Chapter Nine- Final Goodbyes

The day after Rose was born Kori was moved into her private room. Richard, who had taken Gar and Rachel to see their new "niece" stopped at the gift shop and bought two dozen red roses.

When he arrived at Kori's room, she was lying there looking dazed.

"Richard," she uttered softly.

"Sweetie," he replied, perching on the edge of her bed and handing her the roses.

"They're beautiful," she breathed.

"Only the best for you," Richard said, grinning.

"We have to talk, Richard," Kori informed him quietly. "It is a very serious manner."

"What is it, baby?" he asked, concern carved onto his handsome features.

"I am going to die," Kori said simply.

"WHAT?" Richard demanded. "Why would you say that?"

"I was born in this hospital, Richard. They know I am originated from another planet. They say that because Rose is half-human, it was too much for my body to handle. I'm physically exhausted. My heart is slowly giving out. They have given me twenty-four hours or less," Kori said grimly. She didn't break into sobs, hide her face from him, or look the least bit afraid. Kori held his gaze steadily.

"Baby," Richard gasped. He pulled her to his chest, blinking furiously at the tears that now blinded his sapphire eyes. "Isn't there anything I can do?"

"The only surgery procedure wouldn't work on my body."

"But there are treatments for exhaustion," Richard protested angrily.

"My anatomy is slightly different, as is the way my mind is structured, Richard," she mumbled into his chest. "They won't work."

"But Rosie-our friends-your parents-me," he choked. "We need you, Kori. What's my life without you?" he demanded.

"Please, Richard," she begged with a tiny smile. "I love you, too. You have no idea how this hurts. All I ask is that you arrange for everyone to come see me tonight. And don't let my parents take Rose from you," she added. "You are her father as far as I am concerned."

"I won't," he promised. "You know I wish I was."

Kori smiled sadly. "You will make sure Karen, Rachel, Vic and Gar come to see me?"

"I promise," he slurred. "Why won't they try to make you better?" he bellowed furiously.

"My parents have requested the hospital staff do everything in their power. But it is of no use. I can feel life being drained from my body, Richard. I am not afraid. My only regret is that you took on the responsibility of being Rose's daddy. You should be living a carefree life; you're only seventeen years old. I am so sorry for allowing you to do this." Her face was somber and it broke Richard's heart. He pulled her closer still.

"It's not your fault," he assured her, stroking her hair, still damp from childbirth. "You know I love her like my own."

"You are perfect," she breathed into his chest.

"And you're my angel," he whispered.

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

"Kori!" Karen yelped, throwing her slender frame onto Kori's bed. "You're not dying," she ordered. "You have a beautiful baby girl and a gorgeous boyfriend. There's a reason for you to live, Kori."

"I agree," Rachel, Gar, and Vic chorused, marching into the room, followed by Richard, who was carrying baby Rose.

"My friends," she murmured, smiling at them all in turn. "My baby," she added, stretching her arms to take Rose.

"Dude," Gar squawked. "Look. Her arms are shaking."

"Shut up Garfield," Rachel hissed, elbowing his ribs.

"I will be fine, friends," Kori said, flashing her dazzling smile. "Just let me see my baby."

Vic looked around at his friends sadly. "This could be the last time we're all together," he realized slowly.

Gar let out a long, low whistle. "Dudes."

"Kori is NOT dying," Richard insisted. "Rosie needs her mommy."

Kori coughed loudly. It sounded rather as though one of her lungs was caught in her throat.

Karen gently extracted Rose from her mother's arms. "Rosie does need her mommy, doesn't she?" she cooed.

"I am so sorry to do this. I know how you shall all mourn for me when I have passed," Kori uttered softly, so softly she was barely audible. "May I see Karen and Rachel alone?"

"Of course," Vic concurred, staring fixedly at Gar and Richard.

They followed him out of Kori's room.

Karen and Rachel hovered over Kori's bed, one on either side of their friend.

"We've been best friends since kindergarten," Kori mused. "We met over that can of Play-doh."

"Purple," Karen and Rachel agreed.

"I just never thought that we'd have to say goodbye so soon. We should be preparing to leave for college," Kori continued. "I have a last request for you two, my very best friends."

Karen gently forced Rose back to Kori's arms. "Of course."

"Tell Rose about her mother."

Rachel's mouth hung open. "W-what?" she gasped.

"You know Richard," Kori began. "He will be so upset and lonely that he will not want to talk about me. But a girl should know her mother, yes?"

"Yeah," Karen granted. "So just talk about you?"

"As often as possible," Kori said, beaming at Karen and Rachel.

"God I never thought we'd have to be telling Kori's baby about her," Rachel mumbled. "You shouldn't be dying, Kori."

"I am not afraid," Kori informed them. "But I will miss you all, especially Richard."

"We know, honey," Karen replied in a motherly tone. "His heart is breaking as we speak."

…With the Boys…

"You OK man?" Vic asked Richard gently.

He certainly didn't look OK. He sat on a spindly hospital waiting room chair, head buried in his hands. Every now and then his whole body shook.

"Of course I'm not OK," he seethed. "She's in there dying!" he bellowed. "And I need her," Richard admitted, sinking back down and bringing his knees to his chest.

"Hey dude, it'll be alright," Gar said quietly. He gingerly patted Richard's shoulder.

Richard's body shook again. "I know. It's just…I love her so much, you know?"

"Yeah. And it's because you met her that we're happy," Vic told him. "Let's face it: we never noticed Karen and Rachel before, did we?"

"And she loves you too," Gar added. "She'll look out for you when…"

"She wants to see you guys," Rachel said.

"Not you," Karen informed Richard gently, putting a hand on his shoulder.

She joined Rachel on a small couch adjacent from Richard's chair.

…With Kori and the Guys…

"How are you feeling?" Vic asked gently.

"I am feeling…OK," Kori replied, rocking Rose's fragile body gently.

"He's really heartbroken," Gar informed her.

"I know," Kori said sadly. "This is so hard for him. Which is why I want to talk to you. You are his best friends."

"Yeah…" they said in unison.

"When Rosie is around five, help him meet someone nice. Rose needs a woman role model, yes? And I want him to be happy. It won't be good for him to brood and grieve for the rest of his life."

"No," Vic concurred. "We will."

"Oh thank you so much," Kori said weakly. "I don't know how I'd feel if I died knowing he'd be alone all his life."

"Don't say that Kori," Richard said from the hospital room doorway. "I will always be alone without you. Can you give us a minute?" he added to Gar and Vic.

They smiled at Kori. And then they left.

Richard perched on the edge of her bed. "We're a family. We have Rosie, Kor."

"I am sorry."

"I know…"

"I love you. And I love Rosie, too."

"I love you with all of my heart, baby. You know that right?"

"Yes." She pulled him down to meet her lips.

They pulled back and her eyes slowly grew glassy.

"Kori, no," Richard moaned.

A final hiss of breath escaped her lungs as her eyes shut.

Richard plucked Rose from her arms and cried.