Author's Note: Hey all...this chapter is written a little differently and I'm sorry if it's at all confusing. It is all dialouge, but you should be able to figure out who is speaking relatively easily. I wanted a creative way to show time passing rather than bore you all to tears with fill-in chapter after fill-in chapter of the same thing. So I hope you like what I came up with even if I'm not completely thrilled with it! If you really need me to, I will post the order of who's speaking in my next author's note.
ENJOY!
~JP

True North
By Jaclyn Parker

"Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof."
-Kahlil Gibran
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"Hey, Carly, um, wow, I don't even know where to start. You've only been here a few days but so much has happened."

"Yank...I mean, Parker...and I are good. It's kinda weird dating your best friend, but in a good way, ya know? Yeah, I know you know. Um, so guess what? Uncle Lee got full custody! Mr. Turner didn't show up for the re-assigned court date and even his lawyer doesn't a have clue how to find him. But even though don't know where he's gone, we found out yesterday why he's gone."

"Get this, Lieutenant Hughes found out that Turner got in trouble with some pretty bad guys who own the construction company he works for over some money. It turns out that he had been secretly checking into the trust fund that my mum had set up with the money from when she had sold the charter business. It's nothing like Parker's trust fund, but it's definitely enough to make a bloke lose his marbles. Molly said that even though she made some really bad mistakes, Mum obviously loved me enough to think about my future. Funny thing is that I didn't even know about the trust fund until now. Of course, it doesn't really matter anyway because I don't get access to it until I'm 21. Uncle Lee said that Mr. Turner must have thought I could dip into it now or he could if he had custody but since I would be a legal adult when I got access, he's outta luck! So now, I get to go home and be with Uncle Lee and Molly without any worries. Uncle Lee even said that by the time Turner stops running from the loan sharks, if he still wanted to try and get custody, I'll be well beyond the legal age and he couldn't take me anywhere!"

"Um, speaking of Molly, she gets more and more awesome everyday. The station let her have some vacation time so she sublet her house out in Cali and moved in with us until we can figure everything out permanently. It's kinda nice to have another woman around the house to out vote Uncle Lee. Normally I just rely on you to do that, right? Either that or you just kinda bully him into seeing it your way. Uncle Lee says you are just like another younger sister only without the Australian accent, like Mum has."

"Okay, see, that's kinda what I really wanted to talk to you about. No matter how much I love Molly and I do…I really do…well, you were the first person besides Uncle Lee who helped me not to miss my mum so much. And well, I know that Parker and J.J. miss you too, but it's Sage and Emmy that I'm worried about. You and I both know what it's like as a girl to not have a mum around growing up and, well, it sucks! No matter how they leave you, whether they mean to or not, it still hurts like hell. So you have to wake up, okay? For everyone who misses you, but especially Sage and Emmy…and me. I love you."

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"Hey Sweetie, I brought you some things with me today to celebrate you getting a private suite! Most people have to reserve these things months in advance, shell out loads of money, and be put on a waiting list. Yet, it only took you a week in a coma and maybe some strings pulled by a certain Australian, right?"

"Anyway, check it out. A new silk nightgown and even those pink fuzzy slippers you love so much. Remember how Sage and Natalie were so excited to buy them for us with their own allowance that Christmas? Oh, by the way, I brought some get well cards that the kids hand made for you too. I put them up on your window ledge so you can see them when you wake up. I'm sure you can tell which one is Ethan's card. It was supposed to just be a handprint but he insisted on turning it into a dinosaur. He's really into dinosaurs right now. God, I remember when Luke and even Parker went through that stage. Do you remember how we couldn't buy anything that wasn't dinosaur related? Macaroni noodles, chicken nuggets, pajamas, books; you name it, we bought it!"

"Um, so, you have a lot of people who come visit you everyday. That is, if Jack isn't in the room already. I swear, I don't think that man has slept more than a few hours here and there, babe. He loves you so much, Carly. I don't know how you ever doubted it but at least now you know how silly it was to think otherwise."

"But just so you know…he's not the only one who loves you, okay? We're all ready for you to wake up so…I just want to say that I know I'll see you soon. I, um, I really miss my best friend. I love you, Carly."

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"Uh, I guess I should start by saying good morning, right? It would be rude otherwise. Although since Lily left me in here while she went to get some coffee, I guess at least I won't be getting smacked for being bad-mannered. "

"Yeah, sorry about that nervous laugh, I know you hate it. It's only because, well, the last time I went through something like this is it was Lily's coma after Ethan was born. And that drove me…well, you know. You were there; I didn't handle it so well. In truth, I haven't handled a lot of things well in the past couple years. But you've always been a really good friend, Carly, and I don't want to lose you. Even though I love you and I know you love me, at least we realized that it wasn't the same way we loved other people. We made a huge mistake, you and I, doing what we did to Jack and Lily. But we both have a second chance to make it right. Okay, you're right, it's more like an eighth or ninth chance, but who's counting?"

"Yeah, I know, the laugh again. Sorry, I'll stop. It's just…bottom line is this, Carly. I have never seen my cousin as happy as the times when he was with you. Even when things got bad, there was something there that I couldn't even begin to describe. It all goes back to the way you two looked at each other all those years ago in Montana and I know that whatever it was then, it has only gotten stronger. So wherever you are now, you gotta come back to him. He's only half a person without you and I know because I have seen it both ways. I also know because it's the same way I feel about Lily."

"So, I guess that's it for today, but just remember what I said about second chances. I'm not going to waste mine and I think it'd be really unfair if you wasted yours too."

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"Hey, Cuz! I see Lily was here recently by the pretty new nightgown you're dressed in. You know, I always said blue was your color no matter what shade it was. It really brings out your eyes. How bout you open them right now and prove me right?"

"No? Okay, well it was worth a shot, right?"

"So, you want to know what's funny? After you had Emmy, the doctors wrapped your stomach with this ACE bandage type thing that's supposed to keep your stomach muscles tight because you're…um…not moving around as much as you usually do. But I just talked to one of the nurses, woman to woman, and she told me that when you wake up, with maybe a month of light exercise, you'd be back to pretty much your pre-birth body. I mean, come on! With the leg and arm exercises that they do daily with you to keep your muscle tone up, how crazy is it that when you get outta here you're still gonna have a better looking body than me! How do you do it? You have to let me in on your..."

"I'm sorry, Cuz. I didn't mean to go all 'TV movie of the week' on you with that little crying fit just now. It's just…God, this is so hard! Even when we fight, and we have had our doozies, there's never been a point where I haven't been able to hear your voice, even if it is just to yell at me. I need you, Carly. You and Abigail are the only family anchors I have left, you know? And besides, there are so many things that I could really use your input on right about now."

"I mean, I'm supposed to be getting married to a guy that you introduced me to and you're sleeping the days away in this comfy bed. Listen, I've got no wedding party attire, including my dress, and no maid of honor. Seriously, how do you expect me to walk down the aisle without wearing one of your beautiful creations? Or you yelling at me five minutes before the ceremony to 'calm my nerves'? And since Lee asked Jack to be his best man you know what that means, don't you? When they're single, the best man and maid of honor always get it on at the wedding! Look at me...years down the road and I'm still the reason that you two are getting together…sort of. Don't you think that you owe me enough for that to wake up?"

"Again, no response? You are starting to suck at this banter thing, Cuz."

"Okay, I'm serious now. You feel that? You feel my hand in yours? Well that's how it is and that's how it's always gonna be. You and me against the world, Cuz. Do don't do this to me, okay? Don't do this to your kids or Jack. We love you so much. Just open your beautiful blue eyes and let us know that you love us too. We're right here…waiting."

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"Hey there, Carly Tenney! In a coma for a two weeks and still the most beautiful woman in the place. Well, one of them anyway."

"What's that? Yep, you guessed it. Katie's here too! I'm a dad again, Carly, can you believe it? I've got a son. His name is Robert Casey Snyder, after my dad and Katie's dad. I think it's a good strong name, don't you? Yeah, well he's absolutely perfect and I can't wait for you to meet him. They're only a couple floors down from you, you know, and when you wake up, Katie is already demanding you visit. She's so cute when she gets all huffy like that. Even with the hospital bed head."

"But see, I know the real reason she wants to see you so bad and I'll let you in on the secret if you promise not to tell her that I told you already, okay? So, it's like this; we want you to be one of Robby's godmothers. Margo is naturally going to be the other one and let me tell you she is thrilled about sharing the duty with you. She's already comparing you two to the angel and devil on Robby's shoulders. She says that while she's teaching him to obey the law, you'll be teaching him how to sneak around it. But she's just joking…I think."

"Anyway, all I know is that your little Emma and my Robby are going to give us grey hairs when they are old enough to tag team. I mean Robby, of course, inherited my good looks and that niece of mine, man, she's already charmed every single guy in the joint. My brother is no exception, trust me. There are some days that, when he's not in here with you, they literally have to pry him away from her to go eat something. The normal visiting hours have no meaning to him."

"So you have to get better soon, okay? Katie and I wouldn't even have Robby if it weren't for you all those months ago and he needs to meet his Aunt Carly. And that's what you'll be whether you're married to my brother or not. No matter what's happened between us in the past, babe, you and me…we're good and I need you to know that I still love ya. I'll catch you soon to set up play dates and I mean it…bye, Sweetie."

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"Um, hi. I'm probably the last person you thought would ever come visit you here but I needed to tell you something. I needed to tell you…thank you."

"Liberty came to me yesterday and let me know she was thinking about having sex again. After I mentally nearly went through the roof, it occurred to me that she was actually telling me and not just doing it. And apparently I have you to thank for that. I don't know exactly what you said to her, but last night was I think the first honest conversation I've had with my daughter in a very long time. And I know now that it's partly due to you."

"You know what else is due to you, in a way? Craig and Dusty have finally settled on a joint custody agreement…for now anyway. They saw how much it was tearing that little boy up and then when the news got around about you and the baby…well they both admitted they didn't want to waste any more time battling it out in court when life was too fleeting. Don't get me wrong, there are days that I swear I think they might still actually kill each other, but at least they don't do it in front of the kid. Even though Johnny will go to stay with Dusty a couple nights a month, he primarily lives with me and Craig in the new townhouse that Craig bought. Despite some initial reservations, I have to admit it's really nice and Johnny is adjusting much better now that he is out of a hotel setting and into a more normal home environment. Even Libby seems to have taken to the tyke. And Johnny follows her around like a puppy; it's pretty damn cute, just wait till you see."

"God, Carly, I spent so long hating you for what happened with Jack that I didn't think I'd ever get over it. And while I know you and I will never really be friends, I think you have the right to know something. Even though it's over between him and me, I still love him very much and just want him to be happy. And for that to happen, you need to wake up. His world consists of three essential things; his kids, his job, and you. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it and everyone assures me that I never will again. I also don't know if I have that forever kind of love ahead of me with anyone, even Craig, but I sure as hell hope so."

"And I also hope that when you wake up, you'll bring the kids and stop in for a piece of pie. We'd love to have you."

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"Hi, Mommy, it's me. J.J. is here too."

"Hey, Mom."

"Um, Parker couldn't come tonight but he told me to give you a kiss. There, that one was from him. Oh, guess what? I got to hold Emmy today! The doctor said that since she's gained back the weight she lost in the past couple weeks that she was stable enough for us to take her out of her bassinet. Daddy didn't think that I was ready to hold her but I knew I was. And Emmy knew that I wouldn't drop her. I'm her big sister so that means that I have to show her how I am going to take care of her and love her always, right?"

"She's still so tiny, Mommy, but she is so strong too! She grabbed my pinky today when I was holding her and she wouldn't let go. Nurse Helen said that it's because she knows my voice and that she loves me already. She said she'll know your voice too, when you wake up, more than anyone else's voice because she heard it all the time when she was inside of you. I can't wait until she comes home! Aunt Emma and I have been practicing how to change a diaper on a doll that the hospital let us take home. I can do it 38 seconds! Of course, the doll doesn't wiggle as much as Emmy does but I know I'll still be able to do it really fast when you're there to hold her still for me. Um, okay, I'll let J.J. talk to you now."

"Hey, Mom. I took a couple practice tries on the doll too, but I think I'll stick to things like teaching her about all the cool food there is to eat. I saw this show on TV about how to make your own baby food if you have a food processor. I saved up enough money to buy this really high-tech one and Dad took me to get it yesterday. So we can try it out when you wake up. I can't wait to totally invent all these awesome combinations for Emmy to try. And they'll be completely natural and good for her. Like…grapetastic-banana-berry blast! Or something…I dunno. You'll help me though since you know what babies can and can't eat better than I do."

"Um, school starts soon, you know? And I really need you to wake up so you can be the one to take me shopping. I mean, Dad tries but he always ends up picking out stuff that makes me look like I'm headed to some boarding school in Europe or something. You at least know how to mix and match stuff so that I don't look like a total dork. I'm gonna be in 10th grade this year so I gotta start my rep right."

"I love you and I really miss you, Mom. I'm taking good care of Sage and everything but, please wake up soon. Our family just doesn't work right without you. Okay, um, Dad's waving to us to tell us it's time to go, but we'll be back in the morning...I promise."

"Goodnight, Mommy. I love you. Always and forever."