Rachel was first through the door and cleared her throat, half laughing.
"Oh, Sorry." Jenn backed out the door.
Susan grinned cheekily and stepped away from the bed while Mark was still deciding if he wanted to look embarrassed or frustrated.
"I, ah, better…" Susan mumbled.
Rachel was just laughing at them. She turned back to the door, "Mum," she sing-songed out into the hallway.
Jenn appeared sheepishly. "Hi."
"Hi Jenn." Mark sat up, smoothing the covers, trying to look vaguely respectable.
"Hi." Susan smiled then looked at Rachel as if to say, "HELP!"
"How you feeling Dad?" Rachel perched on the side of his bed.
"Not too bad." He smiled. "How was the hotel?"
"So flash." Rachel grinned.
Jenn inched closer.
Susan knew that Jenn and Mark needed to talk – Jenn probably wanted to make her peace or something equally cringe-worthy, but more importantly they needed to agree about where Rachel was staying – for the moment at least – and maybe decide where Rachel would stay if Mark died… She's probably have to go back to Jenn. Susan sighed and called herself back to reality, "Rachel, do you want to get some breakfast?"
"Sure." Rachel jumped off the side of the bed and followed Susan out the door.
"Nice timing." Susan grinned when they were out of earshot.
"I thought so." Rachel laughed.
Jenn was clearly shaken. "I'm so sorry." He knew she wasn't just trying to absolve her guilt but he wasn't going to give in.
"I want her to stay here."
"Are you sure that's a good idea – I mean, seeing you like this, and Susan…"
"Susan wants her to stay as well, but even if she didn't… I've missed too much. Give me this." His voice was steady and sure.
Jenn nodded, relenting, then asked, "Has she been better since…?"
He nodded.
"Well that's something I guess."
He took a deep breath. "I put some money aside for her college fees and… and for her wedding."
"Mark…"
"No, I want to do this."
Jenn nodded. "So it's for real this time?"
He nodded and took a deep breath, "And after I'm gone…"
"Don't do this now."
"I might not get another chance, just let me say this."
She relented.
"After I'm gone, if she wants to see Susan, or…" so much for coherent sentences, "well, she's pregnant."
"What?"
"Susan, not Rachel."
"Oh."
He almost laughed, but realised that would be inappropriate.
"Oh. Congratulations." Jenn was clearly surprised.
"Thanks." Mark allowed himself an irrepressible grin. "I just want Rachel to know her brother… or sister."
Jenn smiled, then nodded, "of course."
"Thank you."
She took a deep breath as a knock came at the door. They both turned to see who came in.
Rachel then Susan. "Hi." They said in unison.
"Hey." Jenn said soberly.
"So, am I staying?" Rachel sat down in the chair by his bed.
"Yes." Mark turned to her, "For the moment, you can stay here – as long as you want to?"
"Yeah, I do." Rachel nodded seriously then smiled at him.
"Okay." Jenn looked at them – father and daughter, like a sentimental photograph. She couldn't help but smile. "I'm going to go." She stood up and pulled her bag over her shoulder.
"Thank you." Mark met her eyes sincerely.
She shook her head and escaped the happy family she felt she was intruding on.
"That went well." Susan sat on the edge of Mark's bed when Jenn had left.
Mark nodded and took Susan's hand. "Thank God." He sighed, "So, how was breakfast… and where's mine?"
Susan smiled. "Hospital food not up to scratch?"
"I just can't keep it down." He couldn't keep anything down but he had a remarkably good humour about it.
"I'll get you a drink or something." Rachel offered, getting up.
"Anything but soda." He smiled as she took off.
"You okay?" Susan asked when Rachel had gone.
He nodded, "I'm relieved. I mean, Rachel may not need me, but I think I need her."
"She needs you." Susan nodded and shuffled closer, taking his hand in both her own.
He looked up at her, sinking back into the pillows, exhausted already. She amazed him again. And again. "You're incredible." He whispered hoarsely.
She smiled and stood, "You should rest." She leant over to kiss his forehead as his eyes fell shut.
"Stay till I'm asleep." He mumbled, taking the hand that hovered at his cheek.
"Okay." She whispered, her voice almost failing when she recognized how weak he was getting.