(Chapter Five)

The guests took turns coming to Dee Dee with words of sympathy and support, along with hugs and gentle squeezes of her hands.

When Mark returned, he sat across from Dee Dee, her mother and Rick who were seated on the sofa.

He was happy to see that she had joined them downstairs, but also wished that she could take this time to get some rest. He then wondered if it would be possible for anyone to even consider sleeping after such events.

"Mark?" Dee Dee called his name and stirred him from his thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Will you get everyone's attention for me? I need to make an announcement."

"Of course." Mark stood and walked through the lower level of the house to gather the guest as Dee Dee had asked.

Once they were all inside the living room, Dee Dee stood and filled them in on why she called for them.

"I thank you all for coming. Some of you already know that I'll have the services back home in Los Angeles. Since many of you, plus others who aren't here now, won't be able to make the trip, there will be a wake...a viewing tomorrow at two o'clock." She heaved a ragged sigh. "You'll have to forgive me, but I can't remember the address."

Rick stood beside her and offered the information. "It's 43 Lennhope Road." He looked to Dee Dee for permission to continue, and she nodded.

"The family will receive guest at the parlor until seven-thirty. After that, we'll return home to pack for our trip back to the states."

It was a gentle way to remind people that it would be appreciated if they didn't return to Dee Dee's home after the wake. She needed time to gather herself before making the trip. When he was finished, Rick turned to Dee Dee and took her arm to ease her back to her seat.

Mrs. Leyland, AJ's sitter, wouldn't be able to attend the services in the states, but was relieved to hear of the wake which she would attend. "Dee Dee, I'm going to be there tomorrow, and if you need me for anything at all, please let me know."

"Thank you, I will." Dee Dee answered softly. "You were like a grandmother to my baby. I appreciate all that you've done for us."

"It was my pleasure." Mrs. Leyland's eyes watered and she hugged Dee Dee and left to return to her own home.

Charlie moved across the room to Dee Dee. "I guess I should get back to my hotel for a little rest." He stifled a yawn as he was still suffering from jet-lag. "I'm sorry that I have to go, but I'll be there tomorrow."

"I understand. Get some sleep and I'll see you tomorrow." The two shared a long embrace and Charlie placed a gentle kiss on her temple and then moved to hug Anna and shake hands with Rick and the others on his way out.

The other guests followed Charlie's lead, made their way toward Dee Dee and her companions and then out the door.

Fifteen minutes earlier, Rick had placed a call for a taxi to take Evelyn and Neil Turnan to their hotel. They both took Dee Dee into their arms and reminded her to call if she needed them, and then left to get some rest, too.

As Dee Dee watched the taxi leave, Anna called to her.

"Sweetheart, don't you think you should get some rest, too?"

Dee Dee turned around to face her mom. "I don't know if I can sleep. I don't know if I want to."

Anna realized that her daughter may be fearful of any dreams that may come. "You should take the medication the doctor prescribed. It might help you rest."

Dee Dee didn't reply, but took a seat on the sofa.

Rick retrieved the medicine and a glass of juice from the kitchen and handed them to Dee Dee. She reluctantly took the bottle, and when Rick saw her struggle to open it, he gently took it from her and dumped one of the pills into the palm of his hand and gave it to her. With all eyes on her, she felt as if they'd all ask her to lift up her tongue to prove she'd actually swallowed the pill.

Mark felt better at knowing that she'd taken something that may help her get the sleep she needed. "I'm going to leave you guys for the night." He stood from his seat and walked over to Dee Dee. "I'll see you tomorrow, but you can call me at any time."

"Okay, thank you." Dee Dee offered a faint smile.

Mark bent down to kiss her on the temple. He hoped that he wasn't being too forward.

Dee Dee didn't seem to mind, and though he didn't know it, the gesture actually made her feel comforted.

Once Mark left, Anna and Rick made sure that all the doors were locked and that all food was put away.

"Do you want a snack before we finish up?" Rick asked Dee Dee.

"No, I'm okay. I'm going up to take a shower."

Anna and Rick watched as Dee Dee made her way up the stairs and out of sight.

"I hope she can sleep." Anna said to Rick. "We have the viewing tomorrow, then the day after that, we'll all be heading back to LA for the actual funerals. I hope she can handle it."

"Me, too." Rick replied. "How are you holding up, Anna? Is there something that I can do for you?"

"It's strange, but I think that my focus on Dee Dee is keeping me from breaking down about AJ and Alex at the moment. I just appreciate that you're here for her...for us." Anna placed her hand on Rick's arm. "She'll need you even more, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess she will." Rick sighed. "I hope I'm of use to her."

"You will be."

Dee Dee was slow to enter the master bedroom. Before she came upstairs, she contemplated the idea of asking her mother to sleep in the master bedroom and letting her have the guest room. Once inside the bathroom, she saw some of Alex's toiletries on the counter and quickly turned away to try and ignore them. She turned on the water, slipped out of her clothes and tossed them into the hamper and then stepped into the shower. The warm water poured over her as she tried to mentally organize the upcoming events for the next few days. After her shower, she toweled off, slipped on her nightgown, used the blow dryer on her hair and brushed her teeth; making sure to avoid anything of Alex's as much as possible. As she left the bathroom, she heard her mother call to her.

"Dee Dee?" Anna knocked on the bedroom door.

"Come in." Dee Dee sat on the edge of the bed.

"Do you need anything?"

"No."

"Is the medication helping you to relax?"

"I don't think so. I'm still feeling hyper... like I could scream, and like my skin is crawling. At the same time, I feel exhausted."

"Then I'll let you try to rest."

"Where's Rick?"

"He's down in the den getting the sofa-bed ready."

"Oh."

"I'm going to take a quick shower. Do you want him to come up for a bit?"

Dee Dee shrugged her shoulders. "He can come up if he wants to."

"Okay, I'll tell him." Anna gave her daughter a hug and left the room. She went down to give Rick the message, and then returned upstairs to the guest bathroom.

A few moments later, Dee Dee heard Rick knocking and told him to come in.

"Hey." He said as he entered.

"Hey."

Rick sat beside Dee Dee on the bed and noticed that the room wasn't too masculine or too feminine, that there were touches that symbolized both Dee Dee and Alex. The furniture was in dark cherry with black iron accents, such as the decorative art on the wall at the foot of the bed.

"I like how you've decorated in here."

"Thanks." Dee Dee replied quietly. "Alex helped a little." She didn't elaborate and Rick didn't question. He wanted to express himself about one of the things that had been bothering him.

"Listen, Dee Dee. I want you to know that I didn't intend to upset you by not letting you go to AJ when you were in the hospital. I only wanted you to get well."

Dee Dee nodded. "I know."

"I wish I could have been here for you when it happened."

Dee Dee knew he meant the accident, and she wasn't prepared to discuss anything of it. "I appreciate that. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm starting to feel like I need to sleep."

"Oh, no problem. Of course you need rest. I think your mom is finished in the bathroom, so I'll take my turn and then head off to bed, too."

"Okay. Sleep well."

"You, too." He kissed her cheek and left the room.

Before Anna turned in, she checked on Dee Dee once more and reminded her that she'd only be down the hall and that Rick was just downstairs. The two shared a warm hug and then Anna left her daughter to herself.

Dee Dee took Alex's blue and white striped bathrobe from the foot of the bed and slipped it on over her nightgown. She then went into the baby's room to retrieve his teddy bear so she could hold it close to her chest. She quietly crawled into bed and snuggled under the covers as the medication began to take effect. She tried to hold back the tears, but gave up after several minutes and allowed them to trickle over the bridge of her nose as she cried silently until she fell asleep.

Downstairs, Rick lay awake, wishing that he was able to hold Dee Dee and let her know that he was there for her in any way she needed. He felt that she may be upset with him, but wasn't a hundred percent sure. Maybe it's just that she's hurting from her loss, and that it's nothing against him. He felt foolish thinking that way, considering all that she's been through, but the thought still lingered on.

He would have to clear his mind in order to focus on what's best for her. He she'd need as much patience and understanding that they all could provide.

Would he be able to offer enough?