Chapter 3
It has been two weeks since Griffin fell into a coma, leaving Monica to take care of the claim as well as his daughter. Every night she will tuck Sarah in singing her a song as well as telling her that her father will be alright even though she has no control over Griffin's fate. Sarah has been spending time with her real mother because of the claim, but Monica gets the sense that Sarah much prefers her over Crystal. Monica took time off from teaching her class at the local high school, because it was too overwhelming for her. Plus she has to attend counseling appointments, and visit Griffin whenever she can. She asked Rafeal to sub for her class as she takes time off.
Most nights Monica couldn't sleep, because she was worrying about Griffin. But with the pregnancy as well as taking care of Sarah, she has to go on. As soon as Monica finishes putting away dinner she helps Sarah by packing up her book bag as well as her suitcase. "You got your homework right?" Monica asks.
"Yes. Do I really have to go?" Sarah asks as she looks into Monica's eyes.
"Yes..I know I don't like it either but your mother wants this to happen. I can't stop the law." Monica stated as she puts Sarah's dish in the dishwasher.
"Will you call me as soon as you hear any news about daddy?" Sarah looks at Monica with concern eyes.
"Yes….you will be my top priority." Monica smiles. Sarah gave Monica a hug and held onto her. Just then the doorbell rung. "Don't keep your mother waiting."
Sarah looks nervously at the door, and then turns back at Monica, "I hate to say this, but you make a better mom than her."
Monica looks at the child and didn't know what to say to that. She knows that it will hurt Crystal, but Sarah actually looks to Monica than her biological mother, to be her mom. Monica gave a little smile to Sarah's remark, and hugs her one last time. "I love you."
"I love you too." Sarah whispers back as Monica slowly opens the door.
"Hi honey…ready to go?" Crystal smiles.
Sarah looks to Monica, as Monica gives her an encouraging smile to go. Sarah turns back to at once her real mom, but she is more of a stranger to her. Sarah embraces her mother's welcome, but the embrace felt cold, and empty. Already she misses Monica's tender and warm touch. Crystal looks back up at Monica, "Thank you."
Monica gave a kind smile, "Just bring her back on Sunday night. She's got school."
"I know…but technically Griffin is out, so she stays with me until the weekend is over." Crystal smiles.
Monica hated that look. Monica has no parental claim on Sarah, so therefore what Crystal is stating is right. Monica looks to Crystal, "Crystal…I will inform you on Griffin….he is still Sarah's father, and if he doesn't come through, I would like to tell her. Please."
Crystal thought about it then agrees. "Okay…but you do know if you do unplug Griffin, Sarah is all mine. I will allow visits from you, but she stays with me."
Monica nods in defeat knowing full well, that if Griffin dies, Sarah will be lost. Crystal will be taking away Sarah's only security in her life, which is Monica. As Sarah and Crystal board Crystal's red Chevy, Monica felt her heart breaking. She waved goodbye to Sarah, as she left to go with her mother. After Sarah left, Monica took her car keys and drove to the hospital where her heart can find peace.
….
Lenny in the past week has been seeing a strange woman near him. Every time he looks at her, his body malfunctions and he take grows weak every day. One night while packing up to go home after his shift at the dinner, Lenny stumbles out in the back ally and had trouble breathing. He clutches his chest, to desperately gasp for air, as he presses his back to the wall of the dinner, as rain fell down. Just then the woman figure showed up again. Lenny looks to her, "Who are you and…..oh God! What…why can't I breath?"
"You are experiencing a small heart attack Leonard." The woman replied.
"Wha.." Lenny clutches his jaw tighter as more pain shot through.
"It won't last long." She stated.
As soon as she said that the pain disappeared. Lenny looks up at this woman, as her blue eyes softly gaze into his. Her long blonde hair flowed off her shoulders, as she squatted hear him. Lenny felt no fear from her eyes, and her touché was so heavenly. "Who are you?"
"I'm Lisa. I'm…" Lisa stared at him for a brief moment to tell him why she was here, "I'm here to take you home."
Lenny looks at her, "Well I can use a left. I live on 32nd Street next to Jefferson Avenue."
"Leonard..that's not what I meant." Lisa had a sorrowful look in her eyes.
Then Lenny made the connection, "Wait! No…I can't…Not now..my family needs me…I can't go to heaven without peace with my brother! Don't make me go now Lisa! Please! I need more time!"
"Lenny…" Lisa looks at her new assignment, and the look in his eyes stating he was not ready.
"Please Lisa…" Lenny begged.
"Alright…but soon. You know it's time." Lisa agreed.
"Thank you." Lenny tries to get up but stumbles back down again. Lisa looks to him, and offers her hand, as Lenny gracefully took it. Lenny brushes off the mud and dirt, and the next instant Lisa disappears. He knows that he that he has only a matter of hours before he dies. Lenny goes back in the dinner to clock out. Then staring at the dinner one last time, he closes the door and locks it, and made his way to Mrs. Parker's house.
….
Later that evening when Crystal tries to but Sarah down for bed she notices the child's distance. "Sarah baby…what is it?"
"Why…why are you taking me away from my mom." Sarah softly cries.
"Sarah…I'm your mother, not Monica." Crystal stated.
Sarah didn't speak. She just softly cries some more. Crystal for the first time sees her daughter's broken heart. And a wave of jealousy and fear rose in her. She hated that Monica had power over what once her family. But she hated herself for leaving. Crystal looks into her daughter's eyes, "So your saying Monica is your mother and not me? Honey I gave birth to you…. I held you in my arms when you were a baby. Do you realize that, that was the happiest day of my life?"
Sarah looks at her, "Then way did you left me and daddy….to go with that guy I saw you sneak off to. Did you ever loved us?"
Crystal took a deep breath, "Yes. You got to understand that I was stupid and dumb back then. I want you more than anything."
Sarah rolled over not looking at her mother, "Then why did it take you 7 years to come back…and ruin everything that made me happy."
As soon as Sarah said that, Crystal's heart broke. She didn't know what to do or say. She quickly left the spare bedroom in her apartment, and slammed the main door as she went to go outside and vent out her anger and frustration.
"What…I'm not fucking Monica….why does she look to me and now I'm the enemy of her life!" Crystal paces back and forth. "What the hell did I went wrong…I gave her time with Monica…Roan you Bastard….what did you do to our daughter. Why is she like this! I don't understand!"
"Crystal?" A voice sounded behind her and it made her startled a bit.
"Gloria? What…what the hell did you come from?" Crystal stated. "I thought we were done with the business?"
"We are…I'm here on another business." Gloria stated.
"Really? Well I will love to stay but I want to be alone right now." Crystal stated.
"You've been alone for quite some time now." Gloria stated.
"Please Gloria I don't need a prep talk right now. I need a damn drink." Crystal stated.
"Crystal you know if you drink the officials are going to claim you an unfit mother to Sarah. You don't want that do you?" Gloria stated.
"Well what difference does it make….it's obvious she sees Monica as her fucking mother than me. I'm the one that gave birth to the child not her." Crystal latches out her anger at Gloria.
"Crystal every child is a gift from God…he.." Gloria stated.
"Oh…Don't even tell me about God…..God wanted this to happen to me…see God wanted me to be screwed up as kid, and merry that man, and have a kid, and then found a lover who loves me….I know all about God." Crystal said more anger.
"Stop! I will not let you talk about God that way! Not in front of a very angry angel!" Gloria shouted as a beam of light surround took Crystal by surprise as she stands there in disbelief at the woman before her. "Crystal, God didn't let this happen to you…you choose to live this way. He wanted you to be with Roan and your daughter, but you thought sex with other men, and drinking was more important than your own family which he had blessed you with. You should thank him for the precious gift he gave you who is lying in that room praying to see her father again. Instead of blaming everyone for your screw-up's!"
Crystal now in tears fell to the ground in disbelief to what Gloria is saying. Everything she says in true…she did punish God and everyone else but herself. She looks up to Gloria as she cries, "Oh God…what have I done…I…I…did this to my child…my baby..and now my child hates me."
Gloria now easing up on her anger bends down to stroke Crystal, "Crystal…Sarah doesn't hate you…she has been confused, and disappointed with the actions that you made…but she doesn't hate you. It will be impossible to hate you, because she loves you."
"Why would she love me after everything I put her through….the way my mother and father put me through at her age." Crystal looks to Gloria.
"That's the thing about love. It runs deep within our hearts, which makes it hard to not love. Just like it's impossible for God to not love you, because you are his child and his creation. Yes humans do stupid things, and end up hating each other, but he still continues to love. Sarah loves you because you are her mother." Gloria stated. And the next thing she says really made Crystal to break down to really cry, "And your parents do love you too, they just didn't know how to show it, but they love you."
…...
Lenny crashes down on floor gasping for air…pain rises in his chest..as he vomits up blood. Kathy rushes in Lenny's room, and her heart dropped. "Henry…Call 911…Leonard Griffin is in trouble!" She moves to Lenny's side and embraces her other adopted son. And softly speaks to him, "Lenny….baby..hold on…don't go…don't die on me like your mother. Stay with me..."
Lenny gripes her skirt as the pain rushes at him. Lenny stares into her soft brown eyes as tears fell out. He knows that he is dying. There was a soft glow from the window of an angel. The angel of death taking him home, to his heavenly father, and away from his pain. He looks into her soft blue eyes telling her to wait. She soft came to him, "I can spare you some time Leonard, but you know it's time."
Lenny talks to her, "I…can't…go there…without saying goodbye to my…family"
Kathy confused about what he was saying, "Lenny…I know you are delirious right now…but help is on its way.."
Lenny looks to Kathy, "I know…I was talking to my angel….she's here..with me..right now.."
Kathy looks to him, "Your mother? Tell her I'm not letting you go too.."
"No…it's not my mother, it's another angel…" Lenny spoke, but then his eyes fell back and blood squirted up from his throat..
"No…Lenny..Lenny…Damn it….Help Someone help me!" Kathy screamed.
…...
Monica sits beside Griffin and holding his hand. Seth has been attending her most nights and being with his son. Monica left the two of them alone for while, but when she came back she found Seth crying be her husband's bedside. That moment happened a few nights ago. Now Seth sits beside her and watches his daughter-in-law sleep as well as his son. Just then there was a knock on the door, and Seth slowly gets up to open it.
Monica raises her head and then Sarah was at her side. Monica looks at Sarah then to Seth. And notice Crystal standing at the door. Monica was in no mood to deal with drama and told Seth to watch Sarah and her husband.
Monica steps outside and notice Gloria was her. "Why are you here…you came to put more charges on me fine…but I'm in really no mood to deal with this…"
"Monica…will you just listen to Crystal. She has a proposition for you." Gloria steps in before a cat fight breaks out. Monica looks at Gloria and then nods. Gloria steps aside to let Crystal talk.
"I came here to give her back. I know that it was wrong for me to keep her from you and her father. I just..wanted some claim back from my past life. I didn't know that it has caused so much pain in her heart. Tomorrow I plan to drop my claim on Sarah. I lost my chance on being a mother to her, but you haven't. It's clearly stated that Sarah wants you more than me." Crystal sadly spoke.
Monica looks at Gloria and knows what she had done. She gave her message to her. Crystal starts to walk away when Monica stops her, "Crystal wait!" Crystal turns back and faces Monica. "Look…I know you and I have gotten on the wrong foot, but if it means that much to you…I will allow Sarah to visit you. So you can get to know your daughter more."
Crystal smiles at Monica remark, "Really..after everything I put you and Roan through you still want to do that?"
"Yes…because, you are still Sarah's mother." Monica smiles. Just then Monica spots Chris, Kristin and Kerry rushing in. Curiously Monica walks to them.
"Monica…where is Seth?" Chris begged.
"In the room with Griffin why?" Monica asks, but Chris didn't answer and dashes into Griffin's room. Monica turns onto to Kerry who was crying, "Kerry what the hell is…"
"It's Lenny…He's… He's dying Monica…they just pulled him into the ER." Kerry stated. Crystal had tears forming and so did Monica. Seth came rushing out the room with Chris at his heals. Just then Monica heard Sarah scream and a painful wail came out of Griffin's room. Monica rushes in and to find Sarah crying in the corner as her father's heart machine was beeping loudly. Monica froze. Her worst nightmare was about to happen. She is going to lose the love her life. A team of doctors and nurses rushes and, and one of them guides Monica and Sarah out of the room, as they try and resuscitate Griffin. Monica not willing to go looks at her husband, "GRIFFIN! No…"
"Ma'am you need to get out of her" one of the nurse instructed.
Monica didn't care, she tries to get to her husband, but the nurse halls her away, "Roan! Don't you dare DIE on ME!" Monica mange to yell that out just before the nurse closes the door. Monica goes to the window, and seeing her husband dying in front of her. Monica cries as she is horrified by the scene before her. Monica places her wedding hand on the glass as she watches the team of doctors working to bring Griffin back. Sarah came to her and Monica looks down at her daughter. The look in her daughters eyes made Monica sink to the floor, and pulls Sarah close to her, as they both cry for the loss of Griffin.
…...
"We are loosing him" The doctor gave a quick glance at the nurse, "Strike him with 30"
The nurse hollered, "Clear" and shocked Lenny's body."Still no change"
"Then we go to CPR." The doctor looks at Leonard. "Come On Leonard. Pull through!"
Lisa looks at the heart machine and then to Lenny's ghost, "Come here Leonard."
"I'm not going to heaven unless Roan comes back." Lenny stated.
Lisa looks at him, "You are really going to be stubborn are you?"
"Yes. I will go home as long as Roan stays on earth. With Monica and Sarah. My family needs him." Lenny stated.
Lisa smiles to him, "I'll let that be arranged. Now come on, we don't have much time if you want to catch your brother." Lenny nods and looks back on his family and friends, then with a silent goodbye, his kisses them farewell. Then joins his hand with Lisa's to disappear into another world.
"Still no change sir." One doctor stated.
…...
Andrew senses Monica's cries and he knows it's time. He turns to Griffin. "It's time my friend."
Griffin turns and heads towards the light, just before he walks through he turns to Andrew with tears in his eyes, "Tell…her that…I will always love her. And…I'm…I'm so happy that I got to be the father of her child." Andrew nods and before he reaches Griffin's hands Lenny walks in with another angel beside him. "Andrew Wait!"
Griffin turns to his brother, "Lenny…What are you?" Griffin pauses as he knows what is going to happen. "NO.."
"Tell her yourself Bro, because you are not going to heaven, I am…You have a life down there..I don't. I'm taking your place in heaven." Lenny spoke.
"No Lenny…Don't…dad..Kurt.." Griffin stated as tears fell from his eyes.
"Will look to you…I had my life. Your wife and daughter need you. Don't be like mom and dad. You and Monica should have a life that neither one of mom and dad had. I love you so much brother. Thank you for everything that you did. And I'm sorry about kidnapping your daughter and I put her in harm's way."
Griffin knows this will be the last time he sees his little brother, Griffin now is sobbing. "Lenny…I'm sorry..I didn't….I..I..I forgive you."
Lenny saw the look in his brother's eyes, and cries with him. Then Lenny embraces his brother for the last time. The two of them embraced each other what felt like a lifetime then Lenny pulls back. "Tell them that I love them, and I will always be there."
Lisa takes hold of Andrew's hand and through tearful eyes looks at him. Andrew squeezes his lover's hand encouraging her to carry on. Then Lisa left a soft kiss to his cheek and leaves his side. She then comes up to where Lenny and Griffin are, "It's time Leonard."
Lenny looks at Lisa and then into his brother's eyes. Then with a gentle touch to Griffin's cheek he smiles to him, "It's not like we are never going to see each other again. I'll be here waiting."Griffin nods and holds onto his brother's hand for a moment more. Then Lenny turns away from Griffin and goes to his angel.
Lisa took hold of Lenny's hands, "Come on Lenny, someone in heaven is waiting for you."
Lenny smiles, and embraces Lisa's grip, "Take me home." Just before he disappears into the light he smiles back at Griffin, and kissing him goodbye. Then the white light surrounds him and he and the woman disappears in it.
Andrew looks to Roan and states, "Now it's your turn..Take my hand" Griffin through his tears did what Andrew told him
. …...
The doctors look to each other, and the one who was pumping Lenny's chest pulls away. "Call it"
The nurse looks at the clock, "Time of Death 18:03"
And the main doctor goes out to find the immediate family to say that Leonard Griffin has passed away.
…...
Back in Griffin's room the lead nurse who was Griffin CPR hollered, "I'm getting a pulse."
Monica waits with Sarah still crying beside Griffin's room. Sarah holds tight to Monica, praying that her father was not dead. Monica holds Tess's hand so tight it made Monica's knuckles go bleach white. Crystal was at the end of the hall hoping that her ex-husband was dead. Even though they are devoiced, and that he found someone else to love, Crystal still had un-resolved love feelings for him. Gloria looks across the hallway at her once good friend now in total wreck. She knows that Monica is deeply in love with Griffin, and if he dies, so will her. Gloria holds her assignment close as they all pray for Griffin to pull through.
…...
Andrew knows there is only a short time when Griffin leaves this plane. "Roan…take care of her. She needs you now more than ever. Especially through this pregnancy…And tell her that she is loved up in heaven."
Griffin looks to him one last time, "Andrew, I hope for my sake, that we don't run into each other like this again. At least not on dying terms."
Andrew smiles, "Point taken. Now just walk through the archway, and you will be on your way back."
Griffin smiles to him, "Thanks Andrew. For everything, and for…..for letting me marring Monica."
Andrew looks to him, "Your welcome. And she choose you…Don't ever let go of that love, you hear."
Griffin nods, "I won't." Then Griffin walks through the archway, and Andrew's face slowly fades out as the world he always knew was coming into focus.
… ...
"He is stable." The nurse replied as the other doctors fled the room. Then with a miraculous recovery the nurse saw movement in Griffin's eyes, "Roan. Roan are you with us?"
With a moan Griffin stated, "Mo…"
"Roan?" the nurse repeated again.
"Mon…ica" Griffin repeated.
"His looking for his wife" the other nurse stated.
…...
Monica holds tight to Tess when the doctors fled out. Monica was prepared to hear the bad news, that her husband is dead. But to her surprise one of the nurses with a smile on her face came to her, "Mrs. Griffin. Your husband is back. And he is asking for you."
Monica with tears in her eyes wiped them then she looked at Tess with her jaw dropped open. Tess smiles to her, "Go to him baby."
Monica smiles, "Sarah honey come on." Monica rushes in her husband's room with Sarah shortly behind her. When Monica reaches Griffin's side she smiles to him through her tears, "Griffin?"
Griffin's eyes opens just a sliver, and with a soft whisper he calls out to her, "Monica?"
With joy rushing in her Monica goes to him and squeezes his hand and kisses his cheek. Griffin smiles to her, and seeing his beautiful wife again made him so happy. Griffin slowly reaches for her face and lightly strokes it. Just then Sarah came. "Daddy?"
Griffin switches his gaze off his wife's and into his daughter's, "Sarah."
Sarah now in tears of joy with her father and Monica embraces her dad. "Daddy!" ...
Seth looks at his son's lifeless body. And then he crumbles to the floor. Kathy goes to him and holds her good friend as they mourn over Lenny's dead body. Chris stood there hearing the piercing cries from his best friend's father and an old friend to the family broke his heart. And he too was sobbing for his other brother's lost soul. Kerry holds him close and cries into her brother's arms. Seeing Lenny dead had shattered everyone.
Standing a few feet away from the tragic scene Ruth stands there with Andrew. Tears flowed off her face as she sees her family now broken because the death of her son.