As they pulled into the hospital parking lot Vanessa could see Zac's jaw tense. Behind the sunglasses she could see the tear stains on his cheekbones. And she could see his strong arms start to quiver as the tears formed again. They both could only imagine what they would find when they got inside the hospital.

They found their way to the information desk and Zac fidgeted as they waited for the receptionist. "Hi, we're here for Amanda Aames? I think she's in intensive care?" He wasn't really listening after he asked the question but he stood patiently.

"Third floor," said the receptionist. "Take the elevators over there then turn to the right when you get to the third floor and follow the signs. There will be an information desk for ICU and a specific waiting room. It's not like other areas of the hospital, there are only specific times during the day when you can go in and see your relative. They can fill you in on that information at the ICU information desk."

Vanessa took Zac by the hand and led him to the elevator. She could see that he had gone into his family zone again. She was glad to be here to help him however she could.

Vanessa decided to stop in the ICU waiting room first before trying the information desk. She figured someone from the family might be in the waiting room, and she was right. David and Dylan were both there. She urged Zac into the waiting area and pointed to his father and brother in the corner. David stood up immediately and came over to embrace his oldest son. "What happened?" was all Zac could ask.

As David tried to fill Zac in on the events of the morning, Dylan just sat in the corner staring into his hands. Zac's fourteen year old brother was just as attached to their grandparents as Zac was. Vanessa wandered away from Zac while he was talking to his father, and sat down next to Dylan. As soon as the teenager saw his brother's girlfriend he just started crying. Vanessa opened her arms and wrapped them around him as she tried to comfort his aching heart. Dylan just put his head on Vanessa's shoulder and let the tears fall. He had been strong for his mom and grandfather and his father. But something about Vanessa's concern just coaxed it out of him.

Zac and David both heard the quiet sobs from the corner and looked up to see Dylan in Vanessa's arms. David reached them first and started apologizing to Vanessa. "He's been so strong all afternoon, I guess it's just sinking in. I'm sorry Vanessa."

"Please don't apologize." Vanessa looked at David and then turned her attention back to Dylan. "Hey, it's okay Dyl, let it out. I'm right here, I'm not letting go till you're ready."

At this point Zac was crying too. He wasn't sure how, but he was going to have to let Vanessa stay with Dylan. David took his oldest son in his arms and tried to offer him comfort, knowing that he wanted to be in Dylan's place right now.

As Zac's tears subsided he lifted his head from his father's shoulder and looked back to where Vanessa was still holding and talking quietly to his little brother. "She's quite the young lady Zac." David said to him. They watched as Vanessa took a tissue and helped Dylan wipe his face. Dylan nodded and Vanessa rubbed his back for a second before she got up and walked over to David and Zac.

"I think he's a little better now," Vanessa said quietly.

"You have quite the motherly touch," David noted, smiling at Vanessa.

She quickly took Zac's hand and squeezed it. "I guess it's just something that comes naturally in this kind of situation." Vanessa knew she could expect tears all around her throughout the evening as friends and family would be coming to check on Mrs. Aames. And they hadn't even seen Starla or Grandpa Aames yet. David led them back to the corner of chairs that they had claimed for their family. There was already a blanket and some pillows scattered on the chairs.

They sat there together for about fifteen minutes before Starla and Alexander Aames came back into the waiting area. It would be another two hours before family could go in again. Starla's tears started flowing freely when she saw her oldest son. He embraced his mom and burst into tears himself. Starla composed herself quickly and started wiping away Zac's tears. She looked around the room, "Where's Vanessa?"

Vanessa had just stayed seated when Starla and Grandpa Aames came in. She stood up quickly when Starla asked for her. Zac's mom stepped away from him momentarily as she embraced his girlfriend. "Thank you for getting him here safely," Starla whispered to her. "How did he do on the drive up?" Again Starla whispered the question to Vanessa and led her momentarily away from Zac.

Vanessa started quietly, "He had a really hard time when David first called. I drove back to the apartment and helped get things packed. Zac drove up here. I think the driving distracted him enough…he didn't break the sound barrier…but, well you know how he drives." Starla smiled sweetly knowing that the young lady beside her had really offered the distraction for Zac. That's why she wanted Vanessa by his side.

Alexander Aames came up to his oldest grandson and put his arm around him. "Zachary?" Zac did his best to be strong for his grandfather. "Let's chat Zac. Me, you and Dylan, we need to talk." Zac and his brother and grandfather wandered to another part of the waiting room while David and Vanessa sat with Starla. Considering the situation, Vanessa was somewhat surprised, she didn't feel out of place. She felt almost like one of their family.

And while Grandpa Aames talked to his grandsons, Starla Efron explained the situation to her husband and Vanessa. As Grandpa put his hands on the boys' backs, Starla took Vanessa and David's hands in hers. "The machines are keeping her alive," they both explained. "She didn't want to live like this." If there was an option, Amanda Aames' wishes were very simple. She wanted them to let her go.

As hard as it would be, Zac and Dylan needed to tell their Grandmother goodbye when they were allowed to see her. When the family came back together they all looked stronger, as though they were pulling strength from each other, in honor of their grandmother.

Zac sat down beside Vanessa and took her hand in his. "Did mom tell you what's happening?" He asked.

"Yes." Vanessa said softly.

"They're going to turn the machines off after Dyl and I get to see her. Then it's just a matter of time." Zac was sounding stronger but Vanessa could tell his voice was still shaky.

"I know you don't have a choice, but are you okay with that?" Vanessa asked honestly.

"I have to be, Ness. It's what Grandma wanted. I've got to be strong enough to let her go instead of wanting her to live on some machines the rest of her life. And who knows how long that would last. If Mom and Grandpa want this, then I do too…and so does Dyl."

Dylan came back and sat down by Zac and Vanessa. This time he leaned his head over on Zac's shoulder and let a few tears run down his face. Zac put his arm around his little brother, determined to stay strong for him. When Dylan sat back up Zac stood up and walked over to his mom.

"Mom, when we go in, can Nessa come with us?" Zac's jaw was set, making the question very tense coming from his mouth.

It wasn't his mom, but his grandfather who answered the question. "Manda would be a little offended if she didn't." Zac was shocked.

"Grandpa, Gramma won't even know we're in there. And she's only met Nessa like twice, maybe three times." Zac looked at his grandfather curiously.

"Maybe so, but after the first time she saw the two of you together she was already planning the wedding." Alexander smiled a little as he said the words out loud.

"What?" Starla jumped into the conversation.

"We watched that first musical movie of yours, that High School Musical. Manda thought you two were just the cutest thing! Then when Vanessa came up with you for Dylan's birthday party…my word, I didn't hear the end of her matchmaking plans. On the way home from that party she gave ME specific instructions."

Starla and Zac just looked at Alexander in amazement as he pulled a ring box out of his pocket. "Dad, what are you doing? What's this about?" Starla questioned.

"One of the last things that Manda said to me this morning was 'Give this to Zac.'" Alexander held the box gingerly in his fingertips. He was determined not to cry.

"Zachary, this is the engagement ring that I gave to your grandmother fifty-four years ago." Alexander said quietly. "Now isn't the right time, I know that. But your grandmother gave me specific instructions to get this ring to you. She said, when the time IS right, you would know who to give it to."

Starla covered her mouth and blinked back more tears as she realized that she and her mother had come to the same conclusion at about the same time. Zac and Vanessa were destined to be together.

Zac took the ring box and squeezed it in his hand. He didn't need to open it to see what was inside. The delicate diamond set in rose gold had been on his grandmother's hand since before he was born. At their fiftieth wedding anniversary she chose to take it off, saying, "If he doesn't know we're married by now, this ring won't help!" Zac remembered her hand looked empty without the second ring on her finger.

"Zachary," Starla started…

"I know mom, I know." He slid the box into his pocket wondering when the time would be right. Somehow he would figure out the timing. And he had a feeling that his grandmother would be watching over them, helping him make the decision.

Zac went back and sat down by Vanessa. He wanted so desperately to kiss her right there and slide that ring on her finger. But he knew better. There would be a right time and a right place, but this wasn't it.