Chapter 9

Thanks for all the wonderful comments, and for taking the time to read my story and let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.

The buzzing of her alarm was ringing throughout the entire apartment. It was followed by the obnoxious sound coming from a cell phone alarm, and the rocking sounds of the local radio station. Levi pawed at Sue until she rolled over and hit the alarm. Levi, however, didn't have a snooze button. Once he was sure Sue was awake, he made his way to the living room, picking up Jack's cell phone and dropping it on him.

"Hey Buddy. What's up?" Jack asked. The phone vibrated and started buzzing its obnoxious sound again. "Ahh, time to get up huh?" Jack asked while he sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Sue up pal?" He asked just as he heard clanging coming from the kitchen. He glanced toward the racket and saw Sue making coffee.

"Morning." She said.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Making coffee." She announced. "Just because I can't have any doesn't mean you guys shouldn't." She said. "I'm going to take a shower."

Lucy made her way out of her bedroom and poured the half made coffee for both she and Jack. "I took a shower last night, you want to go next?" She offered Jack.

"We don't have time. I took one before I picked up the pizza. I can grab one later. What time does she have to be there?" He asked.

"Six." Lucy answered.

"It's already after five, she's gotta hurry up." Jack said, starting to sound a bit panicked.

"Jack." Lucy commanded. "We've got plenty of time, relax. They're not going to start without her." She reassured him.

"I know. I'm nervous I guess, that's all." He said.

"Corral that, will you? Sue doesn't need to think we're scared." Lucy said.

"I know." Jack answered. Sue came out of the bedroom all dressed and ready to go.

"I hate not being able to wear makeup, deodorant, or powder! I should have double checked if I could brush my teeth!" Sue joked.

"Where's your bag?" Jack asked. Sue pointed to the front of the coat closet, there was a blue suit case sitting there with a light jacket lying across the top.

"I just have to feed Levi, and then we can go." Sue said as she opened a can of food for him. She patted him as he ate, then she gave him a tight hug and whispered something to him.

"Ready?" Jack asked.

"No, but… let's go." She said. The trio headed for the hospital.

At 5:45 Sue walked through the doors to the oncology department. The lights were very bright, a huge contrast to the outside sky which was still pitch black. She went to the nurse's station where she found her nurse sitting behind the computer clicking away.

"Anne!" Sue exclaimed.

"Did you forget I would be here?" She asked.

"I didn't think you were serious." Sue said. She already felt more at ease.

"Honey, I told you, I will be here for you, right through the end of this." She smiled at her. "Which, by the way, if you're wondering, is Saturday. I do not want to see you here again after Saturday, understood?" She asked.

"Yes Ma'am." Sue agreed. "This is Lucy Dotson, and Jack Hudson."

"Good to see you brought your support team with you." Anne said smiling. "Well, give me your bag, and let's get you settled in what will be your home for the next few days. You don't have any jewelry on, do you?" Sue shook her head. "Then you should probably give Lucy your earrings, they count." Anne said.

"Oops." Sue said. She took out the earrings and handed them to Lucy.

"I'm going to get her settled and her IV in, and you two can come back in a bit, maybe fifteen minutes, ok?" The pair both agreed. Anne gave Sue her johnny to put on, and patted the bed for her to climb in. She gave her an elastic to put her hair up. "How are you doing Sue?" She asked.

"Nervous." Sue answered.

"Understandable. You'll be fine. So, Lucy's the best friend? Jack? The boyfriend?" She asked.

"No, just a friend." Sue explained.

"Oh. Too bad. But! At least, you brought along a good looking support team!" She joked.

Nearly thirty minutes passed before Anne came out to get the pair. "You two can stay right up to the point we wheel her into surgery. Then, you'll have to wait out here. Try to keep it light in there, make her laugh if you can. Pray if that's what she wants, but don't let her dwell on it. It does no good." Anne said as she dropped them at her door.

Jack and Lucy walked into her room, both taking seats near her bed.

"Nice digs!" Jack teased. "I think I'll paint my place this color… soothing!" He joked more. Sue playfully slapped him.

"Yeah, and I have to get me one of those!" Lucy teased about her outfit.

"Oh, no. This is an exclusive, Anne assured me!" Sue teased back.

"Did Anne tell you what time the surgery's scheduled for?" Sue asked.

"No. I thought it was six?" Jack said.

"That's what time I had to be here. I think it's eight." Sue said. The three sat there chatting lightly while Anne came in every once in a while to check on things and adjust the IV. At 7:30, there was a knock on the window. Jack and Lucy turned around to see four sets of hands against the window in the "I LOVE YOU" sign. Jack tapped Sue on the shoulder and pointed to it. Lucy opened the door to find Anne standing there with the rest of their team.

"I found this lot sitting in the general waiting area. They claim to belong to her…" Anne said teasingly. "Listen, I know what she means to all of you, but I can't let you all in at once. One at a time, for a quick minute, that's all. We're getting ready to take her." Anne informed them. One by one the entered Sue's room, made their way to her, hugging her tight and wishing her luck. They made one last sign of a unified thumbs up before they left for the office.

"Call us when she's out." D said.

"We will." Lucy promised.

"That was great, but I wish you all wouldn't make such a fuss over me." Sue protested. Her eyes drifted shut for a long moment.

"We love you, we want you to know we're here for you." Lucy explained. "How are you doing Sue?" Lucy asked.

"Good." She answered with a silly smile on her face.

"They give you something to take the edge off?" Jack asked. Sue nodded.

"I think so. I suddenly don't really care if a truck ran me over." She teased. The three of them laughed.

"Umm, look Sue, I'm going to find the bathroom, but I have a feeling they're going to come before I get back. You'll do great. Jack and I will be right here when you wake up. I love you." Lucy said, the tears spilling onto her cheeks as she hugged Sue tight.

"I love you too. I'll see you shortly." She assured her best friend. The door closed behind her. Lucy walked just passed the window of Sue's room where she leaned against the wall, and sobbed.

"Jack, please take care of her." Sue asked. The tears threatening to fall. Jack nodded his head, not trusting his own voice. "Hey… if something happens…" She began.

"Nothing's going to happen." He protested.

"I know, I know, but… just in case… if something does happen… I want Lucy or you to take care of Levi for me. My lawyer has a copy of my will, and I've left you guys letters in my bedroom." Sue said as she began to cry.

"You're going to be fine." Jack argued.

"In case I'm not." She argued once more.

"Listen. You'll be just fine." He paused to regain his composure. "When you come out of this, I'm going to be here, right here. I will be what you see when you first open your eyes. And, when you're all done with this, and on the mend, we're going to have a long talk." He said, his eyes misting.

"Talk?" Sue asked. "About?"

"I'll tell you all of that when you're ready. Right now, you need to get through this surgery." He said as he leaned in and kissed her softly on the forehead.

Anne came in the room carrying a blue netted hat and wearing a mask. "Time to go." She said.

"I'll be right here." Jack said, choking back the tears. Two orderlies came in and began to roll Sue's bed out and toward the operating room. Jack held onto her hand until only the tips of her fingers touched his. Lucy walked up behind him, putting her hand on his shoulder. To her surprise, Jack turned to Lucy and pulled her into his arms and let his tears flow.