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Belle lifted her head a minute later and looked up at Shawn, who was lying perfectly still in the silent room.
"Shawn...the nurse said that you can hear me talking" she started. "And I need you to know something. I need you to wake up because...well, you know I care about you a lot. We've known each other for so long and I can't imagine my life without you. You've been like my best friend our whole lives...and, well, you've always been there for me and I always hoped you would be there for me later in life" A nurse came by to check on him and she stopped talking, a little embarrassed to be found talking to herself. As soon as she left, she shifted her position and took his hand up in both of hers.
"Shawn, we've had so many great memories together" she continued, a smile forming despite her tears. "Remember when we were little and we used to play house and play in the playground and that? We used to fight so much" she laughed, thinking about it. "And then you got older and left and I never realized how much I missed you until just a few months ago. I guess I just put my emotions aside or something. But I remember when I saw you for the first time when you came back, right here. It was so weird, I didn't realize how much time had passed. We didn't get along at all when you first started back but I'm so glad we got passed all that. You had changed so much while you were gone, you came back here so angry and I just couldn't understand. You had changed in other ways too...when I first saw you I thought you were so..." she trailed off, embarrassed at what she had almost said. "But we've had a lot of good times since then. Like all the fun we had building Mimi's house together this summer. And the Last Blast was fun, even though we spent most of the time worrying about Mimi and Chloe and all that. And the other dance, right before Christmas...wow, that was such a great time. I almost died of embarrassment that night but you saved me. And we danced together. That song brings back so many memories now! You have to be fine when you wake up, Shawn, you just have to! You have to be able to get back into your life, you said earlier today that everything was going so well for you. And it will keep going better...you just have to keep fighting and keep smiling...and keep dancing..." She broke off as she started crying again, thinking about their dance together. The dance they had shared when it had felt so right to her for him to hold her in his arms. She laid her head down on his hand and closed her eyes.
She awoke a little bit later by movement in the room. Confused, she picked her head up and squinted into the dim light. A man appeared to be hovering over Shawn. She blinked and looked again-it was a priest.
"Oh, God" she said, standing up and putting her hand over her mouth. "Oh, God, no, please don't tell me..." The priest looked at her strangely.
"Shh, calm down" he said, holding up a hand.
"Shawn, no, please, you can't leave me" she said, starting to shake as she stared. The man hurried over to her.
"No, my child, you're friend is fine" he said. Belle looked over and now could see that the monitors on Shawn were still blinking.
'Then why are you here?" she asked, confused. He gave her a small smile.
"I'm just making my rounds" he said. "I like to walk around and say a little prayer for all the patients, just in case they need a little help" She wiped away the one tear left on her cheek.
"Thank you" she whispered.
"You're welcome" he said, as he turned to leave. "May God take care of your friend here"
"Thanks" she said, as he let himself out. She turned to Shawn again as another person entered the room.
"Belle, honey" Elizabeth said. "It's been awhile, I think you better let Shawn get some rest"
"No, please" she begged. "Just let me stay a little longer"
"He needs to get some rest and I'm sure you're mom is wondering where you are" she said.
"But he's in here all alone" she said. "He should have someone to be with him" Elizabeth shook her head at her.
"I'll give you a minute to say your goodbyes" she said, turning to leave. Belle turned back to Shawn.
"Well, sweetie, I guess I have to let you go" she said. "They're making me leave you, even though I don't want to. I know you're fighting in there Shawn because I know you wouldn't give up on something like this. Too many people are fighting for you too-your mom and your grandparents and everyone. And too many people need you in their life. Just think Shawn, your little brother is out there and he needs you to help him grow up strong and smart and kind. And your parents need you...and I do too. I need you, Shawn" She stood up from the hard, plastic chair and walked close to the bed. She brushed his hair aside and looked at him for a long time. Then she bent over and gently placed a kiss on his cheek. She rose up slowly as Elizabeth came and looked at his monitors.
"Wait a minute..." she said, turning to look at Shawn.
"What, what's wrong?" Belle asked, immediately concerned.
"Keep talking to him" she said, watching them intently. Belle took his other hand and held them both in hers.
"Shawn, sweetie, I know you can hear me" she said. "We need you to wake up" They both watched but nothing happened.
"Well, I almost thought there for a minute..." Elizabeth said. "But I guess not. Let's get you back to the waiting room" Belle dropped his one hand on his lap and brought the other to her lips, where she gently kissed it. She was lowering it back down when she heard Elizabeth draw in her breath. Belle turned to look and saw Shawn's eyelids fluttering slightly.
"Shawn" Belle said. "Shawn, it's me...keep trying honey" He squeezed his eyes shut and slightly turned his head.
"I'm going to get a doctor" Elizabeth said, rushing from the room.
"Shawn, please, I know you can do it" she begged him. "Please Shawn, please" He took in a deep breath and she felt him lightly squeeze her hand. A doctor came rushing into the room at that minute.
"Is he awake?" he asked.
"I think he's waking up" she answered. "He's moving a little and he just squeezed my hand". They all stood and watched as he continued tossing a little in his bed and then suddenly, he stopped.