Sand and Water Chapter 2

A Visit from Rhiannon

Disclaimer:I own no one, except Rhiannon

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"Rand?" he asked. Randy's eyes blinked open slowly.

"Yes?" Randy asked, putting the bed into a sitting position. A cushion in his lap prevented him from slumping over.

"Can I read you a letter I wrote when you first got sick?" John asked.

"Yes," Randy mumbled. John cleared his throat.

7/16/09

Dear Randy,

You have just told me you have have testicular cancer. I have run out, mostly to clear my mind.

Just as life starts going our way, something inevitably goes wrong. I may sound angry, but I'm just in shock.

No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side. We vowed to love each other in sickness and in health. I intend to keep my vows.

Rand, we'll get through this. It won't be easy.

I worry about you. I worry about me. Most of all, I worry about Rhiannon. She's so young. Will she understand what's going on with Papa? Am I going to have to remain doubly strong?

No matter what happens, I love you. Through it all, you can always depend on my love.

Love,

John

"Just because I'm dead doesn't mean I'm gone," Randy rasped. The door opened with a soft creak. John jerked his head. He grinned as Rhiannon walked in, holding Trish's hand.

Rhiannon was four years, three months old. The biological child of Randy and Trish,as a surrogate, she had long blonde hair and Randy's emotional brown eyes. She was truly a beautiful child.

"Daddy!" Rhiannon squealed loudly. John motioned for her to lower her voice. Grinning, she nodded.She glanced over to Randy. "Papa?" The tone in her voice was questioning.

"Yes, Sweetie. That's Papa," John murmured. He tightened his grip on her. "He's very, very sick,"

"Are the doctors going to make him better?" Rhiannon asked, glancing up at him with her big brown eyes.

"No, Sweetie. The doctors can't make him better," John replied, sniffling.

"Is he going to die?" Rhiannon asked. She was familiar with death because of her pet rabbit.

"Yes, Baby Girl. Papa is going to die," Those words were hard to get out.

"I don' want Papa to die!" Rhiannon wailed. John's heart split in two.

"Neither do I, but he's going to die," John murmured. "Sweetie, it's time to say good-bye,"

John lifted Rhiannon onto the bed. She flinched as she avoided Randy. Tears filled his eyes. He couldn't believe his little girl was afraid of 'Papa'.

"Hi, Princess," Randy rasped, reaching out to touch her. She squirmed away. Then, she glanced up at John.

"You're not gonna hurt him," John promised. She nodded slowly. Then, she reached out and touched Randy's hand.

"Papa, do you have to die?" Rhiannon asked. Randy nodded slowly.

"Don't be afraid. I'm always here," Randy rasped. Rhiannon wailed, John picking her up.

"You're okay," John murmured, rubbing her back. He handed her to Trish. "I'll be home tonight,"

"Bye, Daddy. Bye, Papa," Rhiannon murmured. She waved, Trish carrying her out of the room.

John sighed as Trish shut the door. He glanced down at Randy. "Feeling okay?" Randy slowly shook his head.

"Look in the nightstand," he rasped, closing his eyes.

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Well? I'm amazed at the amount of support for this story. Keep up the reviews! Enjoy!

JenLea

Three reviews gets chapter 3 up

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