Title: Fly
Disclaimer: Everyone and everything you recognise belongs to channel 7 and southern star etc…the song is Dance My Dreams by Tamia from the First Daughter Soundtrack. I own Mackenzie and Jake Hasham, Dr Mackay and the other doctors.
Summary: This fic is set after Broken Dreams. Jo's cancer has come back and she has been given three weeks to live. What will she do with those three weeks?
Dedication: To my great uncle Alex, may he rest in peace! Oh and to Blaire…gotta love the pixies! Hehe and to Elicia for making me get off my ass and actually start writing.
"I don't want to die PJ."
"Then have the surgery."
"I cant. I'm not going to!" She told him. "And there is nothing you can do to change my mind."
When PJ heard that comment he gulped back tears, stood and stormed out of the house, leaving Jo on the couch crying her eyes out.
Later that afternoon when Jake arrived home from school he saw Jo sitting on the couch watching the TV. She had tears pouring down her face and her eyes were red and puffy.
"Mum?" Jake stepped towards her, uncertain of what to say.
"Oh Jake Hi." Jo wiped the tears away and sat up.
"Are you ok Mum?"
"Yeah I'm fine."
"You've been crying."
"Yeah it's the movie. It's so sad." Jo smiled. "How was school?"
"It was alright. Some new guy started today. He's pretty cool. I think Samantha was the only girl that's jaw didn't drop when he walked into the classroom."
"That's great." Jo smiled.
"Are you sure you're alright Mum?"
"Yeah. I just need a little rest that's all."
"Ok. Well I'm going to get changed then I'm heading over to Sam's house. Do you mind?"
"No. Go and have some fun. I think your father and I need to spend a little time alone anyway." Jo replied.
"Ok. I'm just going to have a shower."
"Ok." Jake left the room and Jo wiped her face once again. She stood up shakily and slowly made her way to the kitchen to make herself some tea.
She had just sat down at the table to drink it when Jake walked in.
"Hey Mum I'm going now."
"Ok. Don't be home too late. There's something your father and I have to talk to you about."
"Umm…ok. I'll see you around 9:00ish."
"Sure." Jo smiled. "And Jake…"
"Yes Mum."
"Be careful."
"I will Mum." He kissed her on the cheek then left the house, laving Jo all by herself.
When PJ got home from work that night Jo was lying on the bed, still crying. PJ walked in and when Jo saw him she sat up and smiled.
"PJ." She whispered.
"I'm so sorry Jo.
"I'm sorry." Jo cut him off.
"I'm just really scared Jo. I don't want to lose you."
"I don't want to lose you either PJ. But I just can't go through with all that pain again. I'm too tired."
"I know Jo. It's ok. You don't have to do it if you don't want to." He moved closer and sat on the bed beside her. "My other was going through the same thing when she died. She just wanted the pain to end." PJ raised his hand and pushed some hair out of Jo's face. She started crying again.
"I don't know what to do PJ. I really don't."
"It's ok. Whatever you decide to do I'll be right here by your side."
"I love you so much PJ."
"I love you to Jo."
"What are we going to tell the kids PJ? I've only got three weeks left. How am I supposed to tell them that?"
"I don't know. We'll figure something out."
"I'm so scared for them PJ. And I'm scared for you. I don't want you to live in grief for the rest of your life. I want you to be happy."
"Shh Jo. It's alright." PJ held her close. "Everything is going to be fine." He whispered. "You need to rest. I'll go get you something to eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"Have you eaten anything at all today?" He asked.
"I had an apple and a piece of nut loaf." Jo replied.
"That's not food Jo. You need something to keep your strength up." PJ stood up. "You stay here and rest. I'll go and make you something decent to eat."
"PJ you don't have to…"
"Shh. You need to eat." He said then he left the room.
Later that night when Jake arrived home, Jo and PJ were sitting quietly on the couch together watching the TV. Mackenzie was in the kitchen, washing dishes. When she heard Jake come in she looked up and walked over to him.
"Mack? What are you doing here?"
"I don't know. Dad rang and told me to come over as soon as possible so I drove straight down. Do you have any idea what's going on?"
"No. But it's obviously something serious. When I got home from school mum was crying."
"We'd better go see what they want." Mack led the way into the lounge.
"Jake you're home. Good." Jo said. "Please sit down."
"Mum what's going on?"
"Well…as you know lately I've been having regular visits to the hospital for checkups. Well when I went to the hospital yesterday they told me that my cancer had come back."
There was silence.
"Does this mean you're going to die?" Jake asked a few moments later, his eyes glistening with tears.
"Can't they do anything? Isn't there some sort of treatment?" Mack asked.
"There is…" Jo started.
"Well then that means you wont die yet doesn't it?" Jake gulped back his tears.
"There is treatment available…but your mother has decided against taking it." PJ explained.
"What? Why?" Mack screamed.
"Because I've had enough of it. I don't want to live the last few moments of my life in more pain. The treatment is just another way of delaying the inevitable." Jo explained. "I don't want to go through it all again, just to have a few extra months, weeks even."
"But…but why?"
"Because I have lived my life. It's my time to leave."
"How long have you got?" Jake asked.
"Three weeks." Jo replied, tears forming in her eyes.
"But you cant…the wedding…it's a few months away…I cant get married without you there." Mack cried.
"You wont be. Because I'll always be with you in you…"
"In my heart. I know…but it's not the same. I need you there Mum. I can't do this without you." She cried.
"Yes you can. I know you can." Jo grabbed one of her hands and one of Jake's hands. "You are very special children. And I know in my heart that whatever you do, you're going to make me proud. And besides your father is going to be with you for a long time after I'm gone. He'll be there if you need anything.'
"It's not the same Mum. I don't want you to die." Mack whimpered.
"I know sweetie. It's going to be ok." Jo pulled the kids both in for a hug.
"It's getting late. You should get to bed Jo."
"I'm not a little kid PJ." Jo laughed.
"I know. I'm just worried about you."
"I'll be fine. I've got to make up the spare room for Mack…"
"Don't worry about that. Jake will help me do it. You just get to bed and get some sleep." Mack stood up.
"Yeah. We'll be here to help you if you need anything." Jake replied.
"Thanks guys." Jo smiled. Then PJ picked her up and carried her to their room.
Jake and Mack stood in the spare room, folding out the sofa bed in silence. Neither of them could think of what to say.
"Hey guys." PJ walked in.
"Dad…" Mack looked up and burst into tears.
"Come here." He grabbed them both and pulled them in for a hug.
"Why did this have to happen? Why Mum?"
"I don't know." PJ replied.
"We should do something for her." Jake suggested, trying to be strong.
"Like what?" Mack asked.
"I don't know. Something special. Something that will help us to remember her forever."
"And what do you propose we do?"
"I have the perfect idea." PJ smiled.
What could PJ's idea be? How will Jo's friends react to her dying?
Review and find out!
Jess