Craig and Manny arrived at Angela's room just as Joey was leaving.

"Oh hey guys," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Craig, you aren't sneaking up here again, are you?"

"No, the nurse said it was okay. We're just gonna be a few minutes."

"Okay, I'm going to get some coffee. You kids want anything?"

Both of them shook their heads. Joey patted Craig on the shoulder as he walked away.

Craig led Manny into the room and shut the door quietly behind them. He watched as she approached the bed and stared down at Angela. After a minute, she slowly turned to Craig, her eyes brimming with tears.

Craig hurried over and put an arm around her. "Hey it's okay." She fell into his embrace, sniffling, obviously trying to hold back sobs. "Shhh." He rubbed her back soothingly.

"Craig, don't. I should be comforting you," she whispered.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it." He held her for a little while. When they separated, he grabbed a chair and offered it to Manny, who shook her head.

"You should sit," she told him.

Craig couldn't help but agree. He still felt weak and nearly collapsed into the chair. He took his sister's hand in both of his. The tears that hadn't come the night before came now as soon as he touched her and they fell steady like rain. He bowed his head forward, leaning his forehead on his hands. He felt slightly embarrassed to cry like this in front of Manny.

"Craig, it'll be okay. I know it doesn't look like it will be but—"

Craig shook his head. "No, it won't be. She's all I have, Manny." He turned his head slightly to look at Manny. "I don't have anyone else."
"Sure you do," Manny replied. "You have Joey, and all your friends…"

"But it's still not fair," Craig whispered. "Why does it keep happening to me? Everyone I care about…"

"Craig, Angela's gonna be fine," Manny said hesitantly.

Craig shook his head again. "You don't understand. I need her. I can't-I can't lose anyone else. I just can't." A strangled sob escaped from his throat. "I can't bear this stuff anymore."

He felt Manny's hand on the side of his face and he slowly raised his head. She gently wiped at his tearstained cheeks. "Yes you can, Craig. Because I'll bear it with you."

Craig felt the last of his composure melt away as she knelt by his chair, and gently kissed his cheek before gathering him into his arms. He began to cry in earnest and felt a drop on his arm, realizing she was crying too.

When he was finally calm, Craig pulled away from Manny. She stared at him, her big brown eyes shinning, and her nose red from crying.

"Th-thank you," he whispered.

Manny smiled slightly. "You're welcome." He turned back to look at his sister. "Craig?"

"Yeah?"

"What's that noise?"

Craig realized a beeping sound was coming from one of the machines. "I-I don't know." He grabbed the nurses button and buzzed it until a nurse came to the room, looking annoyed.

"Th-the machine," he stammered before she could say anything. "It started beeping."

The nurse looked startled but came over to look at the printout. She smiled. "Well, well. Looks like Miss Angela is finally ready to wake up."

Craig was shocked. "What? She is?!"

The nurse nodded. "She's no longer in a coma. I'll get Dr. Wells." She hurried out of the room.

Craig turned to Manny, still in disbelief. Manny was grinning from ear to ear, and let out a squeal of delight, jumping into Craig's arms. He felt new tears streaming down his face, this time out of joy.

"She's gonna wake up," he murmured. "Oh thank God, she's gonna wake up." He suddenly pulled away from Manny hesitated for just a second. They both leaned in at the same time and as the kiss deepened, Craig heard a small sigh. He broke away and turned to the bed.

Angela had shifted in her sleep and a slight smile played on her face. Craig pulled Manny over to the bed, and put his arm around her, both of them gazing down at the child.

"Told you it'd be okay," Manny said with a smile, nudging him playfully.

Craig laughed. "Yeah, you did."

Manny wiped at her eyes and noticed mascara was smeared on her fingers. "God, my face must be a mess."

Craig put a finger under her chin and tilted her face upwards. "Manny, you could have mud all over your face and still never fail to look beautiful," he told her with a chuckle. He pulled her towards him, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

Manny caught her breath. She couldn't ever remember anyone besides her family calling her beautiful. Even the boys who liked her only told her she was 'hot' or 'gorgeous'. Never beautiful.

For the first time in her life, Manny truly didn't care what she looked like as she stood being slightly crushed by the one she loved.