Mark,
Now I know what you think I'm going to say. So no, I won't be telling you to get in front of the camera and start living. Not today. You know why? Because I realized something today, Markie. I realized why you film us non-stop. Because, and this hurts to say, we are all dying. It'll be me first, and Mimi's getting so sickly I know she'll just be next, and then eventually Collins and Roger. You just want to savor us, and to not have to rely on memories. That's why you're always filming everything, because you want these days to last. You are unbelievably wise Markie, and I guess I just had never realized. I also want you to find a girl, one that actually loves you. Get over Maureen, and get back in the dating pool. I know this and this only, but everyone deserves to experience true love. She's out there Mark, you just have to find her. Also, please take care of my Collins. He pretends like he's accepted the fact that I'm going to be gone soon, but I can see right through him. I know he's going to break down, please Markie, just be there for him. Hold him when he cries, because I won't be able to any more. And please make sure he doesn't turn into what Roger did when April died. It's your job to look after all of us, Mark. But remember, I'll never really be gone. I'll be watching when you get your well-deserved filmmaker breakthrough, and I'll be watching over your wedding.
I love you Mark,
Angel
Mark smiled at the letter. He hadn't looked at it in years, but every time he did, it made him smile. He had taken her advice, and didn't know where he would be today if he hadn't.
"Daddy?"
Mark looked down. His four year old son was holding up a brightly colored painting. "What's this?" Mark asked.
"I drew it for you at school," the boy explained, pointing out the stick figures on the parchment paper. "That's me, mommy, sister, and that's you, holding the camera."
Mark took the drawing from his son and ruffled the toddler's dark blonde hair. "Thanks buddy," he said. Then his son ran happily off to his room, most likely to go jam on his plastic electric guitar. Mark pinned the drawing to his bulletin board with a red thumb tack.
He'd have to go to work soon, as he couldn't keep his actors waiting. He was really excited about his newest project, a romantic comedy about a drag queen that falls in love with a college professor, entitled, "Something as True as This Is."