A/N: hey everyone. i just wanted to let you guys know that there are only eight chapters left in this story. i am accepting anonymous reviews, so don't hesitate to review!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
(chapter title – Darkening Horizons – Part One)
As the days progressed, Mark got worse. He couldn't stop coughing, which scared Sara the most – he had told Sara he, Benny, Joanne and Maureen were the ones to survive.
The day of Mark's birthday dawned with him coughing up a large amount of blood. Jeffery and Sara drove Mark to the hospital while Peter took care of Angel and Adam.
"Daddy, you're gonna be okay – we're almost to the hospital." Sara soothed Mark as Jeffery continued to drive.
They arrived at the hospital five minutes later where Jeffery went with Mark to the Emergency Room while Sara sat on one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs and waited for someone to come relive her. She put her elbows on her knees, her face in her hands. She felt tears stream down her cheeks as someone took her in their arms and held her. She didn't care who it was, but she liked the way they stroked her hair and rubbed her back.
"Any news, Jeffery?" the person that was holding Sara – a woman – asked.
"They've moved him to Intensive Care and his doctor – Dr. Maine – doesn't want visitors, except family – to see him." Jeffery told the woman. Sara heard footsteps approach and felt Jeffery wrap his arms around her. She cried long and hard into his shirt, holding the fabric in her hands.
"It's gonna be okay, sweetie. Shh. Calm down. It's okay." Jeffery soothed her as he rubbed her back. He stood up and took Sara's hand in hers. She followed him and Mark's doctor down the corridor to the Intensive Care wing. The doctor indicated to a room on the right-hand side and motioned for Jeffery and Sara to enter the room. Sara instantly ran to Mark's side and gasped – he was the same color of the pillowcase behind his head – completely white. He was also hooked up to a bunch of beeping and buzzing monitors. Sara sat down in the squishy orange armchair next to Mark's bed and took one of his hands in hers. She gently and carefully ran her thumb up and down his knuckle.
"Mr. Spelling, could I see you for a minute, please?" one of the nurses asked. Jeffery nodded and kissed the top of Sara's head before walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.
"S-sing me something." Mark whispered hoarsely. Sara took a deep breath and thought about what song she should sing. Her community college was putting on the musical of Aida and she had gotten the role of Aida. Peter had gotten the role of Radames.
"How about Is It Written In The Stars?" Sara suggested. Mark smiled and nodded slowly, resting his head back on the pillows. Jeffery still hadn't returned from talking with the nurse – he probably went to tell their big group what was happening.
Sara took a deep breath and began to sing, just as Peter came in the door, carrying Angel. Sara didn't even notice her husband and daughter come in the room.
"I am here to tell you
We can never meet again
Simple really, isn't it,
A word or two and then
A lifetime of not knowing
Where or how or why or when
You think of me, or speak of me
And wonder what befell
That someone you once loved
So long ago so well." Sara sang.
"Never wonder what I'll feel
As living shuffles by
You don't have to ask me
And I need not reply
Every moment of my life
From now until I die
I will think or dream of you
And fail to understand
How a perfect love can be
Confounded out of hand
Is it written in the stars?
Are we paying for some crime?
Is that all that we are good for?
Just a stretch of mortal time?
For some god's experiment
In which we have no say,
In which we're given paradise
But only for a day." Peter joined in, walking over to where Sara was sitting and stood behind her.
"Marry the princess Radames. You can help my people.
This could be our chance to do something important! Don't you see?" Sara asked, spoken.
"Nothing can be altered,
There is nothing to decide
No escape, no change of heart,
No anyplace to hide." Sara sang.
"Oh, you are all I'll ever want,
But this I am denied
Sometimes in my darkest thoughts,
I wish I'd never learned." Peter crooned.
"What it is to be in love
And have that love returned." Both Peter and Sara sang.
"Is it written in the stars?
Are we paying for some crime?
Is that all that we are good for?
Just a stretch of mortal time?
For some God's experiment
In which we have no say
In which we're given paradise
But only for a day!" Sara sang.
"That was really pretty, Sara." Mark told her, moving his head slightly. Sara felt her eyes well up with tears as she and Peter continued to talk with Mark.
A few moments later, Jeffery came into the room and told Sara and Peter that he wanted some alone time with Mark. Sara nodded, understanding what Jeffery wanted to do.
Standing up, Sara kissed Mark's forehead and exited the room with Peter in tow. Sara had tears streaming down her cheeks as she and Peter walked to the waiting room and sat down on uncomfortable hospital chairs in the corner of the room. Peter set Angel's carrier in front of the couple as Sara cried into his shoulder. He stroked her hair and rubbed her back, whispering soothing words in her ear. He then took out a pen and paper, turning away from Sara so that she couldn't see what he was writing.
"Honey, here you go." Peter whispered, nudging Sara gently.
"Mmm. What is it?" Sara asked, yawning. She had been fast asleep when Peter had woken her up.
"Just read it. It'll make you feel better." Peter told her, rubbing her back in a circular motion.
"It's hard to believe that I couldn't see that you were always right beside me. Thought I was alone, with no one to hold…" Sara read out loud, tears coming to her eyes again. Peter took out a pack of Kleenex and handed it to Sara. Opening the pack, she instantly dabbed the tears out of her eyes and blew her nose.
"Visiting hours are over." A nurse called over the PA system. Peter stood up and picked up Angel's carrier. Suddenly, there was a loud noise coming from where Mark's room was located.
"Daddy!" Sara screamed, standing up and running to Mark's room. Upon entering, she saw Jeffery slumped over Mark's limp body – the line on the heart monitor had gone straight – the long beeeeeeeeeeeeep was the only noise in the room, besides Jeffery and Sara's crying – the one that they had loved so much was gone from their lives forever – or so they thought…
A/N 2: don't own the lyrics to Is It Written In The Stars. belongs to respected owner. 'nuff said.
