"No," He answered softly, his gentle brown eyes looking into his daughter's, "but they won't let anyone in yet." When she looked away, he felt a pang in his heart for her. No one in the family would take Dahlia's death harder than Marielle would, and he knew that. That was why he had called her up, she'd have been heartbroken to know she'd never have another chance to speak to her again. The bond between Marielle and Dahlia was deep, Dahlia treated Marielle like the child she'd never had and showered affection on her as if she were also Marielle's mother.
"Do you know when we can go in?" Marielle asked, her eyes wide with hope.
"In a little bit," Her father confirmed, "your mother and the rest of the family are in the waiting room near the ER. Go there, and after I finish my rounds I'll join you, okay?" He answered, giving her a kiss on the top of her head, "pray for her, honey."
After hours of waiting, restless sleep, countless prayers, and enormous dosages of coffee, Marielle was finally allowed to see Dahlia. She went into the room quietly, as if the slightest noise would disturb Dahlia in any way. "Aunt D?" She asked, edging up towards the bed. Dahlia looked horrible. Her left eye was swollen shut, her arm in a cast, and the disturbing array of tubes sent chills through Marielle's spine. The doctor had told her that Dahlia was in a coma, but Marielle wanted to talk, in case she could hear her. She'd heard somewhere that talking to a comatose person might help, and that they could hear you. She took Dahlia's limp hand in hers, trying to get any kind of reaction, but there was none.
"I don't know if you can hear this or not, but it's me, Mari." She said, trying not to cry. "and you've got to make, you've got to." The tears started to flow, "what am I supposed to do without you? You were there whenever I needed you, don't stop now." She talked about anything that flew into her mind, as if by talking she could keep Dahlia near her. The other members of her family had also been in the room, everyone taking their time to be with Dahlia. "Remember when I was little, and Mom and Dad couldn't make it to my tennis games and my plays? I always remember you there, sitting front and center, smiling at me." She smiled at the memories, and let out a frightened yell when the sudden beeping of the machines that surrounded Dahlia began to beep hysterically, each beep making Marielle's heart jump. A doctor and several nurses rushed into the room, checking the machines and Dahlia's pulse.
"I'm sorry," The doctor finally answered softly, his expression sympathetic as he looked at Marielle, avoiding her eyes. The sadness that was always there in times like this was too much to bear. "She's gone." He told her. Marielle wiped the tears, kissing Dahlia's cheek softly.
"Thank you for everything." Marielle said in her ear, meaning it with every heartbeat, every breath, and soul that her body had.
Marielle waited by the gates, her hands stuffed deep into her jeans, wishing she'd brought a warmer jacket than the jean jacket and black tank top she was wearing. It'd been nearly two weeks since Dahlia's death, and life had begun to continue and resume it's normal path. She'd accepted a job offer at the hospital where Dahlia had died, and was the newest addition to their staff of doctors. She sat down in one of the yellow bucket chairs. "Whew, they're really delayed." She whistled to herself. Jessica and Gabi should have returned the week before, but they'd wanted to stay with the guys longer. It seemed as if Gabi and Lance had formed a relationship, from what Jess had said. Marielle smiled to herself when she remembered that Gabi had also told her that Jess and Justin were getting 'involved'. Her eyes started to droop, and she'd jolt awake every three minutes after falling half-asleep. Finally, she succumbed to her weariness.
"We get front stage tickets, right?" Gabi asked Lance as the two of them walked out of the plane and into the airport.
"Of course," Lance answered, sighing with tiredness. He'd had a blast, and they were going to be performing in two days in Los Angeles, which meant he had more time to spend with Gabi.
"We're going to be seriously jet-lagged." Joey said, making an attempt at humor that no one seemed to catch.
"Marielle's supposed to be picking us up," Jess said, her eyes throwing silent daggers at JC. She stopped when Justin put a gentle hand on her arm, signaling her that now wasn't the time, but she couldn't help but be angry with him. Gabi was too tired to give JC any dirty looks, although she'd also been angry with him. When they entered the actual airport, they all looked around, trying to spot Marielle.
"There she is!" Gabi said excitedly. "Ari!" JC could see a sleeping figure on one of the chairs, and she jolted awake when her name was called, and he couldn't help but be happy to see her.
"Gabi! Jess!" Marielle said happily. She hurried quickly over to them, giving her friends hugs. "What are you guys doing here!" She said, happily surprised at seeing N Sync standing behind her friends. The late arrival of their flight was fortunate; there weren't many young teenagers or fans around at this time.
"We have a show in two days, that's why Gabi and Jess decided to just go back the same day we did," Justin answered when she gave him a hug. When she hugged JC, he tried to ignore the raised eyebrows that appeared on everyone's face.
"Let's go," Marielle said happily, one arm around Gabi and the other around Jess. "Where you guys staying?"
"Well," Gabi said sheepishly, "we kind of promised that they could stay with us." When Marielle opened her mouth to reply, Jessica interrupted her quickly, "there's enough room for them, Ari. The house is pretty big and everything."
"I was just about to say," Marielle said, after Jessica stopped talking, "that it's a great idea." She glanced at JC and smiled shyly at him. He didn't look away, but his face became completely devoid of emotion, as if he were afraid to show what he was feeling. She shrugged it off, thinking it must be the jet lag, and they all trooped happily out to the parking lot.
"You all look tired," Marielle remarked, studying the bloodshot eyes and drooping faces.
Jessica gave her a look, "that's usually what happens when you're on a place for twelve hours." She answered dryly.
"Well, you can all get some rest," Marielle answered, brushing off the comment casually. She started up her suburban, turning on the car's CD player. Billy Joel's song, 'for the longest time' came on the radio and she hummed along with it softly as she navigated out of the airport's parking lot. A part of her was excited about seeing JC again, as well as having Gabi and Jess back home. She'd thought a lot about what'd he'd said, and it clung in her mind that maybe having him as a boyfriend wouldn't be that bad. Not at all.
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