Author's Note: As the author of this story, I HIGHLY beg you all to download (from whatever service you may have) the song “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” by Fuel.....it’s used in this part and the song is of EXTREME importance to this part.....however, simply reading the words don’t help.....you need to hear the pain in the person’s voice...the one who’s singing it. I think you will all understand what I’m saying when you hear it.

The next morning, Ally woke up on her back and in habit, reached over to the other side of her for Larry. He wasn’t there, but she could hear water running so she figured he must be in the shower or shaving or something. All of a sudden, she smelled bacon and feeling the emptiness in her stomach, ventured out of bed and down the stairs.

When she got to the kitchen, she saw Edna, with her gray hair wrapped up in a twist and an apron on. “Good morning Edna,” Ally said while yawning.

Edna looked over at her and stopped, holding a mixture for scrambled eggs and a fork. “I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done Ally,” she turned and went right back to doing what she was doing.

“What do you mean ‘what I have done’?” Ally asked, puzzled.

Edna kept moving around the kitchen. “Making a scene last night like that. Like you’re the only person in the world that matters,” she whipped around. “You are not the only person in the world missy,” she shook the fork at Ally with an irritated look on her face. “My daughter’s life is slipping away and you’re worried about ‘not getting attention’,” Edna quoted Ally making big movements with her hands in the air. “I will not stand for that kind of mockery in this house. You are very much alive and she is fading away every moment. You will show some respect while you’re in this house young lady or you will not be welcome here,” Edna turned back away and poured the mixture into a pan and began mixing it all up. When she finished, she turned around and looked at Ally. “You know, if it weren’t for you, my Jamie would be with the man she loves.” Ally looked at Edna strangely. “You came along and snagged him away right from under her. I can’t say that that makes me very fond of you.”

“Look, I didn’t ‘snag’ any-,” Ally tried to defend herself.

Edna cut her off, “Don’t try and deny it. Just be informed. Know what you did; live with it for the rest of your life. I truly hope it haunts you. Now if you can forget that little idea of yours that you’re the only person in the world, we can all have a good day,” Edna forged a smile and looked away for the last time.

Ally shook her head and walked back upstairs to get showered and dressed. She had just been told off by Jamie’s mother, and for what, she wasn’t quite sure.

Edna, Sam, Larry, and Ally had been at the hospital since noon. The most Ally had really said was aimed at Jamie in apology for her illness. Jamie had been considerate and smiled in appreciation for Ally’s concern.

They had been there for about an hour and Ally was getting hungry. In fact, she was craving lobster. She smiled at her stomach, “You must be a seafood lover like your father,” she laughed softly as she spoke. She was sitting in a chair in the waiting room with a magazine open when the craving hit her. She staggered up and went into Jamie’s room to talk to Larry.

Ally poked her head in, “Can I please steal you for a moment Larry?”

Larry looked back at Ally, “Oh sure, one minute,” and he turned back to Jamie.

Ally slowly backed out of the doorway. When Larry appeared she smiled. “Hey, are you hungry?”

“Not devastatingly, why?” Larry responded, looking at Ally questionably.

“Well, I was wondering if we could go to Red Lobster,” Ally proposed.

“Ally, you don’t like seafood,” Larry returned.

Ally pointed at her stomach, leaned in towards him and whispered, “I think we have another seafood lover in here,” she pulled away laughing lightly.

“Oh, well Jamie was wanting a hamburger or something even though the docs don’t think it’s a good idea. She was like ‘well I’m dying anyway, might as well get one last decent hamburger in before I go’!” Larry laughed in remembrance of the previous conversation with her.

“Oh,” Ally looked away, disappointed.

“So do you want a burger?” Larry interrupted Ally’s thoughts after a long pause.

“Um, uh, sure, sure,” Ally mumbled.

“Okay great, I’ll return in a few minutes,” Larry kissed Ally on the cheek and walked out.

Ally slumped down on a chair and picked up her cell. She needed to talk to someone. She needed someone to listen to her.

“Renee?” Ally asked when the all too familiar voice of her best friend answered. “Hi, it’s me, how, how are you doing?”

“Oh I’m doing fine Ally, but what about you? You don’t sound too good,” Renee could tell right away something was wrong.

“Oh well it’s nothing, it’s, it’s just that,” Ally sighed, “Well Larry’s all preoccupied with Jamie. I just asked him to go out to lunch, for some reason the baby’s craving seafood,” she heard Renee laugh, “yeah I know, but anyways. When I ask him, he goes on about how Jamie just wants a burger or whatever and so now he’s left to pick that up.”

“That’s not it, I know it Ally, what else has happened?” Renee demanded sternly.

“Oh you want a list? Oh, okay, well here goes! Yesterday, they’re here at the hospital all day visiting Jamie, leaving me all by myself in that strange house, no idea where they went, it’s a wonder Larry had his phone on because otherwise I would have thought I was in the twilight zone or something. Last night I ask Larry why he left me alone in that house the whole day and why he’s ignoring me and why we’re still here if the only problem is Jamie and Sam’s alright and he basically chooses to ignore the question saying that he will make sure I’m awake in the morning and I can come with him. Well when I wake myself up in the morning, he’s in the shower, so that part is fine, but then I go downstairs and Jamie’s mother Edna gives me a lecture on not thinking I’m the only person in the world or whatever and saying that I stole Larry from Jamie, which I didn’t and I’m totally confused, lost, hurt,” Ally took a breath, “and pregnant,” Ally sighed, rubbing her enlarged stomach.

“That’s it, I’m coming to Detroit,” Renee said matter-of-factly. “I cannot BELIEVE that he would ignore you like that in your present condition! I’m going to fly out as soon as possible. Where are you at?” Renee grabbed a pen and a pad of paper.

“Oh, um, the uh, the hospital, Detroit Memorial. Um, are, are you sure Renee? I mean I think I can, I think I can manage,” Ally stuttered.

“Well it’s obvious you need someone and Larry’s not being that someone so I will be. If you could fly, I would have you fly back and stay with me, but since you can’t, I will come to you. Now don’t argue with me! I’m going to be there sometime tonight, so just hang tight honey, okay?”

Ally sighed, “Okay, well, call me when you get to Detroit, just to make sure we’re still here, okay?”

“Will do,” Renee responded.

“Renee,” Ally started before they hung up.

“Yeah sweetie?” Renee’s voice was sweet, something Ally missed.

“Thanks, for, for everything,” Ally smiled as Renee responded and she hung up the phone.

Ally settled down in the chair, staring at the bare wall opposite her. She could hear faint music in the background. Since she had nothing else to do with her time, she concentrated on the music. When the words started, she really started to think.

I think I’ve already lost you

I think you’re already gone

I think I’m finally scared now

You think I’m weak, I think you’re wrong

With all of the thought about Jamie, Ally just felt herself feeling less and less important to Larry. Now there’s something she never imagined.

I think you’re already leavin’

Feels like your hand is on the door

I thought this place was an empire

Now I’m relaxed, I can’t be sure

Ally couldn’t begin to imagine what she would do if Larry left her. Maybe it was a good thing that Jamie was dying. Only strictly in the sense that Larry couldn’t leave Ally. No matter how much Ally didn’t quite want to admit it at that moment, she needed him; she really did.

I think you’re so mean

I think we should try

I think I can need this in my life

And I think I’m scared

And I think too much

I know it’s wrong it’s a problem I’m dealing

If you’re gone

Maybe it’s time to come home

There’s an awful lot of breathing room

But I can hardly move

If you’re gone

Maybe you need to come home

Come home

There’s a little bit of something me

In everything in you

Who was Ally kidding? No matter what she did, she needed Larry and she knew it. She needed the love of her life to be there for her. Her main fear right now was that she would never have that place in his heart that Jamie held. Maybe she was never meant to have it logically, but she wanted his heart, his whole heart, not just the core; she wanted all the little crevices and nooks and cranny’s here, there, hell, everywhere.

I bet you’re hard to get over

I bet the room just won’t shine

I bet my hands I can stay here

And I bet you need, more than your mind

What Larry needed Ally could give to him. She knew that and she always thought he knew that. If only she could figure out why he was so hung on Jamie presently.

I think you’re so mean

I think we should try

I think I could need

This in my life

I think I’m just scared

That I know too much

I can’t relate and that’s a problem

I’m feeling

Ally knew that she would be willing to put this behind them if he was. It was funny, nothing had really even happened and yet she was feeling like he had cheated on her or something. The funny thing, she didn’t feel like his wife anymore.

If you’re gone

Maybe it’s time to come home

There’s an awful lot of breathing room

But I can hardly move

If you’re gone

Baby you need to come home

Come home

There’s a little bit of something me

In everything in you

Ally had been married to Larry for quite a while and they had been together for even longer. She knew he was totally enveloped in her and she knew she was totally enveloped in him. At least she USED to think so...

I think you’re so mean

I think we should try

I think I could need

This in my life

And I think I’m scared

Do I talk too much?

I know it’s wrong, it’s a problem

I’m feeling

If you’re gone

Then maybe it’s time to come home

There’s an awful lot of breathing room

But I can hardly move

If you’re gone

Hell baby you need to come home

Come home

There’s a little bit of something me

In everything in you

The truth...this baby was now a symbol of just how much Larry would always be in Ally’s life. God was she really starting to think they weren’t going to last because of this? She needed to clear her head.

The rest of the day went by pretty much the same way. Ally got up and walked around a bit, going up to the maternity floor and looking in on all of the babies. All she could hope for was that her baby would be okay and she would live through it to see and love the child her and Larry had made with their love.

When nighttime had fallen, Ally had heard from Renee from a phone on the plane, just a little check-in to let her know that she was on her way. Larry had been in the room with Jamie and Sam most of the day, briefly taking bathroom breaks, taking Sam with him at which time Edna would go in and give Jamie a pep talk about how she knows Larry still loves her. Ally had overheard one or two, Jamie always countering Edna saying, “He would never give me this much attention if I was alive and well. Funny how you have to be dying to get attention from those you love,” at which point Edna would say she’s VERY loved ALL the time and would hug her daughter only to witness Larry walking right back in and Edna leaving the three alone again and be off gallivanting, doing her own thing rather.

Ally had made a decision; she wasn't going to bother Larry anymore while Renee was there. She would have someone to be there for her all the time, and as much as she didn't want to be selfish, kind of surprisingly, she couldn't help it.

Ally peaked in and saw Sam on the bed wrapped in Jamie’s arms holding a book and Larry was on a chair next to them. Sam was reading to them and they were all laughing and having a great old time. Ally watched all of this, in concern, jealousy, hurt, anger, all of the above. If it could be felt, it was felt...all the bad emotions more specifically. Ally bowed out. She decided to go sit down again, nothing else much for her to really do and she didn’t quite feel right watching them. They looked like a family and she couldn’t stand it for a second. The pregnancy had caused the usual swelling of feet and hers were no exception; her feet were beginning to totally kill her. She slowly sat down on a couch on the opposite end of where Edna was sitting. Edna had fallen asleep, which brought upon Ally a sense of relief. There was no way she wanted to have to worry about an awkward silence in the presence of Jamie's mother. Ally slipped her shoes off and started rubbing her neck, which was also for some reason hurting her.

Soon, Ally was slumped in the seat looking like a typical pregnant woman, only a sleeping pregnant woman. When she woke up, at least two hours must have passed. She looked across from her and noticed that Edna wasn't there anymore, which made her wonder. She rubbed her neck which hurt even more being bent the way it had been while she slept and slipped her shoes back on, carefully, very carefully. Ally grabbed the arm of the couch and slowly stood herself up, supporting her back with her other hand. She slowly walked towards Jamie's room and peered inside. Edna, Sam, and Larry were all in there. She also noticed that Sam was asleep in Edna's arms, but Edna was wide-awake. Jamie was sleeping and Larry was just watching her, not moving an inch. She would have thought that he was asleep too, but the way he was sitting informed her she was wrong. He had his elbows propped up on his knees and his face was resting in his hands but there was stiffness in his back. Ally wondered if something had happened. **No no no Ally! Stop it!** Ally furiously thought. **How can you think that? She's dying; of course he's hurting!** Ally tried to excuse his behavior, but she knew, just as well as the next person, that this was abnormal behavior for someone who was married, happily, and wanted nothing to do with this particular woman.

When Jamie started stirring and her eyes started fluttering open, Larry sat straight up breaking his previous position. Edna stood up and walked out carrying Sam who was also stirring in her arms. She brushed right past Ally completely ignoring her presence, closing the door behind her. Ally was, to say the least, revolted. Ally's gaze followed Edna as she took a seat in the couch that Ally had fallen asleep in before and watched her lay Sam down, his head resting in her lap however. Ally turned and just peeked through the thin floor length window on the hospital door separating her from Larry and Jamie.

"Larry," Jamie began, speaking softly and with a little rasp in her voice. "I'm really glad you came." This was the first time they had been alone and able to talk seriously.

"Why didn't you tell me Jamie?" Larry asked her, speaking softly, but puzzled nonetheless and showing it.

"I didn't want to worry you. I haven't told Sam everything. As far as he knows, I'm just sick, not...not," Jamie couldn't finish.

"Dying," Larry supplied, almost whispering.

Jamie nodded. "I just wanted to see you, and I guess Sam wanted you to be here with me and help me to get better. For some reason, he still believes there's...there is, there was...a chance for," Jamie looked away as she finished the rest of the sentence, "us."

Larry bowed his head. This was all too abrupt. "When the hell did you know this Jamie? How long have you known you were dying? Have you gotten treatment? What the hell happened?" Larry couldn't control himself from all of the questions.

"Larry, I’ve been trying different treatments. They wanted to do surgery but I said no. I mean what if it didn't work? There's no way I could die like that, all cut up on a surgery table. No way in hell," she finished still looking away.

"Why does Sam still think there's a chance for us?" he indicated with his hand the two of them. "I AM married you know, and he was there. He saw us get married; he knows Ally's pregnant, why? How?" Larry once again couldn't stop asking questions, hoping to get answers, different answers than what he expected.

"Larry, I never gave up on us. Never," Jamie was now looking him directly in the eyes. "I guess," she paused. "I guess I always thought that inevitably we would end up together again. We always had Sam. No one else had that but me," Jamie was smiling now. "Sam was always a reminder of you and me. And I guess in that little boy, I always saw us, and knew that one day it really would end up you and me," her smile turned to a sad frown. "I guess I was wrong," Jamie turned her head again.

Larry looked down. As much as he hated what he was hearing, he was flattered...and he felt bad, being that he was talking to Jamie on her deathbed about a possibility of them two together in the future. The sadness, Jamie had no future, nothing. **There's always a sad irony to everything isn't there?** Larry thought. "I don't, I don't know what to say," Larry responded, speechless for one of the only moments in his life. Jamie reached out for his hand and clutched it. Larry didn't tense up or reach away. He just sat there, same as always, allowing Jamie to hold his hand. What was he doing? He had lost control of himself. He couldn't tell what he was doing anymore. "I can't believe you're dying," he finally looked up at her.

Memories are just where you laid them
Dragging waters 'til the depths give up their dead

Jamie felt overjoyed inside. He seemed to care. It felt good to know that he cared about her as much as it showed that he did. She could tell it was hurting and she only wished she wasn't dying. She really did believe that there was always going to be a chance for her and him to be together. Even with Ally in the picture. She always hoped, prayed. Maybe this was her unanswered prayer finally being dealt with. She would die with Larry by her side. That was what she wanted more than anything when she found out she was dying. "Oh Larry," Jamie said sadly, but blissfully. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. Larry stood up and sat back down on the bed next to Jamie and took her in his arms. It was like instinct, but Jamie didn't object. Not one little bit. She cuddled herself into him and breathed him in. God he still smells so good! she thought fervently. She brought her other arm around and grabbed his other arm holding on tight.

What did you expect to find?
Was it something you left behind?
Don't you remember everything I said when I said

Larry looked down at her as she looked up simultaneously. They stared at each other for a minute or two before Larry slowly, gradually, leaned down into her and kissed her; softly at first, and then a little more passionately. Then, Jamie pulled back, “Take care of Sam for me,” she stuttered gruffly and started shaking roughly. Machines began going off like crazy and doctors rushed in.

Don't fall away
And leave me to myself
Don't fall away
And leave love bleeding in my hands
In my hands again
Leave love bleeding in my hands
In my hands
Love lies bleeding

Ally watched as Jamie started talking to Larry and Larry barely moved an inch. **Innocent enough I guess,** she thought, still managing to worry. Why, she didn't know. Suddenly, her cell went off and Ally rushed around the corner instinctively placing her in the waiting room with Edna and Sam who had woken up and was sleepily rubbing his eyes. She answered the phone, seeing it was Renee calling from a cab on the way to the hospital, told her what floor she was on and hung up.

Ally went back around the corner and peeked in. Jamie now had her hand in Larry's and Larry had left it there. **What the hell?** She thought, feeling the nervous butterflies in her stomach. Sam came up around the corner from her slowly, sneakily and looked in the room. Suddenly, Larry stood up; **good he's leaving;** and sat back down, but on the bed, proceeding to take Jamie in his arms. **No no no no!!!! What's happening??**

Don't fall away
And leave me to myself
Don't fall away
And leave love bleeding in my hands
In my hands again
Leave love bleeding in my hands
In my hands
Love lies bleeding

Ally started fidgeting very clearly, shifting her weight every two seconds, feeling a dull pain begin to rise in her groin.

She heard a small soft squeal and looked down to see Sam with a huge smile on his face, his head pressed against the window happily. Ally quickly focused her attention back to the window inside Jamie's room and saw Larry lean down slowly and kiss Jamie. The pain in Ally's groin strengthened and she gripped down there hoping the pressure would subside the pain. Ally's eyes started watering as she witnessed the kiss that had apparently deepened from when she last glanced up. Suddenly she heard lots of commotion and machines going off and noticed Larry was holding a convulsing Jamie and Sam had tears in his eyes and was panicking.

Edna came up around the corner and placed a hand on his little shoulder to comfort him as she also watched the events unfolding. There must have been 5 doctors and nurses rushing into Jamie's room. Larry hadn't let go of Jamie and was watching in horror as all of the doctors came in and checked all of the machines as they kept making those God-awful sounds of death and failure. Then the doctors stopped and looked up at one another shaking their heads and exchanging sighs and words of, "she's gone."

"NO!!!!!!!!!" Sam screamed at the top of his lungs. He looked up at Ally, tears in his eyes and started screaming at her. "If you hadn't shown up my mom and dad would be together! My mom wouldn't have gotten sick and I would have a family! I hate you!" Sam shoved Ally in her stomach, the only place he could reach at his height, and started running away. Ally groaned loudly in pain stumbling backwards. Edna ignored Ally's groaning and ran off towards Sam, brushing right past her, putting her in more pain. She started screaming in pain while she witnessed a puddle of water that had accumulated beneath her, soaking right through her thin panties. One of the nurses that came out of Jamie's room spotted Ally.

"Miss, are you okay? Oh my God!" She yelled for one of the other nurses in the room. "This woman is in labor, get her a wheelchair, quick! Take her to maternity!" Just then Renee got off the elevator and was making her way towards the screaming Ally.