To My Dear and Patient Readers:

First of all, thank you. I should not have left you hangin like that and I apologize. Life did more than get in the way… it obilerated it. But my muse and I (smiley face) talked it out and we are going to try to let nothing deter us from completing this mission. So I thank you for your patience, your forgiveness and enjoy!

Jovanerporvida

Scene 31

Thomas paced up and down the jet.

"I'm here."

He met her with a hug. He stared at her moment, caressing her face within his hands. Thomas saw the bloodshot eyes and his heart reeled with sadness.

Holding her close, resting his head on hers, he asked: "You ready?"

Dayzee nodded into his chest. He placed one last kiss on her forehead and guided her to sit. She moved in closer to his embrace. As long as she had him, she always knew home.

"Are you sure?" a deep baritone voice asked. He tapped a pen against his desk. "Okay, thanks."

With a quick a glance over his shoulder, he picked up the phone again. He punched at the number keys and hummed along with the melodic beat. A gruff voice growled a response on the other line.

"Yeah, I need your help with something,"

Maple Valley, Washington

"Dayzee,"Thomas said as he turned the engine off. He lightly touched her shoulder. "Dayzee, wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open. "How long have I've been out? We're at the hotel already?"

His smile flashed. "You fell asleep as soon as I put the bags in the trunk."

Dayzee surveyed the surroundings. She studied the manicured gardens fenced by cookie cutter like homes. "Where are we?"

He unbuckled his seat belt and faced her. "I had Andrea check. It came highly recommended. This cul de sac is so guarded that you need a special key chip to get in."

Thomas noticed her clouded confusion. He took her hand. "I don't want any distractions. You need this time with your family. Besides, we're only twenty minutes away from the hospital."

He dropped a kiss on her hand. "Go inside. I'll get the bags."

Scene 32

The stark whiteness of the hospital lights induced Dayzee to blink. Green walls bordered by the thick wooden panels contrasted against lackluster floors. She mentally started a rhythmic pace to her walk; anything to suppress that she was approaching the nurse's station. Although Thomas walked alongside her, sheltered her with one arm, the coldness of the building entrapped her like a useless blanket.

"Can I help you?" the attendant asked. She refused to look up from her paperwork.

Dayzee swallowed the block of the fear lodged in her throat. "Yes. I'm here to see Anise Leigh."

"Thank you, Shiela. I'll take it from here," a deep male voice piped in.

"Yes, Doctor." She grabbed her paperwork and scurried down the corridor.

He outstretched his hand. "Hello, Miss?"

She returned the handshake. "Dayzee. Miss Anise Leigh's daughter. And this is Thomas."

This is Thomas? Thomas felt a sharp knot in his stomach. What did that mean?

The gentleman outstretched his hand. "Nice to meet your both. I'm Doctor Claremont. I am assigned to your mother's case. However, I wished we had met under better circumstances."

She nodded. "How did this happen?"

"Please." He gestured toward the couch.

"Now...Miss Leigh is it? How much do you know about your mothers' condition? Has your aunt shared anything with you at all?"

Her head lowered. "Not much. My aunt told me they were taking her off support this Friday."

Doctor Claremont nodded. "That is correct. However, it is our policy not to proceed until all parties regarding the patient is in agreement. Mrs. Gaines stated she tried numerous times to contact you and received no response. Now that both parties are here to make a decision-"

He peered at the floor, blew out a small breath and continued.

"I understand you do not have an easy choice here. But in my professional opinion, there is not much we can do for your mother. We've tried to keep her comfortable to the best of our abilities. I wish I could tell you she will make a full recovery…I do not see that happening. I'm so sorry."

Dayzee felt walls close around her, her air imprisoned. She felt a movement on her shoulder and discovered Thomas' hand. He set his other hand across hers.

"Can I see her now?" she pleaded.

"Of course." Doctor Claremont reassured.

He reached into his pocket. Hesitation marked his expression as he flipped the envelope between his fingers.

"I believe this is yours."

Doctor Claremont released the item and immediately checked his phone.

"Let me not delay you any longer," he rose. "Shall we?"

She nodded and they entered the room.

Dayzee did not know what sickened her first, the shell who occupied the hospital bed or the machines that forced life into her. Her ageless beauty now betrayed by the drugs that racked her system. Eyelids drooped. Slivers of grey adorned her hair.

"Mom?" she asked.

Dayzee sprinted to the bed.

"Mom?" she whimpered. She rubbed the back of her mother's hand then brushed her mother's forehead. "Can you hear me? It's Buddah."

Another fit of tears bubbled to the surface. Dayzee felt the reassurance of Thomas' hand and she reached for it.

"Please, Mom. Wake up. I need to know you're okay. I have so much to tell you. I'm begging you."

She eyeballed her mother's arm. The tracks along the inside of Anise's appendage weaved an unsettling pattern; some lines crisscrossed others. Despite the inane maze it fashioned, the truth refused to conceal itself. The life-sustaining liquid bled through her permable skin.

Thomas heard the buzz and glanced at his phone. Dayzee rested her hand against his shoulder.

"It's okay. I know it's important. I'll be fine."

His concerned blue eyes measured her soft features. She gave him a nod.

"Go head."

"Be back in a minute." he replied, placing a quick peck on her cheek.

Scene 33

"Hello, Son."

"Dad."

"Are you guys alright? How's Dayzee?"

"Fine. She's okay, considering."

"You had me worried the way you rushed out of the room like that."

Ridge's sigh passed between them.

"Look, Dad. I have to get back. Dayzee needs me…"

"I understand. Just let her know that we will keep her in our prayers."

"Okay."

"Thomas?"

"Yeah?"

"I wasn't… you know, trying to put you in a corner with Thorne today. Your uncle-let's just say he knows what buttons to push."

Now Thomas exhaled. "Don't worry about it, Dad. I get it. But I really have to go…"

"Alright. Take care of each other."

"We always do. Bye Dad." he clicked off.