Seven stages: bargaining part 2

A/N: Can't say it enough but thanks for the alerts and reviews. It means a lot that this is being so well received and you like it given the upsetting topic. I just hope I can keep doing it justice.

Anyway, there's a wedding to plan...

And there's a bargaining part 3 as I thought this was a good place to stop but haven't yet got to where I wanted. I hope the faster postings but shorter chapters are ok.

"Right, so we've got lilies on order, bit funereal, but maybe that's appropriate." Gina says with a shallow laugh.

You take a deep breath, there's a lot of jokes, making light of the fact this will probably be the shortest marriage in history. Well maybe not, Britney Spears married that Jason bloke for about 2 days, but that was a wild weekend in Vegas, not because the love of your life is dying and you won't have much time with her.

You feel your lip wobble, you're trying to be strong, but even in the few days since Christmas you've noticed a marked deterioration in her health. She's sometimes breathless and is sleeping more. You've talked to another doctor, with Gina this time, not the original one who you now know is a consultant, he's off skiing with his, no doubt, perfect family and he won't be back for a while.

"Emily? Are you ok?" Gina asks kindly.

You stare at her and nod, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Naomi pats the bed and you crawl into the comfort of her arms, they're so much thinner than you're used to.

"I'm going to the canteen, coffee anyone?" Gina says brightly.

"No, we're ok, but thanks Mum. See you in a bit yeah?" Naomi answers, and you know it's a struggle, but she does it, for you.

"Alright love, I'll be back later." Gina replies with a smile.

As soon as she's gone you start to cry, silent sobs into Naomi's shoulder, you know it's unreasonable, the fact she's supporting you, it should be the other way round.

"Hey, come on, it'll be ok. We can have whatever flowers you want." Naomi soothes.

You sniff, "it's not the bloody flowers."

She strokes your hair, "I know. I did tell you this was madness."

Finally you look up, "It's not madness, it's just so fucking unfair..."

"Em, we don't need to do this..." She states.

"I know. But I want to, don't you?" You ask unsurely.

She stares at the ring on her left hand, "yeah, I do, but not if it keeps stressing you out so much."

You smile sadly, "It's not the wedding that's stressing me out..."

Naomi smiles, "I know, baby, but we can't change that by getting married."

You shake yourself, "sorry, I'm ok now, but thank you."

You lean up and kiss her gently, even that's getting worse as her lips crack with the strain, sometimes you forget, press too hard and it's only when she inhales sharply you realise she's in pain.

You see her frown, "Did Effy get back to you? I thought she might be a bit excited."

You look away, you and Gina have discussed this at length when Naomi sleeps. You're not sure how she'll take it, you've kept the newspapers away, the ones that are baying for the 'corrupt banker's blood'.

"Em, what's going on?" She asks.

"Nothing babe, Effy'll be here." You say with false optimism, there's no chance of it happening, her bail hearing isn't scheduled for another two weeks, you're getting married in two days.

She moves away, and even though her arms aren't as protective as normal, you still miss them. Gina enters the room, immediately picks up on the atmosphere.

"Come on you two, please don't tell me you've found something to fight about, not now." She queries.

Naomi snorts, well ok, she tries, "what's the deal with Effy?"

Gina quickly glances at you, trying to work out what you've said, you give her a shake of the head that you hope tells her you've not said anything.

"Oh for fuck's sake. Are you two in cahoots now? Did she do the decent thing and hold her hands up. I'd rather know the truth if she can't make it." Naomi rasps.

You sigh, "She gave a statement against that prick of a boss of hers, but she still used insider information to make money. She's in prison, they've charged her, she might not be let out for a while."

You expect her to be upset but she actually smiles, "I knew she'd see sense and do the right thing in the end. What about Dom?"

You rankle slightly, it pisses you off that a virtual stranger was on hand to care for your girlfriend, no fiancée, when it should have been you. Although you understand Naomi's reasoning in abstract, you still find it hard to accept.

You shrug, "Lost his job, not getting prosecuted, but disappeared."

She smiles wistfully, "I hope he's happy somewhere."

"So we need to plan without Effy love, she won't make the wedding." Gina states.

Naomi shrugs and her whole body looks like it might break, "So who's going to be the other witness?"

"There is one person..." You state hopefully.

She stares at you and rolls her eyes, "Fine, give her a call, but if she so much as criticises me, I'll twat her."

"You don't have the strength babe." You point out.

Naomi sighs, "I never really did..."

"Ok then, if she takes the piss, I'll twat her on your behalf, deal?" you state.

A genuine smile, "Now that I'd pay to see..."

You make the phone call to Paris, at first she's outraged you're in London and haven't told her. She soon goes quiet when you tell her why.

After that there's an immediate agreement she'll be here tomorrow. Suddenly she's in planning mode and although you realised the 'small, quiet ceremony' you'd envisaged has been high jacked, you're glad she's on her way.

You're about to go back into the room but you stop as you see Gina gently rocking Naomi like she's a little girl again. The serene look on her face is enough to make you realise you can't interrupt, this is their time.

You sit in an uncomfortable chair, it hurts your back, but you're so tired you soon find your eyelids drooping. Maybe a little sleep is ok?

You jolt awake, you're not sure what woke you, but you check your watch and realise you've been asleep for hours. In panic you rise and go back to Naomi. Gina is fast asleep against the bed, holding her hand. You position yourself on the other side and she stirs as you take her free hand.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." You state.

Naomi smiles, "It's ok, where have you been? I missed you."

"Fell asleep outside." You don't mention you deliberately stayed away when you saw her and Gina.

"It's good you got some rest, but I'm glad you're back."

You nod, "me too, but we'll need all the energy we can get given the fact she'll be here tomorrow. She's already talking about a string quartet, they owe her a favour. Apparently just because the ceremony is in hospital doesn't mean it has to be lame."

Naomi smiles, "bang goes our quiet wedding."

"I know, I'm sorry..." You start.

"It's ok Em, at least it'll be memorable." She counters.

You're on the verge of tears, "It was always going to be something I'd remember."

"It wasn't a criticism. But it's probably best if we sleep a bit more?" Naomi questions quietly so she doesn't wake her Mum.

"Yeah, let's try and conserve some energy."

Her eyes close and you lean on the bed, you kiss her hand and begin to drift off to sleep. Both you and Gina are in identical positions and it looks like you're praying, which in a way you are, not for a miracle, you know that won't happen, but for a little bit more time, just so everyone gets a chance to say goodbye.