A/N: I'm so sorry that it has taken me this long to update. Forgive me. I've had writers block and have been suffering from migraines, and I also have not been able to get computer access. Again, I'm sorry and will try to remember to update. Since I am busy with real life problems, I may only be able to get a chapter out every two weeks. So please bear with me, this story gets better I promise. Thnx.
Side Note: This chapter is actually a two parter. I had planned on it being only one, but it was getting long and my deadline to update had already passed. So I split it up into two parts. Sorry, but this had to be done.
Chapter Four
Coping With Hardship
Kayla paced back and forth from outside the living room door. Tears had dried on her face leaving glistening tracks. Her arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, the sick feeling within her stomach never once abating.
Tiffany Quill was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase that led up to the second floor. She too was hugging herself, and being held by her mother who sat beside her. Both women had tried to comfort Kayla, but she had pushed them away and kept to herself.
When Madame Quill entered the home and saw the horrible sight before her, and seeing that Kayla was in such a state of shock that she couldn't do anything but hold her father, Tabitha retrieved the phone and dialed an ambulance as well as their family doctor whom had told them to call in case something drastic had happened. Together the three women had brought Michael into the living room to lay him down on the couch.
At that point Kayla had come to her senses partially. She had begun CPR for her father, and had done so until the paramedics arrived. They got there at the exact same time Dr. Stephelle walked through the front door. Both the EMTs and doctor went to check on Michael. Kayla had gone into the room with them. After a few minutes it was plainly obvious that there was nothing anyone couuld do. Dr. Stephelle had warned that Michael's life was waning and that he would not last much longer. He had told Kayla that the inevitable was going to happen and just to accept it.
As painful as that statement had been, she never fully allowed herself to believe. She forced the idea in the deepest part of her mind where she did not have to dwell on it. But now, all she could think of was that this was her father's final hour.
The paramedics had left the house to wait in the ambulance. And with directions from the doctor, the call had already gone out for the Coroner to come expecting to pick up a body.
That all had been ten mintues ago. The door opened and Kayla looked up to see Dr. David Stephelle pop his head out, a grave look on his face. No one had said anything. There was nothing really quite to say. Everyone already knew what was going to happen. There was nothing to do but wait for the dreadful moment when the Coroners walked throught the front door.
"Madame Quill, Michael would like to see you for a minute." His voice was hollow, devoid of any real emotion. But is was a mask. Michael and David had grown up together, went to school, college, and were best friends. Both even persuded the same woman, Karen, but Michael won her heart. David was of course jealous, and would always love Karen, but he still valued his friendship with Michael. They were like brothers afterall.
Tabitha stood, releasing her grip on Tiffany. As she passed by Kayla she brushed her hand down her arm, but Kayla moved away, denying herself any form of comfort. Tabitha sighed and followed the doctor into the room, closing the door behind her.
Michael de Gracia looked barely recognizable. His face was ashen, his eyes sunken in and surrounded by bluish-black brusies, white lines caused by strain were etched on the sides of his mouth. The man seemed so vulnerable lying there; a man that was once strong, well-muscled. But now, now he was reduced to nothing more than an empty shell, a sad reminder of the once loving and powerful Michael de Gracia.
"Michael?" Tabitha called out softly. She was afraid she knew why he had asked to see her. He had already once brought her aside and had a long talk about what he wanted done when his time came, what he needed her to do.
Michael's eyes fluttered, his lashes slowly lifting, like a heavy curtain revealing dark, glossy covered eyes. Poor imitations of his usual bright, glowing hazel orbs. Eyes that held intelligence, happiness and love; not pain and an undescribable amount sadness. He turned those painfilled eyes to her, and even that small movement seemed to of hurt him.
"Tabby..." A faint smile touched his blue lips. 'Tabby' had always been his nickname for her. Like David, she had been part of his life growing up. More like a sister to him than just a friend. Since he had grown up an orphan, he treasured those that he could claim as friends and loved ones.
Tabitha moved closer, shifting to her knees at his side by the couch. With a trembling hand, she took hold of his ice cold one and clasped them together. Hesitantly, she brought up their entwined hands to her lips, kissing his knuckles gently. With her other hand she brushed his hair back out if his face.
"I'm here, Michael, I'm here. Please, tell me what you want me to do. Tell me, and I'll do anything that you ask of me." Her voice faltered, a sob threatening to break free. She took a deep breath to help settle herself. She bit her lip and swallowed loud enough for all three of them to hear.
"My sweet, Tabby. Always straight down to business with you. One of your many qualities that I love. But yes, you are most right. There is something that I need to ask you. Do you remember that time, not but a few weeks ago, when I asked you to help me with my will?"
"Yes, I remember. You asked me many things, most of which included Kayla." A tear spilled down her cheek; she blinked back more, refusing to break down in front of him when it was apparent that their time was dire and there was still much to be said.
"Good. Well, Tabby, I need you to do all that I had asked of you then. I need you to take care of Kayla for me. She has no one else, only your family, and maybe you, David, but my baby needs more than just friends. She will need the support of a family that loves her. I know that she will not survive my death so easily. She just barely made it through Karen's, but she at least had me as her rock, a safety line in her shattered life. This new hardship may very well destroy what little spirit she has left."
Michael suddenly gasped, clutching at his chest, his eyes closing tight in pain. A low moan escaped his lips as the agony tore through his body. No sooner had the attack come that it was gone. Leaving Michael breathing harder, more labored. His body shook with little aftershocks.
David was already checking his pulse. His demeanor finally crumbled. Several tears fell, and his hands trembled. As a doctor he had been around death plenty, but it was nothing compared to when you witness one of your own loved ones in pain and slowly dying before your very eyes. He took a deep, shuddering breath and took a step back to give him some space.
"Michael, are you still with us? You can't die yet! Kayla has to see you one last time. Please, Michael, hold on just a little bit longer. For Kayla." Tears were running in torrents down her pale cheeks. She was failing at keeping it together. "I understand what you want me to do, Michael, and I promise with my whole heart that I will care for and love Kayla as if she were my own daughter. It won't be that hard really, I already love her so much." A small smile curved at her mouth, but quickly faded. "I swear to you I will make sure that she survives."
"As will I." David added. Tabitha looked up at him. "I will. If there should be anything that our Kayla needs, I will be there for her. She will still have a family to turn to. Always." He reached out and took hold of Michael's other hand. "Do you hear me, bro, you do not have to worry about a thing. I will love her like a daughter too." Deep down within his heart and soul he had always wished that Kayla had been his child, his child that he shared with Karen. And if this were the only way to share something with his beloved Karen and do something, anything to prove to Michael that he still held dear their friendship, he would do it. Kayla loved him like an uncle, and he would do all in his power to be there for her.
Michael found that he still had the strength to speak, as well as smile. "I would greatly appreciate that, David. Thank you, both of you. Tabitha, you'll need to explain all the terms and agreement we went over, okay?" He took several deep breaths, closing his eyes briefly to pull back as much strength as possible. "Please, could one of you send for Kayla now." He coughed violently, pulling his hands away from his family to cover his mouth. He felt something warm and liquid splash into his palms. Gazing at them, he saw blood spotting his skin. He looked afraid as he turned to stare up at Tabitha.
David grabbed a cloth from the small coffee table and quickly helped wipe away the blood, while Tabitha went to the door to call Kayla in. She glanced back at Michael, her heart already broken and crying out to him.
xXx
Kayla had resumed pacing up and down the hallway, and Tiffany was still sitting on the staircase. Tabitha opened the door and stepped out to face Kayla. Immediately the young woman stopped moving and looked Tabitha straight in the eye, her breathing catching in her throat.
"Kayla, he wants to see you now. But before you go in let me just warn you; this is more than likely the last time you will be with him. He doesn't exactly look like himself, so be prepared for if he seems different. He's still in his right mind, but he is having trouble breathing and speaking. His voice is very quiet so you will have to lean in close to hear him. Do you understand what I'm saying, sweety? This is important." Tabitha spoke with a calm, soft voice; one a parent would use to talk to a child. Carefully.
Kayla didn't respond, instead she just walked past Tabitha and into the living room. Tiffany stood up and looked to her mother, fresh tears glistening in her eyes. She walked up to her and threw her arms out to be held. Tabitha caught her and held her tight.
"Come on, dear, we need to be in there as well. Once Michael passes on, Kayla is going to need us there by her side. Most likely she will not be able to handle her emotions."
Tiffany nodded and followed her mother into the room after Kayla. Both holding onto the other for emotional support.
xXx
Kayla froze in the doorway, the color draining from her beautiful, delicate face. Michael wished with all his heart and soul that he could wipe that tormented look from her face. The haunting pain from her glorious, moss-green eyes.
"Honey, come here, it's ok." His voice choked out. It took much of his willpower not to fall apart and cry. This was his last few precious minutes left with his only child, he had to be strong for her sake.
Kayla hesitated, but slowly made her way to her father's side. As she reached him she fell to her knees so hard that everyone winced knowing that it had to have hurt, but she showed no sign of the physical pain. She threw her arms out to hold him around his torso as she laid her head down on his chest. The whole time she hadn't made one sound, or shed one tear.
A sound like white noise had filled her ears, blocking out anyone's voice for half a minute. Her lungs burned for air. It was then that she noticed she was holding in her breath, making her light-headed in the process. She pulled back enough to look her father in his still handsome face. What had Tabitha been talking about? He still looked the same caring, loving man who used to give her piggyback rides as a child; the same man who gave her her first musical intrument and taught her how to play it; the same man who held her so close when her mother died.
"This can not be happening..." She whispered so softly to herself.
"But it is, baby. There's nothing left anyone can do. My heart is failing and my body is deteriorating. I'm dying." As much as it hurt him to say those awful words, they had to be said. She had to heard them from his own lips.
"Please, dad, no. You can't leave me here alone. You can't, you're all I have, I can't lose you." She sobbed and smothered her face in his chest as the tears finally cascaded down her cheeks to soak into his shirt.
"Kayla, listen to me very carefully." He raised his trembling hands to grasp either side of her head. She struggled, shaking her head back and forth. She was whispering something so quietly that Michael had to lean closer to hear that she was saying 'no' over and over like a mantra.
Michael looked beseechingly towards Tabitha. The older woman could practically read his expression.
Please, take care of her.
Again he focused all of his attention on his daughter, efficiantly fazing out everything else around him. "Kayla, honey, look at me, please. I need you to pay attention to what I'm about to say and I need to know the you understand." He gently held her chin, raising it up so she could meet his eyes. With his other hand her wiped away her tears.
Kayla knew that she had to pull herself together. If this was going to be her last few precious moments with her father, her only family left, then she would force herself to be stronger. She had to be. For him. She nodded twice, blinking away anymore tears from falling, and taking a deep, shuddering breath.
Michael took his own deep breath and released her chin so he could grasp her hands tightly in his own. "There's so much I need to tell you, but I'm afraid that I've run out of time. And for that, I'm sorry, baby. God, I wish so many things, but it just seems so unfair. I don't want to leave you, honey, but no one can escape death. When God decides that it's your time, then..." He closed his eyes as a fresh wave of tears streamed down his cheeks. Try as he might, the thought of losing his only daughter, never seeing her beautiful, angelic face, or hearing her heavenly voice again seemed more painfil than the writhing pain tearing through his chest to his heart.
Time seemed to freeze as Kayla's memories flashed to the forefront of her mind. She knew that he would not be with her forever, she understood death. But for him to leave her so soon, so early in both their lives; it just wasn't fair. At the age of thiry-two, Michael's heart condition worsened. Karen, her mother, had died only two years prior at the age of twenty-six; Kayla had only been six years old at the time.
Now, twelve years later, Michael's heart was so far gone that death was within reach, and only at the age of fourty-four. He just seemed too young to die. And Kayla, at the age of twenty, was about to become an orphan. Sure she had friends that were so close to her heart that she considered them family, but they just weren't the same as flesh and blood relatives.
From the time that Kayla was eight, she remembered spending an uncounted amount of time in hospitals when her father's heart weakened and became open and susceptible to frequent attacks. The doctor's had prescibed medication and it seemed to have worked for many years. But it was only three months ago when they became more progressive, and then earlier that month he had that one attack sent his body off the deep end.
A/N: I know this is a terrible place to cut, but I am having writers block on what comes next. But I do promise not to leave you hanging, I will finish this. Please stay with me. R & R.
