Chapter 16

"I'm sorry but she's fading fast. We will be surprised if she makes it through Christmas Day. She's awake though and would like to see the 3 of you along with her baby. So I'll take the 2 friends in first and after them the daddy can go in with your baby." Eli nodded and grabbed Madison's hand. The two walked around the corner and disappeared. That's when Li hit to his knees and prayed.

"Lord take the very breath you gave me, take the heart from my chest. I'll gladly take her place if you'll let me. Make this my last request. Lord take me out of this world. But please... don't take the girl." (Song sang by Tim McGraw-Don't take the girl) Li then silently cried.

Madison and Eli walked into Sakura's room to find it filled with flowers. They looked at the many dozens of flowers that was set on the table and the window seal.

"Hey guys." Came a weak voice from the bed. Both turned to see Sakura on the bed. Madison smiled and walked over to her friend.

"Did you guys get the chance to see my baby?" Madison squeezed her friend's hand and lightly shook her head.

"Not yet. But we'll wait until your better to show us. Just rest up." Sakura closed her eyes and a single tear ran down her cheek.

"Madison the doctor already explained to me my chances. I've already accepted it. I would like it if you would do the same." Madison put her hand over her mouth and started to cry. Sakura cried along with Madison. Eli walked behind Madison and placed his hand on his wife's shoulder.

"She's right dear. I know it's hard to say it but you need to accept the fact that Sakura might not make it. I love her like a sister but you need to let go." Tears streaked Eli's face. Sakura looked at Eli and smiled.

"I love you Sakura, I will always carry out memories that we shared in my heart. I'll share them with your daughter and she'll know you as the best person who ever lived." Madison said in between sobs. Sakura smiled and squeezed Madison's hand tightly.

"I love you both and I would love for you to help Li raise our daughter." Madison and Eli both nodded. A few minutes later they walked out of the room both crying. They walked into the waiting room where Li sat holding his little bundle of joy.

"Guys, I would like you to meet my daughter." Li said walking up to Eli and Madison. Madison pulled the blanket away from the baby's face. The first thing she saw was emerald eyes with amber specks in them.

"Beautiful." Eli could only say that when seeing her. Her features belonged to Sakura. An angelic face with soft cream-colored skin. She had very delicate fingers, long and thin.

"Did you think of a name for her yet?" Eli asked as the young baby grabbed his finger. Li gently held the baby in his arms. He then brought the little head that was full of dark brown hair with natural honey brown streaks to his lips and kissed it lightly.

"Yeah, I like the name Tejia. I also like the name Corali. But I'm going to leave that up to Sakura." Li looked at Madison and Eli then, his smile slowly fading. "You guys can go home if you like to. I'm staying here until..." Li stopped himself. He couldn't bring himself to say it. He looked back down at his daughter. She was sleeping soundly. He tiny fingers still gripped onto Eli's index finger.

"We should go. But please call if any changes are made or if...well you know." Eli said sadly. Madison nodded in agreement.

"We'll be back up as soon as we get home, shower and change clothes. We can bring you a change of clothes if you would like us to." Li looked at Madison and smiled.

"That would be nice Thank-you. But I would like you and Eli to rest also. We've been up here all night without sleep. At least try for a quick nap. I don't want to see you guys up here and earlier than 6am." Li looked at the clock and then back at the couple. "That gives you a little over 5 and a half hours to rest up." Both Eli and Madison nodded but Eli also put in a demand.

"I want you to do the same. After seeing Sakura I want you to either order a cot to sleep on or something because you also need the rest." Li smiled at his friend and nodded.

"You have a deal. Now go home and rest up." Both Madison and Eli hugged Li and gently kissed the baby's forehead.

"Remember to call Li." Madison said as they headed for the elevator. Li waved and then turned around and started walking towards the nurse who was to lead him to Sakura.

Following the nurse to Sakura's room, he thanked they nurse when arriving and slowly turned the doorknob. He saw Sakura sleeping on a hospital bed with an IV hooked into her left hand.

"Lets go see mommy." Li said to the little bundle in his arms. He quietly walked up to Sakura's bedside and sat in a chair. Li then looked down at his daughter and smiled.

"Your mommy is sleeping right now. So lets be quiet and just wait till she wakes up." He gently stroked his daughter's cheek while she slept. Li heard a stirring from the bed. He looked up and saw Sakura slowly waking up.

"Morning babe. Merry Christmas." Sakura looked up and smiled at Li. She then saw the little blanket in his arms.

"Is that... her?" Li smiled and gently placed the little girl in her arms.

"That would be our daughter." Sakura looked up to see Li smiling proudly. Sakura then looked down to see almost a mirror image of her.

"She has you thick hair." Sakura said breathlessly. Li grabbed her hand and smiled.

"She looks just like you though. She even has your fingers." Li said. Sakura looked at him with a watery smile.

"Did you think of any names for her?" Sakura asked Li. Li looked at the baby that was now awake and then back at Sakura.

"I like the name Tejia or Corali. But it's up to you babe. I'll like whatever you pick." Sakura smiled and looked back down to their daughter.

"The name Tejia is very beautiful. I think we should go with that. Tejia Marie Sharon." Sakura said proudly. Li smiled and then leaned in and kissed Sakura's forehead.

"I love you Sakura, always have always will. I'm sorry for never being there when you were pregnant. But I'm here now. I'll watch Tejia like a hawk. I wont lose another special girl." Sakura wiped away a tear that traveled down her cheek.

"I love you to Li. I'll watch you and Tejia. I'll always be with you no matter what." Li looked deep into Sakura's emerald eyes. They seemed faded. Like they were slowly dieing. Tears started to build in Li's eyes. Sakura gripped his hand and slightly smiled.

"It'll be ok Li. This is what is meant to happen. You and Tejia will make it through just fine. I love you both dearly and I promise I'll watch you through the holes of heaven." Li cried now openly. He went to Sakura and hugged her tightly. Li knew that those hours spent with Sakura were the last; he could never let go of her. But at 5:32am, Sakura flat-lined and was finally pronounced dead. Madison and Eli held onto Li as he cried uncontrollably. In the distance, Tejia started crying while the nurse held her.