Living Without A Heart

In Case You Don't Live Forever

"Excuse me, are you all here for Mrs Cooper?"

"Yeah," they said in unison.

"Is she okay?"

"Mrs Cooper lost a lot of blood so once we managed to stop the bleeding we had to do a blood transfusion. The cardiac arrest was due to the loss of blood."

"Will she be okay? Can I see her?" FP repeated.

"We managed to stabilize her but we are yet to see if she responds to the transfusion. She may not regain consciousness... Only one can sit with her I'm afraid."

"She's going to be okay. She has two little girls depending on her." Mary assured them.

"FP you should sit with her..."

"Thank you, and thank you doctor."

The doctor just nodded her head and walked away. FP let out a shudder and kissed Polly on the cheek before passing her to Fred. 

"You be a good girl okay?" 

"Okay," Polly smiled.

His hesitant feet walked him towards the bed. The woman occupying the bed was almost as pale as the sheets that she lay in. Blonde curls splayed across her pillow, still sweaty from giving birth. A faint frown burdened her face in her unconscious state. He watched as her chest slowly rose and fell. He placed a kiss to her forehead and then to her hand.

"Ali it's me, FP... I don't know if you can hear me but I have to tell you, while I have the chance." he whispered.

"I'm sorry it has been so long. I know how much I hurt you and I'll never forgive myself for it. Ali, baby... I love you so much, more than you'll ever know. I still hold out hope that we will be together once again somewhere in the future."

*A/N Inspired by this song...*

"My love, I want you to rest and get some well-earned sleep but then you have to wake up, okay? You have to meet Elizabeth and make sure Polly doesn't feel jealous or left out... You have to give Mary some tips about what you've learnt with Polly - I'd like some tips but I've had a bit of experience with you from Polly when she was a baby. We practically raised her together... If I'm a good father at all it's only because of you. I understand if you don't want me back in your life though. Eliza needs her mummy to teach her how to be strong! Oh God Alice... I love you so much!"

Although he wasn't sure whether he imagined it or not but he felt Alice's cold hand squeeze his warm one. The slight frown in her face before had now evaporated. Even still she didn't wake up.

FP briefly left Alice's side to see her new baby. The baby had lots of blonde hair, her mothers eyes and mouth. If he could hold her, she would be slightly bigger than his hand. She was beautiful.

"Hello Elizabeth... mummy wishes she could see you but she is a bit unwell at the minute. My name is FP and you aren't going to remember me but I love your mummy and your big sister, just as I love you. We were going to be a family but that can't happen anymore..." He cooed softly.

The baby girl made a short whimpering noise as though she understood the man who had tears in his eyes. 

"Yeah it is sad... It's complicated but it's too late - I'm sorry. Maybe you will be friends with my son though... I ought to get back to mummy - I'll tell her how gorgeous her daughter is." he finished.