With Michael

Chapter 37 - Forsake

20th of July, 1995
Brooklyn is 29, and Michael is 36

Michael: I walked with Brooke into Joshua's room.

Even though it looked nothing like a horrifying white hospital room, I hated it.

Of course, Marie was here. She was always here to help Joshua.

Which seemed kind of ironic, since she left him twenty-six years ago.

"Sweetheart, thank God you came." my father-in-law smiled weakly.

When he first started the chemo treatment, the doctor I hired to take care of him said that it would take his body time, and that he would feel awful with the first couple rounds.

"Mike," Brooklyn said. "Can you leave us alone for a few minutes?"

I nodded, guiding Marie outside.

I stood awkwardly next to her as we waited patiently.

"Thank you for calling me." she broke the silence.

"I only did it for Joshua." I dryly responded.

I knew my wife hated this woman, so having a conversation with her wasn't even an option.

"They are never going to forgive me, are they?"

I sighed, "Marie, I really rather stay out of this. It's not my place to judge what happened."

"What did she tell you?" she asked.

"I said I'm staying out of this." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"You can't, Michael. You were already in too deep when you married her."

"I know now as much as I knew when she first told me about you. That's all I'm saying."

Marie looked down at her feet.

The resemblance between her and Brooke was amazing. They were exactly the same person. The only thing different was Marie's blonde hair that matched Chris's.

The door opened, to expose my teary eyed wife.

"We're going home." she mumbled, taking my hand.

~

Brooklyn: I took a seat next to my dad's bed.

Holding his hand tightly, I also held back the tears.

"Don't leave me, daddy." I whimpered.

"Oh, sweetheart. I have time. You're lucky your husband has great pursuing skills."

I laughed through my tears and hugged him, "Maybe we can find you a donor."

"Maybe," he said. I could feel the smile on his face, though I couldn't see it. "Or maybe you can focus on trying for a child again. He told me you might finally have something to prevent... You know."

"You can't be serious, dad. We can't have a child right now, we need to focus on yo-"

"I'll be fine, Brooklyn. They give good care here," dad whispered. "Pretend I'm not sick. Can you do that for me?"

How could he tell me to just forget he has cancer?

I lifted my head from his chest, giving him a disbelieving look.

"I know it will be hard, but please try. I want to see you become the great mom I know you'll be."

I opened my mouth to speak, but he lifted a finger to stop me.

"Please." he begged this time.

I wiped my tears and nodded. Now giving Michael a child wasn't the only goal. It was also giving my dad another grandchild.