Two days before Easter

Charlotte's sitting in a window seat in first class on her way to Alabama. She almost missed her flight this morning, so she's a little sweaty and out of breath, from rushing. She's staring out the small, oval window. She's thinking about Big Daddy, she's thinking about her momma, and she's thinking about Cooper. He asked her if there was anything she needed. She wants to believe that he really meant that, but she knows it's just pity, and she doesn't want or need his pity. She can do this without his help or pity. She'll go to Alabama, stand back as Landry pulls the plug, say a few prayers or whatever, and then fly back to LA and get on with her life. She's a doctor. Death comes with the job. She's witnessed a lot of death over the years, she's had to tell family members about patients dying; she's a pro when it comes to death and handling it.

Her hands are shaking a little as she sits there, staring out into the clouds. She's trying to hold it together because she's a strong woman, and she's a King. She's trying to convince herself that this isn't a big deal; this is no different than anything else she's had to deal with.

There's a young woman sitting next to her, and Charlotte knows this woman is staring at her. "Ma'am, are you alright?" The woman finally asks.

Charlotte turns her head. "I'm fine." She takes a sip from her water bottle and leans back on the seat.

"Are you sure?"

"We don't know each other, so I'm gonna tell you something. When I say I'm fine, I'm fine. Got it?" She shoots, not in the mood to deal with anybody.

The woman nods. "That's some southern hospitality she's sportin'," she says under her breath.

Charlotte rolls her eyes and stares out the window again. She's not worth it. She just wants these five days to go by quickly.

Cooper's walking through the greeting card aisle at the store.

Violet's behind him, looking at random cards as she passes them. "What are we doing here exactly, Cooper?"

"I'm picking out an Easter card for Charlotte."

"You're seriously buying her a card?"

"Her father's dying and I made an ass of myself in front of her this morning. Maybe my corny card will cheer her up."

"Hmm." She pulls a card from the shelf. "What about this one?"

Cooper looks at it and looks at the cover. There are two chocolate bunnies on the front, each with a bite taken out of them. He smiles and opens the card. "Give me the envelope."

Violet hands him the yellow envelope.

He put the card in his basket and walks to the front of the store. He puts the card on the conveyor belt and hands the cash to the man at the register. Cooper looks at Violet. "You think I'm nuts, right? Buying an Easter card for a woman I can't stand."

Violet nods. "All you've talked about since you and Charlotte broke up was how much you hate her, how mad you are at her for lying to you. I'm not going to shrink you, but I know you're just masking your true feelings. So I may think you're nuts for doing this, but you're a grown man, so you can do whatever you want."

"You're not gonna shrink me, really? You just did." He takes the bag and walks over to the exit. "I have to get to the hospital and check on Gracie."

"Pizza tonight?"

"Sorry, can't. I'm busy. Rain check?"

Violet nods. "You gonna tell me what you're doing tonight?"

He smiles. "No." He laughs and walks out of the store, heading for his car.

One day before Easter

Cooper's lying on Charlotte's queen-sized bed, looking at a picture of her when she was seven. It's a black and white poster-sized print hanging above the dresser. Charlotte's decked out in riding gear, minus the helmet, and she's standing in front of a horse, sticking her tongue out at the photographer. He smiles.

Charlotte comes out of the bathroom and crawls into bed next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. She wraps her arms around him and closes her eyes.

He kisses the top of her head and rubs her back. "It's ok," he whispers.

"I know it's not Easter yet, but—but by any chance, do you have a cheesy card for me? I mean, you came all the way to Alabama for me, so I'm guessin' you have a card."

"I have a card for you and a couple other things. You want them now?"

She nods. "Yeah."

"They're in my hotel room."

She sighs. "Then never mind. I can wait."

"I can go get your presents. I'm sure you could use some cheesiness—a good laugh." He flashes her a smile and brushes her hair out of her face.

"Which is why I asked."

"You probably have stuff to do—with the funeral or arrangements or whatever it is you have to do. I'll go get the stuff I got you and be back later. That'll give you some time to do whatever it is your family needs you to do."

She nods. "Ok."

"I'm sorry about your dad."

"Um, thank you for doin' that—doin' what you did earlier."

He smiles. "You shouldn't have had to do that. Even if you're a doctor and you've been around death, it's different, he's your dad."

She nods, rubbing her dry eyes.

"Stay strong, Char." He places a soft kiss on her lips. "Hopefully my gifts will cheer you up." He rolls off her bed and walks over to the door. "And it really is ok to cry."

"No, no, it isn't, Cooper."

He sighs and opens the door. "I'll be back later. Save some fried chicken for me." He laughs and disappears down the grand staircase, walking out of the house and to his rental car.

Cooper rings the doorbell again and waits patiently for the door to open.

The door opens and instead of Charlotte, another woman is standing there. She's wearing an apron and her brown hair is pulled up into a bun. "Can I help ya, sir?"

"Hi, I'm here to see Charlotte. You must be Maribeth."

She nods. "Yes. I'm the King's housekeeper and maid."

"Can you tell me where Charlotte is?"

"Is she expectin' ya?"

He nods. "Yes. I'm her—I'm a friend."

"She's out back. Come on in and go straight through the kitchen."

He smiles. "Thanks." He steps into the house and walks through the kitchen.

Cooper opens the sliding glass doors and steps out onto the porch. "Char?"

Charlotte's sitting on a lounge chair, a martini glass in one hand, To Kill a Mockingbird in the other. She turns her head and smiles. "Hey, you came back."

"I said I was." He walks over to her and sits on the other lounge chair and hands her the gift bag he's carrying. "Happy Easter—a day early." He laughs.

She sets her glass on the table and puts the book, spine up, beside her. She takes the green, Easter egg covered bag and takes out the tissue paper. She looks at Cooper and pulls out the stuffed bunny rabbit.

He laughs. "I couldn't resist. He's got brown hair, blue eyes, plus, he's wearing boxer briefs and socks."

"He's you."

He nods. "Uh-huh."

She smiles and sets the stuffed rabbit down next to her. She reaches into the bag and pulls out the candy. "My favorite."

"I found those in the airport. I know you love lifesavers."

She smiles and takes the card out from the bottom of the bag. She opens it and pulls the card out of the envelope. She smiles. "I would hate to be a chocolate bunny at Easter time."

He laughs. "My ass hurts just looking at that."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He pauses. "Did it help a little?"

"A little."

"Ms. Charlotte, there's a few people here to talk about tomorrow's viewing." Maribeth says, as she appears in the doorway.

Charlotte sighs and stands up. She looks at Cooper. "You should probably go. I've got more stuff to do."

"You sure you don't want me to stay? I can just hang out here."

"Do what you want. I've got to go." She stuffs her gifts into the bag and sets it on the porch. She follows Maribeth into the house, leaving Cooper alone outside.

Easter

Charlotte's sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at a shriveled up rose, when there's a knock on her door. She looks up as she hears the creak of the old door opening. She blinks back tears and smiles. "Hey."

Cooper walks in and sits next to her. "There's a whole feast going on downstairs that you're missing. I'm sure you're hungry."

She shrugs. "Not really."

"What's that?" He asks, looking at the rose (or what's left of a rose) she's holding.

"Big Daddy gave me this rose when I was five-it was Easter and momma was still in the hospital 'cause she had just given birth to Duke and there were some complications. I was with my Aunt and Uncle and Big Daddy came by and gave me this rose before he went back to the hospital to be with my momma and my brother. I don't know why I kept it. I never liked roses, even when I was a kid."

Cooper smiles. "'Cause it was from your dad."

She stands up and puts the rose back in her treasure chest in the closet. She walks over to the door and opens it. "I have guests to greet, things to do—."

"And food to eat." He laughs.

"Ok, Dr. Sues. I have to go."

He smiles. "I'm coming with you." He stands up and follows her out of the room.

She stops at the top of the stairs and lets out a breath.

He rests his hand on her shoulder and squeezes gently. He kisses the top of her head and brushes his thumb against her neck.

She nods and walks down the stairs with Cooper following her. She'll never admit it, but him being here helps her. She turns her head and looks up at him.

He smiles at her. "You've got this," he whispers. "I'm here. You're not alone."

She nods and walks into the kitchen. It helps her a lot.

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