Disclaimer : I don't own a thing!!!!

KATIE : Oh my God, I think you are the only one except me of course, that thinks turning the ventilator off would be kind, but will she or won't she? That is the question lol. I dunno why I ask you such questions, you know I'm schizophrenic so I might just write what I think lol – only joking lol. Woe that seemed like a threat Miss Cakeeater'sgirly, you'll be upset with me if I kill Tyler, ok so how about if I kill Kelly or someone else lol. I must admit though, he is a bit too cute to kill off isn't he? I'm glad you approve of what I'm putting Connie though lol, even if I am being a little mean lol, what with Tyler's upcoming death, and Connie's mom suing the prison lol. No my boss wouldn't kill me, I don't think lol, but her boss might, but I hate him anyway. Isn't it funny, I get a lot of funny looks, I think it's because I look so darn right good lol. How can you think that song was one of the worst songs – yea I mean I know it's long, but it is about as great as a Queen song. Right for my song - ADAM: Tell you 'bout them sobbin' women, Who lived in the Roman days. It seems that they all went swimmin', While their men was off to graze. Well, a Roman troop was ridin' by, And saw them in their me-oh-my, So they took 'em all back home to dry, 'Least that's what Plutarch says. Oh, yes! Them a'women were sobbin', sobbin', sobbin', Fit to be tied, Every muscle was throbbin', throbbin', From that riotous ride, Seems they cried and kissed and kissed and cried, All over that Roman countryside, So don't forget that when you're takin' a bride, Sobbin' fit to be tied, From that riotous ride. GIDEON: So, then what happened? ADAM: Gather 'round and I'll tell ya. They never did return their plunder, The victor gets all the loot, They carried 'em home, by thunder, To rotundas small, but cute, And you never seen, so they tell me, Such downright domesticity, With a Roman baby on each knee, Named Claudius and Brute. BROTHERS: Oh, yes! And the women were sobbin', sobbin', sobbin', ADAM: Passing them nights, While the Romans was goin' out hob-nobbin', Startin' up fights. DANIEL: Is that so? ADAM: They kept occupied by sewin' lots, Of little old togas for them tots, And sayin' some day women folk'll have rights. DANIEL, GIDEON & EPHRAIM: Passing all of their nights, ADAM: Just sewin', FRANK, BENJAMIN & CALEB: While the Romans had fights. CALEB: Hey, listen to this! Now, when the men folk came to fetch 'em, The women would not be fetched, FRANK: It seems when the Romans ketch 'em, Their lady friends stay ketched. ADAM: Right! Now let this be, because it's true, A lesson to the likes of you, Rough 'em up like them there Romans do, Or else they'll think you're tetched. BROTHERS: Oh, yes! And the women were sobbin', sobbin', sobbin', Buckets of tears, ADAM: Mighty sad! BROTHERS: On account of old Dobbin, Dobbin, Really rattled their ears. ADAM: And that ain't all! Oh, they acted angry and annoyed, GIDEON: But secretly, they was overjoyed, ADAM: You might recall that when corrallin' your steers! BROTHERS: Oh, oh, oh, oh, them poor little dears. ADAM: What are you sittin' there for? Why don't we go down and get 'em! BROTHERS: Oh, yes! And the women were sobbin', sobbin', sobbin', Weepin' a ton, Just remember what Robin, Robin, Robin Hood would have done, We'll be just like them there Merry Men, And make 'em all merry once again, ADAM: And though they'll be a'sobbin' for a while, BROTHERS: Oh, yes! ALL: We're goin' to make them sobbin' women smile! – Sobbin' Women – Seven Brides for seven brothers. Ace film. Anyways, um thanks for your support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

DUCKS-GO-QUACK-00 : You'll have to wait and see won't you whether Connie's mom dies or not lol. Anyways thanks for your support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

NIKKI : YAY, new reviewer. I'm glad you're enjoying this story. Thanks for your support and review. CHEERS MI DEARS!!!!

Chapter 8

CONNIE'S P.O.V

I located the Doctor and entered his office. He didn't seem totally surprised to see me, but he allowed me o tell him what I wanted to in my own time.

"Just do it". I almost whispered.

"I know this is a hard decision for you, but you have to try to understand, that even if she did make a recovery, she wouldn't be the same person as before". He told me, but I didn't really listen.

"Can I have 5 minutes with her first"? My heart felt as though it was trying to thump it's way out of my chest.

"Of course, take as long as you need". He smiled at me, before opening the door for me.

I went straight in to her, ignoring Emma and Julie's questioning looks. I closed the door quietly behind myself, and stood there, just looking at my moms limp body, feeling as though I ad made the right decision. I almost tip-toed to her side, sitting in the chair I had spent nearly all week in.

"Mom"... I was struggling in finding my voice, and what to say to her. I mean what do you say to someone you're about to kill. "I love you so much. I wish you were here to help me make this decision. I just want you to know, that no matter what I've said or done to you, I really do love you and nothing will ever change how I feel about you". Tears streamed down from my eyes. "There won't be a day that goes by, that I won't think of you. I won't let Jack, Cara, Kelly or Tyler forget you either, but you have to understand that I had to make this decision, because I can't stand seeing you in pain". I turned and nodded to the doctor who was waiting patiently outside with a nurse. He entered silently and slowly began turning the machines off. "I love you". I whispered before he turned the last one off.

"She's gone". He told me, resting a hand on my shoulder, then leaving me.

"I'm sorry". I broke down in tears.

The next day, we caught a flight back home. I hadn't talked to Pete, but Emma had, but I had told her to tell him not to tell the kids yet. I had arranged for my mom to be brought back to Minnesota that week, where she would have a funeral.

ADAM'S P.O.V

I had heard from Julie about what had happened, though she said Connie wasn't up to talking. So the following day, I arrived at the airport with Charlie and Guy awaiting the girls return. We all had a good guess about the state Connie would be in, but hell, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. She came through the gate, her bag slung hap hazardly on her shoulder, her hair was a mess, tied loosely back away from her pale, drawn face. She'd only been away for a week, but she had lost weight dramatically. Her arms were folded in an almost defensive manner. Julie and Emma were walking silently behind her, but I could see tears in their eyes, which quickly emerged once they were enveloped into hugs with Charlie and Guy. I stepped toward Connie, wrapping my arms around her protectively, but she didn't respond. In fact she didn't say anything, there was no emotion on her face at all. She barely acknowledged me or her surroundings. On the way to the cars she simply followed Guy and Emma. I hung back with Julie and Charlie to get some information from Julie.

"Just give her some time. She's been like this since yesterday, saying few words to anyone. It's as though she's locked her emotions up in a chest". Julie whispered so she couldn't hear, though I don't think she was listening to anything.

When we got to the cars, we all went our separate ways. Connie sat in the front seat, almost clutching her carry on bag, like it was her only life line.

"Tyler's been looking forward to seeing you". I tried striking up a conversation, but there was nothing. "They don't know you're back yet, so you can get settled back in first if you want". Still nothing, so I decided to leave her be.

When we got in, she disappeared off upstairs, still clutching the same carry on. I didn't know what to do. I wanted to make her feel better, but there probably wasn't going to be anything I could say or do that would. Deciding on leaving her be, I put her other bag down in the hall and went to the kitchen to make us some dinner. Half an hour later, dinner was almost done and I was just about to go and tell her, when I turned around and there she was. There were fresh tear stains on her cheeks and her eyes were red and puffy. I turned the cooker off and went to her, enveloping her in a hug, though this time, I got a response from her.

"How am I gonna tell the kids that I killed there mom". She cried, falling into me as she sunk to the floor.

"You didn't kill her, you have to believe that". I whispered into her hair.

"I did. I told them to turn the machines off".

"Yeah, because you knew she wasn't going to get any better. Connie you did the right thing, if you'd have left them on, she would just have been suffering".

"But what if"? She began.

"There are no what ifs, if your mom had been here, she'd have told you, that you did the right thing, it would have been wrong to have let her suffer, but you didn't let her". With that she just seemed to cry, she continued to do so until I suspect she had no more tears to shed, but even then we remained on the floor, rocking back and forth in attempt to soothe or comfort her.

That night, I fell to sleep with her in my arms, but when I woke up at about 1am she was no longer there. I slowly got out of bed, pulling a pair of pants and shirt on and headed down stairs. My first stop was the kitchen, but she wasn't there, but I noticed the porch light was on. I went out and found her laid in the hammock, fast asleep with a photo album in her arms. I gently pulled the book away, so as not to wake her, then went and retrieved a blanket before draping it over her. I took the book and sat on the swing seat, and began silently flicking through it. It was filled of photo's of Connie and her mom, then gradually Jack entered then, then Cara, then Kelly and finally Tyler. They looked like the perfect family at first glance, but if you looked closely, you could see Connie distancing herself from her mom. In the first few pictures, she was holding her close, then little by little she was getting further and further away from her.

"Adam"? A heard a whisper, and looked up to see a sleepy eyed Connie.

"Yeah". I answered, getting up, but leaving the book on the swing seat. When I got to her, I knelt by her side, looking into her deep brown eyes.

"I love you". She whispered.

"I love you too". I planted a small kiss on her forehead. "C'mon let's go back to bed". I told her, taking her hand and helping her up.

I woke again about 7, Connie was still in my arms, but I knew she wasn't asleep. I sat up slightly leaning on my elbow, before hovering her, kissing hr cheek gently. She turned over slightly and looked at me.

"Hey". I whispered huskily.

"Hi". She replied, not looking me in the eye.

"I'm supposed to be having the kids for a few hours this afternoon, but I can call Pete and tell him I can't if you want".

"No it's ok. They need to know". She still couldn't look at me.

"Are you sure"? I lifted her chin a little so I could see into her eyes. She shook her head as tears came. "You don't have to tell them just yet you know, they'd understand".

"No, they need to know. They deserve to know".

I later called Pete and asked him to come over a little early, so that Connie could tell them. I could tell she was dreading it, she was so tense, all morning. She was clumsy and you could hear a slight quiver in her voice. But who could blame her, I wouldn't have liked to tell my brother that one of our parents had died.

So what do you think???? PLEASE R&R!!!!