Rachel turned to face her as she walked in. Standing up she hesitated a moment before stepping into an embrace.
Susan was taken back for a moment. Rachel was clinging to her. She stroked the girl's hair breathing heavily as her eyes wandered to Mark's pale face, surrounded by familiar but hauntingly foretelling machinery.
"Is he going to be okay?" Rachel stepped back, trying to look unaffected.
Susan smiled at her, unable to answer her question and went to Mark's bedside. "What happened?" she willed her voice not to break. Not yet. Later, when no one was watching.
"I found him on the bathroom floor. I just panicked and called the ambulance. They took ages and I rolled him on his side cause he was vomiting but he looks so..." she looked so shocked, so shaken.
"You probably saved his life." Susan looked at Rachel soberly, "Are you okay?"
Rachel nodded. "Is he?" she touched his shoulder lightly.
"I don't know." Susan shook her head. "At this stage a doctor can't promise you anything. I mean, if the chemo is really successful he might get six months, maybe a year. But there's no certainty. I mean, there are cases of miracles. And then there are people who live for years longer than they expected. But…" she exhaled, here eyes watery, lingering over Mark's face, down his chest, his hand in hers… "You just don't know. We shouldn't get our hopes up."
"But you do. Don't you."
Susan nodded.
"I'm glad you're here." Rachel spoke softly, her eyes glued to Mark's face, willing his eyes open, or any sign of life.
Susan smiled but her face was soon clouded with sadness again.
"So why didn't you guys get married years ago?" Rachel tried to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
Susan just looked confused, "Um…"
"Like, when you lived here before?"
"We weren't… I mean," she took a deep breath.
"So you didn't steal him from mum?"
Susan almost laughed out loud. "No. You're dad is as faithful as they come."
"But you loved him right? So why did you leave?"
"Lots of reasons. But you're right. I should have stayed and married him years ago." Her brow furrowed but her eyes strayed back to Mark again.
Rachel's tone stopped teasing. It was no use. This wasn't going to be light in any scenario. "I'm glad you came back."
Susan smiled slightly, "Yeah, what can I say, I love him."
Rachel watched Susan's face – watching, waiting for Mark to wake. Then she looked at her dad, "Me too."
"You should tell him. When he wakes up."
"He knows."
"It doesn't matter."
Rachel hesitated then nodded.
"I'm going to get some coffee, you want anything?" Susan stifled a yawn.
"Sure, just a soda." Rachel watched her go and turned back to her dad.
Mark opened his eyes groggily. Rachel smiled at him, whispering, "Hi Dad."
"Hey…" he smiled, "What… what happened?"
"You fainted, but it's okay."
He nodded, confused and exhausted. "When?"
"A while ago, at home."
"Did Susan…?"
"No, the ambulance came – but I can go get her if you want." She stepped away from the bed but he still held her hand so she leant over him again. "I love you dad."
He smiled, tears in his eyes. "I love you too Rachel."
"I'll be right back." She backed out, smiling.
"Here you go." Susan handed her a cold soda can.
"He's awake." Rachel took it and followed Susan rushing back into the room.
"Mark?" she stroked his forehead and he forced his eyes open again.
"Hey." He smiled.
She grinned, her eyes brimming. Eventually she found her voice. "How do you feel?"
"Oh, pretty crap. Yourself?"
She shook her head and cupped his cheek with her hand. "I feel like I've been trying to find you for days."
"Sorry. I don't know what happened."
"You lost your balance and have a rather impressive welt on the back of your head from a collision with the bath tub."
He groaned and touched his head with weary fingertips, finding the bruise and wincing. "Are you working?" he sounded confused.
"No, I'd just got home when Chuny called."
"You must be exhausted."
She shook her head and yawned in perfect unison
"What's the time?" Mark asked, still a little disoriented.
"Eight…" she looked at her watch, "twenty."
"You should be at school." He looked at Rachel, his eyes and throat foggy with exhaustion and medication.
"I want to stay here."
Susan looked at her, "I'll take you and pick you up – there's nothing you can do here – you might as well keep busy – time will go faster."
Rachel didn't really answer, she looked back at her father, his eyes closed again.
"Come on." Susan nudged softly leading her from the room.
"Wait, Susan." Mark lifted his hand but missed grabbing her arm.
"Yeah."
"Get some sleep."
She nodded and smiled at him reassuringly. "I'll see you soon."