how sad is that
to cry at your own story!? Hehe. Well, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own any Roswell but the story is MINE.
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~ The next day ~
The pain didn't go away and Maggie had taken control. Ignoring Maria's pleas she made plane reservations to send Maria back to Chicago for that afternoon.
Maria watched as Don packed her things up from the bed and sighed dreading her return. Right when she was starting to have fun her time had come.
For weeks Maria had known this stage of her disease wasn't far off. Where she would no longer be able to go about ordinary life and would be confined to the house.
One hour before she was to leave for the airport Maria dialed up Liz's number and waited nervously until finally Liz answered the phone.
"Ria?" Liz questioned when she recognized Maria's voice. "Ria, Michael is going crazy! What's wrong? Please tell me what's wrong?"
"I- I'm very sick Liz. I have to go back to Chicago. I can't stay here anymore. I- I can't explain it now but I swear I'll call you when I get to Chicago."
"You're leaving now?" Liz asked shocked, "I don't get to see you before you leave? Michael is so worried Maria. Please just tell me what's wrong so I can calm him down. He's been calling every hour to see if you've called me."
"Please Liz, don't tell Michael I've left yet. At least not until tomorrow. I just have to go. I can't tell you why- not yet. Just please trust me and don't tell Michael?"
Liz paused before finally answering. "OK Maria, whatever you want. Goodbye, we'll miss you. You mean a lot to all of us Maria and it means even more that you pledged to keep the promise." Maria could hear the sincerity in Liz's voice and she smiled as she listened.
"Goodbye Liz and thank you too. You invited me into your world like no one has ever done in the past. Thank you so much and goodbye."
Maria hung up and immediately let the tears that had been clogging her voice go. Horrendous sobs shook through her body at what she knew she had just lost. She had just said goodbye for eternity. Liz didn't realize that she was never going to see Maria again- and Maria couldn't bear to think that she was never coming back to Roswell.
~ A week or so later ~
The flight had gone smoothly and the last few days had been a whirlwind of doctors, tests, and pain.
Maria's mother had been white as chalk as she looked at her when Maria was first picked up at the airport. Maria knew she didn't look good anymore. Her face had grown hollow and the skin seemed to be merely resting on the bones. The deep circles under her eyes had grown darker over just a few days and Maria had gotten impossibly skinny landing herself at a weight of about 80 pounds.
It had been Maria's wish from the beginning to not die in the hospital and much to her mother's protest and dismay, Maria was set up on the hospice program. A personal nurse was hired to take care of Maria during the day when her mother went off to work and life went on. Maria refused to die in a place she hated so much. A place of pain and longing that she never wanted to see again.
The days were monotonously boring and dull. Watching TV and reading book after book trying not to think of what was to come. She had called Liz on one of the first days back in Chicago and when she had told her Liz had cried and begged Maria to call her again before it was too late. Maria had promised even though the last thing she wanted to do was to talk to people who had known her as a lively and vivacious person.
The thing that was hardest was trying to not think about Michael. She had just gotten through to him. She had finally gotten Michael to open himself up to her and what happened? She got sick again. Her sickness seemed to come at the worst times- it knew just when it would be least convenient for it to swoop in and take her away from everything that mattered. Maria tried not to think about the fact that this time, sickness would swoop her away for good.
~ Meanwhile, back in Roswell ~
Michael pounded on the door impatiently and waited for an answer. Liz opened it up and the minute she saw Michael her expression fell.
"Michael, please. You know I can't tell you! She begged me not to tell you so please don't make me." Liz pleaded desperately.
"Liz I need to know!" Michael said taking a step into the apartment as Liz closed the door. "Lizzy, please I need you to tell me. Maria- Maria meant something to me. No one has meant something to me for so long and you know that so please, don't take the one thing that means something to me away."
Liz looked at him and the expression on his face tore her heart. "I'm not the one that's going to take her away," she whispered her voice barely audible.
Michael looked at her confused and began to slowly pace across the room, "what are you talking about? Please just tell me Liz!"
Liz shook her head and threw up her hands, "don't you get it Michael? Can't you see? She isn't ever coming back! Maria will never come back!"
Michael stopped pacing and looked at Liz. Slowly the pieces began to fall into place. 'My father died not long ago- cancer.' Maria's words rushed back to him and slowly other bits of conversation came back to him. The way her aunt had seemed so worried the day Maria fainted and the night she got so sick. The way Maria always looked so tired and frail and the way she would always brush it off like it was nothing. 'I'm not the one that is going to take her away,' Liz had said.
Cancer had killed her father and for some reason Michael understood everything now. Cancer was going to kill Maria too.
~ One week later ~
Maria sighed as she watched the credits come on, sad that the show was over and sad that she would have to find something else to do now. Watching the reruns of Friends had always been hard but they brought back happy memories for Maria and she didn't have too many of those left.
Suddenly Mrs. Barnes, or as she insisted Maria call her Susan, appeared in the doorway and Maria could tell something was up.
"What's wrong?" She asked worried, "is my mother alright?"
"Oh dear, no it's nothing like that," Susan said looking guilty for having worried Maria. "There's someone here to see you," she said glancing back toward the family room.
Maria groaned, "I don't want to see another doctor Susan. Haven't they figured out yet that there's nothing they can do for me? Please just insist he go away?"
"I did Maria. He insists he come in and see you," Mrs. Barnes said looking apologetic.
"OK, let him come in then but warn him I look like death run over," Maria said and watched as a smile spread across Susan's face before she left the room to go and fetch the doctor.
Maria fixed her eyes on the TV screen and watched as a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond started. She smiled, she enjoyed that show too. She enjoyed anything that made her forget what was going on.
"Maria," the voice said from the doorway and Maria felt her heart quicken. She recognized that voice and it wasn't any doctor. Quickly she turned her eyes and her gaze fell on Michael.
"MICHAEL! Michael what are you doing here?" She screamed frantically trying to duck under the covers, the effort causing to pant from over exertion. In three long strides Michael was across the room and crouching next to her.
"Maria look at me!" He insisted trying to pry the covers from her hands. "Please Maria."
"Michael I look terrible, please. I don't want you to see me like this. I can't let this be the way you remember me." She sobbed still hiding under the covers.
Michael sighed, "are you serious? You look beautiful Maria. I don't care how sick you get you'll always look beautiful to me." He admitted and listened as the sobs ceased abruptly and Maria looked out from under the covers.
"Yeah right Guerin, you're such a terrible liar." She said glumly but couldn't suppress the small smile that formed on her lips. "Why are you here?"
"Did you honestly expect me to stay away?" He asked as he pulled the chair over and sat down next to the bed taking her hand in his. "Liz told me some things and I had to come." Maria's mouth opened to protest but Michael held up his hand to stop her. "I made her tell me and she didn't tell me anything about you being sick. I figured that out myself."
Maria shook her head, "how did you figure it out? How did you even find me?"
"I just remembered what you said about your dad and I- I put two and two together Maria. I had to find you so I did. If I am determined to do something I will- never doubt me."
Maria looked at him and saw the sadness in his eyes. His sadness went deep and it effected him more than Maria had ever seen him affected. "Michael, it's going to be OK. I know-"
"No Maria it will never be OK! Don't you see? You're going to leave- you're going to leave just like Max," Maria watched as tears sprung to Michael's eyes. "How can I lose you Maria? How?" He asked desperately seeking an answer.
Maria began to say something when she saw Susan enter the room looking at the boy questioningly.
"Maria, would you like me to make him leave?" She asked suspiciously and instantly Maria shook her head.
"No Susan, Michael is a friend. My mother will be home soon and I want her to meet him anyway," she glanced at Michael and saw him regaining his composure.
"She just arrived dear and should be up any minute. Would you like me to send her in?" Mrs. Barnes asked glancing at Michael still unsure of what to do about the young boy who had lied to be able to see Maria.
"Please do Susan, thank you." Maria said and waited until she left. "Michael, I really want you to meet my mother."
Michael nodded and answered, "I really want to meet her too Maria."
Just then Maria's mother rushed in and her gaze darted quickly from Maria to Michael and back to Maria. "Maria, Mrs. Barnes said you wanted to speak to me?" She asked glancing at Michael again.
"Mom, I wanted you to meet Michael. Michael is from Roswell, I met him when I went to visit Aunt Maggie and Uncle Don a few weeks ago."
Maria watched as Michael raised to his feet and held out his hand, "I'm Michael Guerin. It's nice to finally meet you Mrs. DeLuca."
Maria smiled at the way her mother looked impressed at the boy's politeness and was happy Michael had worked his charm on her.
"It's nice to meet you Michael, I'm Amy DeLuca and you can just call me Amy. Will you be staying for dinner Michael?" Instantly Maria knew her mother liked Michael because she hardly ever invited people into their home.
"I would love to. There are some things I need to talk to you about anyway so dinner would be great." Michael said and smiled at her mother. Briefly Maria wondered what exactly Michael had to talk about.
~ Dinner ~
Maria had insisted they eat in the dining room and slowly she made the painful trip to the table to sit with them. Usually her mother would set up a table in Maria's room and they would eat there so Maria wouldn't have to make the trek to the table. Maria wanted the best for Michael though and she definitely wanted to be around him as much as possible before he left Chicago.
"So Michael, you're from Roswell then? How is it going down there?" Amy asked once they were all seated.
"Well, it's of course summer so it's especially hot and muggy but it's been good. Pretty dull since Maria left but OK." Michael said smiling at Maria as he spoke.
"She certainly did have fun when she was there. I'm glad she was able to have some fun. So how long are you expecting to stay?"
"Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking of staying in Chicago on a permanent basis. At least for awhile and I was hoping you would allow me to see Maria while I'm here."
The news shocked Maria and she looked toward her mother to see what she would say. Michael wanted to stay? Maria knew exactly what he meant by a permanent basis. Michael wanted to stay until she died. It was morbid but it touched her heart and made her care for him even more.
"Why of course you can see Maria Michael but where were you planning on staying?" Amy asked also surprised he wanted to stick around until the end.
"Well, I was just planning on getting a hotel room or something and then coming over every day to see Maria if that-"
"No, no. That won't do at all. Hotel prices in Chicago aren't like Roswell, they're horrendous and you would never find a suitable one for a price you can afford. You'll stay in the guest room," her mother decided nodding her head. "Yes, you'll stay in the guest room for as long as you like and then you'll be able to see Maria whenever you want.
"Are you sure Mrs. DeLuca because honestly I can stay in a hotel. I have money saved up and I don't want to impend on your family." Michael explained.
"First of all Michael, just call me Amy. Secondly, I wouldn't have one of Maria's close friends staying in a hotel in downtown Chicago. They aren't safe and they aren't cheap I don't care how much money you have saved up. It won't be any trouble at all and we'd be glad to have you." She glanced over at Maria's smiling face. "Anyone that makes my Maria happy is allowed to stay as long as he wants."
~ Later that night ~
Michael had been quickly set up in the small guest room that used to be her father's office. He had unpacked his small suitcase as Maria slept and when he was done he quietly crept into her room and sat back down in the chair next to her bed.
He couldn't fathom what was going to happen. Her appearance had changed dramatically since he had seen her last. Her once rosy cheeks were pale and hollow. The circles under her eyes had grown and her clothes hung loosely off her gaunt and impossibly thin body.
Slowly he took her hand in his and sighed. Even in her state she was still beautiful to him and lying there sleeping she looked almost like an angel.
He felt her move slightly and her eyes opened focusing in on him. A smile slowly spread across her face as she took a deep breath and Michael could see how tired coming to dinner had made her.
"Michael," she said her voice almost a whisper. "I'm so glad you're here Michael."
Michael tried to smile at her and his effort was unsuccessful as he looked at her thin frame. All at once a thought of her dying hit him and he felt his stomach flip.
"What?" Maria asked worriedly at the sad expression on his face. "Don't you go and be sad for me Michael. It's all going to be alright," she said smiling at him and it amazed him how she could stay so positive when every breath cost her extreme effort.
"No Maria," Michael shook his head quickly. "It's not going to be ok. I- I just can't stop thinking about what happened to Max." Michael said shaking his head and trying to clear out the thoughts.
"Michael, I know it's hard to accept what is going to happen to me and I know how hard it was for you when Max died but we have to make what we can of what time is left. We can't dwell over the future. We have to live in the present."
Michael looked at her and again shook his head. "Maria, there is something I never told you about when Max died. When he died all his powers were supposed to be transferred to me. I was his second in command- that's what was supposed to happen." He stopped abruptly and Maria watched as tears brimmed Michael's eyes. "They all were, every single one. . . except for the most important one of all. For some reason I didn't get his power to heal."
Suddenly Maria understood and she felt her heart clench in her chest. Michael felt guilty because he could never save her. "Oh Michael. . ." She let her sentence trail off.
"So I can't save you and I couldn't save Max. Max can't even save you because he's dead! It's not fair Maria! It's not fair you have to die so young and it's not fair that Max already is gone! How can God take the two nicest people that ever lived? The only two people who I ever loved? How?" He asked frantically and Maria watched as the tears poured down his face.
Quickly she reached over and took his hand, gently tugging on it telling him to come and sit on the bed. He slid over and she wrapped him in a hug letting him cry on her shoulder as she gently rocked back and forth.
"Oh Michael, I know it's hard." Maria felt the knot growing in her throat as a tear slipped from her eye. "I know it's hard but you're here now. The one other person I love is going to be with me when I die and that's more than I could ever ask for."
He looked up at her and sighed. "I love you so much Maria. . ." he let his sentence trail off as he looked up at her. Slowly he raised his lips and kissed her softly, savoring her and trying to take everything in. The feel of her in his arms, the taste of her lips, the smell of her hair- all the things he knew he would forget when she was gone.
Disclaimer: I don't own any Roswell but the story is MINE.
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~ The next day ~
The pain didn't go away and Maggie had taken control. Ignoring Maria's pleas she made plane reservations to send Maria back to Chicago for that afternoon.
Maria watched as Don packed her things up from the bed and sighed dreading her return. Right when she was starting to have fun her time had come.
For weeks Maria had known this stage of her disease wasn't far off. Where she would no longer be able to go about ordinary life and would be confined to the house.
One hour before she was to leave for the airport Maria dialed up Liz's number and waited nervously until finally Liz answered the phone.
"Ria?" Liz questioned when she recognized Maria's voice. "Ria, Michael is going crazy! What's wrong? Please tell me what's wrong?"
"I- I'm very sick Liz. I have to go back to Chicago. I can't stay here anymore. I- I can't explain it now but I swear I'll call you when I get to Chicago."
"You're leaving now?" Liz asked shocked, "I don't get to see you before you leave? Michael is so worried Maria. Please just tell me what's wrong so I can calm him down. He's been calling every hour to see if you've called me."
"Please Liz, don't tell Michael I've left yet. At least not until tomorrow. I just have to go. I can't tell you why- not yet. Just please trust me and don't tell Michael?"
Liz paused before finally answering. "OK Maria, whatever you want. Goodbye, we'll miss you. You mean a lot to all of us Maria and it means even more that you pledged to keep the promise." Maria could hear the sincerity in Liz's voice and she smiled as she listened.
"Goodbye Liz and thank you too. You invited me into your world like no one has ever done in the past. Thank you so much and goodbye."
Maria hung up and immediately let the tears that had been clogging her voice go. Horrendous sobs shook through her body at what she knew she had just lost. She had just said goodbye for eternity. Liz didn't realize that she was never going to see Maria again- and Maria couldn't bear to think that she was never coming back to Roswell.
~ A week or so later ~
The flight had gone smoothly and the last few days had been a whirlwind of doctors, tests, and pain.
Maria's mother had been white as chalk as she looked at her when Maria was first picked up at the airport. Maria knew she didn't look good anymore. Her face had grown hollow and the skin seemed to be merely resting on the bones. The deep circles under her eyes had grown darker over just a few days and Maria had gotten impossibly skinny landing herself at a weight of about 80 pounds.
It had been Maria's wish from the beginning to not die in the hospital and much to her mother's protest and dismay, Maria was set up on the hospice program. A personal nurse was hired to take care of Maria during the day when her mother went off to work and life went on. Maria refused to die in a place she hated so much. A place of pain and longing that she never wanted to see again.
The days were monotonously boring and dull. Watching TV and reading book after book trying not to think of what was to come. She had called Liz on one of the first days back in Chicago and when she had told her Liz had cried and begged Maria to call her again before it was too late. Maria had promised even though the last thing she wanted to do was to talk to people who had known her as a lively and vivacious person.
The thing that was hardest was trying to not think about Michael. She had just gotten through to him. She had finally gotten Michael to open himself up to her and what happened? She got sick again. Her sickness seemed to come at the worst times- it knew just when it would be least convenient for it to swoop in and take her away from everything that mattered. Maria tried not to think about the fact that this time, sickness would swoop her away for good.
~ Meanwhile, back in Roswell ~
Michael pounded on the door impatiently and waited for an answer. Liz opened it up and the minute she saw Michael her expression fell.
"Michael, please. You know I can't tell you! She begged me not to tell you so please don't make me." Liz pleaded desperately.
"Liz I need to know!" Michael said taking a step into the apartment as Liz closed the door. "Lizzy, please I need you to tell me. Maria- Maria meant something to me. No one has meant something to me for so long and you know that so please, don't take the one thing that means something to me away."
Liz looked at him and the expression on his face tore her heart. "I'm not the one that's going to take her away," she whispered her voice barely audible.
Michael looked at her confused and began to slowly pace across the room, "what are you talking about? Please just tell me Liz!"
Liz shook her head and threw up her hands, "don't you get it Michael? Can't you see? She isn't ever coming back! Maria will never come back!"
Michael stopped pacing and looked at Liz. Slowly the pieces began to fall into place. 'My father died not long ago- cancer.' Maria's words rushed back to him and slowly other bits of conversation came back to him. The way her aunt had seemed so worried the day Maria fainted and the night she got so sick. The way Maria always looked so tired and frail and the way she would always brush it off like it was nothing. 'I'm not the one that is going to take her away,' Liz had said.
Cancer had killed her father and for some reason Michael understood everything now. Cancer was going to kill Maria too.
~ One week later ~
Maria sighed as she watched the credits come on, sad that the show was over and sad that she would have to find something else to do now. Watching the reruns of Friends had always been hard but they brought back happy memories for Maria and she didn't have too many of those left.
Suddenly Mrs. Barnes, or as she insisted Maria call her Susan, appeared in the doorway and Maria could tell something was up.
"What's wrong?" She asked worried, "is my mother alright?"
"Oh dear, no it's nothing like that," Susan said looking guilty for having worried Maria. "There's someone here to see you," she said glancing back toward the family room.
Maria groaned, "I don't want to see another doctor Susan. Haven't they figured out yet that there's nothing they can do for me? Please just insist he go away?"
"I did Maria. He insists he come in and see you," Mrs. Barnes said looking apologetic.
"OK, let him come in then but warn him I look like death run over," Maria said and watched as a smile spread across Susan's face before she left the room to go and fetch the doctor.
Maria fixed her eyes on the TV screen and watched as a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond started. She smiled, she enjoyed that show too. She enjoyed anything that made her forget what was going on.
"Maria," the voice said from the doorway and Maria felt her heart quicken. She recognized that voice and it wasn't any doctor. Quickly she turned her eyes and her gaze fell on Michael.
"MICHAEL! Michael what are you doing here?" She screamed frantically trying to duck under the covers, the effort causing to pant from over exertion. In three long strides Michael was across the room and crouching next to her.
"Maria look at me!" He insisted trying to pry the covers from her hands. "Please Maria."
"Michael I look terrible, please. I don't want you to see me like this. I can't let this be the way you remember me." She sobbed still hiding under the covers.
Michael sighed, "are you serious? You look beautiful Maria. I don't care how sick you get you'll always look beautiful to me." He admitted and listened as the sobs ceased abruptly and Maria looked out from under the covers.
"Yeah right Guerin, you're such a terrible liar." She said glumly but couldn't suppress the small smile that formed on her lips. "Why are you here?"
"Did you honestly expect me to stay away?" He asked as he pulled the chair over and sat down next to the bed taking her hand in his. "Liz told me some things and I had to come." Maria's mouth opened to protest but Michael held up his hand to stop her. "I made her tell me and she didn't tell me anything about you being sick. I figured that out myself."
Maria shook her head, "how did you figure it out? How did you even find me?"
"I just remembered what you said about your dad and I- I put two and two together Maria. I had to find you so I did. If I am determined to do something I will- never doubt me."
Maria looked at him and saw the sadness in his eyes. His sadness went deep and it effected him more than Maria had ever seen him affected. "Michael, it's going to be OK. I know-"
"No Maria it will never be OK! Don't you see? You're going to leave- you're going to leave just like Max," Maria watched as tears sprung to Michael's eyes. "How can I lose you Maria? How?" He asked desperately seeking an answer.
Maria began to say something when she saw Susan enter the room looking at the boy questioningly.
"Maria, would you like me to make him leave?" She asked suspiciously and instantly Maria shook her head.
"No Susan, Michael is a friend. My mother will be home soon and I want her to meet him anyway," she glanced at Michael and saw him regaining his composure.
"She just arrived dear and should be up any minute. Would you like me to send her in?" Mrs. Barnes asked glancing at Michael still unsure of what to do about the young boy who had lied to be able to see Maria.
"Please do Susan, thank you." Maria said and waited until she left. "Michael, I really want you to meet my mother."
Michael nodded and answered, "I really want to meet her too Maria."
Just then Maria's mother rushed in and her gaze darted quickly from Maria to Michael and back to Maria. "Maria, Mrs. Barnes said you wanted to speak to me?" She asked glancing at Michael again.
"Mom, I wanted you to meet Michael. Michael is from Roswell, I met him when I went to visit Aunt Maggie and Uncle Don a few weeks ago."
Maria watched as Michael raised to his feet and held out his hand, "I'm Michael Guerin. It's nice to finally meet you Mrs. DeLuca."
Maria smiled at the way her mother looked impressed at the boy's politeness and was happy Michael had worked his charm on her.
"It's nice to meet you Michael, I'm Amy DeLuca and you can just call me Amy. Will you be staying for dinner Michael?" Instantly Maria knew her mother liked Michael because she hardly ever invited people into their home.
"I would love to. There are some things I need to talk to you about anyway so dinner would be great." Michael said and smiled at her mother. Briefly Maria wondered what exactly Michael had to talk about.
~ Dinner ~
Maria had insisted they eat in the dining room and slowly she made the painful trip to the table to sit with them. Usually her mother would set up a table in Maria's room and they would eat there so Maria wouldn't have to make the trek to the table. Maria wanted the best for Michael though and she definitely wanted to be around him as much as possible before he left Chicago.
"So Michael, you're from Roswell then? How is it going down there?" Amy asked once they were all seated.
"Well, it's of course summer so it's especially hot and muggy but it's been good. Pretty dull since Maria left but OK." Michael said smiling at Maria as he spoke.
"She certainly did have fun when she was there. I'm glad she was able to have some fun. So how long are you expecting to stay?"
"Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking of staying in Chicago on a permanent basis. At least for awhile and I was hoping you would allow me to see Maria while I'm here."
The news shocked Maria and she looked toward her mother to see what she would say. Michael wanted to stay? Maria knew exactly what he meant by a permanent basis. Michael wanted to stay until she died. It was morbid but it touched her heart and made her care for him even more.
"Why of course you can see Maria Michael but where were you planning on staying?" Amy asked also surprised he wanted to stick around until the end.
"Well, I was just planning on getting a hotel room or something and then coming over every day to see Maria if that-"
"No, no. That won't do at all. Hotel prices in Chicago aren't like Roswell, they're horrendous and you would never find a suitable one for a price you can afford. You'll stay in the guest room," her mother decided nodding her head. "Yes, you'll stay in the guest room for as long as you like and then you'll be able to see Maria whenever you want.
"Are you sure Mrs. DeLuca because honestly I can stay in a hotel. I have money saved up and I don't want to impend on your family." Michael explained.
"First of all Michael, just call me Amy. Secondly, I wouldn't have one of Maria's close friends staying in a hotel in downtown Chicago. They aren't safe and they aren't cheap I don't care how much money you have saved up. It won't be any trouble at all and we'd be glad to have you." She glanced over at Maria's smiling face. "Anyone that makes my Maria happy is allowed to stay as long as he wants."
~ Later that night ~
Michael had been quickly set up in the small guest room that used to be her father's office. He had unpacked his small suitcase as Maria slept and when he was done he quietly crept into her room and sat back down in the chair next to her bed.
He couldn't fathom what was going to happen. Her appearance had changed dramatically since he had seen her last. Her once rosy cheeks were pale and hollow. The circles under her eyes had grown and her clothes hung loosely off her gaunt and impossibly thin body.
Slowly he took her hand in his and sighed. Even in her state she was still beautiful to him and lying there sleeping she looked almost like an angel.
He felt her move slightly and her eyes opened focusing in on him. A smile slowly spread across her face as she took a deep breath and Michael could see how tired coming to dinner had made her.
"Michael," she said her voice almost a whisper. "I'm so glad you're here Michael."
Michael tried to smile at her and his effort was unsuccessful as he looked at her thin frame. All at once a thought of her dying hit him and he felt his stomach flip.
"What?" Maria asked worriedly at the sad expression on his face. "Don't you go and be sad for me Michael. It's all going to be alright," she said smiling at him and it amazed him how she could stay so positive when every breath cost her extreme effort.
"No Maria," Michael shook his head quickly. "It's not going to be ok. I- I just can't stop thinking about what happened to Max." Michael said shaking his head and trying to clear out the thoughts.
"Michael, I know it's hard to accept what is going to happen to me and I know how hard it was for you when Max died but we have to make what we can of what time is left. We can't dwell over the future. We have to live in the present."
Michael looked at her and again shook his head. "Maria, there is something I never told you about when Max died. When he died all his powers were supposed to be transferred to me. I was his second in command- that's what was supposed to happen." He stopped abruptly and Maria watched as tears brimmed Michael's eyes. "They all were, every single one. . . except for the most important one of all. For some reason I didn't get his power to heal."
Suddenly Maria understood and she felt her heart clench in her chest. Michael felt guilty because he could never save her. "Oh Michael. . ." She let her sentence trail off.
"So I can't save you and I couldn't save Max. Max can't even save you because he's dead! It's not fair Maria! It's not fair you have to die so young and it's not fair that Max already is gone! How can God take the two nicest people that ever lived? The only two people who I ever loved? How?" He asked frantically and Maria watched as the tears poured down his face.
Quickly she reached over and took his hand, gently tugging on it telling him to come and sit on the bed. He slid over and she wrapped him in a hug letting him cry on her shoulder as she gently rocked back and forth.
"Oh Michael, I know it's hard." Maria felt the knot growing in her throat as a tear slipped from her eye. "I know it's hard but you're here now. The one other person I love is going to be with me when I die and that's more than I could ever ask for."
He looked up at her and sighed. "I love you so much Maria. . ." he let his sentence trail off as he looked up at her. Slowly he raised his lips and kissed her softly, savoring her and trying to take everything in. The feel of her in his arms, the taste of her lips, the smell of her hair- all the things he knew he would forget when she was gone.