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Chapter Thirty Two: The Right Man

John and Cole listened intently as Michael explained to them the exact details of what would be a very complicated surgical procedure. They tried to focus on the words to comprehend what they meant for the future of their mother and girlfriend respectively along with everyone else she loved. Cole's left knee bounced nervously as he held onto Langston's hand loosely. While John had Natalie's hand in a vice grip. For everyone involved it was just a strange place to be.

Breaking contact with Natalie John suddenly blurted out. "I want to see Marty before she goes in. I need to see her. I need to see that she's going to be okay."

"I can't promise anything." Michael confessed his head hanging low. "The surgery has its dangers and all of you need to be prepared if something might happen. Per John's instructions Marty's life will be put first unless she is able to consciously and coherently make a decision of her own free will."

"I hope it won't come to that but I want everyone informed on what we're facing. We have the best surgical team in place. And I will do everything I can to bring Marty back."

Nodding slightly John didn't say anything before hugged Cole close to his body. "I'll be right back." He said low enough for only him to hear. Then he headed in the direction of Marty's room.

"Hey lady." He whispered sitting at her bedside in the lone plastic chair in the room. Picking up her hand he couldn't help but notice the mass of wires and tubes attached to her pale arm. He was glad Cole didn't have to see Marty like this. He was having enough trouble as it was. He could only imagine how hard this would be for her son. "Well I wanted to be the one to tell you what I decided. I hope you'll understand. I know you would always put Cole first that his safety and well-being mean more to you than anything else. That's what I'm trying to do here. I told Mike to save you first. Cole needs his mother and I know you need him too."

"I also want you to know that I need you. That as much as I want this baby, I need you. I can't lose you Marty." Pressing a kiss to her palm he held her hand to his cheek like she had done so many times before as he continued. "I gotta go so they can take you in. So I'm going to ask you this one more time. If you don't this if you hate my decision tell me now. We had to make a choice for you since you couldn't make one for yourself. You're the strongest person I know Marty so I need you to come back now. Come back to me and tell me what you want."

John hated himself for begging her like this without her able to answer him. He'd give anything to take her place a true declaration of undying and unyielding love. Gazing down at her he waited for her petal like lips to form a reply to his plea. When one didn't come, he whispered a final goodbye and a true declaration of love. "I'll always love you, Marty Saybrooke."

"John?"

He spun around his hand immediately dropping from the doorknob. Her voice was barely audible so hoarse he could barely make out the two syllables of his name. Still, as he stared at her wide-eyed relief consumed him. "Marty!" He cried quickly making his way across the room. He gently began stroking her cheek and running his fingers over her chocolate ringlets that spilled over her pillow. "You're awake. I should go get Mike."

"In a second." She implored. "I need to tell you something first."

"What is it?"

"I heard everything." Marty replied. "I don't want to lose our baby either but you're right. I would never let anything happen to Cole. However, I wouldn't let anything happen to you either. I couldn't let him lose you John. Not after everything you've become to him. I need you as much as you need me. I couldn't choose to lose you either. I just wanted to tell you that you made the right choice."

John looked at her almost perplexed by her confession that Cole couldn't lose him. She smiled a faint version of her bright wide smile as her limp hand managed to caress his cheek slowly. "You were the right person to make this decision. You're the right man I always wanted Cole to have in his life after Patrick."

Slowly the back up anaesthesia was kicking in as Marty's hand fell from John's face to her side and she whispered weakly. "You're the right man I wanted after Patrick. You're just the right man, John. I love you."

Quickly as John watched Marty's eyes close slowly he pressed the call button above her bed. Calling a nurse loudly Jolene must have heard the urgency in his voice because she was there within seconds Michael nipping at her heels. "She told me that I made the right choice." John rambled clearly shaken by what happened. Michael just nodded not knowing how to respond. He listened to the rest of his brother's story before dismissing him back to the waiting room. It was time for Marty to go in.

As John slumped down in a chair, the furthest away from everyone all he could do was replay his last conversation with Marty in his head. Her words were ringing around his head clear as day as if she were right next to him speaking them.

You're the right man I always wanted Cole to have in his life after Patrick. You're the right man I wanted after Patrick. You're just the right man, John. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Just before she went into surgery with her life and their baby's life hanging in the balance she told him she loved him. That was the first time since her accident that she said that. Making the sign of the Cross John whispered hoarsely trying to hold back the tears that clouded his clear blue eyes. "She loves me. Still, after everything she loves me. Don't do this to me again, God. Don't take Marty like you took Caitlin. Please. She loves me."