James and Rebecca sat at the bedside of their still sleeping daughter.

"James…oh James…what's happened?"  Rebecca moaned rocking back and forth.

James could only look at Julie.  Then he stood up and went to stand looking out the window.  It was starting to rain.

Julie's mother began to sing her a lullaby that she used to sing to her when she was a baby.

"Hushaby don't you cry go to sleepy little baby, when you wake you shall have all the pretty little horses. 

Blacks and Bays, Daffles and Grays, coach and six a little horses.  Hushaby don't you cry go to sleepy little baby, when you wake you shall have all the pretty little horses.  Hum, hum, hum, hum…"

Julie's eyes, still closed started moving back and forth.  However, she didn't open them.

Her mother noticed and called for Jim. 

"I think she is waking up."

"What happened?"

"She was moving her eyes." Her mother said.

"Well keep singing."

Becky started humming again… "Hum, hum, hum…."

"…all the pretty little horses." Julie sang with her mom, and opened her eyes.

"Darling, your awake."  Rebecca said.

"You haven't sang that song in years mom."  Julie said groggily.

"Shhhh.  Save your energy darling."

"Will you keep singing?"  Julie asked.

Her mother smiled at her and started singing again.

Julie closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

******

Julie's face was sweaty and she rocked her head from side to side franticly.

"Dean….Dean… I need you, where are you?  Dean… Dean no!!!!!!"  Julie cried.

"Honey wake up, your having a nightmare."  Rebecca said gently.

"Mother.  Where is Dean, why wont he come?"

Rebecca's eyes filled with tears.

"Honey, he can't come remember?"

"Remember what?"

Rebecca remembered the doctor's words, not to upset her.

"Go back to sleep darling."

"I don't want to go to sleep!  Where is he?"

The heart monitor indicated that her heartbeat was speeding up.

"Mother tell me!"

Rebecca looked up at Jim who was standing over them, and reached up to hold his arm.

"Honey, he died in a car accident, remember I told you and you passed out."  Jim said.

Julie closed her eyes and wept.

"Leave me." She said.

"But honey-"

Julie cut her mother off,  "Just leave me.  I want to be alone." 

Jim helped Becky to her feet and they left the room.

Julie cried and cried, until she fell back asleep.

She dreamed of when they danced beneath the stars, when they told each other of their love.

Memories of Dean filled her mind and her dreams.  She dreamed of him when she introduced him to her Horses.  She loved her horses; Dean was the only one she loved more.  Now he was gone, taken.  It was her father's entire fault.  If had been a supportive father they could have been married and this would not have happened.  On the other hand, if it had happened, at least they would have been together, and she would not have to face the cold world without him. 

How was she going to live without Dean?

"Dean…" she cried into the empty room.

"Dean…"