Chapter Nineteen: Beautiful Song
Maureen, Joanne, Benny, Aaron and Roger were all sitting in the waiting room of the hospital now. Mark had finally been allowed in to see Becky about a half hour earlier, and they were all awaiting their turns anxiously.
Roger had not heard from Jason in over three hours, and he was scared for his son. Benny kept trying to call Sam's cell phone, getting no answer, and Roxie had turned her phone off completely. The room was full of tension and anxiousness.
"At least Mark knows where his daughter is,"Maureen muttered as she looked over at Becky's hospital room.
"Yeah, and he's helpless,"Roger grumbled.
"Well we're not helpless. We should go out looking for Jason, Sam and Roxie,"Joanne said.
"Where would we even begin to look?"Benny asked.
"They're teenage kids. If they don't want to be found, they won't be,"Roger sighed. "God, I just hope Jason wizens up and comes back before it's too late..."Suddenly the door to the waiting room opened and Sam entered. He looked tired and sad as he walked in.
"Sam!"Benny cried, jumping up quickly. Sam walked over and hugged his father.
"Any sign of Roxie out there?"Aaron asked. Sam shook his head.
"None. I'm scared for her,"he said. Maureen let out a small sob.
"I shouldn't have yelled at Roxie like that,"she moaned sadly. "I should have listened to her. I should have listened to her a long time ago! Joanne, I'm a horrible mother!"Joanne shushed Maureen.
"Shh. We both could have paid more attention to Roxie,"she assured her. "We need to be more focused on her needs. When she comes back, we'll talk to her about everything. We both owe her an apology."
"We need to tell her how much we love her, Joanne,"Maureen agreed. "She needs to know."
"I know mom."
Everyone turned to see Roxie in the doorway. Her cheeks were very pink, her vibrant features accentuated by her cold, breathy appearance. She looked nervous, though prepared as she slowly walked into the room.
Maureen leapt up, flying across the room and wrapping her arms around Roxie's neck, sobbing into her daughter's gorgeous hair. Joanne was right behind her, also flinging her arms around Roxie.
"Oh Roxie baby, are you all right? We were so worried!"she cried.
"I'm fine mom,"Roxie assured her.
"Roxie, I'm sorry! I'm sorry for yelling at you, I'm sorry for not trusting you! I've been a horrible mother, and I'm sorry!"Maureen cried. Roxie's eyes were filling with tears as well, as she hugged her mother back.
"No mom, I'm sorry,"she insisted. "I'm sorry I ran away, and I'm sorry for not being more grateful. You've both done so much for me, and I've been selfish by refusing to admit that."Joanne smiled, stroking Roxie's hair gently as she and Maureen pulled away, smiling at their daughter.
"We forgive you, Roxie,"Maureen assured her. And Roxie took a deep breath, rubbing her eyes, and very characteristically making sure her makeup hadn't run too much. Maureen and Joanne laughed, hugging their daughter again.
"We love you, Roxie,"Joanne said.
"I love you too, moms,"Roxie replied, as the family hugged happily.
"So, I guess this means we'll be seeing a lot more of you then, what with our little angels together, huh Benjamin?"Maureen askedsuddenly, turning to Benny.
"Well, considering Sam and I are moving back to the East Village, I think you'll be seeing a lot more of me, Maureen,"Benny replied, breaking his news to everyone.
"It will be nice to have you back,"Maureen assured him, with a smile.
"It will certainly be nice to be back,"Benny agreed. The moment was broken when the nurse came out of Becky's room.
"Excuse me, are you all close friends of Rebecca Cohen?"she asked. The group all stood at once.
"No. We're family,"Roger replied. The nurse nodded, though she looked very confused.
"I see...well, you're allowed in now. But please be quiet, she is very weak."The nurse stepped aside, letting the group pass by her into the small white room.
Mark was sitting there beside his daughter, who lay on the stark white bed, eyes closed, looking very gaunt and ashen. She was hooked up to a machine that was helping her breathe. She did not look like the happy, cheerful Becky that they saw every day. She was frighteningly thin and pale. It pained the group to look upon this young girl laying there in that condition, her father clutching her hand beside her.
Her eyes opened a little as the group walked in, and they could see a small smile spread across her lips. Mark smiled at all his friends too.
"Hey,"he greeted.
"You came..."Becky said, her voice hardly heard from behind the breathing mask.
"Of course we came. The stupid nurses just didn't want to let us in. They didn't believe we were your family. Can you believe that? They didn't believe we were Cohens?"Roger joked. Everyone laughed a little, though only as much as they could given the situation.
"How are you feeling?"Aaron asked.
"Cold..."Becky replied miserably. "But the...shivering...stopped..."
"That's good,"Joanne said encouragingly. "That's very good."
"Hey Becky, Mark, look who's back,"Roger said suddenly, pushing Roxie out before them. Becky grinned at Roxie, who suddenly became very nervous at the sight of her friend in such a condition.
"Hey Roxie,"Becky greeted.
"Roxie...I knew you'd come back,"Mark said with a small grin. Roxie forced a weak smile, nodding.
"Yeah...yeah, I came back,"she said. "Becky...I'm sorry I ran away while you were..."
"It's okay Roxie. You're here now,"Becky insisted. Roxie nodded. Becky was looking around the group, searching for one face, the one face she needed to see. "Has Jason come back?"A silence fell upon the group.
"Uh, no...not yet,"Roger replied.
"I'll go wait in the lobby for him if you want,"Aaron offered.
"Would you?"Becky asked, her icy eyes pleading. Aaron's heart was breaking as he looked into those big, sad eyes.
"Of course Becky,"he replied. And he left the room. Becky relaxed a little, closing her eyes and leaning back. Roger came over to the other side of his 'niece's' bed, and began stroking her hair.
"Don't let go yet, Becky,"he whispered. "You have so much to live for. You have too much to live for. Don't let go."
Jason came bursting through the hospital doors, an electric piano that Paul had lent him slung across his back, sheet music stacked in his arms. He looked ragged and worn out. Aaron had just arrived in the lobby when he caught sight of Jason.
"Jason!"he cried out, shocked.
"Aaron!"Jason called, running over. The two boys caught each other in a hug.
"Oh God Jase, I thought you weren't going to make it,"Aaron sighed in relief.
"I'm not too late then?"Jason asked. Aaron shook his head.
"No. But you don't have much time...she's getting weaker,"he explained. Jason ran a hand through his now messed up hair.
"Oh God..."he sighed, letting out a long, deep breath. "Aaron...I don't know if I can do this."
"Jason, you need to do this,"Aaron replied sternly. "She needs to see you up there."Jason nodded.
"I know,"he replied. He let out one more deep breath. "Where's her room?"
"Come on. I'll show you."
Everyone looked up as Aaron re-entered the room...followed by Jason.
"Jason!"Roger exclaimed. Becky looked up quickly.
"Jason..."she murmured as loud as she could. A wave of relief seemed to float over the group. Jason was finally here. He was finally here to say goodbye properly.
"Hey Becky,"Jason greeted, walking over to the side of Becky's bed. Becky smiled at him adoringly.
"I thought you weren't gonna make it,"she said in her soft, sick voice.
"Of course I made it. I just had to make a pit stop before I came,"Jason replied, grinning down at Becky. "I have something for you. It's really not much, but...it was the best way I could think of to show you how I feel."He took a nervous, shaky breath as he propped up the piano, placing his fingers on the right keys. "Here's your song, Becky."
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches in miles in laughter in strife
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love?
Jason faltered a little, as he hit the wrong chord on the piano. Roger quickly joined in, singing along with him the next time to try and get him back on track. And he continued singing along...
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Maureen and Aaron had also joined in with Jason and Roger by then, as Jason became more confident in his playing, getting softer to allow their voices to be heard singing Becky's melodies.
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life of a woman or a man?
Benny had joined, followed by Sam and Roxie. Jason was not even playing any more, everyone's voices drowning his playing out. But it sounded better that way. Just their voices, sharing their message.
In truths that she learned
Or in times that he cried
In the bridges he burned
Or the way that she died!
It's time now to sing out
Tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Mark was the last to join in, a smile spreading across his face as he looked around at all his friends, wishing more than anything that he had his camera to capture this moment forever.
Remember the love!
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love
Jason came back in on piano, hitting the last fews chords and holding the last one as long as he could. Everyone watched Becky, who was smiling contentedly, her face brighter than ever.
"That was beautiful,"she whispered.
"I figured you deserved to hear your work before you..."Jason trailed off, and Becky reached over, squeezing his hand in her weak grasp.
"That was amazing, Jason. Thank you so much."Jason gripped Becky's hand back tightly, as Mark took hold of her other hand.
"Becky...there is so much I should have told you. So much I wanted to tell you. I'm sorry I was so scared, I'm sorry I didn't tell you this earlier, I'm sorry I pushed you away. I wish I could have said this sooner..."he began. Becky just offered a small, very weak smile.
"I know, Jason. I understand,"she assured him. Her breathing was slowing, as her grip became weaker. "I love you."
Becky whispered out those last words almost inaudibly. Her grip suddenly loosened in both Jason and Mark's hands. Her eyes closed, and her breathing stopped, her body going limp. Maureen gasped, grabbing Joanne and Roxie's hands. Benny dug his fingers into Sam's shoulders. Roger stood beside Jason with bated breath, and Aaron quickly moved to Mark's side. Jason clutched Becky's hand even tighter, closing his eyes and letting the tears stream down his cheeks. He bent over Becky.
"I love you too, Becky. I always have."
Jason kissed Becky's forehead, and Mark collapsed, his head falling onto the bed, still holding Becky's other hand. Jason began sobbing as well, and Roger held his son tight, also crying. Aaron began to cry as he pat Mark's back. Becky was gone. She was really, truly...
Suddenly there was a horrible gag. Everyone turned back to Becky, who had begun coughing and wheezing, sputtering out gasps of air. She took in deep breaths, the machine still helping her along...but she opened her eyes, looking around at the group, who was staring at her in bewilderment.
"Oh my God!"Maureen gasped, a look of utter relief crossing her face.
"I'm still here..."Becky panted softly. The room was filled with tears and cheering and clapping and sighs of relief. Mark hugged Becky tightly, crying tears of the utmost joy and relief, though Becky was still extremely weak, and could not hug him back.
"Becky! Oh thank God, Becky, you're okay!"he cried. He pulled away, holding her thin arms tightly. "Becky, I love you so much."Becky smiled.
"I love you too, dad,"she replied. "I could never leave you."Mark laughed through his tears, kissing Becky's head. Aaron patted Becky's shoulder gently, grinning at her warmly.
"Glad to have you back, kid,"he said in his brotherly tone.
"Uncle Roger was right. I have too much to live for,"Becky croaked, smiling at Roger, who was wiping tears from his eyes as he hugged his best friend. Joanne had run over, placing her hand on Becky's forehead.
"Her fever's breaking!"she announced.
"I still feel dizzy...sick..."Becky whispered, closing her eyes.
"But you're okay!"Roxie squealed.
"Yeah,"Becky said, opening her eyes and gazing up at Jason, who smiled back. "I'm okay."Jason took her hand tightly.
"Becky, I thought you were..."
"I heard you, Jason."Jason smiled.
"I love you Becky."
"I love you too, Jason."
A/N: Aww, there we go! I know, you're all thinking "It's about time!" But it's finally out there...but this is NOT the last chapter yet! I still have one more left after this. So hang in there!
I hope using 'Seasons of Love' was the right choice for Becky's song. It really just seemed to fit the whole "bringing Becky back with love" theme. Also, I wanted it to be a group song, not just Jason going all Roger and singing 'Your Eyes'. What did you guys think?
All right, so there's one more chapter until this wopper of a story is over! Think you can make it? Thanks for all your feedback, it's been great!